The best way to visit New York City is with thousands in your back pocket. Maybe millions.
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Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to experience the Big Apple without forking over a hefty sum. The same is true in many popular international destinations, from Paris to Tokyo to Singapore.
In short, you’ll pay for all the wonder you’ll experience. While New York City has a long list of free things to do, a highly usable Subway system, and a surprisingly long list of affordable eats, many of its can’t-miss activities come with a price tag.
I have just one tip: Be mindful of where you stay. While New York City is a fickle beast when it comes to lodging, especially considering its crackdown on Airbnbs, you can still find quality places to stay that won’t break the bank.
If you want to save big, I recommend booking an Airbnb just across the Hudson in Jersey City. If not, here are some of the top mid-range hotels in New York City in Manhattan that won’t empty your savings account.
Mid-range hotels in New York City that won’t break the bank
- Best for couples: The Shoreham
- Best views: Pod51 Hotel
- Best location: The Leon Hotel (Chinatown)
- Second-best location: Pestana CR7 Times Square (Times Square)
- Coolest vibes: Pod Times Square
- Best amenities: Four Points by Sheraton New York Downtown
- Most affordable (outside Manhattan): Ly New York Hotel
Mid-range hotels in New York City that won’t break the bank
Best for couples: The Shoreham
Stylish, clean, and chic, The Shoreham gives you a perfect base to explore the city. You can book rooms that come with small terraces, too, if you like to enjoy a view with your morning coffee. The Midtown location gives you plenty of flexibility, whether you want to walk to a destination or take the train.
Couples will also appreciate the bedding. The Shoreham, despite its reasonable prices, is known for its comfy beds—making it perfect for a couple’s getaway where rest and a few cuddles are on the priority list.
Best views: Pod51 Hotel
Who doesn’t want those iconic New York City skyline views from their window? Unfortunately, the vista usually comes with a high price—except for Pod51 Hotel. Pod51 is located in the Upper East Side near the United Nations HQ. It has a hostel-hotel blended setup, letting you rent private rooms or bunkbed pods with shared bathrooms.
The true star of the show is the terrace. It’s a large space with plenty of seating, offering a front-row view of one of Manhattan’s most elegant skylines. As a perk, the hotel also has great hangout spots at its restaurant and outdoor dining area. Just expect basic room setups, like any pod hotel.
Best location: The Leon Hotel (Chinatown)
Located in the Chinatown neighborhood of the Lower East Side, The Leon Hotel puts you right in the heart of one of Manhattan’s liveliest, most iconic areas. If dim sum doesn’t lure you in, the pastas of nearby Little Italy might. In short, it’s highly walkable—whether you want activities, landmarks, great restaurants, or bars serving locals.
Despite its excellent location and its spacious rooms, The Leon Hotel maintains its affordability. The only drawback is that the rooms don’t come with microwaves, meaning you can’t make your own meals easily.
Second-best location: Pestana CR7 Times Square (Times Square)
If you prefer the big-lights feel of Times Square compared to Chinatown, go with Pestana CR7 Times Square. While Times Square is very busy and hectic, you’re in the middle of the action, with plenty of restaurants nearby. The main benefit, however, is the proximity to trains. You can catch any train from Times Square heading anywhere in the city.
The rooms are compact, colorful, and clean. The hotel also has a business and fitness center. As a perk, the hotel comes with blackout curtains and soundproofed windows, meaning you can easily block out the lights and noise from the city’s busiest central hub.
Coolest vibes: Pod Times Square
If you like the Times Square location but prefer a hotel with more hangout areas, Pod Times Square is for you. The rooms are modular, like any pod hotel—and it also has the grand communal spaces to match, including a terrace, bar-restaurant, and a lobby with workspaces.
The most impressive is the rooftop terrace, where you can unwind with commanding city views. Some rooms also come with larger-than-life views. Just make sure you take a close look at the rooms—they might be too small for some.
Best amenities: Four Points by Sheraton New York Downtown
Located in downtown New York City nearby Wall Street, the Four Points by Sheraton has all the amenities you expect from a hotel—just in a more compact package. The rooms are comfortable and larger than most others on this list.
There are also two on-site restaurants to choose from, along with two bars. Those third spaces are important in New York City, where you might feel absolutely zapped after a long day out. There’s also a workout center for any fitness buffs.
Most affordable: Ly New York Hotel
The Ly New York Hotel isn’t located in Manhattan, meaning you need to take the Subway into the city. The hotel is located in College Point, a popular neighborhood with trains that reach the city in as little as 30 minutes. (There’s also a parking lot, if you have a car.)
If you’re okay with that tradeoff, you’ll get affordable rooms that are more comfortable than their Manhattan counterparts. The property also feels more upscale, with spa-like robes and comfortable beds. Just know that you won’t have all those iconic NYC locations within walking distance.
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