Where to stay in New York: The best areas and 16 hotels

New York isn't one city, it's five boroughs, each with its own character, neighbourhoods and pace. When looking for a place to stay, your choice of area determines how much time you'll spend commuting daily and how much your room will cost.

Manhattan concentrates most of the attractions and the highest density of hotels, but also the highest prices. Brooklyn offers a more relaxed atmosphere, good food and cheaper rooms, with the subway taking you to the centre in a few minutes.

In this guide, you'll find four areas that cater to different traveller profiles, from visitors who want to be next to Times Square to those who prefer a more local experience in Brooklyn or the Upper West Side.

What to see and do in New York

New York is located at the confluence of the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean, on the northeastern coast of the United States. It consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island, with a population exceeding 8.3 million residents. Manhattan is a long, narrow island, approximately 21 km long, conceptually divided into Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown, and it's where most of the landmarks visitors seek are concentrated.

The city's history began in 1624 when Dutch traders founded the settlement of New Amsterdam at the southern tip of Manhattan, where Wall Street is located today. In 1664, it passed into English hands and was renamed New York. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, millions of immigrants passed through Ellis Island seeking a new life, which shaped the multicultural character the city maintains to this day. The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France in 1886, stands on Liberty Island and remains a symbol of this period.

In Midtown, you'll find Times Square with its bright billboards, the Empire State Building with 102 floors and views up to 130 km away on clear days, as well as Rockefeller Center with its famous ice rink in winter. Central Park spans 341 hectares in the heart of Manhattan and serves as the city's green lung, with lakes, jogging paths, and Belvedere Castle.

Lower Manhattan, also known as Downtown, hosts the Financial District with Wall Street and the stock exchange, the 9/11 Memorial at the site of the Twin Towers, and the historic Battery Park, from where ferries depart for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. A little further north, SoHo and TriBeCa combine 19th-century industrial buildings with galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.

Brooklyn, on the opposite bank of the East River, has transformed over the past two decades into one of the city's most vibrant destinations. The Brooklyn Bridge, completed in 1883, connects Manhattan with Dumbo and offers one of New York's most photographed views. Neighbourhoods like Williamsburg and Park Slope boast numerous independent cafes, street food markets, and a nightlife that rivals Manhattan's.

Food in New York is a reason to visit in itself. You'll find classic New York wood-fired pizza, bagels with cream cheese in the morning, pastrami sandwiches at Katz's Delicatessen on the Lower East Side since 1888, as well as cuisines from all over the world in Queens, where you can find over a hundred nationalities in a small radius. Chelsea Market in the Meatpacking District is a good option for quick and quality food.

Distances within the city are primarily measured in subway minutes rather than kilometres. From Midtown to the Financial District is about 8 km, roughly 20 to 25 minutes by subway. From Williamsburg in Brooklyn to Midtown is about 20 minutes on the L train, followed by a change. The subway operates 24 hours a day, which is rare for a big city, and is the most practical way to get around without worrying about traffic.

If you have time, a stroll along the High Line, a 2.3 km park built on an old elevated railway line, is worthwhile, or a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of the world's largest art museums with collections spanning five millennia.

How to get from the airport to the city centre

New York is primarily served by three airports. JFK is the furthest, about 26 km from Midtown, and the best option is the AirTrain combined with the subway, with a total cost of around 11 dollars and a duration of 60 to 75 minutes. A taxi with a fixed fare to Manhattan costs about 70 dollars excluding tip, while services like Uber vary depending on traffic.

LaGuardia is closer, about 13 km from the centre, but does not have a direct subway connection. The option of taking the Q70 bus and then the subway costs around 3 dollars but requires patience, while a taxi or Uber takes 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and costs approximately 40 to 55 dollars.

Newark, in New Jersey, is often used for international flights and is about 26 km from Manhattan. The combination of AirTrain and NJ Transit train reaches Penn Station in about 30 minutes at a cost of around 13 dollars, while a taxi costs approximately 75 dollars plus tolls.

At all airports, it's recommended to have cash or a card for tickets, as taxi queues can be long during peak hours. The OMNY card, now used across the entire subway and bus network, works with direct card or mobile contact, without needing to buy a separate ticket.

The best areas to stay in New York

Midtown Manhattan

Midtown is the most popular base for a first-time visit to New York. Here you'll find Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue with its major department stores. It's a central hub for subways in all directions.

Advantages:

• Close to all main attractions
• Excellent subway connections
• Many restaurants and theatres within walking distance

Disadvantages:

• Very busy and noisy
• Higher room rates
• A bit touristy, not as authentic

Recommended accommodation:

1. DoubleTree by Hilton New York Midtown Fifth Ave
Hotel next to Rockefeller Center with comfortable rooms and a good location for strolls.

• Average cost: about 280€ per night

2. Embassy Suites By Hilton New York Manhattan Times Square
Suites with separate living areas, ideal for families, just minutes from Times Square.

• Average cost: about 310€ per night

3. SpringHill Suites by Marriott New York Midtown Manhattan/Fifth Avenue
A practical option with a kitchenette in the room, near Fifth Avenue.

• Average cost: about 260€ per night

4. The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection
Historic hotel dating from 1902 with a literary tradition and elegant atmosphere.

• Average cost: about 340€ per night

5. The Knickerbocker
Modern hotel right on Times Square with a rooftop bar.

• Average cost: about 360€ per night

6. M Social Hotel Times Square New York
Boutique hotel with contemporary design, two steps from Times Square.

• Average cost: about 300€ per night

Lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan combines history and modern business life. Here you'll find Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, and the departure point for the Statue of Liberty. In the evening, it's quieter compared to Midtown, which appeals to those who prefer a restful sleep.

Advantages:

• Close to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Quieter in the evenings
• Good access to subway and ferries

Disadvantages:

• Less nightlife
• Emptier on weekends
• Distance from Midtown and Central Park

Recommended accommodation:

7. Tribeca Hotel FiDi
Modern hotel in the heart of the Financial District, near the 9/11 Memorial.

• Average cost: about 230€ per night

8. Four Points by Sheraton New York Downtown
A reliable chain option with comfortable rooms, near Wall Street.

• Average cost: about 250€ per night

9. Hotel Indigo NYC Financial District by IHG
Boutique hotel with harbour views, next to One World Trade Center.

• Average cost: about 290€ per night

10. Moxy NYC Downtown
Youthful hotel with a lively bar on the ground floor, popular with younger travellers.

• Average cost: about 240€ per night

11. Aloft Manhattan Downtown Financial District
Modern design hotel with an open lobby, a few minutes from Battery Park.

• Average cost: about 260€ per night

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Williamsburg has transformed into one of New York's most popular neighbourhoods for younger travellers. It offers good views of Manhattan, many independent cafes and restaurants, and subway connections to the centre in just a few minutes.

Advantages:

• More relaxed and local atmosphere
• Excellent food and bars
• Cheaper rooms compared to Manhattan

Disadvantages:

• Requires subway for main attractions
• Fewer options for large hotel chains
• Some subway lines have less frequent services late at night

Recommended accommodation:

12. Wythe Hotel
Old industrial building converted into a boutique hotel with Manhattan views from the rooftop.

• Average cost: about 270€ per night

13. Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg
Youthful hotel with a lively bar, next to the L train subway station.

• Average cost: about 220€ per night

14. The Hoxton, Williamsburg
Stylish hotel with a chic restaurant and co-working space on the ground floor.

• Average cost: about 260€ per night

15. Hilton Brooklyn New York
Recently renovated hotel in Boerum Hill, near many subway lines.

• Average cost: about 230€ per night

16. Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown by IHG
A practical chain option next to Nevins Station, good for families on a moderate budget.

• Average cost: about 190€ per night

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is a residential neighbourhood next to Central Park, with wide streets, good schools, and a calm atmosphere. It's a good choice for those who want to be close to the park and Lincoln Center without the intensity of Midtown.

Advantages:

• Next to Central Park
• Quieter and more family-friendly neighbourhood
• Good local shops and delis

Disadvantages:

• A bit further from Downtown
• Less nightlife
• Requires subway for most attractions

Recommended accommodation:

17. Hotel Belleclaire Central Park
Elegant hotel in a historic building, a few steps from Central Park.

• Average cost: about 220€ per night

18. La Quinta by Wyndham New York City Central Park
An economical chain option with a good location near the park.

• Average cost: about 190€ per night

19. Hotel Lucerne
Classic hotel with friendly service, popular with families.

• Average cost: about 240€ per night

20. Riverside Tower Hotel
Budget-friendly hotel near the Hudson River, good for longer stays.

• Average cost: about 150€ per night

21. Hotel Beacon
Spacious rooms with kitchenettes, next to Lincoln Center.

• Average cost: about 260€ per night

How much does accommodation in New York cost?

An economical room in a hostel or simple hotel in New York starts from around 90 to 130 dollars per night, usually in a small room with few amenities. Mid-range hotels in Midtown or Brooklyn cost approximately 200 to 320 dollars, while luxury hotels in central Manhattan easily exceed 450 dollars per night.

Beyond the room, the city imposes a local occupancy tax of around 14.75% plus 3.50 dollars per night, which is usually not included in the initial price you see online and is added at checkout or upon arrival.

Food can be cheap or expensive depending on your choices. A slice of pizza on the street costs around 3 dollars, a meal at a cafe or deli about 15 to 20 dollars, while dinner at a mid-range restaurant with drinks costs approximately 40 to 60 dollars per person. Don't forget that restaurant prices have an added tax of approximately 8.875% and a tip of 18 to 20% is usually expected.

Subway travel costs 2.90 dollars per ride, with unlimited transfers within two hours. If you're staying for more than three days, a weekly unlimited pass for 34 dollars is good value. Taxis have an initial charge of approximately 3 dollars plus a charge per kilometre and waiting time.

When to visit New York

Spring, from mid-April to June, and autumn, from mid-September to mid-November, are considered the best periods, with mild temperatures around 15 to 22 degrees Celsius and less humidity compared to summer. Autumn also has the advantage of the leaves changing colour in Central Park.

Summer, especially July and August, is hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, but it's also the period with the most outdoor events, such as free concerts in Central Park and open-air theatre. Winter can be very cold, with temperatures below freezing, but the city at Christmas has a special atmosphere with lights on Fifth Avenue and the tree at Rockefeller Center.

Accommodation prices rise significantly around New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving in late November with the Macy's parade, and Christmas. If you want better prices, avoid these periods and opt for January, excluding New Year's, or late February, when hotels have lower demand.

Practical tips for your stay

• Get an OMNY card from the start. Use your contactless card or mobile directly at the subway turnstiles, without needing a separate ticket or paper fare card.
• Book early for major events. If your trip coincides with Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, or Christmas, book accommodation at least two months in advance as prices rise quickly.
• Factor in the local occupancy tax. The final hotel price will be higher than what you see online due to taxes of around 14.75% plus a fixed charge per night.
• Choose a neighbourhood near a subway line. Before booking a room, check which subway line is closest, as some Brooklyn neighbourhoods are served by only one line.
• Allow time for long distances. The city is larger than it appears on the map. A journey from Midtown to Brooklyn can take 30 to 40 minutes by subway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which neighbourhood is best for a first-time visit to New York?

Midtown is the most convenient option because it's close to most attractions and has excellent subway connections to all directions.

Is it worth staying in Brooklyn instead of Manhattan?

Yes, if you want lower prices and a more local atmosphere. Neighbourhoods like Williamsburg are just 20 minutes from the city centre by subway.

How many days are needed to see New York?

Four to six days are enough for the main attractions, while with more time, you can explore less touristy neighbourhoods too.

Do I need to rent a car in New York?

No, the subway and buses cover the entire city sufficiently, and parking is difficult and expensive.

What is the cheapest period for accommodation in New York?

January after New Year's and late February usually have lower prices due to lower demand.

Is it safe to stay near Times Square?

Yes, it is one of the city's busiest and most monitored areas, although it can be noisy at night.

Conclusion

The choice of neighbourhood in New York mainly depends on how much time you want to spend travelling and what kind of atmosphere you prefer in the evening. Midtown and Lower Manhattan bring you closer to the classic attractions, while Brooklyn and the Upper West Side offer a quieter stay with easy access to the city centre.

Whichever area you choose, the city's subway network operates 24/7 and helps you easily combine different neighbourhoods within the same day.

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