Where to stay in New York City you’re asking? It’s not an easy question my friends. I’m sure you are familiar with New York’s iconic landmarks such as The Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, probably every travel lover heard about those.
Basically the answer depends on what type of person you are, if you are the type that likes the shopping and night life or the type who like restaurants and sightseeing. Here I’m coming to the rescue, I brought you a complete guide about where to stay in New York city Including 3 types of hotels for each area based on your budget.
Before We Start, a couple of things you need to know before departing to the “big Apple”. New York City charges flat fee between 50c to 2$ + hotel room occupancy tax rate (see more detailed explanation here). Another thing you need to consider is the fact that New York City is one of the most visited cities in the world and all the hotels are filling up fast. So my recommendation to you is to book your choice as soon as possible.
Find The Area That Suits You.
After investigating and checking with our friends who lives in the “Big Apple” here are, for our opinion the best areas to stay in New York City:
- Midtown
- Upper West Side
- Upper East Side
- SoHo
- East Village
- Greenwich Village
- Meatpacking District
Now, here is our guide where to stay in New York City:
Midtown.
While New York has a lot to see in every area, Midtown is probably the area that holds the most of New York famous landmarks such as The Empire State building, Times Square, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and a lot more. Midtown is the perfect place for new comers, if it’s your first time in NYC, Midtown is your place to book because all the main landmarks in New York are in a short walking distance from Midtown.
Top Attractions To Explore In Midtown:
Times Square is probably the crowdest place in the us, you just cant feel alone there. The place is filled with pickpockets and you won’t feel so safe but the times square is a must see place to complete your New York experience.
The Empire State Building Is the best skyline view in town, if you’re on a journey to find the perfect photo to summarize your trip to NYC, The Empire State Building is your go to. Once the tallest building in the world, The Empire State Building is a must visit landmark in New York city.
Rockefeller center probably holds he’s greatest reputation when Christmas is coming due to the beautiful Christmas tree that stands there in the holiday season. But it’s also grants a beautiful view from the top, also known as top of the rock.
What’s more iconic that catch a Broadway Show? I think it’s one of the biggest flexes to tell the friends at home that you watched The Lion King or Wicked in Broadway, Mamma Mia! That’s sound wonderful.
Fifth Avenue for the shopping addicts is a paradise on earth, if you came to spend a lot in Tiffany & Co., Bergdorf Goodman, Saks etc. This is the place for you my friend.
Top Places To Grab A Bite In Midtown:
Totto Ramen – extremely popular ramen place, where the ramen is based on chicken broth instead of pork.
NY Pizza Suprema – Who doesn’t like pizza? And with a great location next to the Madison Square Garden makes it a perfect snack after or before catching a game.
Los Tacos – If you’re a Mexican food lover, you got to grab a quick bite at Los Tacos. True, it’s pretty expansive comparing other street foods but it’s totally worth it.
Liberty Bagels – Just craziness of bagels, and who can refuse pure carbs? So if you just want to enjoy great New Yorker street food or just want to take a wonderful photo with the colorful bagels, this is the place for you.
Our Midtown Hotel Recommendations:
Luxury:
Peninsula hotel
Mid Budget:
Royalton NYC
Cheap But Good:
Hell’s Kitchen Enclave (Airbnb).
Upper West Side.
Here things are getting a little bit more chill, the Upper West Side is less busy and a lot safer than Midtown where everything feels like a race. With an easy access to the Central Park a lovely neighborhood and a lot of gourmet markets, Upper West Side is for people who wants to take New York on the easy note.
Top Attractions To Explore In Upper West Side:
Central Park – What can I say that you don’t already know? Probably the most famous park in the world, there is a full list of attractions you can do here, if you just came to explore the massive space of green land or you want to experience the “Friends” vibe, Central park is a must see in New York city and not just in Upper West Side.
River Park – Right, Central Park has he’s reputation, but River Park is not falling from Central Park beauty. Stretching along the Hudson River, River Park is an excellent spot to spend a couple of hours, if it’s just watching young talents skating, paying respect to the Soldiers and Sailors monument or cycling along the Hudson.
American Museum of Natural History – Located right across Central Park, this museum is one of the coolest museums you can visit. with a grand total of twenty-eight interconnected buildings and forty-five permanent exhibition halls that contain upwards of 33 million specimens, the American Museum of Natural History is a must see in the Upper West Side.
The Rooftop of the Empire Hotel – Along many other skyline views in the city, the Empire Hotel Rooftop offer a great view for you to soak or your holiday photos.
Top Places To Grab A Bite In Upper West side:
LeVain Bakery – After a long day walking in the “Big Apple” you just have to regain some calories, and the best way is probably the iconic LeVain Bakery cookies.
Nice Matin – Located on Amsterdam Avenue, Nice Matin is a lovely French Bistro where you will fill like you are in Nice or Cannes. Just take a sip of a good French wine and you will feel like you’re in one of the beaches in the French riviera.
Jacob’s Pickles – Just soak your tiredness in a great meal of southern comfort food, in Jacob’s Pickles you are going to get buttermilk fried chicken, mac and cheese and all the grease you need to fill your stomach. Here they have 20 or more home made beers from the tap for you to enjoy, what makes this place an all-around restaurant experience.
Our Upper West Side Hotel Reccommendations:
Luxury:
The Wallace Hotel
Mid Budget:
Hotel Lucerne
Cheap But Good:
HI NYC Hostel
Upper East Side.
Although you won’t find one of the biggest landmarks that New York has to offer, the Upper East Side is my favorite area in New York. The area is really safe with 20% less crime rate than the rest of the USA. Packed with museums, great bars and some of the best coffee shops, the Upper East Side is where you find New York best hidden gems.
Top Attractions To Explore In Upper East Side:
Guggenheim – Located in the fifth avenue, the Guggenheim is a weird looking museum and he’s the home of modern art pieces. The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright built it and it’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, And that makes this place a must to visit attraction for your Upper East Side experience.
Carl Schurz Park – It can’t be a perfect zone if it doesn’t have at least one park in it. Located in the East 86th Street &, East End Ave NY Carl Schurz Park is packed with wonderful gardens and you can even see from there the Gracie Mansion where the New York Mayor lives.
Bloomingdales – You got to stop by Bloomingdales if you came to do some shopping in New York. This place has to many floors compared to your everyday mall, our advice is to grab something to eat meanwhile you touring the center.
Roosevelt Island Tram – If you’re traveling in the Upper East Side you got to experience the Roosevelt Island Tram. Not only you will see one of the best views New York has to offer you will also get to visit Roosevelt Island, a tiny little island that is for sure one of New York hidden gems.
Top Places To Grab A Bite In Upper East Side:
Lexington Candy Shop – Probably one of the Upper East Side landmark, since it’s been in the same place from 1925. Here you’ll gain some calories because they are making some of the best homemade old-fashioned candies and it is one of the best candy you’ll taste.
Daniel – Owned by Chef Daniel Boulud, Daniel is 2 Michelin French restaurant where you can enjoy a four course prix-fixe or seven-course tasting menu that will cause you to feel like you got back to the Renaissance era.
J.G. Melon – Working since 1972 J.G. Melon is arguably the best burger in town. With the perfect crust on the outside and a perfect pink meat on the inside J.G. Melon is the perfect place to stop by for lunch.
Mission Ceviche – If you are searching fun, loud where everyone is getting drunk, Mission Ceviche is the place. Their specialty is seafood, cocktails and get you drunk, what makes this place a great evening attraction.
Our East Side Hotel Recommendations:
Luxury:
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
Mid Budget:
The Gardens ES Suites New York
Cheap But Good:
voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel
SoHo.
SoHo is located within the greater Lower Manhattan District where you will find a lot of shopping options, great museums, art galleries and beautiful architecture. Bordered by Houston Street, Lafayette Street, and the western part of Broadway, SoHo is famous for its lively nightlife and stellar restaurants and impressive cast-iron buildings.
Top Attractions To Explore In SoHo:
New York City Fire Museum – The former firehouse was reconstructed into a museum filled with three floors of New York City Fire Department history. This place is a great way to spend couple of hours of learning and also paying respect to the 343 members of the FDNY-EMS who lost their lives in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001.
Jimmy at the James Hotel – Providing a great sunset view, Jimmy at the James Hotel is the perfect hang out place if you want to chill with a good cocktail on one hand and a camera to catch the view on the other hand.
Maria Bonita Salon and Spa – located within the borough’s hip SoHo district, Maria Bonita Salon and Spa is Manhattan’s only downtown full-service salon and spa. With outstanding beauty treatments and cutting-edge technology Maria Bonita is the perfect place to take the day off with the girls.
SoHo, Little Italy & Chinatown Walking Tour – although it’s not only in SoHo, you got to take this tour involving all three neighborhoods and experience the best hidden gems in town.
Top Places To Grab A Bite In SoHo:
12 Chairs – The meaning of the name based on the fact that this place started with only 12 seats. Here you will be served an Israeli fused with Russian cuisine that will really surprise your tastebuds.
Dos Caminos – If you’re a tequila freak as I’m, you will love Dos Caminos just for the fact that they have more than one hundred kinds of tequila. Here you will get all the good things from the Mexican Cuisine, starting from guacamole, margaritas, asada tacos and great quesadillas.
King Restaurant – located on the corner of Sixth Avenue and King Street, King Restaurant is a small bistro offering a menu that changes daily. The restaurant will serve you northern Italy cuisine with dishes like Provençal fish stew with lobster and Long Island clams, roast guinea hen with ricotta and lemon, and simple grilled hanger steak with rosemary.
Restaurant Boqueria – I don’t have much to say besides its arguably the best tapas you’ll find in town.
Our SoHo Hotels Recommendations:
Luxury:
Crosby Street Hotel
Mid Budget:
The Broome Hotel
Cheap But Good:
Arlo SoHo
East Village.
Originally part of the Lower East Side, New York’s East Village is being considered to be the birthplace of the punk(I think it says a lot about the place). With killer tattoo shops and vintage clothing stores this area is considered to be the village of New York City and it’s a really different place to stay if you want to get another vibe that you got in New York.
Top Attractions In East Village:
No Relation Vintage – If you spent all your money in New York on food, alcohol or hotels but still wants to come back with ”this hoodie I bought in New York” kind of stuff, this is the place for you. No Relation Vintage is a thrift shop chain where you can find second-hand clothes in a really good price.
Ukrainian Museum – In the current date of this article being uploaded (02.05.2022) there is no better time to stop by this museum in order to cherish the Ukrainian traditions. Established in 1976, the Ukrainian Museum preserves artifacts, articles, and art of Ukrainian heritage and it’s a must visit during this time.
Museum of the American Gangster – Addicted to all the mafia/underworld movies? You got to stop by this place. Museum of the American Gangster exhibits photographs and illustrations of many of the most famous gangsters of the 20th century as well as the weapons used by mafia members and stories about the lives and heists of these criminals.
Tompkins Square Park – I’ve told you, there must be at least one park in each zone in order to complete the experience. With 2.1M USD invested in renovation, Tompkins Square Park is the perfect way to end your busy day touring the city.
Top Places To Grab A Bite In The East Village:
The Black Ant – So this is a weird one for me, if you’re a curious eater you have to stop by The Black Ant. In here you’ll get all sorts of bugs on tacos and guacamole like grasshoppers, worms and the namesake ant.
Squish Marshmallows – In here you’ll get delicious, handcrafted marshmallow confections in a variety of flavors like Apple Pie, Rocky Road, Banana Pudding. So if you’re traveling the city and wants to walk with a great New Yorker snack to complete the vibe this place is for you.
Kenka NYC – If you like to taste food that don’t fits itself to the western taste buds, Kenka Restaurant is a great place to grab the most authentic Japanese food in New York.
McSorley’s – Opened in 1854, you got to have a beer in New York’s oldest ale house. You probably think that in order to preserve the state of the bar a lot of renovation took place in here, but actually nothing much changed, what makes it the perfect hang out.
Luxury:
The Bowery Hotel
Mid Budget:
The Standard – East Village
Cheap But Good:
Entire condo hosted by Joseph(Airbnb)
Greenwich Village.
Greenwich Village is a neighborhood on the west side of Lower Manhattan in New York City that suits for tourists who likes good food, great transportation, iconic doorman buildings that will give you the motivation to be rich and just gives you the old New York charm. In Greenwich Village You’ll find NYU students, street performers, skateboarders, kids frolicking in the fountain, and locals relaxing and playing chess, all of that will give you a look to the chill New York City side .
Top Attractions In Greenwich Village:
Washington Square Park – In Washington Square Park you’ll see in any given day artists, musicians, chess players, families, NYU students, poets, and pets all bringing the park to life. At the northern point of the park there’s the Washington Square Arch, which was built in 1982. All of that makes this park a must to see as it combines between history and New York vibes in just a small space of 10 acres.
Friends Apartment Building – You just can’t visit New York without visit the famous Building from the show “Friends”. Who doesn’t familiar with this show? After 10 great seasons this comedy sitcom entertained millions of people around the globe and you just can’t miss visiting here.
Fat Cat Jazz – Looking for some Jazz to complete the New York trip? This is the answer to your prayer. The music jams here nightly and it’s an eclectic mix ranging from live jazz to classical. But here it’s not only about the music, just pick a game of billiards, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, chess, checkers, or scrabble while listening to the sound of music.
The Comedy Cellar – In the heart of Greenwich Village, the Comedy Cellar has been an epicenter of laughs since the 1980s. Some of the great comedians are still showing up here to test their new materials and sharpen their skills so you might have a surprise.
Top Places To Grab A Bite In Greenwich Village:
Mamoun’s Falafel – Mamoun’s Falafel is there for you, day or night, serving quality Middle Eastern food since 1971. Like all street foods it’s very cheap to eat here but the main problem is that you’ll find a hard time grabbing a seat.
Carroll Place – Located on Bleecker Street, Carrol Place is both gastropub and wine bar where you can enjoy Italian-inspired food. Here you have to try their pizza with truffles and the Pasta Vongole, but our advice Is to reserve a table.
Loring Place – If you are not from America and absolutely came to experience this kind of food you got to stop by Loring Place as it’s serves you one of the most authentic dishes of the American cuisine.
Minetta Tavern – The Minetta Tavern is a French-influenced restaurant with a focus on fine dining. They famous for their amazing burgers that will cause you to feel like you’re eating a fillet mignon in a form of burger.
Luxury:
Gansevoort Meatpacking
Mid Budget:
Washington Square Hotel
Cheap But Good:
Incentra Village Hotel
Meatpacking District.
The Meatpacking District is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan that runs from West 14th Street south to Gansevoort Street, and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street. Once a neighborhood full of slaughterhouses and factories, Manhattan’s Meatpacking District is now known for its high-end fashion stores, swanky bars and restaurants that are worth the wait for a table.
Top Attractions In Meatpacking District:
Chelsea Market – from plant-based Beyond Sushi to Num Pang – a Cambodian sandwich shop selling crispy baguettes overflowing with rainbow veggies. Chelsea Market is a must to visit place in whole of New York.
The Sugar Factory – If you want somehow to have huge orbs of fruity, boozy cocktails garnished with exotic candies, the Sugar Factory is the place for you. Serving everything that will basically KO your teeth out the Sugar Factory is the perfect place for the people who can’t live without their sweets.
Whitney Museum Of American Art – With a great location overlooking at the Hudson River, the museum is the home of an impressive collection of more than 22,000 modern and contemporary American artworks.
Samsung 837 – If you are all about technology and you just have to know which kind of phone will go out next year, Samsung 837 is for you. This place holds the latest Samsung products and he’s hosting special tech events.
Top Places To Grab A Bite In Meatpacking District:
Catch NYC – A seafood restaurant where you’ll be served with great ceviche, octopus and lobster in the modern dining room of this sleek seafood eatery. If you are up for a good view while you are eating, you should try the roof terrace.
RH Rooftop Restaurant – If you want to fully embrace Meatpacking, go to RH Rooftop, an American spot on the roof of Restoration Hardware. Here you will be served good American food while having a views of the downtown and many other rooftop bars.
The Standard Grill – Most New York top restaurants have a long wait until you can sit in one of the tables, while in here you can grab a drink at the bar until your table is cleared. Beside that the place great food with great burgers and friend and co.
Hao Noodle – If you’re really into Chinese food you got to try this one. In Hao Noodle you’ll get great Chinese dishes like excellent chicken in chili oil and wontons or Chinese barbecue skewers, like lamb kebab or spicy squid.
Luxury:
The Standard, High Line New York
Mid Budget:
The Maritime Hotel
Cheap But Good:
Chelsea Pines Inn
And that’s it guys, we hope this guide on where to stay in New York CIty helps you to choose the best area/hotels in the “Big Apple”.
If you have been to New York? Let us know which area was your favorite or which hotels you liked the most and where you are gonna visit next time.
If you liked our guide but you’re searching for another big and modern city to stay in, check our article about Airbnb’s in tokyo and check our other USA guides about the best Yellowstone National Park hotels and the Big Sur Road Trip Itinerary and even St. Augustine guide.
We have other guides that you might wanna check about luxurious destinations like the best Madagascar hotels or Trinidad and Tobago best resorts.
Also check our Puerto Pollensa guide.