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The Best Cheap Hotels to Book in New York City, New York

Bustling NYC is the perfect place for a city break
Bustling NYC is the perfect place for a city break | © Ryan DeBerardinis / Shutterstock

New York City is known for its high rents, expensive attractions and luxury stays. However, among the swathes of swanky hotels lies a variety of budget alternatives that place you in the middle of the action without breaking the bank. We’ve put together a rundown of the very best – from cabin-style rooms in Midtown to Japanese pods at the YO! Sushi hotel.

The Wall Street Inn, for deluxe rooms

Hotel, Inn

Opulent cream-toned room with a leather sofa, upholstered chairs and a chandelier at The Wall Street Inn
Courtesy of The Wall Street Inn / Expedia

This cheap hotel in New York City’s heart is surrounded by the historic attractions and famous landmarks that fill the Lower Manhattan streets. As the name suggests, Wall Street is just a five-minute walk away, where you can catch the subway into the heart of the city. The building has a classic 19th-century facade; inside, it’s all early New York charm. Rooms are a choice between deluxe spaces with their own seating areas, or superiors with classic furnishings.

Hotel 46 Times Square, for a fabulous location

Hotel

Two double beds in a cream-toned stylish bedroom at Hotel 46 Times Square
Courtesy of Hotel 46 Times Square / Expedia

The bright lights of Times Square, luxury shops of Fifth Avenue, and tree-lined greenery of Bryant Park are all on your doorstep at this cheap hotel in New York. Grand Central Station is just a couple of blocks away, too. Contemporary hotel rooms have dedicated work desks for those in town for business. There’s also a business center and a gym on site for the utmost convenience.

The New York Manhattan Hotel, for rooftop views

Hotel

Trendy outdoor bar area at The New York Manhattan Hotel with fairy light installations and quirky decor
Courtesy of Nyma: The New York Manhattan Hotel / Expedia

One of the newest New York cheap hotels, NYMA sits amidst the vibrant shops and restaurants of Koreatown. It’s between Fifth Avenue where you can get your shopping fix, and Broadway for a night of sparkling entertainment. Warm tones and crisp white linens make kings, double kings, and accessible rooms a welcoming space. The real highlight is the rooftop terrace, with plenty of plush sofas to admire that NYC rooftop view from. What’s more, this spot is pet-friendly – ideal if you’re traveling with a furry friend.

The Solita Soho Hotel, for a gastronomic paradise

Boutique Hotel

Simple white room with a double bed at The Solita Soho Hotel
Courtesy of The Solita Soho Hotel / Expedia

If you want to hit all the essential sights of New York City, The Solita Soho is the choice for you. In the iconic bar and restaurant scene of Soho, you’ve got a foodie paradise at your fingertips. If that doesn’t sate your appetite, Chinatown, the Lower East Side and Noho are also within easy walking distance. Rooms are a picture of modernity in white and teal, where plush beds sit alongside dark-wood desks for the perfect combination of business and leisure. You also get a discount at the Starbucks next door.

The Ridge Hotel, for staying on-trend

Budget Hotel

Double bed with white bedding and purple decorative pillows at The Ridge Hotel
Courtesy of The Ridge Hotel / Hotels.com

There’s no denying that New York is a mile-a-minute city, and this hotel keeps its finger on the racing pulse. On the Lower East Side, you’ve got trendy eateries and street food havens all around, plus the iconic nightlife of Soho nearby, and a short commute across to Brooklyn. Rooms are adorned with vibrant modern art, a reflection of the creative neighborhood. Come sundown, the perfect spot to take in the city skyline is the hotel’s rooftop terrace with plenty of seating and heaters for the chilly months. If you’re looking for a hotel deal in New York City that combines the perfect location with an artsy and eclectic feel, this is the place for you.

The Jane Hotel, for cabin-like coziness

Boutique Hotel, Budget Hotel, Hotel

Elegant room with cream patterned wallpaper, wooden wardrobe, a metal frame bed and a ceiling fan at The Jane Hotel
Courtesy of The Jane Hotel / Hotels.com

Built in 1908 and restored in 2008, the Jane Hotel draws inspiration from luxury train and ship cabins. Travelers staying in bunk-bed and standard cabins share communal bathrooms, but there is ample storage space above and below the beds. The cozy wood furnishings, seasonal rooftop, and unbeatable West Village location make it easy to forget you’re staying in a budget-friendly hotel.

YOTEL New York, for a Japanese-inspired stay

Capsule Hotel

Modern bedroom with a round bed, purple neon lights and panoramic city views at Yotel New York Times Square
Courtesy of YOTEL New York Times Square / Booking.com

Recognize the name? YOTEL comes from the world-famous sushi restaurant brand, YO! Sushi. Unfortunately, the compact Japanese-style cabins don’t come with complimentary sushi, but they are kitted out with gel memory foam mattresses, heated bathroom towel racks, a safe to store valuables, and rain showers. And, to offset the smaller rooms, you’ll have access to one of the largest outdoor hotel terraces in New York.

Seton Hotel, for understated elegance

Budget Hotel

Green-toned room with khaki walls, a tv, a writing desk, a small double bed at The Seton Hotel
Courtesy of Seton Hotel / Hotels.com

Behind the slate-grey brickwork and marble arched façade of the Seton Hotel lies a lesson in sophisticated elegance. Burnished metals, marble walls, and checkerboard tiling welcome you to the lobby, while rooms are a homey combination of vintage wood furniture and botanical artwork, elevated by twinkling chandeliers. It’s a short stroll to the well-connected Grand Central Terminal, so you’re enviably placed to explore the city. Don’t forget to grab a classic New York deli breakfast at Bagels and Schmear.

Pod 39, for funky decor

Hotel

In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Pod 39 is a budget hotel with funky decor – and none of the excess amenities you don’t actually need. Rooms range from compact two-bed bunk pods to family-friendly rooms, and all offer flat-screen TVs, work desks, and ensuite bathrooms with rainfall showers. Wrap up your day with a ginger beer and tequila at the open-air restaurant Empellón Al Pastor, which sits on the hotel’s striking red-brick, pillared rooftop.

Pod 51, for craft brews

Budget Hotel, Chain Hotel

A bed, desk and metal chair in a modern and cosy bedroom at Pod 51
Courtesy of Pod 51 / Expedia

Like Pod 39, Pod 51 is one of the best affordable digs in Manhattan. It’s situated just 12 blocks north of its partner hotel, mere steps from Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and the Rockefeller Center. Solo travelers should opt for the snug Single Pod; a shared bathroom keeps costs down, but you’ll have the single room all to yourself. Grab a craft brew to go from the nearby Beer Table, and enjoy it on the rooftop terrace overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

This article is an updated version of a story created by Julia Goicochera. Nina Zietman and Suzy Pope contributed additional reporting.
Looking for stylish places to stay in New York City? Check out our pick of the coolest hotels to book in New York City, bookable with Culture Trip.

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