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The Best Cheap Hotels to Book in Manhattan

Stay within walking distance of the citys main sights, including Central Park
Stay within walking distance of the city's main sights, including Central Park | © Francois Roux / Alamy Stock Photo

Between the Broadway shows, museum fees and pricey bus tours, vacationing in New York City isn’t cheap. But fear not: you won’t have to worry about long commutes to the city’s main attractions or miss out on the most famous neighborhoods if you book one of these budget hotels with Culture Trip.

The Evelyn Hotel, NoMad District

Business Hotel

A bed and desk in a modern bedroom at the Evelyn Hotel, Nomad District
Courtesy of the Evelyn Hotel / Expedia

In contemporary NoMad, the Evelyn Hotel is ideally situated within walking distance of the Flatiron Building, Madison Square Park and the Empire State Building. Additionally, it’s only a three-minute walk from the subway. The art deco-inspired hotel has three dining concepts: a bakery-cafe, a Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant and a Roman-inspired trattoria. Chic art nouveau-style rooms have lush Frette linens, heated bathroom floors and unique touches like gramophones.

Wolcott Hotel, Midtown East

Hotel

A bed, desk and bathroom in a stylish bedroom at Wolcott Hotel, Midtown East
Courtesy of Wolcott Hotel, Midtown East / Expedia

In frenetic Midtown, the economically priced Wolcott Hotel is one of New York’s oldest continuously operating hotels. The property oozes character with a striking facade and a theatrical lobby flaunting chandeliers, pillars and ornate plasterwork. This property wins on location, as it’s a mere three blocks from the Empire State Building, three minutes’ walk from Macy’s and 15 minutes from Times Square. The rooms, which combine period and modern features, are comfortable with some boasting top views of the Empire State. Complimentary coffee and muffins help start your day before heading out to the bustling streets.

Pod 51, Midtown

Budget Hotel, Chain Hotel

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

Sitting snugly in the heart of Midtown East, Pod 51 is within walking distance of numerous New York staples including Grand Central Terminal and Rockefeller Center. The hotel keeps things simple with elementary rooms that are stripped down to allow for a more affordable stay. White walls are livened up with geometric patterns and bold pops of blue and red, while standard amenities including flat-screen TVs and wifi offer evening entertainment. Kick off a memorable night out with happy hour at Clinton Hall, a magnet for retro board game virtuosos with their oversized Jenga and Connect Four.

The Harlem Flophouse, Harlem

Budget Hotel, Independent Hotel, Inn

A bed, wooden desk and mantelpiece in a hotel room with patterned wallpaper at the Harlem Flophouse
Courtesy of the Harlem Flophouse / Booking.com

Originally built as a single-family home, the Harlem Flophouse is a Victorian townhouse that was converted into a lodging house in the early 1900s. Each room is furnished in the style of the Jazz Age, and the shared bathrooms have antique clawfoot tubs. To keep prices low, the hotel offers limited services, so don’t expect to have your room cleaned or be given fresh towels every day.

Even Hotel Times Square, Midtown

Hotel

Two beds, a colorful rug and an exercise ball in a hotel room at Even Hotel Times Square South
© EVEN Hotel Times Square South / Expedia

Just a few blocks from Times Square, Even Hotel takes a practical approach to wellness with its in-room fitness areas and gentle palette of colors that will help your mind relax. Distinctive elements such as all-natural eucalyptus sheets and adjustable LED lights feature in rooms, while a state-of-the-art gym includes on-trend Peloton bikes with online classes to get you properly pumped up. The green mentality extends to the selection of eco-friendly EO toiletries found in the rainfall showers – and even the food lives up to the focus on health, with made-to-order smoothies available at on-site cafe Cork & Kale.

Seton Hotel, Murray Hill

Budget Hotel

A bed, cushioned bench and desk in a stylish bedroom at Seton Hotel, Murray Hill
Courtesy of Seton Hotel / Expedia

Try though you might, it’s no easy feat prying your eyes away from Seton Hotel’s elegant interior – complete with elevated details such as silver silk curtains, marble walls and atmospheric lighting. Despite its fancy facade and central location in the Big Apple, rooms are affordable spaces that combine antique furnishings with harlequin walls and flat-screen TVs. They can range from intimate double rooms with shared bathrooms, to the candy-apple-red executive suite that comes with an extra sitting space and sofa. When the time comes to explore, it’s only a short stroll to the cinematic Grand Central Station and giant neon screens of Times Square.

The Sohotel, Lower Manhattan

Budget Hotel

A bed and wooden desk in a bedroom with an exposed brick at the Sohotel, Lower Manhattan
Courtesy of the Sohotel / Expedia

One of the oldest operating hotels in NYC, the Sohotel is nestled in the heart of the Bowery neighborhood and is a great starting point for your adventures in the Big Apple. SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown are all within walking distance of the hotel, and the Bowery subway station lies at the end of the block. Even better, each of the Sohotel’s rooms have C.O. Bigelow bath products, therapeutic mattresses and sound-reducing windows.

Arthouse Hotel New York City, Upper West Side

Budget Hotel

Two beds with wooden bed frames in a hotel room at Arthouse Hotel New York City
Courtesy of Arthouse Hotel New York City / Expedia

Just minutes from the Museum of Natural History and Central Park, the Arthouse Hotel is a great budget-friendly option for families and solo travelers alike. The century-old building boasts a 1920s French elevator system and Chesterfield-style sofas in the lobby. It also has three on-site restaurants and bars.

Yotel New York, Hell's Kitchen

Capsule Hotel

A bed and desk in a hotel room at YOTEL New York, which looks out to a balcony
Courtesy of YOTEL New York / Hotels.com

Set on the edge of Hell’s Kitchen, Yotel New York adopts a clean, futuristic design you might expect to find on a sci-fi film set. Curved lines, immaculate whites and vibrant pops of electric violet are found in the cabin-style rooms – compact but practical spaces full of clever amenities including an adjustable SmartBed, atmospheric mood lighting and gel memory foam mattresses. Upgrade your stay and book a king suite for Instagram-worthy views of Manhattan and a personal Peloton bike – perfect for those who prefer to work out alone. Film lovers can satisfy their cinematic craving at one of the Rooftop Cinema Club screenings that take place on the Terrace.

Staypineapple, Midtown

Boutique Hotel, Chain Hotel

Couches with colorful pillows on grass turf in the outdoor area at Staypineapple
© Staypineapple / Expedia

Featuring zesty colors, mosaic floor art, silver velvet furnishings and Diamante chandeliers, Staypineapple oozes a peppy and vibrant character designed to enamor any admirer of all things boho. Fake zebra-skin rugs and multicolored butterfly blinds are found in bright, youthful rooms – elevated by luxurious amenities including flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers and signature lemon-yellow bathrobes. With Hudson Yards only a stone’s throw away, you’ll be perfectly poised to climb the spiral staircase of the Vessel: a stunning, copper-made, honeycomb-shaped structure that’s ideal for taking some unique snapshots of the city.

Aloft Manhattan Downtown, Financial District

Hotel

A bed and window with a city view in a hotel bedroom at Aloft Manhattan Downtown
Courtesy of Aloft Manhattan Downtown-Financial District / Expedia

Behind its colorful canopy of lights, Aloft pairs city sophistication with futuristic decor. Pixelated patterns are a thematic feature of the rooms, and teak furnishings add a sleek edge. Set in the heart of the Financial District, the hotel caters to the business crowd with practical amenities such as the stress-relieving gym and ergonomic workstations. Professionals can pinch a morning bagel from the 24-hour grab-and-go cafe, while those after a more leisurely stay can take their time over a game of pool in the ReMix Lounge.

For a budget-friendly option, read our guide to the best cheap hotels in Manhattan. Fancy discovering plush places to stay in New York City? Check out our pick of the coolest hotels to book in New York City. Or looking for the best view in the city? Check into one of the best hotels with a balcony in NYC. For more options, discover our guide to the best hotels near the Meatpacking District and book now on Culture Trip. If you’re travelling with children read our rundown of the best family-friendly hotels in New York, or if you’re stuck on what to do, let us guide you on how to spend five days in the city.

Christy Taylor and Claire Waggoner contributed additional reporting to this article.

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