Where in New York should you stay?
The Loving New York Hotel Finder
Even after more than 20 visits to NYC, I ask myself this question every time before my next trip: where is the best place to stay in New York? What area of the city do I want to be in this time? And when I finally decide: Which hotel is the best in that particular neighborhood?
That’s why I created this little helper: the Hotel Finder for New York! Find the perfect hotel for you in no time! Over 140 hotels and over 70 neighborhoods to choose from – and after just 4 questions, I’ll show you which hotels in New York are best for you!
👉 Find your perfect hotel in no time!
More than 140 hotels and over 70 neighborhoods to choose from –and after just 4 quick questions, I’ll show you which hotels in New York are best suited for you!
Do you already have a certain corner of New York in mind? Where your hotel should definitely be?
Somewhere in Manhattan
Somewhere in Brooklyn
Somewhere in Queens
I'd love to be near Times Square!
I'd love to be near Central Park!
I’d prefer to be near the Brooklyn Bridge!
What does your dream neighborhood look like?
I want to unwind in the laidback side of New York life - where you find lot of bars, restaurants and locals.
I want to be where New York never sleeps!
Which of these statements applies to you most?
When I'm in New York, I want a really good hotel (category: 5 stars)
When I'm in New York, I want a good hotel! (category: 4 stars)
I don't really care so much about the hotel (category: up to 3 stars)
Should everything be within walking distance from your hotel or will a good connection to the subway suffice?
Bear in mind: A walk from the southern end of Central Park to the southern tip of Manhattan (at One World Trade Center) takes about 1.5 hours (just under 8 kilometers).
I want to be able to reach the most important sights on foot!
A subway station nearby is a MUST (meaning not more than 3 blocks or a 10-minute walk away)
Okay, last question: What else is important to you?
I'd prefer to stay in a nice boutique hotel!
It would be great if the hotel had a rooftop bar, lounge or terrace!
A hotel pool would be a real plus!
I don't really care about any of that!
The best hotels in the New York districts:
The 33 Best Hotels in Manhattan
The 12 best Hotels in Brooklyn!
The 13 Best Hotels in Queens NY
And this my list of all Hotels in New York.
The best New York boroughs to stay
New York comprises five central boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx), which are made up of different neighborhoods. Which New York neighborhoods I recommend depends on who you’re in New York with.
Staying in New York as a first-time visitor
Especially when you are in New York for the first time, you want to experience a lot of the city’s highlights – this is best done directly in Manhattan because the distances are short and you can reach all the sights of New York on foot. Many people are drawn to the Theatre District around Times Square and Midtown, but Soho, the Financial District and the West Village are also famous.
The adjacent neighborhoods of Brooklyn and parts of Queens like Long Island City attract many visitors. However, if you want a wide selection of trendy bars and restaurants near your New York hotel in the evening, Williamsburg, the East Village and the West Village are your best bet.
Staying in New York with a child
When vacationing in New York as a family with a child, the demands on the district are often quite different than when traveling without offspring. Although, on the one hand, you don’t want to take long to be at the essential sights of the city, on the other hand, the “normal” New York is more in focus, with great breakfast spots, playgrounds and greenery around you.
We had excellent experiences in the West Village, Soho, Chelsea, the Meatpacking District and Murray Hill. In the first 4 neighborhoods, it was charming to have the Hudson River Park with its many piers, playgrounds and sports fields within walking distance – and we as parents could enjoy the view of the New York sykline.
Where to find cheap hotels in New York?
One thing in advance: New York is not particularly cheap – and the rule of thumb is: the further you are from the main sights (Manhattan), the cheaper it will be. But you have to consider one thing: the trip from the hotel costs not only time but also money – with the Subway, this is manageable, but I would not recommend being too far away from Manhattan. After all, most of the attractions that New York is so famous for are located.
Therefore, a popular compromise is the boroughs that border Manhattan: Long Island City in Queens, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and (with cutbacks) DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn in Brooklyn and New Jersey.
Relatively affordable neighborhoods in Manhattan are parts of Midtown, Murray Hill and the Theatre District.
Accommodations in Midtown Manhattan
Midtown refers to the middle part of Manhattan and several small neighborhoods called Midtown East and Midtown West. All of them have the characteristic that the most important sights of New York can be found right here and therefore can be reached quickly. In addition, there is a wide selection of hotels, so you are guaranteed to find something suitable for you. Highlights include 5th Avenue, Bryant Park with the New York Public Library, Grand Central Terminal and the newest observation deck in New York: Summit One Vanderbilt!
Advantages of Midtown
- centrally located
- many sights
- perfectly connected to Subway
- large selection of hotels
- safe
Disadvantages of Midtown
- it is very busy (but this does not have to be a disadvantage!)
Perfect for
- first-time visitors
- Families
- New York on a Budget
- Museum fans
Here are my recommendations for hotels in Midtown Manhattan.
Accommodations in Soho New York
Cobblestones are typical on the streets of SoHo, here you will find the famous Cast-Iron Buildings and in contrast to the usual numbering of streets in New York City, the streets here have real names: Spring Street, Prince Street or the famous Broadway should definitely be remembered. This neighborhood is home to some of the oldest buildings in the city. The architecture of the last century is unmistakable and gives SoHo its charm.
Advantages of SoHo New York
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- many bars, restaurants and shopping possibilities
- famous for the Cast Iron buildings
- safe
- quiet neighborhood
Disadvantages of Soho New York
- quite expensive
Perfect for
- First-time visitors
- Families
Here you can find my recommendations for hotels in Soho New York – and here our Soho Guide with everything you need to know!
Accommodations in Murray Hill New York
The Murray Hill neighborhood is a district of New York – Midtown Manhattan, to be exact. The lifeline is the famous Park Avenue, which I personally really like – when you walk uptown, you always have the MetLife Building in view. Despite its central location in Midtown Manhattan, Murray Hill is still an insider tip because few famous attractions are directly in Murray Hill. It’s more of a residential and business district that is delightfully normal. Be sure to visit it. It’s well worth a visit!
Advantages of Murray Hill
- quiet but central
- cheap hotels to choose from
- many sights quickly reached
- safe
Disadvantages of Murray Hill
- none of the major attractions are directly in Murray Hill
Perfect for
- First-time visitors
- Families
- New York on a Budget
Find my recommendations for hotels in Murray Hill.
Accommodations in the Theatre Financial New York
The Financial District is located in the very south of Manhattan. It offers the 9/11 Memorial Museum, the One World Observatory and the Battery Park (where the ferries to the Statue of Liberty leave) several important New York sights. The Brooklyn Bridge is just as quickly reached as the Staten Island Ferry and my beloved Grand Banks in the adjacent Chelsea on the Hudson River.
This is a great place to stay – even with kids. It’s great here because it’s pretty quiet in the evenings.
Advantages of the Financial District
- large selection of hotels
- 9/11 Memorial
- One World Trade Center
- close to Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty
- many restaurants and bars
- safe
Disadvantages of the Financial District
- located at the southern tip of Manhattan quite far to Central Park and Times Square
Perfect for
- First-time visitors
- Families
Here you can find my recommendations for hotels in the Financial District.
