For the first time, it is challenging for everyone to know where to stay at an unknown place. It is necessary to make a travel plan before you go to that place. You are going to New York City so there are a sheer number of areas which can be stressful and overwhelming to navigate, and you’ll have to take your budget to travel. So, here I’m going to share with you the best place to stay in NY city.
Let’s take a look at the Best Place to Stay in NY City. So there are 5 boroughs in NY City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island.
All New York City neighborhoods have a unique style and personality. Depending on your travel style, preference, and the person who travels with you, choose to avoid certain areas to make your trip more enjoyable.
For budget travelers, staying in New Jersey is a great choice to save money and find more budget hotels to stay.
1) Midtown Manhattan – Best Place to Stay in NY City
When you see New York in the movies then you’re almost looking at the images of Midtown Manhattan. It is an iconic and popular part of New York City and home to iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building and Times Square, as well as many other attractions, restaurants, theatres, and stores.
There is truly something for everyone in Midtown Manhattan, from the must-see attractions to the unique and vibrant culture. Whether you’re looking for a day of sightseeing or an evening/night of entertainment, Midtown Manhattan has it all!
Pros
- Most visited place in NYC
- Hollywood movie’s favorite set
- Great for families and first time visitors
- Very close to Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station
- Night view is amazing
- Walkable
Cons
- Crowded and loud
- Expensive
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Midtown Manhattan
- Hard Rock Hotel New York
- Margaritaville Resort Times Square
- Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square
- Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel
- MOXY NYC Times Square
2) Upper West Side
This is one of calmest areas of New York City, peppered with gorgeous brownstones, playgrounds, restaurants, numerous parks and stores. That’s why this is one of the Best Places to Stay in NY City.
You’ll find here New York institutions such as the Lincoln Centre, Beacon Theatre and American Museum of Natural history.
The Upper West Side has some of the most beautiful apartment buildings and townhouses such as the Dakota and San Remo, which faces central park.
The neighborhood is well connected to the subway, with two subway lines to choose from the 1-2-3 and A-B-C-D that means you have an easy time getting just about everywhere you need to go.
In fact, locals choose to settle in the neighborhood for above mentioned reasons so you will also get the authentic experience of what daily life in New York City looks like in this area.
Pros
- Awesome location for families
- Less walking distance to central park and riverside park
- Peaceful and relaxed residential area
Cons
- Less nightlife or bar enjoyment
- Hotels and dining can be expensive
- Far from tourist attractions
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Upper West Side
3) Upper East Side
This neighborhood is known to thanks to families who have called it home such as Rockefeller’s and Kennedy’s and this has been featured in famous shows like Gossip Girl.
The Upper East Side (UES) is also home to the best museums in NY City (and the world).
Even from here you are far away from the main attraction of New York City. But you can get there in about 20 minutes by taking the bus or subway.
It’s a family and friendly area and more livable than some area further downtown in New York City. You’ll observe families and dogs walking around enjoying themselves by spending time in parks.
This neighborhood is very walkable, especially around central park. If you are looking to shop designer brands on Madison Avenue, museum hop and enjoy delicious meals, then this is the perfect neighborhood to stay during your trip.
Pros
- Close to popular museums
- Variety of dining options
- Family-friendly and quieter
- Easy access to fun things do in Central Park
Cons
- Less nightlife
- Costly hotels and dining
- Far from popular attraction (Midtown)
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Upper East Side
- The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites New York
- The Pierre, A Taj Hotel
- Bentley Hotel
- Loews Regency New York Hotel
- Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
4) SoHo
SoHo full form is South of Houston Street, you will find designer boutiques, art galleries, and shops in the streets of SoHo.
It is a more residential neighborhood so you won’t be faced with any crowds getting into major attractions – just shops and artist galleries.
There are some high-end restaurants which include one of the best pizzas in New York City. It’s also near the walking distance to the west village and other neighborhoods of lower Manhattan.
SoHo is an ideal place to stay for fashion and pizza enthusiasts. Make sure your phone is charged for some Instagram worthy street photos.
Pros
- Lots of places for shopping
- Less crowds
- Several restaurant and bar options
Cons
- Far from public transportation
- Costly dining
- Can be crowded during peak hours of the day
5 Best Hotels to Stay in SoHo
5) DUMBO
If you are looking for a trendy place to stay in New York City you should not look for more places other than DUMBO.
Its full form is Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, the Brooklyn neighborhood has been reborn again.
With prices skyrocketing in Manhattan, a lot of folks moved just outside into brooklyn, which has caused a boom there too.
Between the cobblestone streets and wonderful brick buildings, you’ll see why this is the best place to stay in NY City. Tons of warehouses were repurposed into beautiful condos with a booming NYC skyline.
Since it’s directly across the east river from lower Manhattan, it is easy to access the most popular attractions in NY City.
There are not too many hotel options in DUMBO, but you don’t need to find it somewhere. I will provide you with the 5 best hotels in DUMBO New York.
Pros
- Cultural attractions such as the Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Brooklyn Historical Society.
- Wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a popular destination for dining and nightlife.
- Dumbo is conveniently located near several subway lines, making it easy to get around the city.
- Beautiful architecture: It has many beautiful old warehouses and industrial buildings that have been converted into luxury apartments and office space.
- Stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, making it a great place to watch the sunset.
Cons
- Housing prices in Dumbo tend to be higher than in other parts of the city, which can make it an expensive place to stay.
- Parking in Dumbo can be difficult due to the high population density and narrow streets.
- Crowded and noisy due to densely populated neighborhoods.
5 Best Hotels to Stay Near DUMBO
- The Wall Street Hotel New York City
- Mint House at 70 Pine
- Mr C New York – Seaport
- Hampton Inn Brooklyn Downtown
- 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
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6) Financial District
The Financial District of New York City is a neighborhood located at the southern tip of Manhattan, which comprises the offices and headquarters of many of the city’s major financial places, including the New York Stock Exchange and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
The area is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the city, such as Wall Street, the Charging Bull statue, and One World Trade Center.
The Financial District is a bustling hub of business and commerce, and is a major contributor to the economy of New York City and the wider United States.
Pros
- Convenient location: The Financial District is located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, making it convenient for commuting to other parts of the city or for travelling out of town. It is also close to many major subway lines, making it easy to get around.
- Home to a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and other amenities, so residents have access to everything they need.
- Home to many cultural attractions, such as the National Museum of the American Indian, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Cons
- Expensive place to stay, with high prices for both housing and everyday expenses.
- Busy and crowded place, with many people commuting to work in the area every day.
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Financial District
- Gild Hall – A Thompson Hotel
- Mint House at 70 Pine
- Artezen Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown
- The Beekman A Thompson Hotel
7) Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village is a neighborhood located in Lower Manhattan, New York City. It is known for its charming, tree-lined streets, historic brownstone buildings, and vibrant arts and culture scene.
Many people enjoy living in Greenwich Village because of its unique character and the sense of community that exists there. It’s a best place to stay in NY city.
Pros
- Many cultural attractions, such as Washington Square Park, the Village Vanguard jazz club, and the New York University campus.
- Wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a popular destination for dining and nightlife.
- Close to public transportation: Greenwich Village is conveniently located near several subway lines, making it easy to get around the city.
- Strong sense of community, with many long-time residents and a vibrant neighborhood culture.
Cons
- Expensive place to stay
- Parking in Greenwich Village can be difficult, as the neighborhood has a high population density and many narrow streets.
- Due to its central location and the popularity of its restaurants and bars, Greenwich Village can be a noisy place to stay, especially at night.
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Greenwich Village
- The Standard, High Line
- Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
- Washington Square Hotel
- Gansevoort Meatpacking
- The Jane Hotel
8) Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
Williamsburg is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Brooklyn that has become popular in recent years due to its trendy restaurants, bars, and music venues.
It is known for its lively arts and culture scene, and has a diverse population with a mix of young professionals, families, and artists.
Pros
- Many cultural attractions, such as the Brooklyn Brewery, the Brooklyn Flea Market, and the Brooklyn Bowl.
- Wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a popular destination for dining and nightlife.
- Conveniently located near several subway lines, making it easy to get around the city.
- Strong sense of community, with many long-time residents and a vibrant neighborhood culture.
Cons
- High cost of living
- Limited parking
- Overcrowding
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Williamsburg
9) Chelsea
Chelsea is a neighborhood located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. It is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, with many art galleries, music venues, and performance spaces located in the area.
Chelsea is also home to the High Line, a popular public park built on an abandoned elevated railroad track. So, we added in the list of best place to stay in NY city.
Pros
- Many cultural attractions, such as the Chelsea Market, the Rubin Museum of Art, and the Chelsea Piers sports complex.
- Wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a popular destination for dining and nightlife.
- Conveniently located near several subway lines, making it easy to get around the city.
- Beautiful architecture: Chelsea has many beautiful buildings, including some of the city’s first luxury apartment buildings.
Cons
- High cost of living
- Limited parking: Parking in Chelsea can be difficult due to the high population density and narrow streets.
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Chelsea
- The Hotel Chelsea
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott New Hartford
- Moxy NYC Chelsea
- Cambria Hotel New York – Chelsea
- Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea
10) Long Island City, Queens
Long Island City is a neighborhood located in the New York City borough of Queens. It is situated on the western edge of Long Island and is known for its thriving arts and culture scene, with many galleries, performance spaces, and museums located in the area.
Long Island City is also home to several large corporations and has a growing number of residential high-rise buildings. So, we added in the list of best place to stay in NY city.
Pros
- Many cultural attractions, such as the Museum of the Moving Image, the Sculpture Center, and the Fisher Landau Center for Art.
- Wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a popular destination for dining and nightlife.
- Located near several subway lines, making it easy to get around the city.
- Affordable housing: Housing prices in Long Island City tend to be lower than in other parts of the city, making it a more affordable place to live.
Cons
- Distance from Manhattan: Long Island City is located on the western edge of Long Island and can take longer to commute to the centre of the city from this neighborhood.
- Traffic and limited parking
- Safety
- Limited cultural attractions
5 Best Hotels to Stay in Long Island City Queens
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Long Island Brookhaven
- Hyatt Place Long Island City
- Aloft Long Island City-Manhattan View
- LIC Hotel
- Boro Hotel
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Wrap Up
I’m glad to have been able to help you with your travel plans for New York City. Overall, NYC is a very beautiful place to travel. It has overcrowded neighborhoods but that is the thing that makes NY City special. The energy of the people and city is amazing. If you have any questions regarding the New York City trip or need further assistance, just let me know in the comments. Happy journey!
