Hotels in New York: prices, timing and areas
New York is one of the priciest hotel markets in the world, yet the spread of prices is huge. A hostel bed in Manhattan costs a fraction of a room in a five-star hotel by Central Park. Guests stay about three nights on average and usually look for a base in Manhattan, close to Times Square, Broadway and the park. This list has 1 523 properties, from a dorm bed to an apartment with a skyline view. Below is what really drives the price of a stay in New York: the month, the day of the week and the area.
When to book a stay in New York for less
New York is cheapest in the depths of winter. January is usually the bottom of the market, about a quarter below the yearly average, when tourist traffic eases after the holidays. October is the priciest, at the height of the autumn season, when rates can run about a fifth above the rest of the year. The arrival day matters too: Sunday is the cheapest, Saturday the most expensive, as weekends pull visitors in for Broadway and shopping. Unlike European capitals, New York rewards booking at short notice. The best rates show up about a week before the date, and booking far ahead usually costs more.
What a stay costs by property type
The price range in New York is wide, so a dorm bed and a family hotel room are worlds apart. The cheapest sleep is in hostels and one-star places; you pay the most for five stars in Manhattan. Below are indicative nightly rates.
| Property type | Indicative price per night (from) |
| Hostel bed or one-star place | from approx. USD 79 |
| Two-star hotel | from approx. USD 175 |
| Three-star hotel | from approx. USD 237 |
| Four-star hotel | from approx. USD 298 |
| Family room | from approx. USD 598 |
| Five-star hotel | from approx. USD 583 |
Indicative rates for a double room, outside the October peak. A family room can cost more than a standard five-star double, as it is a larger space for several guests. In New York the same hotel can differ a lot between a Sunday and a Saturday, so check the real price for your dates in the search above.
Where a stay is cheaper and where it costs more
The most booked area is Manhattan, the heart of the city with Times Square, Broadway and Central Park within reach of the subway. It is also one of the pricier choices, with an average rate of around USD 343 per night. The cheapest sleep is in East Village, often more than a third below the city average. Harlem, Chinatown and the Upper West Side are cheaper too. The Financial District around Wall Street is the most expensive. The subway runs around the clock and reaches the centre from most areas in a quarter of an hour, so a base further from Times Square is still convenient.
| Area | Indicative price per night (from) |
| East Village (cheapest) | from approx. USD 154 |
| Manhattan (most popular, average) | approx. USD 343 |
| Financial District (most expensive) | from approx. USD 317 |
Indicative rates for a double room. Harlem, Chinatown and the Upper West Side can be cheaper than Manhattan, but the exact rate depends on your dates and the standard of the property.
Which stay in New York suits whom
- First time in New York. Times Square and Midtown are the easiest base. From here it is a walk to Broadway and a few minutes on the subway to Central Park and the main museums.
- For families. Hotels with family rooms near Central Park and Times Square. Easy to mix sightseeing with a break in the park and attractions for children.
- For couples. Intimate boutique hotels in Manhattan, around Chelsea and SoHo, where the evenings have the most restaurants and bars. A short walk from there along the High Line.
- With breakfast. Some hotels in Midtown include breakfast in the rate, which helps you set off early for sightseeing. Handy with a tight day plan.
- Near the airport. Hotels around JFK, LaGuardia and Newark suit an early flight or a layover. From JFK you reach the centre by AirTrain and subway without a cab.
Example hotels in New York with prices
From a hostel bed near Central Park to a boutique hotel by Times Square, a few New York names with a from price. Just a starting point, as rates can climb noticeably on Saturdays and in October.
| Property | Category | Price per night (from) |
| Central Park West Hostel | Hostel | from approx. USD 51 |
| HI New York City Hostel | Hostel | from approx. USD 62 |
| Pod 51 | Budget hotel | from approx. USD 151 |
| Radio Hotel | Budget hotel | from approx. USD 162 |
| Pod Times Square | Hotel by Times Square | from approx. USD 174 |
| The New Yorker by Lotte Hotels | Mid-range hotel | from approx. USD 202 |
| Hotel Edison Times Square | Mid-range hotel | from approx. USD 233 |
| LUMA Hotel - Times Square | Upscale hotel | from approx. USD 374 |
| The Standard, High Line | Design hotel | from approx. USD 392 |
From prices for a double room. In New York the same hotel can differ a lot between a Sunday and a Saturday, so check your exact dates in the search.