There's nothing quite like a trip to New York City. But while a trip to the Big Apple is almost always a good idea, there's no doubt that it isn't easy on the purse strings.
Gone are the days of great exchange rates and bargain shopping trips to the States, and the cost of living in one of the world's biggest cities can be enough to make your eyes water. If you're celebrating a big occasion, New York is certainly worth the splurge: experiencing the high life there is something you'll never forget. But if adventure and budget are equally high on your list, there are plenty of more moderately priced places to stay too.
We spend a lot of time in New York and have tested out plenty of hotels. Here's our pick of some of the best places to stay, whatever your budget.
Budget-friendly hotels (under £250 per night)
YOTEL New York Times Square
Perfect for: Travellers who want fun without blowing the budget
In our opinion, YOTEL is one of the best budget-friendly hotels in the city. It has a cool, trendy vibe, and its outdoor space is a real highlight: an evening spent sipping spritzes among the skyscrapers, with the lights of Times Square feeling almost close enough to touch, is one to remember.
Rooms are bijou, but exceptionally well designed. Family configurations can sleep up to five, while the hotel's adjustable SmartBeds help create extra floor space when you're not sleeping – whether that's for yoga or a post-shopping-spree fashion show in your mirror.
There are city views, places to eat and grab coffee, a 24-hour gym and plenty going on around the hotel, so choosing a more affordable stay doesn't mean sacrificing the New York experience. Book wisely and there are often offers to make a Manhattan stay work even harder for your budget.
How to book it: Rooms at YOTEL cost from £116 per night; a mandatory nightly facility fee also applies.
Romer Hell's Kitchen
Perfect for: Broadway lovers who want space to unpack
This stylish hotel is perfectly placed for those who want to stay close to the energy of Midtown, with Times Square, Broadway and Rockefeller Center all within easy reach. While the hotel doesn't offer standout views, its location more than makes up for it: there's a subway station less than two minutes away, while Central Park is just a 15-minute walk.
Its Art Deco-inspired rooms are unusually spacious for New York, comfortably fitting two adults, with a separate seating area for those who need to work. The large lobby also offers distinct areas for relaxing before heading back out, alongside co-working spaces that are particularly useful for business travellers.
The Neighborhood Café serves coffee and light breakfast bites, while So & So's Piano Bar is a real highlight, pairing live music and cocktails with an intimate, old-school New York atmosphere.
How to book it: Rooms at Romer Hell’s Kitchen cost from £230 per night, excluding breakfast.
Mid-range hotels (under £500 per night)
Moxy NYC Chelsea
Perfect for: Couples who want big Manhattan views and a buzzy rooftop
Opening the door to a city-view room at Moxy NYC Chelsea instantly declares your trip a celebration. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out across Manhattan, meaning you can lie in bed in the morning and take in the whole experience before you've even had your first coffee.
The rooms are small – this is New York, after all – but brilliantly designed. Multipurpose furniture folds away and an open pegboard-style storage system makes clever use of every inch.
Upstairs, The Fleur Room is an absolute must for sundowners and spectacular city views. The hotel's social spaces are made for lingering over drinks or catching up on work, and its Chelsea location puts you in a brilliant position for exploring. Even just stepping outside into the Flower District is a colourful, fragrant start to the day.
How to book it: Rooms at Moxy NYC Chelsea cost fom £298 per night.
Freehand New York
Perfect for: Families and friends who want character
Freehand New York is a cool, budget-friendly option with a relaxed, artsy vibe in Manhattan's historic Flatiron District. Designed by Roman and Williams, the hotel is filled with custom artwork and feels far more individual than your average affordable city stay.
Its bunk-bed rooms are a particularly clever answer to the problem of finding family-friendly New York accommodation without an eye-watering price tag. When we stayed, the set-up gave us plenty of flexibility and the room felt surprisingly spacious, with a perfectly appointed ensuite.
There's plenty to tempt you back to the hotel after a day exploring, too. We ended an art-filled day over margaritas before dinner. There's also a 24-hour fitness centre if, for some reason, you didn't get your steps in during the day. For travellers who want personality without spending their entire budget on the room, it's a great option.
How to book it: Rooms at Freehand cost from £392 per night; a daily facility fee applies.
Top-end hotels (£500+ per night)
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
Perfect for: A glamorous New York weekend with rooftop cocktails
If you want your New York hotel to feel like part of the adventure rather than simply somewhere to sleep, Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC delivers. Located in the heart of the trendy Meatpacking District, there's a feeling of luxury from the moment you walk into the lobby – make sure you look up to see the Banksy towering above the check-in desk!
The real showstopper is the rooftop. We visited in February and even in the depths of winter it was difficult to tear ourselves away from the enclosed rooftop bar and heated, year-round pool, with its breathtaking Manhattan skyline views. Come summer, the roof opens up for cocktails and poolside lounging.
Food is another highlight: we ate exceptional sushi prepared in front of us at rooftop restaurant Saishin, accompanied by expertly-made cocktails. With the High Line, Whitney Museum and Chelsea Market all within easy walking distance, the location is hard to beat.
How to book it: Rooms as Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC cost from £602 per night.
1 Hotel Central Park
Perfect for: A luxury recharge after a busy day in the city
If you're looking for a calming escape away from Manhattan's energy without compromising on luxury, 1 Hotel Central Park is the perfect place to unwind after a busy day in the city. Its greenery, reclaimed materials and nature-inspired décor bring the outdoors in, creating a peaceful retreat just steps from the bustle of Midtown.
The rooms are generously sized by New York standards with Park King Rooms offering views towards Central Park. They also have everything you might need for a comfortable stay, including premium toiletries, an espresso machine, a filtered-water dispenser and lights you can schedule for a gentler wake-up. Even the hotel's incredible signature scent is memorable – you'll be tempted to take its fragrance home as a room spray and, luckily, you can (it's available to buy online).
Dogs are welcome in the rooms too, and with Central Park is just one block away it’s perfect for walkies. If you don't fancy going far for food, the hotel's restaurant, Jams, has you covered from breakfast through to dinner, including weekend brunch – plus a bar for that much-needed cocktail after exploring Manhattan.
How to book it: Rooms at 1 Hotel Central Park cost from £550 per night, excluding breakfast.
The Mark Hotel
Perfect for: A once-in-a-lifetime taste of Upper East Side glamour
There are times in life when we all deserve a treat, and The Mark, on the edge of Central Park, is exactly that. We didn't stay overnight in The Mark Penthouse – the extraordinary two-floor suite where Meghan Markle's New York baby shower was held – but we did get a chance to visit. And it was unlike anything we'd seen before.
It felt less like a hotel suite and more like a spectacular Manhattan home: a grand piano, its own gym, an enormous wraparound rooftop terrace and bathrooms so extravagant the bath fills from the ceiling. With room after room unfolding across two floors, it felt as though you could move in and live there forever quite happily.
You don't need quite such a royal budget to experience The Mark, however. The Jacques Grange-designed Seventy-Seven Double has two full-sized beds, city views and a generous 500 sq ft of space, plus a black-and-white marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub and separate shower. Even without the penthouse, this is very much a special-occasion stay.
How to book it: Rooms at The Mark cost from £1,161 per night.
