New York: Help us find new budget hotels!
The other night I had that odd yet ubiquitous New York experience: I saw a building I’ve never noticed before. Ever. Even though its lovely and old, and I’ve probably walked by it a hundred times.
Turns out said building, an elegant all-white number, is the soon-to-open Hyatt Union Square. I learned that it promises to be very hip—and also very un-Cheapo.
New cheapo hotels in New York?
This got me to thinking about what’s new on the New York budget hotel scene. A few months back, I added some new (and “like new”) hotels to our New York guide. These include:
• The high-tech and hip YOTEL near Times Square.
• The Milford, a Theater District institution with a peppy new look.
• The Chelsea Highline Hostel, a hotel/hostel hybrid that offers budget-basic rooms and a fabulous location between Hudson River Park and the always-happening High Line Park.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sprucing up our New York hotels, re-visiting some of our current picks and adding more cheap hotels in New York and (oh yes) Brooklyn. On my radar at the moment are the Pod 39 (sister to Cheapo favorite Pod 51) and Aloft in Brooklyn, a snazzy (and sometimes Cheapo) spot.
Your New York suggestions?
Help me decide what else to visit, and possibly include in our guide. Have you experienced the Pod or Aloft? And what’s your favorite budget hotel in New York? (Inquiring Cheapos want to know!)
Thanks for your help!
About the author
I recently scored a nice rate at the Cosmopolitan Hotel Tribeca. Not sure if it was a promotional deal but I appreciated the $110 nightly rate – definitely a good deal since the hotel is very solid.
There are a few good budget hotels in New York including the Wyndham Garden Chinatown and the Manhattan Inn. Because of the sheer level of competition most hotels have decent specials every now and then.
Really like the Pod 39 — stayed there twice — and love the bathrooms, both in their style and as an upgrade from the shared baths at Pod 51. It’s not always cheap, but you can often get a really good price. It’s clean, new, comfortable (though tiny) and a short, three-block walk to Grand Central. That makes it a primary “go to” option for upscale budget hotels (if “upscale” and “budget” can go together).