Best Area to Stay in New York City – 2023

Wondering what the best area to stay in New York City is for your upcoming trip? The answer depends on a few factors and what your priorities are for your stay in the Big Apple. Whether you are looking for budget hotels, or staying central to the top sights, or for Christmas, we have the best spots picked for you. Keep reading to find the best area to stay in in New York City for you to make the most of your vacation.

The best area to stay in New York City as a family, especially with young children, is the Upper West Side. This is a quieter and more family-friendly neighborhood that is close to Central Park. It is also has the Natural History Museum nearby, which is always a family favorite stop.

We love the Hotel Beacon in the Upper West Side for it’s large family rooms that sleep up to six people. This is a rare find in a city that is known for tiny rooms and living spaces. The hotel is also only a few blocks from Central Park and the Natural History Museum. Plus, it is close to the subway, which makes it easy to get around the city and explore.

If you’re wanting to see all the top sights around the city, the best place to stay is Midtown South. This neighborhood is centrally located, so you can get to many of the top sights very quickly. Plus, it’s next to Penn Station and many of the subway lines, which makes getting around even easier. Midtown South is near many of iconic landmarks of the city too, so walking is even an option.

We loved staying at the Stewart Hotel in New York City’s Midtown South neighborhood. You can walk to Times Square, or to all the sights in Midtown and Chelsea. Penn Station and Madison Square Garden are right across the street, as well as convenient subway stops. The rooms are also very spacious and include a kitchenette that comes in handy with all your leftovers. This is a great option to really optimize your time in the city.

Manhattan is where all the action is in New York, but that also makes it the most expensive area to stay in. If you want to save money, and don’t mind commuting into the heart of the city, Queens would be a great budget-friendly option. But if you want to still be in Manhattan, the best area to stay is the Lower East Side. This neighborhood is safe and inexpensive, while still being close to all the top sights.

The Canal Loft Hotel has many different room configurations to accommodate different group sizes, all of which are inexpensive. The hotel is clean, safe and conveniently located in the heart of Chinatown. This means that you will also have unique food and shop options at your doorstep. Plus you are bordering the two bridge neighborhood with the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge nearby.

If you are in New York City for the first time, staying in Times Square is the top recommended area. Times Square is the heart of the action for NYC, and staying in the center of it all is a can’t-miss experience for first-timers. Times Square is on the western side of Midtown, and is easy to get around and navigate the rest of the city from.

The Millennium Times Square Hotel puts you right in the center of Times Square, the Theater District and Fifth Avenue shopping (or window shopping). We also love the pricing for such a centrally located 4-star hotel that has high-end finishes and comforts throughout. In addition, this high rise hotel offers amazing city views, so be sure to request a higher floor if you can.

The best area to stay in New York City for Christmas time is Midtown. The holidays are on full display from the end of November through December, and NYC is extra magical during this time. Staying in Midtown you will be close to Rockefeller Plaza for enjoying the extravagant Christmas tree display and the ice skating rink under it. Don’t forget to stop by FAO Schwartz’s new location in Rockefeller Plaza too. Bryant Park with their Christmas Market and their bigger (and less-expensive) ice-skating rink is also nearby.

The Club Quarters Hotel in Midtown is our go-to hotel for enjoying the holiday spirit. The hotel is right in the middle of Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park, two of the most Christmas-y places in the city. Both are easily walkable and within a few city blocks. The hotel itself is one of the best deals in the city for it’s location, and offers quality facilities and comfortable rooms.

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