The 43-room Riff is a budget hotel in Chelsea, a two-minute walk from Madison Square Garden. This low-frills property's best feature is its funky 80s-music theme, but there are few extras here -- the lobby has a nice, long work table with outlets, and the courtyard is trendy with plenty of outdoor seating -- but that's about it. Funky rooms have en-suite or shared bathrooms, plus flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but wear-and-tear, cleanliness, and broken items can be issues. Still, for budget-minded guests who want to avoid hostels and spend most of their time exploring the city, this option can be a real money-saver. Bump up to a three-star hotel nearby, like the Holiday Inn Express Chelsea, and it could cost twice as much.
The 43-room Riff is a budget hotel in Chelsea, a two-minute walk from Madison Square Garden. This low-frills property's best feature is its funky 80s-music theme, but there are few extras here -- the lobby has a nice, long work table with outlets, and the courtyard is trendy with plenty of outdoor seating -- but that's about it. Funky rooms have en-suite or shared bathrooms, plus flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but wear-and-tear, cleanliness, and broken items can be issues. Still, for budget-minded guests who want to avoid hostels and spend most of their time exploring the city, this option can be a real money-saver. Bump up to a three-star hotel nearby, like the Holiday Inn Express Chelsea, and it could cost twice as much.
Though it's not exactly high style, the Best Western Bowery Hanbee Hotel does offer a good value in an excellent downtown location. The hotel is a block away from the subway and a short walk to Chinatown and Little Italy attractions, with SoHo and Nolita an eight-minute stroll away. Its 102 rooms are clean and simple with handsome bathrooms -- though some rooms pick up hallway or street noise. All rooms include HCTVs, safes, and work desks, and higher categories include mini-fridges and microwaves. There's no full restaurant on-site, but guests can enjoy a daily breakfast for free. And on-site fitness and business centers enhance the property's appeal, as does the rooftop deck. Another nearby option could be the Wyndham Garden Chinatown, which includes a restaurant and bar.
Though it's not exactly high style, the Best Western Bowery Hanbee Hotel does offer a good value in an excellent downtown location. The hotel is a block away from the subway and a short walk to Chinatown and Little Italy attractions, with SoHo and Nolita an eight-minute stroll away. Its 102 rooms are clean and simple with handsome bathrooms -- though some rooms pick up hallway or street noise. All rooms include HCTVs, safes, and work desks, and higher categories include mini-fridges and microwaves. There's no full restaurant on-site, but guests can enjoy a daily breakfast for free. And on-site fitness and business centers enhance the property's appeal, as does the rooftop deck. Another nearby option could be the Wyndham Garden Chinatown, which includes a restaurant and bar.
The 124-room Tuscany is an upscale hotel located in Murray Hill, a convenient base for exploring the city. Its large rooms come with wonderful beds, upscale amenities -- including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Molton Brown toiletries -- and elegant decor with pops of red (the hotel's signature color) . It bests its sister, The Court, with its excellent gym, quieter location, and stylish rooms.
The 124-room Tuscany is an upscale hotel located in Murray Hill, a convenient base for exploring the city. Its large rooms come with wonderful beds, upscale amenities -- including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Molton Brown toiletries -- and elegant decor with pops of red (the hotel's signature color) . It bests its sister, The Court, with its excellent gym, quieter location, and stylish rooms.
Thorough attention to detail and old-world charm set this quaint boutique hotel apart. Its 12 rooms have been individually decorated with period antiques and fireplaces, and feature modern amenities, such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. The property lacks most of the amenities of larger hotels, including a fitness center and a full restaurant -- but it does offer an elegant tea salon, a central location a block from Union Square, and an intimate feel that's hard to come by in New York.
Thorough attention to detail and old-world charm set this quaint boutique hotel apart. Its 12 rooms have been individually decorated with period antiques and fireplaces, and feature modern amenities, such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. The property lacks most of the amenities of larger hotels, including a fitness center and a full restaurant -- but it does offer an elegant tea salon, a central location a block from Union Square, and an intimate feel that's hard to come by in New York.
This 127-room walk-up hotel (no elevator!) is a bit cramped and worn around the edges, but a beautiful Moroccan-style lobby and a cocktail lounge from Sookk Thai restaurant make it a fair option if you want to be near Central Park and Columbia University, in the nontouristy northern outskirts of the Upper West Side.
This 127-room walk-up hotel (no elevator!) is a bit cramped and worn around the edges, but a beautiful Moroccan-style lobby and a cocktail lounge from Sookk Thai restaurant make it a fair option if you want to be near Central Park and Columbia University, in the nontouristy northern outskirts of the Upper West Side.
All of Marmara's 108 guest rooms are basically studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens. Some of its rooms might lack the new flat-screens, but it's still a clean, comfortable, pet-friendly option way up in a less-touristed part of the Upper East Side, within walking distance of Central Park and the Guggenheim museum.
All of Marmara's 108 guest rooms are basically studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens. Some of its rooms might lack the new flat-screens, but it's still a clean, comfortable, pet-friendly option way up in a less-touristed part of the Upper East Side, within walking distance of Central Park and the Guggenheim museum.
A lovely boutique hotel with an Art Deco vibe, the Seton offers chic, if small, rooms in a convenient Midtown location. Amenities are few -- there is no on-site fitness center (the hotel offers free passes to a gym nearby), spa, or restaurant -- but a lovely lounge, and freebies such as Wi-Fi and coffee, make this property a solid mid-range option.
A lovely boutique hotel with an Art Deco vibe, the Seton offers chic, if small, rooms in a convenient Midtown location. Amenities are few -- there is no on-site fitness center (the hotel offers free passes to a gym nearby), spa, or restaurant -- but a lovely lounge, and freebies such as Wi-Fi and coffee, make this property a solid mid-range option.
The 138-room Roger Smith is an artsy mid-range boutique hotel conveniently located in Midtown East, within walking distance of major attractions and seven subway lines. This family-run property has tons of thoughtful touches, including individually decorated rooms with hand-picked antiques, free yogurt and granola in the lobby, and rotating art exhibitions in common spaces. It lacks most of the amenities found in larger hotels, such as a full restaurant and a fitness center, but the Roger Smith offers free passes to a local chain gym and offers room service from local restaurants. Those looking to stay closer to Central Park may want to compare rates at the Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel, which has a similar vibe and a popular gastro-pub.
The 138-room Roger Smith is an artsy mid-range boutique hotel conveniently located in Midtown East, within walking distance of major attractions and seven subway lines. This family-run property has tons of thoughtful touches, including individually decorated rooms with hand-picked antiques, free yogurt and granola in the lobby, and rotating art exhibitions in common spaces. It lacks most of the amenities found in larger hotels, such as a full restaurant and a fitness center, but the Roger Smith offers free passes to a local chain gym and offers room service from local restaurants. Those looking to stay closer to Central Park may want to compare rates at the Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel, which has a similar vibe and a popular gastro-pub.
Formerly a Ritz-Carlton, The Wagner at the Battery features gorgeous rooms, top-notch service, and a premier gym and spa. "Battery Park" tells you you're in for a lower-key New York experience, with Lower Manhattan's quiet nights, cobblestone streets, and -- best of all -- rates often lower than luxury properties in town.
Formerly a Ritz-Carlton, The Wagner at the Battery features gorgeous rooms, top-notch service, and a premier gym and spa. "Battery Park" tells you you're in for a lower-key New York experience, with Lower Manhattan's quiet nights, cobblestone streets, and -- best of all -- rates often lower than luxury properties in town.
The NoMad (named after the surrounding neighborhood north of Madison Square Park) is an impeccably designed luxury hotel with tons of style but limited features. The focal point is its eponymous bar and restaurant, featuring five separate-but-connected spaces that sprawl along the ground floor. Guests can order cocktails in the cozy, book-lined Library or order brunch in the sun-filled Atrium. The 168 guest rooms are luxurious (there are SFERRA linens, Frette towels, and gourmet minibars in steamer trunks), and successfully evoke a bygone era with Persian rugs, old maps, and antique-looking fixtures -- some rooms add clawfoot tubs to the bedroom areas. As another hip alternative, the Ace Hotel is just around the corner. It offers multiple bars, a popular coffee shop, and more common space in which to socialize -- for lower rates.
The NoMad (named after the surrounding neighborhood north of Madison Square Park) is an impeccably designed luxury hotel with tons of style but limited features. The focal point is its eponymous bar and restaurant, featuring five separate-but-connected spaces that sprawl along the ground floor. Guests can order cocktails in the cozy, book-lined Library or order brunch in the sun-filled Atrium. The 168 guest rooms are luxurious (there are SFERRA linens, Frette towels, and gourmet minibars in steamer trunks), and successfully evoke a bygone era with Persian rugs, old maps, and antique-looking fixtures -- some rooms add clawfoot tubs to the bedroom areas. As another hip alternative, the Ace Hotel is just around the corner. It offers multiple bars, a popular coffee shop, and more common space in which to socialize -- for lower rates.