Where to stay in New York

What a night costs

Budget

$170

Mid-range

$280

Luxury

$650

4th cheapest of 6 areas, about $100 a night less than SoHo.

Where we'd book

• Pod Times Square ↗BudgetTiny, well-designed rooms and a rooftop bar.
• Arlo Midtown ↗Mid-rangeCompact modern rooms and a big roof terrace.
• The Peninsula New York ↗LuxuryGrand hotel on Fifth Avenue with a rooftop bar.

The verdict

Skyscrapers, Broadway theatres and Central Park's southern edge. The most convenient base in the city, and the busiest.

Is it safe?

Above the city averageMore street crime than the New York average. Keep an eye on your phone and bag in crowds.

Source: NYC Open Data (NYPD)

Minutes to the sights

• Times Square5 minwalk
• Rockefeller Center12 minwalk
• Grand Central18 minwalk
• Empire State Building21 minwalk
• The Met29 min
• One World Trade Center30 min

Stations and airports

5 min to Times Square. Times Sq–42 St (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S), 42 St–Bryant Park and Grand Central.

What a night costs

Budget

$230

Mid-range

$380

Luxury

$750

The dearest of the 6 areas, about $130 a night more than Williamsburg.

Where we'd book

• Arlo SoHo ↗Mid-rangeSmall rooms, good rates for the area.
• SoHo Grand Hotel ↗BoutiqueLoft-style hotel with a busy lobby bar.
• The Mercer ↗LuxuryDiscreet loft hotel on Prince Street.

The verdict

Cobbled streets, cast-iron buildings and flagship stores. Stylish and central to downtown, and one of the most expensive places to stay.

Is it safe?

Around the city averageStreet crime is about the New York average.

Source: NYC Open Data (NYPD)

Minutes to the sights

• Empire State Building26 min
• Times Square26 min
• One World Trade Center26 minwalk
• Rockefeller Center27 min
• Grand Central27 min
• Brooklyn Bridge37 minwalk

Stations and airports

15 min to Times Square. Spring St (C, E, 6), Prince St (R, W) and Broadway–Lafayette (B, D, F, M).

What a night costs

Budget

$200

Mid-range

$330

Luxury

$600

5th cheapest of 6 areas, about $50 a night less than SoHo.

Where we'd book

• Washington Square Hotel ↗Mid-rangeSmall rooms right on the park.
• The Marlton Hotel ↗BoutiqueParisian-style boutique hotel near the park.
• The Standard, High Line ↗LuxuryGlass tower over the High Line with Hudson views.

The verdict

Tree-lined streets, jazz clubs, comedy cellars and some of the best restaurants in the city. The downtown New York many people fall for.

Is it safe?

Above the city averageMore street crime than the New York average. Keep an eye on your phone and bag in crowds.

Source: NYC Open Data (NYPD)

Minutes to the sights

• One World Trade Center16 min
• Empire State Building17 min
• Times Square18 min
• Grand Central18 min
• Rockefeller Center21 min
• Brooklyn Bridge31 min

Stations and airports

15 min to Times Square. West 4 St–Washington Sq (A, B, C, D, E, F, M), Christopher St (1) and 14 St.

What a night costs

Budget

$160

Mid-range

$260

Luxury

$450

2nd cheapest of 6 areas, about $120 a night less than SoHo.

Where we'd book

• citizenM New York Bowery ↗Mid-rangeCompact rooms and a rooftop bar with skyline views.
• The Ludlow ↗BoutiqueLoft-style rooms with big windows.
• Nine Orchard ↗LuxuryRestored 1912 bank building.

The verdict

Old tenements, delis and a dense bar scene. Gritty, lively and better value than the rest of downtown.

Is it safe?

Around the city averageStreet crime is about the New York average.

Source: NYC Open Data (NYPD)

Minutes to the sights

• One World Trade Center25 min
• Empire State Building27 min
• Times Square29 min
• Grand Central29 min
• Rockefeller Center31 min
• Brooklyn Bridge37 minwalk

Stations and airports

20 min to Times Square. Delancey St–Essex St (F, J, M, Z), Second Ave (F) and Grand St (B, D).

What a night costs

Budget

$170

Mid-range

$270

Luxury

$500

3rd cheapest of 6 areas, about $110 a night less than SoHo.

Where we'd book

• Arthouse Hotel New York City ↗Mid-rangeStylish rooms by the 79th Street subway.
• Hotel Beacon ↗Mid-rangeBig rooms with kitchenettes, good for families.
• Mandarin Oriental, New York ↗LuxuryHigh-floor rooms over Columbus Circle and the park.

The verdict

Leafy residential streets between Central Park and the Hudson, with the Natural History Museum and quick subways to Midtown.

Is it safe?

Below the city averageLess street crime than the New York average.

Source: NYC Open Data (NYPD)

Minutes to the sights

• The Met16 min
• Times Square21 min
• Rockefeller Center22 min
• Empire State Building23 min
• Grand Central24 min
• One World Trade Center34 min

Stations and airports

15 min to Times Square. 72 St and 79 St (1, 2, 3) and 81 St–Museum of Natural History (B, C).

What a night costs

Budget

$150

Mid-range

$250

Luxury

$450

The cheapest of the 6 areas, about $130 a night less than SoHo.

Where we'd book

• Pod Brooklyn ↗BudgetSmall, well-designed rooms and a rooftop.
• Wythe Hotel ↗BoutiqueConverted factory with skyline-view rooms.
• The William Vale ↗LuxuryBalconies with Manhattan views and a rooftop pool.

The verdict

Warehouse bars, restaurants and waterfront parks with Manhattan views, one subway stop from the East Village.

Is it safe?

Around the city averageStreet crime is about the New York average.

Source: NYC Open Data (NYPD)

Minutes to the sights

• Empire State Building26 min
• Grand Central29 min
• Times Square30 min
• One World Trade Center32 min
• Rockefeller Center32 min
• Brooklyn Bridge40 min

Stations and airports

30 min to Times Square. Bedford Av (L), Marcy Av (J, M, Z) and the NYC Ferry.