Best Budget Manhattan Hotels

The Knickerbocker is a classic New York City hotel, and the combination of its amenities, price range, and high-end atmosphere put it toe-to-toe with many of the city’s most expensive accommodations at a much more competitive price. The hotel caters to a wide range of visitors looking for a budget-friendly experience and boasts numerous awards along with thousands of rave reviews. The Knickerbocker's location right between Bryant Park and Times Square puts it within walking distance of many of Manhattan’s most popular attractions and guarantees that visitors are likely no more than a 30-minute express train ride from basically anywhere they want to go in the city. 

• Diptyque bath amenities
• 24-hour fitness center
• In-room salon and spa services available

The Kimpton Muse Hotel, located half a block from Times Square, seems to have strategized to set itself aside from other properties in the area by going above and beyond in its offerings for kids. Many reviewers were especially pleased with all the thoughtful touches put in place to help younger guests enjoy their stay, from complimentary snacks and extra school supplies to kid-sized robes.

The location is perfect for those in town to experience some of the most classic family-friendly attractions, like Broadway and Rockefeller Center. Parents will enjoy heading down to the on-site bar for a nightcap after a day of sightseeing or relaxing in the soaking tubs that come with king-sized rooms. 

• In-room massage and spa treatments available
• On-site restaurant and bar

For those on a tight budget or tourists not planning to spend much time in their room other than sleeping, Pod 51 is somewhere between a micro-hotel and a hostel and offers very competitive rates for the area. Rooms are small and no-frills, but comfortable and clean. The shared showers and lack of amenities might be a deal-breaker for some, but for those in town for just a night or two who need an easy and affordable place to sleep, Pod 51 is a great option. The rooftop with city views is a favorite feature for many guests and is an asset that sets Pod 51 above similar budget options in the area. 

• 24-hour check-in
• Roof terrace
• On-site bar and café

Accommodation options may be limited north of Central Park, but the 124-room Aloft Hotel is the best home-base for those especially keen on uptown attractions. The 125th Street subway stop is a mere two blocks away, but for many area highlights you won’t even need to use it—Aloft is within walking distance of Columbia University, the Apollo Theater, and The Studio Museum Harlem (and for those who prefer a brisker above-ground pace, a City Bike rental station is only one block away). The lobby is a warm, bright, industrial eclectic space, and the Re:Mix Lounge is a great spot to grab a drink at the end of a busy day of sightseeing while listening to live performances by local artists.

• In-room access to Netflix

Even in a city with as many famous buildings as Manhattan, the Maritime Hotel stands out. The building was designed by architect Albert Ledner in 1968 as a headquarters for the National Maritime Union. Ledner trained with Frank Lloyd Wright, and design aficionados will appreciate the playful approach to modernism on display in the building’s porthole windows and white-tiled exterior. 

The Maritime Hotel opened in 2003, and its design pays tribute to Ledner’s nautical vision with playful upholstery and a highly Instagrammable Maritime mural stretching the length of the lobby. The hotel is right in the middle of three of the busiest neighborhoods in the city for fashion, nightlife, and restaurants, and the fanciful luxury of the rooms offers the feeling of an oasis in the midst of the area’s activity.

• 24-hour room service
• C. O. Bigelow bath products
• Powerful rain showers
• Complimentary bicycles

You know you’re onto something good when you find the place that native New Yorkers choose for their staycation. As many positive reviews attest, the Standard’s East Village location is simultaneously a peaceful place to recharge and a design-forward hotspot which leans in to the East Village’s famous funkiness and energy. 

For the night-owls and dancing queens, many of the city’s most happening bars are a stone’s throw from the building’s original tenement-style entrance. Those looking for a nightcap a little closer afield need go no further than NO BAR, a funky, a new wave gay bar with cheekily-named cocktails that sits downstairs from the hotel. Those stumbling or strutting home after a night celebrating will be rewarded with an incredible view of the sunrise over the city skyline from the hotel’s signature floor-to-ceiling windows. 

• Room service
• Custom organic bath amenities
• Stocked minibar
• On-site event spaces

When it was built in 1928, the Hotel Beacon was best known for a unique architectural feature, the airway beacon on its roof. These days, as it approaches its 100th year in business, the hotel is known and loved for the traditional style of comfort it provides it’s guests, many of who return year after year. The hotel’s most notable feature is it’s apartment-style suites at reasonable rates, which are especially good for people traveling with a group or families.

The Beacon is a calm oasis amidst the bustle of the city, providing comfort in spades and a traditional New York feel that will appeal to many. The location is especially perfect for families, who can make good use of the kitchenettes in each room by stocking up on snacks at one of the many upscale grocery stores nearby. Visitors of all ages will appreciate the proximity to Manhattan’s best parks, Central and Riverside, which are two “New York” blocks away in either direction. 

• Keurig Coffee Makers
• Fitness center
• Self-service laundry room

Guests love the vibe of the Freehand, which is curated to maximize a creative feel and buzzy ambiance. The walls of rooms and common areas are covered in custom-commissioned artwork by Bard College students and alumni, a feature that strikes a warm and Instragrammable atmosphere—like hanging out in the home of your hippest friend. Although the hotel’s Flatiron District location may be a drawback for those looking to be within walking distance of downtown’s more concentrated bars and clubs, guests do have the option of striking up a conversation with fellow passers-through at the popular onsite Broken Shaker Rooftop Bar, and a one-block walk to the 23rd street subway stop means visitors are just a quick train ride from the rest of Manhattan. 

• Argan oil bath products
• Well-equipped fitness center including Peloton bikes