The Best Affordable Hotels in New York City
_Lobby%2520Day%2520Hero.jpg)
All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
New York City is famous for its luxury hotels, but scoring an affordable stay in the Big Apple doesn’t have to be a challenge. While iconic properties like The St. Regis or The Ritz-Carlton, Central Park often steal the spotlight, NYC also boasts a range of stylish, budget-friendly options that offer just as much comfort and character without breaking the bank. And don’t worry, you won’t have to venture far from the action: Whether you’re staying in bustling Midtown or artsy Brooklyn, affordable gems are scattered throughout the city, making it easy to find the perfect base for your New York adventure.
We’ve scoured the city to find the best hotel rooms under $300 per night. Whether you're in town for a weekend getaway with friends or on a cozy retreat for two, we’ve found places that combine great value with a touch of New York flair. With more of your budget freed up, you can dive into the city’s world-class dining, theater, and cultural experiences. Keep reading to explore the top affordable hotels in New York City.
How we choose the best affordable hotels in New York City
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
- Kyle Knodell/Courtesy The Rockaway Hotelhotel
The Rockaway Hotel
$$ |Hot List 2021
Neighborhood: Far Rockaway
Price: From $284 per nightThe Rockaway Hotel offers stylish, beachside accommodations in Queens at a more accessible price point than most Manhattan hotels, making it a smart choice for travelers seeking a laid-back, design-forward stay. Its proximity to the Rockaway Beach boardwalk, ferry access to Manhattan, and rooftop views add both convenience and value. With rates often under $300 per night—even in peak season—it’s a relative steal for a New York City stay. Guests also get access to perks, like a heated outdoor pool and wellness classes, typically found at pricier properties. Here, you'll find sunny, blonde wood rooms and a chic poolside bistro all just a few blocks from the beach. Judging from the number of locals who come in for breakfast, a bite, or a cup of coffee, the property is fully entrenched in the community. And the beleaguered guests coming in for short- or long-term stays are always ready to plotz by the pool with a book, hit the rooftop bar for a drink, or join those locals in the regular fitness classes—not to mention walk the boardwalk one block over. The Rockaway Hotel is bringing something new to the community—without replacing anything it already has.
- Stephen Kent Johnsonhotel
Ace Hotel Brooklyn
$$ |Hot List 2022
Readers' Choice Awards 2023
Neighborhood: Downtown Brooklyn
Price: From $227 per nightAce Hotel Brooklyn is a standout option thanks to the brand's blend of sleek, design-forward interiors and competitive pricing for its prime location. The lobby in any Ace hotel is the place to be, and the one at its Brooklyn outpost is no different. There are public workspaces galore—including a long, library-style table, a plant-filled garden, and a moody bar area with cozy seating—which plenty of guests, locals, and staff make use of. Many of the hallmarks of Ace's decor are present in the 287 rooms: plywood furniture that offers both form and function, local art, and pops of color (in this case, a deep green). But the room design also makes use of the industrial building’s architecture, with exposed concrete and warehouse windows.
- Read McKendreehotel
The William Vale
$$ |Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Price: From $296 per nightThe William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, offers a luxurious experience at a more accessible price point, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with private balconies in every room, showcasing stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Its distinctive white criss-crossing exterior can be seen from Lower Manhattan, but it also makes an impression when seen up close. Each of the hotel’s 183 guest rooms is light, airy, and of-the-moment with hardwood floors, glass-enclosed showers, patterned rugs, and curated coffee table books from Phaidon. The hotel also has its own elevated public park, a 60-foot outdoor pool (known as the longest outdoor hotel pool in NYC), and three restaurants from famed chef Andrew Carmellini’s NoHo Hospitality Group: Southern Italian-inspired Leuca, all-day bar & café Little Fino, and rooftop bar Westlight (complete with 360-degree city views).
- Alice Gaohotel
Penny Williamsburg
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Price: From $210 per nightSet slightly away from Brooklyn’s hotel row, Penny is the place for all the cool kids. Expect bold design, excellent service, and a fresh dining scene with coveted outdoor space. The property has 117 rooms and an incredible 700-square-foot suite with an outrageously generous private terrace. All rooms feature complimentary in-room pour-over coffee, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary bikes to pedal around town. Each room also has a kitchenette—all at a price point that provides excellent value for the area. The style throughout is playful, with bold pops of color and pieces of artwork that are never repeated. Penny is situated in the heart of Williamsburg and a stone’s throw from a myriad of incredible bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops. There's also ample access to the subway, should you choose to venture further out—it's just a breezy four-minute walk from the property.
- Courtesy 11 Howardhotel
11 Howard
$Neighborhood: SoHo
Price: From $234 per nightRemoved from the tourist-clogged avenues of Broadway and West Broadway, 11 Howard is situated on the far reaches of SoHo; nearly on the border with Tribeca. This southern pocket of the neighborhood retains much of the gritty charm for which SoHo first became notable, but rest assured the aesthetic at the hotel is a more accessible luxury. 11 Howard delivers sleek Scandinavian design and a prime SoHo location at a price that undercuts many luxury hotels in NYC, making it a stylish yet savvy choice for travelers. Think high-ceilinged rooms with light oak floors, marble and brass details in the bathrooms, and Danish-inspired furniture. You’ll also want to make sure you reserve a table at the on-site restaurant Le Coucou for a meal (or two). The French spot, helmed by acclaimed chef Daniel Rose, is one of the best in the city.
- Michael Kleinber/Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg
Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Price: From $199 per nightMoxy’s ethos is simple: The core tenets of the hotel chain are to be stylish and playful. You’re not booking a room here because you plan to stay inside it, but for the property’s location and ample communal spaces. The chain’s Williamsburg location is an excellent example: The hotel’s destination-worthy venues include Jolene Sound Room, a lounge with a killer sound system, and LilliStar, the rooftop bar with gorgeous views of the Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan’s skyline. The rooms here may be small, but the floor-to-ceiling windows and clever storage solutions certainly make up for it.
- Courtesy Made Hotelhotel
The Made Hotel
$$ |Hot List 2018
Neighborhood: NoMad
Price: From $263 per nightAffordability never looked so good—located just a few blocks south of the Empire State Building, this boutique hotel gives off more of a cozy, upstate New York vibe than big-city, thanks to king-sized beds on platforms topped with shibori-style linens and hand-carved stone sinks. But take one step out onto your Juliet balcony and you’ll be treated to classic Manhattan views for blocks (so many water towers!). Also notable for a small hotel is Made’s wide range of dining and drinking options on site, including Debajo for tapas, coffee shop Paper, plus the lively Lobby Bar and the gorgeous, sun-drenched Good Behavior lounge on the 18th floor.
- Courtesy Romer Hell's Kitchen
Romer Hell's Kitchen
Neighborhood: Hell's Kitchen
Price: From $209 per nightWhile no New Yorker is likely to advise a visitor to stay in the heart of Times Square, nearby Hell’s Kitchen (contrary to its name), affords many of the same perks—central location, affordable hotels—without quite as big of crowds. With the opening of Romer Hell’s Kitchen in 2023, the Midtown neighborhood finally claims a spot that’s cool enough for locals to swing by, too. Highlights include midcentury-modern rooms with splashes of mint and gold; an on-site boutique stocked with local merch; and a restaurant and lounge, featuring live music and innovative takes on classic cocktails.
- The Graduate Roosevelt Islandhotel
Graduate Roosevelt Island
$Neighborhood: Roosevelt Island
Price: From $231 per nightIn the last five years, sleepy Roosevelt Island has gone from a bit of a backwater neighborhood to an emerging tech hub for students and New Yorkers alike. Last year, the small, historic island welcomed its first hotel, the lively Graduate Roosevelt Island, located on the campus of Cornell Tech. But don’t be fooled that this is just a waystation for students and their families: Designed by bigwig firms Snøhetta and Stonehill Taylor, the hotel has quickly become a magnet for New Yorkers looking for the next big thing. Rooftop bar and lounge Panorama Room has been especially popular since opening, as has The Big Suite, which boasts themed bunk beds and an authentic Zoltar machine, just like in the movie.
- Courtesy Ace Hotel New Yorkhotel
Ace Hotel New York
$Neighborhood: NoMad
Price: From $194 per nightThe second Ace Hotel on this list, this Manhattan property is just as chic as the Brooklyn one. Ace Hotel nails the sweet spot between cool and cost—where vintage vibes, creative energy, and comfort come standard, not pricey. It wasn’t so long ago that New Yorkers were skeptical of the marketing for the new neighborhood of NoMad (which stands for North of Madison Square Park), but once again, Ace was there to lead the way. Since the hotel opened over a decade ago, not only has the neighborhood become one of the most in-demand places to stay, but the Ace itself has emerged as a popular melting pot for travelers and locals. We love the local DJs spinning music in the lobby on weekends, and the original art and vintage furniture in the tastefully curated rooms.
- Courtesy Arlo NoMadhotel
Arlo NoMad Hotel
$ |Readers' Choice Awards 2018
Neighborhood: NoMad
Price: From $241 a nightJust a few minutes walk from The Ace New York is boutique hotel Arlo NoMad. You can think of this one as a slightly more buttoned-up sibling, with smart rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, crisp white linens, and dreamy views of the Manhattan skyline. Arlo NoMad packs big-city style into smart, cozy spaces—perfect for travelers who want high design without the high price. The on-site restaurant Lamalo is also one of the neighborhood’s best, providing a menu filled with modern Middle Eastern spreads, dips, and breads. And make sure to spend at least one night at the hotel’s rooftop (A.R.T. NoMad); it’s perched 31 stories high and has a glass floor installation for those who aren’t afraid of heights.
- The Hoxtonhotel
The Hoxton, Williamsburg
$ |Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2023
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Price: From $199 per nightThe Hoxton Williamsburg is where curated design meets creative soul—an artful stay that’s easy on the eyes and the wallet. The London-founded hotel brand known for its properties across Holborn, as well as Amsterdam and Paris, arrived in the US by way of New York. The Hoxton is known for its chic and modern design, with a focus on creating a warm, inviting space. UK-based Ennismore designed the hotel to feel extremely Brooklyn, dotting it with locally sourced vintage furniture, bookshelves displaying hefty tomes on contemporary art, and '70s-style chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. Once you step inside the suite, you’re met with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the rooms with natural light. Wood furnishings are situated around the room with gold hardware. The beds are dressed with soft, pristinely white cotton sheets with teal and khaki pillows resting on the plum-hued velvet headboard.
- Courtesy Radio Hotelhotel
Radio Hotel
$Neighborhood: Washington Heights
Price: From $152 per nightThe Radio Hotel turns up the volume on color, culture, and comfort—offering a bold stay that won’t blow your budget. Washington Heights got a bit of a fame boost in 2021 with the release of In The Heights, and the following year, the northern Manhattan neighborhood finally got its first-ever, full-service boutique hotel. The multi-colored Radio Hotel, which opened in June 2022, has 221 rooms and features architecture and food tours of the neighborhood, a lively rooftop with postcard-perfect views of the city and the famed George Washington Bridge, plus the first US location of popular Dominican restaurant, Jalao. The hotel celebrates neighborhood spirit with vibrant design, local flavor, and prices that keep you connected—not stretched.
- Photo by Adrian Gauthotel
Public Hotel New York City
$$ |Hot List 2018, 2019
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Price: From $287 per nightWhile the Lower East Side is no longer the hardscrabble place of decades past, it has historically been a desert for affordable hotels that weren’t of the hostel variety. That all changed with the arrival of the Public Hotel in 2017: Ian Schrager’s sexy, swanky boutique hotel that brings a bit of uptown, downtown. While the large number of restaurants and bars is certainly a draw here (this is a Schrager hotel, after all), we also love the minimalist-chic rooms. Think Brutalist-style concrete ceilings paired with beds ensconced in backlit wooden frames, with huge picture windows looking out onto one of NYC’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
- Mint House
Mint House at 70 Pine NYC
Neighborhood: Financial District
Price: From $275 per nightIf you’re looking for more apartment-style accommodations, but Airbnb isn’t your thing, Mint House is the ideal, affordable alternative. Set in an Art Deco building in the Financial District (and just a few minutes' walk away from the Seaport area), all the rooms here are equipped with full kitchens and roomy living areas, plus communal perks like a bowling alley, a two-floor fitness center, and an on-site grocery market. Plus, if you like any of the modern decor inside your room, you can probably buy it: The tech-forward company has made nearly the whole space shoppable from your phone.
A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveler UK. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Recommended

10% off Priceline Promo Code with Sign Up

Hotel-only Expedia Promo Code: extra 5% Off

Up to 50% off + Free cancellation with Booking.com registration

Get 5% Off Hotel Bookings with this Exclusive Hotels.com promo code

Vrbo Discount Codes & Special Offers - 20% Off

Up to 40% Off Hotels + 5% Off Barceló Discount Code