Budget New York hotels
LARGE GARDEN? THAT’S BLOOMING MARVELLOUS Public Hotel, Lower East Side
Opened last year by cult hotelier Ian Schrager, this has something few of its luxury competitors have: a large garden. There are also 370 airy rooms, a roof terrace and a restaurant, plus a few quirks to keep the prices low – there isn’t a reception desk (you check in on your phone) or room service. From £136 (publichotels.com).
BEST OF BRITISH SET TO MAKE I TS MARK The Hoxton, Brooklyn
The British brand opens next month in the hip district of Williamsburg, one subway stop from Manhattan. In an old factory, there will be 175 rooms divided into two categories – cosy and roomy – and the minibar comes with free milk and water. There will be three restaurants and a rooftop area with views across the East River to Manhattan. From £123 (thehoxton.com/ new-york/williamsburg/hotels).
DECO GEM WITH EMPIRE STATE VIEWS Hotel Metro, Midtown
Most budget options aren’t featured by UK operators but this one can be booked through BA and Virgin. In a grand Art Deco building, it occupies an unbeatable location opposite Macy’s, is friendly and clean, and comes with a complimentary breakfast. There is also a roof terrace with views of the Empire State Building. From £108 (hotelmetronyc.com).
HOTEL WITH A TITANIC TWIST The Jane, Meatpacking District
Survivors from the Titanic were billetted at this former seamen’s hostel. The cheapest rooms are cabin-like quarters which are worth nabbing (if you’re willing to share a bathroom). The Old Rose restaurant serves Italian food. From £100 (thejanenyc.com).
TO DO THE HARLEM SHUFFLE Aloft, Harlem
A stylish budget chain owned by the Starwood group. Harlem is an area that has seen a renaissance in the past few years and is now full of bars and restaurants. Central Park is also close by. From £123 (aloftharlem.com).
FLOPHOUSE WITH VINTAGE CHARM Ace Hotel, Midtown
A loft suite here will set you back about £850 a night, but you can instead opt for the bunk beds or small doubles for a fraction of the cost. A former flophouse with plenty of vintage charm, there’s always something going on here, including film nights and music. From £146 (acehotel.com/newyork).
THIS... A COOL VENUE WITH AN ARTIST Freehand, Midtown
In posh Gramercy Park, this hotel opened in March and brings brownstone cool to the budget market. The 396 rooms are kitted out in a variety of configurations (the four-bed bunk rooms are good value) and there is even an artist in residence. Doubles from £130 (freehand hotels.com/new-york).
LIKE A KING I N TRENDY QUEENS Z Hotel, Queens
Head across the East River into Queens and you’ll get more for your dollar. This looks out on to the river and you get superb Midtown views from all 100 rooms. Want to head to Manhattan? It’s about ten minutes by subway to Central Park. It’s worth exploring the area around the hotel too; there’s PS1, a branch of the famous Museum of Modern Art within walking distance. Rooms from £108 (zhotelny.com).
BUT ALWAYS PERFECTLY FORMED Pod Hotel, various locations
Rooms are never going to be spacious at a hotel with a name like this, but they’re reliably cheap and provide enough style and fun to compensate. There are four New York sites – three in central Manhattan and one in Brooklyn, all clean and cool. All offer a mix of doubles and bunks. From £123 (thepodhotel.com).
A BARGAIN I N HIP CHELSEA Moxy, Chelsea
New hotels can offer great value when they first open. If you can hold off until the autumn, Moxy opens in the hip, art gallery-filled area of Chelsea and will bring plenty of style for a pared-down price. The 349 rooms will have floor-to-ceiling windows and a 35th-floor rooftop lounge. From £123 (moxychelsea.com).