The 12 Best Cheap Hotels in Manhattan, New York City

Key Takeaways

• Affordable hotel options in Manhattan give budget-conscious travelers access to neighborhoods like Midtown and SoHo.
• Standout properties include Arlo SoHo, with its rooftop views and Scandinavian flair, and Cambria Hotel New York, just a few steps away from the Empire State Building.
• Many of these hotels offer convenient perks like free Wi-Fi and fitness centers.

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 60 million people touching down in the Big Apple almost every year. From the theaters of Broadway to the shops on Fifth Avenue, the bohemia of Greenwich Village, and the rich cultural history of Harlem, New York really is a city that has something to offer every type of visitor.

Like any major metropolis, staying in The City That Never Sleeps can be an expensive endeavor. But if you look beyond the 5-star hotels and extortionate rentals, there are a ton of affordable hotels and hostels to help you save money where it really counts.

Best Cheap Hotels in Manhattan, New York City

Aliz Hotel Times Square

Price per Night: From $125

The Aliz is a smart, urban hotel offering fuss-free accommodation in Hell’s Kitchen’s creative hub and just moments away from Times Square.

Home to an impressive, 2-story rooftop bar and lounge, the Dear Irving on Hudson food outlet, daily cooked breakfasts, and spacious bedrooms, this hotel offers a lot in exchange for its mid-range price tag. Close to some of the city’s most iconic attractions, including Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and Macy’s department store, the Aliz Hotel Times Square even offers exciting extras.

These perks include Peloton bikes in the fitness room and some of Manhattan’s most amazing views, making this an excellent choice for visitors.

Hot Tip: If you’re looking for things to do in New York, check out these tours: Statue of Liberty, Tour of 9/11 Memorial, and Harbor Lights Night Cruise.

Arlo SoHo

Price per Night: From $131

Packed full of Scandinavian styling and budget-friendly guest rooms, this beautiful hotel is located just a stone’s throw from the eclectic SoHo, Tribeca, and West Village neighborhoods.

Rooms come complete with flat-screen TVs and cable, while the hotel is also home to the fabulous Foxtail bar, as well as Lindens for dining and the lively A.R.T. SoHo rooftop bar with amazing views out across the city.

Perfect for hip travelers wanting to experience a real taste of the Big Apple, the Arlo SoHo is just a few short steps away from some of the best shopping the city has to offer.

Hot Tip: Check out our full guide on all the best things to see and do in New York City!

Artezen Hotel

Price per Night: From $98

Tucked away in the Financial District, this hotel has been designed to accommodate business travelers’ needs while offering visitors to the city a quiet respite from the bustling streets.

With large desks in all of the rooms, free Wi-Fi in public areas, and a fitness center, this hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodations just a 5-minute walk from the world-famous Wall Street.

The Artezen Hotel is close to a range of excellent public transport links. Guests can be out exploring every corner of the city instantly, fueled by a fabulous cooked-to-order breakfast available daily at the hotel.

Cambria Hotel New York – Chelsea

Price per Night: From $125 or 20,000 Choice Privileges points

Located in the Chelsea neighborhood, this modern hotel offers contemporary accommodations just 500 yards from the Empire State Building. Bedrooms are bright and spacious, while the hotel itself is home to an on-site fitness center and the popular rooftop Social Circle bar and bistro that offers amazing views out across the city.

Being situated on the doorstep of some of the city’s most iconic attractions, including Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, visitors to the Cambria Hotel New York love the hotel’s modern, minimalist feeling and the awesome central location.

Blue Angel Hotel NYC, Ascend Hotel Collection

Price per Night: From $104 or 30,000 Choice Privileges points

Claiming to offer a real home-away-from-home experience in the heart of New York, this hotel is just a few blocks from MoMA and the Lexington Avenue/53rd Street Subway station, offering easy access to the Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and many of the city’s most famous attractions. Bedrooms here are unpretentious yet well-appointed, and free Wi-Fi comes as standard.

The Blue Angel manages to keep costs down by not offering any on-site facilities such as a bar, restaurant, or fitness center, but it does have a beautiful private roof terrace with 360-degree skyline views for those who want to enjoy a peaceful New York minute away from the busy city streets.

Citadines Connect Fifth Avenue New York

Price per Night: From $96

Located close to Times Square, this contemporary hotel is perfectly located for Fifth Avenue, the Theater District, and Rockefeller Center, while the cultural hubs of Chelsea, SoHo, and Midtown are just minutes away by cab or public transport.

Bedrooms have a minimalist feel while still being well-appointed, and the hotel offers a grab-and-go communal kitchen designed to help travelers connect while they eat.

For private dining at Citadines Connect Fifth Avenue New York, there is an on-demand in-room dining service, or you can step outside this bright, modern hotel to enjoy the many great restaurants, bars, and cafes right at its doorstep.

Hot Tip: Will you need a car on your trip as well? Check out our guide to finding cheap car rentals in New York City.

Four Points by Sheraton Midtown – Times Square

Price per Night: From $129 or 45,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

This hotel is perfectly located for visitors looking to enjoy the very best attractions that New York City has to offer, and is a popular base for families, couples, and business travelers alike.

Located just moments away from Times Square’s bright lights and the excitement of Madison Square Garden, this modern hotel offers spotless accommodations in the heart of Manhattan.

Guests staying at the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown hotel can also enjoy the use of a 24-hour fitness center and free Wi-Fi, or dine in at the hotel’s on-site Gotham Bar and Bistro.

Hot Tip: A tour with an experienced guide is a phenomenal way to learn about the city — check out our top picks for the best tours and activities in New York City.

Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave – Chelsea

Price per Night: From $110 or 32,000 IHG One Rewards points

Just a 10-minute walk from the Empire State Building and some of the city’s most famous attractions, this modern high-rise hotel is situated in the refined residential neighborhood of Chelsea. Contemporary bedrooms offer free Wi-Fi, and the hotel is also home to the Amore Restaurant which serves up cuisine late into the evening.

There is also an on-site 24-hour gym, and guests love the hotel’s peaceful vibe, despite being just a block from some of the city’s most iconic streets and tourist attractions.

Hotel 50 Bowery

Price per Night: From $169 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points

This brilliant little boutique hotel is located in Chinatown and offers easy access to the vibrant Lower East Side and Little Italy neighborhoods.

With original artwork adorning the walls and views out over the city from the rooftop terrace, this is an awesome hotel in a central location. With a 24-hour fitness center and a choice of 2 Asian-inspired eateries, hip locals and trendy visitors alike really love this hotel.

Hotel 50 Bowery is just a short walk from the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Wall Street, Battery Park, and the Staten Island Ferry, meaning you can easily explore some of the city’s finest landmarks as well and enjoy the vast array of trendy restaurants and bars close by.

MOXY NYC Times Square

Price per Night: From $143 or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

This boutique-style hotel offers innovative and affordable “micro” accommodations in the heart of Times Square. Designed to attract younger visitors staying in the city, this hotel offers low-cost luxury with funky interiors, shared communal spaces, and compact but cleverly conceived sleeping quarters.

With Magic Hour, an amusement park-themed rooftop bar, offering amazing views out across Manhattan’s most famous landmarks, and the Legasea restaurant offering a modest but finely-crafted menu, it is easy to see why the MOXY NYC Times Square is such a big hit with hip young people visiting New York.

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth review of sister property Moxy NYC East Village!

The Park Ave North

Price per Night: From $79

Located in Harlem’s heart, this traditional New York City inn is housed in a historic 19th-century building.

Offering comfortable and cozy rooms with high-speed Wi-Fi and modern bathrooms, guests staying at The Park Ave North will also find a refrigerator and microwave in each room, giving the hotel a home-away-from-home feel perfect for families and long-stay visitors.

Bottom Line: If you’re traveling as a family, check out these fun things to do in New York City with kids.

U.S. Pacific Hotel

Price per Night: From $78

This quirky hotel is located in the vibrant streets of Chinatown. Offering basic but clean and comfortable accommodations, this hotel is perfect for visitors looking to enjoy an authentic New York City vibe.

Being in Chinatown and close to Little Italy, there is amazing food on every corner. The hotel is situated just a few short blocks from many of Manhattan’s world-famous attractions.

Visitors to the U.S. Pacific Hotel love the clean bedrooms and central location, as well as the affordable price tag, making it very well-suited to travelers on a budget.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re visiting Manhattan for business or for pleasure, there are so many better things to spend your cash on than expensive hotels. With bars, restaurants, and clubs being open well into the wee hours of the morning, chances are you won’t be in your room for very long anyway.

Save cash by looking for hotels that are away from the more expensive neighborhoods like Tribeca, Midtown, or around Central Park and instead opt for some of the more tourist-driven areas like Times Square, Chelsea, or even Chinatown for better value.

Finally, remember that your hotel is only a small part of your New York City adventure and that there is so much more to see and do in the city that never sleeps.