The 10 best budget-friendly hotels in New York City

The Radio Hotel is one of the most eye-catching new landmarks north of Central Park. Its stacked, brightly coloured blocks give the impression of giant Lego bricks, topped by a green section proudly displaying the hotel’s name—a bold splash of colour along the Cross Bronx Expressway. Located in Washington Heights, this hotel offers travelers the chance to experience a different side of Manhattan: less touristy, more authentic, and far better value than hotels further downtown. Central it is not, but it’s close to the George Washington Bridge, Highbridge Park, and the Harlem River, and has good connections to Midtown. 

Rooms here are modern, with unfinished ceilings giving the otherwise clean space a bit of edge. Each features a retro-style Bluetooth speaker shaped like a mini radio, powerful enough to soundtrack a shower in the surprisingly spacious bathrooms. Some street noise is inevitable, but the hotel makes up for it with generous room sizes by Manhattan standards. Service is another strong point: staff are upbeat, welcoming, and eager to share local tips, from where to find the best Dominican street food to how to explore the Bronx just across the nearby Washington Bridge. Parking is also easier here than downtown, with garages charging far less than in mid-Manhattan.

The hotel’s slap-up place to eat Jalao NYC, a Dominican restaurant named after a coconut-and-honey dessert. With lively murals and a spacious dining room, it captures the flavor of Washington Heights’ Little Dominican Republic, while offering elevated, date-night-ready dishes and a popular brunch. Expect traditional plates like steak and plantains alongside trendier dishes such as avocado toast. Its courtyard extension, El Patio, is the place for weekend drinks or ceviche topped with cilantro and pomegranate, paired with a morir soñando, the iconic Dominican orange-and-milk drink.

Time Out tip: Keen to explore Midtown? The 181st Street subway puts Times Square within direct reach.

Address: 2420 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY
Price: Standard rooms from $175 per night
Closest transport: 181st Street subway station (1 line); LaGuardia Airport is a 25-minute drive

The clue is in the name—voco Times Square South New York sits in a prime Midtown spot, just six blocks from Times Square itself. Close enough to the action but not engulfed by it, the hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring Manhattan highlights like Madison Square Garden, Hudson Yards, the Theatre District, and the High Line, while Penn and Moynihan Stations are also within walking distance. The location makes it a convenient base for both business and leisure travelers who want easy access to landmarks without the chaos of being directly in Times Square.

Part of IHG’s voco brand, the hotel has a contemporary, unfussy style that prioritises comfort. The glass façade opens into a lively lobby with marquee-style lighting, upbeat playlists, and a bar that flows into Finches Den Restaurant & Outdoor Patio. Guests can relax in lounge-style seating areas or head to the courtyard, complete with neon affirmations and greenery—a quirky backdrop for drinks and photos. Rooms are compact but well equipped, and there are good city views from the higher floors. Premium rooms include steam showers, while practical extras like ample charging points and garment racks make them especially functional. Service is warm and efficient, with perks such as welcome drinks, cookies on arrival, and a grab-and-go station for snacks, coffee, and early sightseeing fuel.

Dining is covered with a modern American vibe at Finches Den, serving everything from breakfast sandwiches to hearty mains like fried chicken or Pat La Frieda burgers, with happy hour cocktails adding to the appeal. The bar staff are known for their lively service, and guests can claim a complimentary Flamingo cocktail as part of the resort fee. Beyond the hotel, shopping at Hudson Yards and Macy’s, theatre trips, and dining at institutions like Keens Steakhouse or new favourites like Mercado Little Spain are all close at hand. 

Time Out tip: Fancy some whacky theater while you’re in town? Have a look at what’s on at The Tank. 

Address: 343 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Price: Starting from $200 per night (seasonal variations apply)
Closest transport: 34th St–Penn Station (A, C, E subway); M20, M34A-SBS, and M11 bus stops nearby

Cutting a grand silhouette on the Upper West Side, The Lucerne Hotel has been a Manhattan landmark since 1904. Its striking Beaux Arts façade of red-plum brick and terra cotta makes it one of the neighbourhood’s most recognisable buildings, while the doormen and terrace of its French brasserie, Nice Matin, add to the sense of timeless New York charm. The location is hard to beat—just two blocks from Central Park and close to Riverside Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and Lincoln Center—giving guests a chance to experience the city in a classic, family-friendly residential neighborhood that still offers easy subway access to Midtown and beyond. This is the New York of Nora Ephron films and Seinfeld. 

Inside, the Lucerne delivers comfort with a traditional touch. Rooms are more spacious than at many Manhattan hotels, a real advantage for longer stays. Décor is dated, with dark woods and neutral tones that reflect its old-school style, and bathrooms could use some refreshing, but everything is clean and well maintained. Service is another highlight: bellmen are attentive and warm, ready to handle luggage or hail a cab, while front-desk staff foster a homely atmosphere. It’s a hotel where classic hospitality still holds sway.

Dining at the Lucerne is anchored by Nice Matin, a local institution for over 20 years. The airy dining room, Parisian-style murals, and leafy terrace make it a neighbourhood favorite, serving breakfast through dinner and a lively weekend brunch. The menu draws from the south of France, with escargots, steak frites, branzino, and handmade pasta, but also more inventive fare like lobster velouté with corn soufflé or duck tagine. 

Time Out tip: If you fancy a real flavor of Nora Ephron magic, head to Cafe Luxembourg. It’s a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and it featured in When Harry Met Sally. 

Address: 201 W. 79th Street, New York, NY 10024
Price: Starting from $210 per night
Closest transport: 79th Street (1 line), 81st Street (B, C lines)

An island escape exists just a five-minute tram ride from Manhattan. Graduate New York, a hotel situated in the East River between Manhattan and Queens, feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of midtown. It’s a place where you can admire the city’s skyline without hearing sirens, a spot where you can feel disconnected and yet connected at the same time. As the only hotel in the area, the destination has so much to offer. 

From the on-site restaurant and bar garden to the fitness and business centers, this great (but cheap) hotel in NYC is a winner for those on a budget. Enjoy room service in your air-conditioned room with a TV before joining the continental breakfast served every morning—sadly not included in the room rate but totally worth it. The best part? The surrounding outdoor deck with panoramic views of the Hudson and New York City.

You’d be excused for bypassing the Malin + Goetz amenities in the bathroom, the plush king-size bed and the crushed velvet couch to head directly to the windows and gaze at the unrivaled views of the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center—a rare treat to see all in one window pane.

Time Out tip: Book a reservation for drinks at the on-site rooftop bar, Panorama Room, around sunset.

Address: 22 North Loop Road, NY 10044
Price: Starting at $200 per night
Closest Transport: F to Roosevelt Island; or take the Roosevelt Island tram fro 59th Street

Steps from Times Square and the Theater District, Romer Hell’s Kitchen offers a place for rest and relaxation in a busy location while paying homage to local culture: concierge staff are trained to give the best recommendations, employees wear uniforms styled by a local vintage shop and the room designs give off an old-school theater vibe. 

Guestrooms measure up to 600 square feet—larger than some Manhattan apartments—so there is plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the views. A generous closet at the entry door offers room to hang up coats and drop shoes, especially helpful when visiting in the freezing New York winter.

The 295-guestroom hotel took over a former Hampton Inn, and there are moments—especially in the main hallway and bathroom—where the building’s less-luxe history is quite apparent. The bathroom—tiny even for New York standards—lacks ventilation, a shelf in the shower and adequate room to towel off next to the toilet. However, the ethos here is about getting out and exploring, so the bathroom blip can be easily forgotten. 

There’s no place to work on a laptop, except for a top-heavy tray table that's prone to toppling—but the good news is that the hotel lobby perfectly doubles as a one-day office as well.

Time Out tip: When you check in, you’ll get a QR code to scan, which will give details on all the hotel’s offerings and special events—make sure to look through them to thoroughly enjoy all of the destinationÆs offerings.

Address: 851 Eighth Avenue, 10019
Price: Starting at $200 per night
Closest Transport: 1, 2 to 50th Street; B, D, E to Seventh Avenue

A lot of hotels claim to offer all the sights and sounds of New York City at their doorstep. But at Moxy’s Lower East Side location, the fun is literally just steps from your room because of the plenty of excitement to be had on site: a Japanese restaurant, a piano lounge, a subterranean club and a rooftop bar all call the hotel home.

The destination opened at the crossroads of the Lower East Side and Soho in late 2022, designed to evoke the neighborhood’s long history as a hub for entertainment and culture. Though the square footage of each room is compact, Moxy’s thoughtful design makes smart use of the space with hooks, hangers, a fold-up desk and under-bed storage. With the hardwood floors, it’s easy to slide a suitcase under the bed. 

The hotel’s positioned to offer a stunning view of the city’s skyline, so reserve a room with a city view if it’s within your budget. If not—or if you want to experience the view even more—head to the rooftop bar called The Highlight Room. 

Wrap up your day by taking a rainfall shower, set up behind a colorful glass shower wall, and resting your head on a comfortable bed before hitting the town again—whether that means stepping outside the doors of the hotel or not.

Time Out tip: Make sure to stop by both the on-site Japanese restaurant Sake No Hana, sultry piano bar Silver Lining or underground club Loosie’s, where you will dance the night away.

Address: 145 Bowery, New York, 10002
Price: Starting at $215 per night
Closest Transport: J, Z to Bowery; B, D to Grand Street

Margaritaville was originally founded in Key West in 1984 by the king of ‘Gulf Rock’ himself, Jimmy Buffett. The chain, originally just a restaurant, is named after the singer’s popular song of the same name and has become a staple for beach bums around the United States and the Caribbean. Since then, the iconic beach spot has been operating over 50 resorts including a multi-floor resort in Times Square that opened in 2021.

The bar is tiki-themed (of course) with totem poles affixed to either side and a thatched roof. There are big fake palm trees scattered across the eatery. It’s a beach resort, even if we’re nowhere near the beach.

The spot doesn’t let itself wander into the modern minimalist aesthetic so many other NYC hotels embody—there isn’t a single Eames chair, no Boysmells candle or Basquiat-style painting. It stays true to what it has always been, a Florida Keys beach resort, the fact that it’s in the center of one of the chicest cities in the world doesn’t deter it. It’s refreshingly itself and aimed directly at the clientele that loves it.   

Time Out tip: If you plan on staying at the pool for the day, consider purchasing a blender cup from the bar which gives you $8 refills on all drinks moving forward. 

Address: 560 7th Ave, New York, 10018
Price: Starting at $210 per night
Closest Transport: Subway: Times Square 42nd Street, 1/2/3, N/Q/R, S

The Carlton Arms Art Project started in the late 1970s, when a small group of creative types brought fresh paint and new ideas to a run-down shelter. Today, the site is a bohemian backpackers’ paradise and live-in gallery—every room, bathroom and hallway is festooned with outré artwork. You’ll basically feel like you’re sleeping inside a giant exhibit.

Themed quarters include the Money Room and a tribute to a traditional English cottage. Banksy fans should try to book room 5B, which the artist decorated back in 1999 alongside a nearby stairwell.

Itching to take home one of the many art pieces hanging around the space? You might want to head to a nearby art gallery instead: there have been plenty of offers on the various Banksys on premise, but management has refused them all.

Oh, and one more thing to consider when securing your stay: about half of the rooms have shared bathrooms, so be prepared for a communal experience. As creatively inspiring as the place is, don’t expect to be lavished in luxury: room service is not a thing here and there are no TVs in the rooms. The single sign of the times: free Wi-Fi across the hotel. 

Time Out tip: Leave your belongings in the hotel and set out to explore the neighborhood on foot, reveling in the sorts of indie shops, theaters and galleries that call the area home.

Address: 160 East 25th Street, 10010
Price: Starting at $147 per night
Closest Transport: 6 to 23rd Street

A quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of Midtown Manhattan, Millennium Hotel Broadway Times Square is the ideal resting place for theater lovers who wish to be steps away from most Broadway destinations.

Word to the wise: the upper-level rooms certainly feel cleaner and a tiny bit more luxurious than others, so try booking one of those if planning to stay here. All around, enjoy free Wi-Fi access, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan and large flat-screen TVs that you might forget about when noticing the stocked minibar.

Although certainly cheaper than other hotels in the area, Millennium doesn't feel as high-end, so opt to stay here if you’re looking for simpler lodgings and planning to spend most of your time outside the room.

Time Out tip: Make use of the on-site staff when organizing your days. Most of the folks who work here are multilingual and will be able to advise on the best things to do in Times Square and beyond.

Address: 145 West 44th Street, 10036
Price: Starting at $190 per night
Closest Transport: 1, 2, 3 to Times Square; 7 to Times Square

The dark-wood interior, moody lighting and lilting jazz music make musician René Calvo’s Harlem inn feel more like a 1930s speakeasy than a 21st-century B&B. The airy suites, named for Harlem Renaissance figures such as Chester Himes and Cozy Cole, have restored tin ceilings, a quirky mix of junk-store furnishings and working sinks in original antique cabinets.

Right in the middle of Harlem, the lodgings are ideal for those seeking to explore upper Manhattan and feel a sense of history all around them without breaking their wallets. 

A few things to keep in mind: there is no air conditioning on premise, the bathrooms are all shared, no TVs in sight and, when it comes to eating and drinking, you'll have to look outside the guest house. There is, however, a shared lounge on site, where you’ll get to mingle with fellow guests—perhaps leading you to set up common excursions throughout Harlem with new friends.

Keep in mind that there are a total of four rooms here, two suits per floor, so you might want to consider booking your stay well in advance if you've got your sights sets on this specific area.

Time Out tip: Since there is no food on site, consider heading to nearby Harlem Breakfast Club to grab some traditional African American fare as your first meal of the day.

Address: 242 W 123rd Street, 
Price: Starting at $210 per night
Closest Transport: A, C, B, D to 125th Street