Where to Stay

Where to stay in New York City depends largely on what brings you there. Whether it is a Broadway show, a gallery opening or a business meeting, hotels and guest houses offer deluxe to budget accommodations throughout the city. For years, there was a huge shortage of hotel rooms in New York City. What existed was largely in the high-end price bracket, and most rooms were woefully small.

However, the once bleak lodging situation is rapidly changing. New hotels are springing up throughout Manhattan, and even in downtown Brooklyn. Townhouses converted into Bed & Breakfasts are also a growing option. While it can still be difficult to find a room on many weekends and even during the week, options have improved dramatically: luxury hotels with bigger rooms are continuing to open, and with all the competition, more affordable options have sprung up.

Choices abound throughout the city, but the following districts stand out:

Fifth Avenue - Midtown Some of the most expensive hotels in the city are clustered along Fifth Avenue near the entrance to Central Park. This is an ideal location if you want to visit all of New York, as it is located squarely in the middle of the city. Famous deluxe palaces like the Hotel St. Regis, Peninsula New York Hotel, The Plaza and the Sherry-Netherland Hotel are convenient to luxury shops and museums, as well as Midtown offices. A few blocks east, the W New York attracts young sophisticates with its modern luxury. On Park Avenue, the Waldorf-Astoria basks in legendary art deco opulence.

Grand Central - Midtown Close to Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park, and the New York Public Library, as well as numerous office buildings, the centrally located Grand Hyatt New York welcomes thousands of business travelers through its efficient and luxurious doors. A few blocks south, the slick Morgans Hotel lures in the chic and trendy. Similarly, the ultra modern Royalton Hotel caters to the young and fabulous. Across the street, the historic Algonquin reminds visitors of a time when New York was truly decadent.

Times Square - Midtown For those wishing to soak up the spectacle of Broadway, Times Square offers numerous options for the busy traveler. The crowds of tourists that flock here throughout the year can be overwhelming, but there is plenty of amusement available if you have the time. The grand New York Marriott Marquis stands proudly in the center of it all, offering its guests a spectacular view. A block to the west, the Milford Plaza caters to the busy theatergoer.

Madison Square Garden Midtown Moving westward, the busy area in and around Madison Square Garden and Pennsylvania Station lures travelers, sport and music spectators, not to mention plenty of Macy's shoppers. Moderate options like La Quinta Manhattan and the Hotel Pennsylvania exist alongside budget options like Hotel 31.

Chelsea and Gramercy Although this area offers fewer choices than Midtown, many covet its proximity to downtown nightlife and terrific shopping. It is also somewhat less crowded than most neighborhoods further uptown. The Bohemian Gershwin Hotel on Fifth Avenue South is popular with students and artists, while the historic (albeit slightly sinister) Chelsea Hotel draws a diverse crowd. The Inn at Irving Place displays a charm and taste of Old New York.

Wall Street For Wall Streeters (or would-be Wall Streeters) in town for business, as well as tourists desiring to be close to the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park and the South Street Seaport, there are plenty of options available here. Weekend rates tend to be excellent, since business travelers make up majority of the hotel patrons.

So whatever neighborhood you end up choosing, there is sure to be a hotel to fit your personality. From the Soho Grand Hotel to The Carlyle, New York offers a huge range of options. Just remember to book well in advance. Otherwise, you might end up having to stay somewhere outside of the city.