Getting into NYC & Local Hotels Information
Getting Into New York (Manhattan)
There are 3 airports you can fly into: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark. Newark is in New Jersey but Manhattan is very accessible from there and often it is cheaper to fly into Newark than the New York airports. From any of the airports you can get to Manhattan by SuperShuttle for $12-$20. This is like a group taxi. The main disadvantage is that if you are dropped off last (or picked up first on the return to the airport, you will spend an extra 45 minutes driving around in the Shuttle. If you're not in a hurry, it's very convenient and inexpensive. Call 800-258-3826 or 212-315-3006. A private taxi is more expensive. From Newark airport, with tolls, the cost is about $49 (includes tolls) + tip (if your hotel is west of 5th Ave; add $6 if it is east of 5th Ave.) From JFK it is $35 (flat rate) + tolls + tip. The ride is 40-60 minutes. From LaGuardia it is about $16- $26 + tolls + tip. From Newark there is also a New York City bus that goes to Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York and to Grand Central Terminal. This runs about every half hour during regular daytime hours and is only $12. You can to one of these stops and then take a short taxi ride to your hotel from there. Olympia Airport Express does the same route, at about the same frequency for $12. Call them at: 212-964-6233 or 908-354-3330. From Newark there are also trains that go to Pennsylvania Station. In the airport you take the Air Train to the North Airport Rail Station (which is within the airport) and then take the NE Corridor Line or North Jersey Coastline into New York for about $12–a ride that takes only 20 minutes, making one stop in New Jersey before heading into New York. From JFK there is an AirTrain for $5 that connects you to a subway train that goes into Manhattan. During rush hour, though, the subway is not the best place to be with luggage. From JFK and LaGuardia there is also a New York Airport Service Express Bus for $13 from JFK and $10- $12 from LaGuardia (call 718-875-8200). It goes to the Port Authority Bus Terminal; another that goes to Grand Central Terminal; and another goes to Penn Station. There are ways to go to Manhattan from these airports by a combination of city bus and subway, but I'd suggest leaving that for the locals.Accommodations in NYC
General NotesPrices vary according to the time of year, and they seem to rise significantly each year in New York, so the prices listed below could be out of date. Most of them were checked in March 2007. It pays to call several places and shop around. Note that if you need to take a subway that will add a few dollars a day to your cost of staying ($2 per ride). Also, be aware that better prices can usually be had by booking as far in advance as you can. You can always cancel the reservation if something better comes along. Most hotels have discount rates for AAA, some have discounts on the Internet and some, like the Comfort Inn, have member programs that you can join over the phone and then get their discount. The accommodations are listed below in order of ascending price, hostel are listed first, then contact numbers for B&B's, then inexpensive hotels, then moderate ones, etc. Hostels
In addition to what is listed below, you can also check www.hostelny.com or www.hostel.com/ys.ny.ny.html Leo House
212-929-1010 // on W. 23rd St, between 8-9th Ave
$65-75 / night for a single (cheaper is for shared bath)
$76-86 / night for a double (cheaper is for shared bath)
Maximum stay is 2 weeks. They start to book 2 months beforehand but can fill up a month to even 2 months ahead. Episcopal Seminary
212-243-5150 or 1-888-487-5649 (Fax: 212-727-3907)
175 9th Ave (at 21st St.)
Doubles are $70/night with shared bath. I believe these are dorm-type rooms. The seminary has a lovely tree-lined courtyard. The Gershwin Hotel
212-545-8000 (Fax: 212-684-5546)
7 East 23rd St. Email: reservations@gershwinhostel.com.
Their website is www.gershwinhostel.com.
$33 + taxes gets you a bed in a large room with up to 10 people per room. Towels are not included. They have a computer in their caf for checking email. Hostelling International New York
212-932-2300/ 212-932-2574- Fax // 891 Amsterdam Ave, between 103-104 Streets. They have air conditioning in summer and have non smoking rooms, cafe, fax machine, garden, & laundry services. The subway is right on 103rd St.
$32-$38 for a bed in a dorm-type room. Some private rooms may be available for more. Reviews say it has large, clean rooms.
Note: Has 500 rooms and includes a coffee bar and there's a garden in the back American Dream Hostel
212-260-9779 // 917-885-6191 // 168 E. 24th St. (Lexington-3rd Ave)
Room options: 2 Single beds for 1 or 2 people; 1 double bed & 1 single bed (for 2 or 3 people); 4 single beds for 3 or 4 people. Rates: 39.99 & & 44.99 per person.
There is a kitchen equipped with a microwave-oven refrigerator, and space for food storage. A breakfast of coffee, milk, toasts, Marmalades, butter, peanut butter, hot/cold cereal is served every morning.
They also have 24-hour reception & check-in (so there is no curfew). They accept children, credit cards, have luggage storage & security lockers, have a common room, have telephone/fax facilities. Non-smoking on premises. Big Apple Hostel
212-302-2603 // 119 W. 45th St., between 6th & 7th Ave.
$35-38 per person in dorm rooms of up to 4 people. (They have both single sex and mixed rooms). At Christmas these go up to $45-60. Sheets and blankets provided.
They also have private rooms with 1 queen bed, up to 2 people per room. These are $ 95-98 per night ($125-180 at Christmas). These have cable TV, a phone with free local calls, an in-room safe large enough for a laptop, sheets & blankets.
Maximum stay is 21 days. They have a coin laundry, safe deposit boxes and a luggage room for the day you check out. Bowery's Whitehouse Hostel
212-477-5623 // 340 Bowery St. // www.whitehousehotelofny.com
Starting at $27.25/ night. You get your own very small private room with a lock, but the ceilings are open to other rooms, so sound is more like in a single very large room. They say this construction enables you to have some privacy at a very cheap price.
Internet Access; wireless access for laptops; cable TV in private rooms available; lounge with microwave and refrigerator; 24 hr desk; no curfew; laundry facilities; private safety box; free luggage storage after checkout. International Student Center
212-878-7706 // 38 W 88th St. // http://www.nystudentcenter.org/
$30 dormitory accommodations only
One week maximum stay in summer; 2 weeks maximum other times. No luggage storage after checkout. Central Park Hostel
Tel: 212-678-0491; fax: (212) 678-0453 // 19 West 103rd Street near Central Park West.
http://www.centralparkhostel.com/ email: info@centralparkhostel.com
It's in a newly renovated brownstone, a 5-story walk-up. It says it features colorful, sunny dorm style rooms with 4, 6, 8 or 10 beds per room (plus air conditioning), ranging from $26- 35/night. They also have a double studio apt starting at $109 that can sleep 2, a private room for $85 that can sleep 2, and a twin double-bed studio that can sleep 4 people for $139. Bathrooms are shared. Linens and blankets are included, plus lockers are supplied–bring you own padlock. Tours and airport transfers can be booked at front desk. 24 hour security. A rec room (pool table and table tennis), TV/music lounge and food service is planned and may already be available. Bed and Breakfasts
Below are some agencies to try for these:
- Bed and Breakfast Hosts and Guests, Inc. (212) 874-4308
- Bed and Breakfast, USA (914) 271-6228 or 1-800-255-7213
- Bed and Breakfast of New York City (212) 645-8134 Least Expensive Hotels
In addition to what is listed below, you can check these websites: www.travelweb.com or www.ny.com/hotels/budget.html or www.hotels.com. And there are others. Be aware most of these inexpensive hotels are walk-ups, which means they have no elevator. I have noted which do and don't, and how many floors the walk-ups have. Chelsea Lodge
Tel: 800-373-1116 // Fax: 212-243-7852 //318 W 20th St// chelsealodge@mindspring.com
Single: $99; double: $114 + taxes
All rooms include 1 double bed, free wireless connection, shower, sink, TV with basic cable; a/c or heat, ceiling fan, & maid service. Toilets are shared with other rooms. This place has gotten rave reviews in the New York Times and Frommer's–and they said: "Impeccable renovations have restored original woodwork to mint condition and created a homey, country-in-the-city vibe with beautiful wallpapers..." And that "Everything is like new and impeccably kept, and the staff is friendly." A note was that the high ceilings on the first floor make those rooms feel bigger. NOTE: There is no elevator here. There are 3 floors. Seafarers & International House
Phone: 212-677-4800 // 123 E. 15th St. email: info@sihnyc.org.
Website: http://www.sihnyc.org/lodging.asp
This is a guesthouse operated by a church agency.
Single: $80; twin bed and a rollaway bed $100; two twin bed $129. All rooms are shared facilities.
They are about a 20 minute walk to Source of Life and 25 minutes to Hotel Pennsylvania.
Some features are: air-conditioned and smoke free accommodations, color TV and full cable service, Private telephones with voice mail, linen service, private and shared baths, free Internet access, locker storage, kitchen for light food prep, and more. They offer clean rooms. Americana Inn
212-840-6700 (ask for Dan, for some reason, I'm told, he gives cheaper rates. At the time of this writing, he works the night shift and is off on Tuesdays.) This inexpensive hotel does have an elevator. 69 W. 38th St. Rates can go lower for a group. Rooms very small but very clean. Amsterdam Inn
212-579-7500 http://www.amsterdaminn.com (May be cheaper by phone.)
Single: 119-139; double: 139 for one or two people. Dial out phones; private bath. NOTE: There is no elevator here. There are 4 floors. Murray Hill Inn
212-545-0879 // 212-683-6900 // 143 East 30th Street (near Lexington Avenue).
Singles: $149; doubles: $169
Dial out phones; private baths.
The rooms and bathrooms have been tastefully refurbished–lots of pretty wood. Beds are very firm, which is great if you like firm beds, not great if you like soft ones. NOTE: There is no elevator here. There are 5 floors.
http://www.murrayhillinn.com/res_n.html (May be cheaper by phone.) Union Square Inn
212-614-0500 // 209 East 14th Street //
http://www.unionsquareinn.com/location.html
Single: 129; double 149. Dial out phones. Private bath. NOTE: There is no elevator here. There are 5 floors. Grand Union Hotel
Tel: 212-683-5890; fax: 212-689-7397 // 34th E. 32nd Street, between Madison and Park Avenue.
Single Rooms and Double Rooms from $145 plus tax online.
For using the in-room phone, a $50 deposit is required. Local calls are .85 for the first minute and .05 for each additional. 800 calls are 50 cents. There is wi-fi in the lobby only, which costs $5 for 3 hrs or $10 for 24 hrs. This inexpensive hotel does have an elevator. More Expensive Hotels (but still 'reasonable' for NYC) ThirtyThirty Hotel
212-689-1900 // 30 E. 30th St // www.thirtythirty-nyc.com
Their least expensive rooms have shared baths. Local calls are 1.00 per call; 800 calls are free. Manhattan Inn
212-629-4064 // 303 W. 30th St. No outgoing calls from the room, just receive calls. Herald Square Hotel
212-279-4017 // 19 W. 31st St. (5th Ave- Broadway) Singles very small. $1.00 local calls; 800 calls free Hotel Pennsylvania
212-736-5000 // 401 Seventh Ave at 33rd St. www.hotelpenn.com
The rooms are a good enough size and the rooms with 2 beds are quite large with a very large closet. But the carpet in unrenovated bedroom is old and a bit grungy. Rates can be $10 cheaper per night at their website. Hotel Stanford
212-563-1500 or 1-800-365-1114 //43 W. 32nd St. www.hotelstanford.com
The TV is small, but there is a small refrigerator in each room. The rooms are older, but clean.
Local calls are .60 for the first minute; then .10/min; 800 calls are free. Amsterdam Hotel
212-579-7500 // 340 Amsterdam Ave (near W. 76 St.)
Local calls are .35 for the first minute & then .05 cents per minute; 800 calls are .50 per call. NOTE: The chain hotels listed below sometimes have specials, and often better deals for them can be found at their sites or general hotel booking sites on the Internet. All of them have TV's and direct dial phones. La Quinta
212-736-1600 // 17 W. 32nd St (5th Ave- Broadway). Singles are a good size, clean & modern, with a large TV. Free local & 800 calls. This hotel may have good rates if you call ahead. BUT the beds are rather hard, so you need to be okay with that. Red Roof Inn
212-643-7100 // 6 W. 32nd St. (5th Ave- Broadway) Free local & 800 calls. Comfort Inn
42 W. 35th St at 212-947-0200 . Or, 129 W. 46th St. at 212-221-2600. Or, 442 W. 36th St at 212-714-6699. Or, You can also, by calling 800-521-2121, become a member of Choice Hotels, which includes Comfort Inns, Quality Inns, Econo Lodge and Clarion Hotels. Then you can use this number for reservations at any of them and the membership gets you a discount. Some of these other hotels, besides the Comfort Inn have hotels a little further, but still within walking distance. At some hotels, such as some Comfort Inns that charge for local calls, membership gets you free local calls. Radisson Hotel
212-736-3800 // 49 W. 32nd Street. Ask for a room away from Broadway.
They charge 1.00 for the first 5 min of local calls; 800 calls are free. (This used to be a Holiday Inn.) Ramada New Yorker Hotel
1-866-800-3088 // 481 8th Ave (at 34th Street).
75 per call for local calls and for 800 calls. Wyndham Hotel
Tel: 212-753-3500; Fax: 212-754 5638 // 42 W 58th Street Between 5th and 6th Avenue Portland Square Hotel
212-382-0600 // 132 West 47th Street Apartments
With the high rates/night for NYC hotels, it may be both more economical and more luxurious to look into renting an apartment, if you'll be in New York for at least a week. Below is one possibility. In addition, you can check these two agencies: http://www.extendedstayhomes.com/ (973-202-1111) http://furnishedquarters.com/
(Main: 800-871-3446; sales: 800-255-8117; info@furnishedquarters.com) Chelsmore Apartments
212-924-7991 // 205 W. 15 St. // www.chelsmore.com email: reservations@chelsmore.com. Excellent rates. About a 10-15 minute walk from Source of Life. But many of the apartments face 7th Ave and they can't guarantee one in the back when you reserve. All the 1 BR apts though are in the back. There is usually a 6 night minimum, but that may be waived in slow times of the year. Craigslist:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/hhh/