Where to stay in NYC

[coffeecode]

Hi, going to New York with my 16 year old daughter over Christmas for a few days. Can you recommend what area or hotel to stay. It’s my first time there.

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

Are you looking to pay cash or use hotel points (either currently held as hotel points or in Amex as MR points)?

Are you an elite member in any hotel chain that you wish to first consider?

You’ll want to stay in Manhattan, as areas outside it are not gentrified in the same way as we might be used to in Europe. Also the subway whilst extensive and efficient has become a bit edgier post-lockdown. So you want the option of staying centrally so walking is a viable option.

I’d specifically say Midtown Manhattan for this reason, so you’re probably looking at somewhere between 60th St in the north, and 25th St in the south.

Lower Manhattan/Financial District may be cheaper over Christmas as businesses will be closed. The area itself is fine and safe, you’d just be quite far south from theatres, main shopping drag etc.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

Budget is a big factor.

NYC is expensive all year. There aren’t really any cheap periods just expensive and more expensive!

So what’s your budget and do you have other needs for the room?

I don’t stay in mid town.

I prefer to stay in the Wall Street area as there is value to be obtained in the financial district (I really like 70 Pine Street which is an paarentment hotel so you get a full kitchen)

Yes there is a trade off on slightly longer subway trips to the more touristy area but everything is a balance.

[LD27]

We’ve been to NYC many times and now always stay near Wall Street (Financial District) especially around holiday times when hotels in that area tend to be cheaper. We have stayed at a couple of Indigos and a HI/HIX which have been fine. We looked at NYC for this last August bank holiday and the Financial District’s rooms were far cheaper than anywhere else, but decided to go to Washington DC instead. Most rooms in NYC are small but if it’s your first visit you’ll probably only use the room for sleeping! If on a low budget, finding a room with kitchen facilities would help to save money.

You’re likely to need an ESTA to enter US. Someone posted on another thread recently that the cost is about to rise considerably very soon, so you might want to look into that and apply for one sooner rather than later. It’s now possible to do it on an App, which I did last month. You will need a photo of yourself to upload.