by Julie Dancer

Created on: March 04, 2008   Last Updated: December 05, 2008

When I stayed in New York City, I left the arrangements to my friend. We ended up in an incredibly cheap, tiny, hostel room in the middle of Harlem. I thought it was great fun, the fourth member of our party was much less impressed. She promptly booked herself into an incredibly ritzy hotel in the middle of Manhattan.

New York has an incredibly range of places to stay, and what you pick will depend on your budget, and the kind of experience you're after. If you're in NYC on an expensive shopping weekend, you'll want one of the downtown hotels, all glamour and amazing service. On the other hand, if you're wanting to experience the subway and the city streets, you'll do better with a hostel in one of the cheaper areas. New York is like that - the high-rise glamor world is a long way from the city streets.

So this guide isn't so much a 'best of', but a quick overview of a few different places you could stay depending on what you wanted.

Inn New York City

266 W 71st St
New York, NY 10023
USA

tel: 0871 200 0179

With only four rooms, this isn't a big place. But if you want a romantic place to stay for a honeymoon or an anniversary, this is a very cozy, private place. It's not cheap (an average of $560 a night), but it's in a good location for restaurants and central park, the hosts are very welcoming, but not intrusive and it's received rave reviews by everyone whose stayed there. If you need a sure bet, then this is the home away from home you dream of.

Library Hotel

299 Madison Avenue
At 41st Street
New York City, NY 10017

If you're a book lover, you'll love the library hotel. In Manhattan, you have good access to the city, but the hotel itself will provide plenty of reading matter if you get bored. Possibly one for business trips or working holidays rather than a tourist spot, since staying in and reading is hardly what most people have planned when they visit NYC!

Sofitel Hotel

45 West 44th Street
New York City, NY 10036

tel: 0871 200 0179

What would New York be without the skyscraper? This hotel is a 30 story art deco styled glittering beacon of a place. The rooms are pure luxury, no hard mattresses or poky bathrooms here! Room service is prompt, service is great, and you're smack in the middle of Manhattan, with prime access to the best of NYC. If you're after glamor, you can't do better.

So much for the hotels - now let's look at some hostels!

The Wanderers Inn West

257 West 113th Street
New York City, NY 10026

Clean, with a free breakfast, this is a good choice for students on break or younger tourists. It's quite far from the city hot spots, but with the subway that isn't much of a problem. You get internet access, and a kitchen - so you can grab cheap food from one of the many deli's and feed yourself.

Times Square Beds

2nd Floor, 354 w 39th Street

For being smack bang in Times Square, you can't beat the price of this place - $40 a night. The staff are very friendly, the place is clean, and the beds are comfy. You could do a lot worse! Bathroom facilities are limited, so don't plan on locking yourself in one after a night spent partying too hard.

Loftstel

580 Greene Avenue

The cheapest hostel you'll get, that's still more than livable. Free internet and 3 huge kitchens means you can make your own food and save on the price of eating out. The staff are very friendly, and will answer any questions you have. It's a little far from the action, but the subway is there to be used!

I hope that gives you plenty of options - whatever you're looking for, you'll find it in New York!

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