A common question about New York City is: where you can stay without spending a fortune? Actually, the real question is: can I find a well located hotel that is not so much expensive? The truth is: accommodation in New York is not cheap, keep this fact in mind. Even more if you consider staying in the classic areas – near Times Square. If this is what you want, forget, it can’t be cheap. I don’t have much experience about hotels, because I never stayed in hotels here – the first time I came to visit, before moving here, we were in an apartment rented by the company that Thiago worked. But with my group on Facebook – click here to participate – and reading some comments here and there, I end up finding more information. The first thing I always say is: do you want to save money on accommodation? Look for alternative places – I mean outside of Manhattan. There is life outside the island, people! There are hotels in Brooklyn and Queens, and if you are near a subway station, it is a matter of minutes to get to Manhattan. Marcela Mendes and Marcela Venancio, readers of the blog, shared their experiences in hosting these neighborhoods in the group and I asked permission to tell them over here.
Hotel – Quality Inn
Address – 30-03 40th Ave – Long Island City – Queens
Subway: two blocks, N and Q lines.
“My husband and I were staying at the Quality Inn Long Island City. We paid $108 per day (almost a third of what we found of more affordable in Manhattan hotels in this pattern – simple but comfortable), for seven nights. Breakfast was something really good, (we estimate savings of roughly about 14 dollars a day, because we took advantage to eat enough of this meal that was already included). We were just a block and a half from the subway station (39 Av), which is 2 stops from Manhattan. In less than 15 minutes, we reached Times Square (which enabled us to have dinner there or even just walking in the heart of the city every night). We felt super safe in the region of the hotel (which is not the most beautiful ), even arriving late at night. Two other advantages:. we didn’t spend a lot with taxi when we arrived at La Guardia and even when we left for JFK. I stayed near Times Square once (at old Row), and if money is not an issue, is more worthwhile, of course. But, at this time, I did not feel I missed anything or sacrificed myself for not being in Manhattan. It was very, very good. ” Marcela Mendes
Hotel – Super 8
Address- 267 3rd Ave.
Subway – 1 block, D N and R lines.10 blocks from Atlantic Terminal – B D N Q R 2 3 4 5 lines
“The hotel is one block from a subway station. We arrived at JFK and took the Super Shuttle and went straight over there. The hotel is located in a neighborhood full of cars repair places and factories. It is a simple place, but that attended our needs. There is a bar across the street and there are also many restaurants. Two streets up, on the 5th, it is a wonderful street full of great restaurants (I suggest Indian and Mexican ones). There was breakfast, but we were tired of the same food at the third day. So, we used to buy some fruits and juices in a grocery store at the corner before starting the day. The hotel was cleand and the reception was not very friendly, but they helped us with some things. Sometimes our subway station was closed and we had to walk up to the Atlantic Center station. It took about 30 minutes to get to Manhattan. There is a whole Foods 5 minutes walking, wonderful. I loved Brooklyn and the neighborhood we stayed. Even the street from the hotel was a little ‘weird’, we walked at night without a problem. Also, if we walk a bit, we were out of that business environment to be in the most beautiful places. I loved it and I would return. It was also what fit in our budget, because the other options were so expensive. ” Marcela Venancio
Do you also have a good experience in a hotel in New York City to share with us? Write me an email laura@lauraperuchi.com with a lot of details about it!
Laura Peruchi is a Brazilian blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She has lived in Manhattan with her husband since 2014. Since then, she has shared on her blog varied content about the Big Apple. From travel tips, including unusual things to do, shopping tips, etiquette, restaurants, and a lot more, her blog has become a reference in Portuguese (also available in English) for anyone planning a trip to New York City.
