Best cheap hotels closest to Bway?

When I was waiting for Hamilton cancellation line back in summer 2016 my friend and I used the hoteltonight app the day of and got $110/night at the Edison and $120/night at the Paramount (we took turns sleeping on a real bed while the other person was in line.) Of course it's last minute and may be nervewracking for someone who prefers to plan in advance but just giving you an idea that it is possible to get a hotel room for less than $150/night during busy season in NYC. Price varies each day.

I just checked the hoteltonight app right now and for tonight I see Paramount hotel at $99, Staybridge Suites at $116, Edison hotel at $118, Four Points by Sheraton Times sq at $119, Cassa Times Sq at $91, etc.

Good luck!

My family stayed at a Holiday Inn a couple of blocks just south and west of Columbus Circle (sorry I can't remember the exact address). It's definitely no frills, but it was clean and perfectly fine, especially if you won't be spending much time in your room. On other visits we've stayed in much more expensive hotels that were no better and in some cases were even worse.

Mike Barrett said: "Oh, the Paramount for $99 is beyond ideal. I’ll check it out for sure, thanks so much! Not against last minute trips, either :)"

Yes that's a great price! So I haven't used hoteltonight app since summer 2016 and back then I recall the fees were minimal (around $15-$20) but it looks like hoteltonight charges a $20 fee and on top of that, some hotels charge a resort/service/destination fee of around $40. Crazy! So even if Paramount states it's $99, total will probably be around $160/night. I just checked other hotel sites like expedia and hotels.com and certain times sq hotels now charge a resort/destination fee in addition to the room rate. Crazy! i don't remember this back in summer 2016. From googling it, it looks like some NYC hotels started imposing this extra destination fee back in 2018.

Note not all Times sq hotels have this resort/destination fee. In the hoteltonight app, it looks like Hampton Inn Times Sq, Washington Jefferson Times Sq, Four Points Sheraton Times Sq, Doubletree Times Sq, and a few others do not charge this resort/destination fee.

Updated On: 10/7/19 at 10:27 AM

amaklo said: "You could also check out Airbnb. I just took a quick look and there's a nice looking place in Hell's Kitchen for $95/night. There are probably fees on top of that but you should be able to find something in your budget."

Someone can confirm but I thought Airbnb (full listing) was banned in NYC so any listing that wasn't a private room in an apartment/house you could assume was illegal/scam? I got screwed over last year when my Airbnb in Astoria "due to schedule changes" had to cancel my reservation last minute and then the listing was subsequently nowhere to be found. We had to scramble last minute for lodging which was unnecessary stress but found a good deal on Hotel Tonight.

If you are a no frills budget minded traveler, I recently stayed in Q4 Hostel which has both dorm style rooms ($30-50/bed) and double bed private rooms ($100-$150/night). It's in a good location directly east from Manhattan in Long Island City off multiple subway lines that take you to the Theater District within 20 mins. Area has been redeveloped and hostel is located off main street so I felt safe walking the 3 blk (<5 min walk) from Subway to hostel alone 11PM at night after my evening show since there were other people out and about too. It was basic but clean and had just what I needed, shower to freshen up and bed to sleep on. For $40/night it's the best deal I found that's under <30min subway ride/good location.

I checked Radio City Apartments for January weekends and you could get a studio with kitchenette for $300. 49th between 6th & 7th. I doubt that inexpensive in November but I didn't look at those weekends.

Wherever you chose, every single place will be much cheaper in January versus the height of the holiday season (November/December).

I stay at The Pod 42 in Times Square. I also stayed at The Cambria too. If I can't get The Pod I used Priceline. Ended up getting the Yotel for under $100 including charges and a resort fee for mid Oct.



I also stay at the LIC Hotel in Queens. Super clean and nice with a 7 minute subway ride into Manhattan.

Updated On: 10/7/19 at 11:54 PM

I stayed at the Ameritania on 54th my last trip and it was probably my favorite place I've stayed in NYC.

Cheap as chips (though I may have just got a great deal) fab room, lovely helpful staff and a great location.

I like the Yotel, but the rooms are bit too small and it's a little out of the way.