Written for UK travellers
Advice is framed around long-haul arrivals, ESTA checks, exchange rates, fees and the short-break reality of three to five nights.
Made for UK travellers booking New York
Where should you stay in New York on your first trip?
Choose the right area before you choose the room. Compare Midtown, Times Square, NoMad, Central Park, Brooklyn and downtown hotels with UK-focused advice on taxes, fees, airport transfers and live Booking.com rates.
We may earn commission when you book through partner links. You pay the same price.
135New York hotels reviewed in depth
9planning guides for UK travellers
3airport arrival routes compared
Start with your trip
Let NewYorkHotels.co.uk guide you to the right stay.
First visit
I have never been to New York
Start with Midtown, NoMad or the Upper West Side before you compare individual hotels.
Family tripI need a room that works with children
Prioritise space, kitchenettes, lift access, nearby food shops and calmer routes home.
ChristmasI am going for festive New York
Book cancellable rooms early and decide whether Midtown convenience is worth the premium.
FeesI want to avoid surprise costs
Check tax, resort fees, deposits, breakfast and cancellation before trusting the headline rate.
First-time confidence
Do not book the wrong New York area.
A cheaper hotel can become expensive if it adds long subway rides, awkward airport transfers or the wrong evening atmosphere. NewYorkHotels.co.uk starts with the questions first-time UK visitors actually ask: where should we stay, what will the final price be, and which hotels make the trip easier?
Area first, hotel second
The guide explains how each neighbourhood changes your days, evenings and airport transfer before you commit to a room.
Practical hotel checks
Hotel pages focus on subway access, room setup, price point, booking notes, map location and who should avoid the stay.
Clear affiliate disclosure
Some links go to Booking.com through an affiliate partnership. The guidance is still written to help you choose well.
Hotels to compare
Find a hotel that fits your first New York trip.
Start with a shortlist of real hotels, then check the things that matter when you land tired from the UK: area, subway, room style, total price, fees and how easy it will feel to get back at night.
NoMadThe Fifth Avenue HotelDesign-led luxury, couples, special occasionsCentral Park SouthThe PlazaClassic luxury, Central Park, once-in-a-lifetime tripsSoHoArlo SoHoRepeat visitors, downtown food, compact-value staysWilliamsburgThe William ValeSkyline views, Brooklyn nightlife, longer staysUpper West SideHotel BeaconFamilies, roomier stays, kitchenette convenienceHell's KitchenRiu Plaza New York Times SquareBroadway, first trips, simple sightseeing logisticsTimes SquareM Social Hotel Times Square New YorkBroadway, terrace views, short festive tripsCentral Park SouthPark Central Hotel New YorkCentral Park access, Midtown sightseeing, Christmas tripsFinancial DistrictArtezen HotelLower Manhattan, value hunting, quieter eveningsLower East SidecitizenM New York BowerySolo travellers, couples, downtown food and nightlifeGarment DistrictMoxy NYC Times SquareFriends, short breaks, budget-conscious central staysFinancial DistrictConrad New York DowntownSpace, families, Lower Manhattan, quieter luxury
Curated starting points
Six hotels that help you understand the city.
NoMadSplurge
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
Design-led luxury
A polished base between Flatiron, Madison Square Park and Midtown with a boutique feel, strong dining and easy subway links.
Best when the room is part of the trip and you want a central address without full Times Square intensity.
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Central Park SouthIcon
The Plaza
Classic New York
For a once-in-a-lifetime stay near Central Park, Fifth Avenue shopping and museum-heavy uptown days.
Best for landmark luxury, special occasions and travellers who want Central Park on the doorstep.
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SoHoMid-range
Arlo SoHo
Smart value
Compact rooms, strong social spaces and a downtown location that works well for repeat visitors who want more than Times Square.
Best for repeat visitors who value location and atmosphere over oversized rooms.
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WilliamsburgBoutique
The William Vale
Skyline views
A Brooklyn stay with Manhattan views, rooftop energy and easy access to the L train for a different version of New York.
Best when skyline views, Brooklyn restaurants and a less obvious itinerary matter more than being in Midtown.
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Upper West SideRoomier value
Hotel Beacon
Families and space
A reliable Upper West Side base with larger room options, calmer evenings, quick subway access and food shops close by.
Best for families, longer stays and anyone who likes kitchenette convenience near Central Park.
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Hell's KitchenCentral value
Riu Plaza New York Times Square
Broadway weekends
A high-volume, well-located pick for theatre breaks where the main win is walking distance to Midtown staples.
Best for first-timers who want theatres, Times Square and simple sightseeing logistics close together.
View this hotelPlanning guides
Get clear before you start comparing rooms.
First Time
Where to Stay in New York First Time
A UK traveller's guide to the best New York areas for a first visit, with hotel shortlists, subway logic and booking notes.
Times Square vs MidtownTimes Square vs Midtown: Where Should You Stay?
Times Square is part of Midtown, but the hotel experience can feel very different. Here is how UK travellers should choose.
Family HotelsBest New York Hotels for Families
Family-focused New York hotel advice for UK travellers, including room size, kitchens, parks, subway access and safer-feeling evenings.
Christmas HotelsBest New York Hotels at Christmas
Where to stay in New York at Christmas, including Midtown convenience, family trade-offs, booking timing and festive hotel strategy.
JFK vs NewarkJFK vs Newark: Which Airport for Your Hotel?
A practical UK traveller guide to choosing JFK or Newark based on your New York hotel area, luggage, arrival time and transfer style.
Taxes & FeesNew York Hotel Taxes, Resort Fees and Deposits Explained
A UK traveller explanation of New York hotel taxes, occupancy fees, destination fees, resort fees, deposits and Booking.com price details.
Best Time to VisitThe Best Time to Visit New York
When to visit New York from the UK: the cheapest months, the busiest weeks, what the weather actually does and how hotel rates follow it.
ESTAESTA for UK Travellers: What You Need Before You Fly
What UK travellers need to know about ESTA before a New York trip: the current $40 fee, how long it lasts, who needs one and how to avoid copycat sites.
TippingTipping in New York: A UK Traveller's Guide
How tipping works in New York for UK visitors: what is customary in restaurants, bars, taxis and hotels, and the sales-tax shortcut locals use.
Shortlists
Or start from what you actually want.
Hotels grouped by the thing that decides it: a pool, a view, a budget, or the kind of trip you are taking.
Choose by trip type
The right New York hotel depends on why you are going.
First New York Trip
Keep travel simple. You want a subway line nearby, a predictable evening route back and quick access to the big first-trip sights.
See matching hotelsFamily City Break
Prioritise room size, lifts, breakfast options and proximity to parks or subway lines over the absolute cheapest nightly rate.
See matching hotelsLuxury Weekend
Book where the hotel itself upgrades the trip: bars, design, service, spa access and a room you actually want to return to.
See matching hotelsBest Value Hunt
Compare the full price after taxes and fees, then check late-night transport before choosing a cheaper outer-area room.
See matching hotelsFood and Nightlife
Stay downtown or in Williamsburg if restaurants, bars and independent shops matter more than shaving minutes off museum trips.
See matching hotelsChristmas in New York
December weekends are premium territory. Book cancellable rooms early and expect the best-located hotels to move first.
See matching hotelsNeighbourhood guide
Pick the area before the hotel.
Read the full neighbourhood guides for what each area is actually like, who it suits and how long it takes to get anywhere.
In New York, location changes the trip. A cheaper room can cost you in taxis, time and tired feet, especially on a three or four night break from the UK.
Midtown & Times Square
First trip, Broadway, short breaksChoose west of Sixth Avenue for theatres and east for Grand Central, Bryant Park and easier airport transfers.
NoMad & Flatiron
Stylish central baseA strong sweet spot for couples: walkable, restaurant-rich and calmer than Times Square after dark.
SoHo & Tribeca
Shopping, food, repeat visitsBest when you want downtown character, independent restaurants and fast access to Brooklyn.
Upper West Side
Families, museums, parksQuieter evenings, Central Park access and sensible subway routes make it a dependable UK family pick.
Williamsburg
Views, nightlife, longer staysOften better rooms for the money, with skyline sunsets and a short ride into Manhattan.
Financial District
Value, ferries, downtown sightsWeekends can price well, especially if your plans include Statue of Liberty ferries, Brooklyn Bridge and One World Observatory.
When to book
New York hotel prices have seasons. Use them.
There is no single cheapest month for every traveller, but there are reliable patterns. The smartest move is usually to book a good cancellable room, then re-check the same dates as flights, events and exchange rates settle.
Look at Midtown, Financial District and Brooklyn. Pack properly, check cancellation rules and use the savings for better flights or a nicer room.
Expect stronger demand. NoMad, Flatiron and Upper West Side work well if you want walkability without full summer heat.
Prioritise air conditioning, subway access and hotels with good lobby or rooftop spaces. Families should book flexible rooms early.
Book earlier for boutique hotels and check event calendars. This is one of the best times to be in the city, and prices know it.
Thanksgiving and December weekends can jump fast. For Christmas lights, Midtown convenience may justify the premium.
Deal strategy
Book like the exchange rate matters.
New York is brilliant, but it is rarely cheap. The best value usually comes from a smarter area choice, flexible cancellation and checking the real total before you fall in love with the headline rate.
Airport to hotel
Pick flights and hotel area together.
A cheaper fare can disappear once you add a long transfer after an overnight flight. Match the airport to the part of New York you actually want to stay in.
Most UK flight options
JFK
Midtown, NoMad, Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn
AirTrain plus subway or rail can be efficient if you travel light. After an overnight flight, a fixed-price car may be worth it for families.
West Side and Midtown access
Newark
Times Square, Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea, Financial District
Works well for many Manhattan stays, especially west side hotels. Compare total transfer time before picking flights purely on fare.
Domestic connections
LaGuardia
Upper East Side, Midtown East, Queens
Less common for direct UK arrivals, but useful if you are connecting through another US city before New York.
Practical savings
Four ways to avoid a bad-value booking.
01
Search Sunday to Thursday stays as well as weekends; business-heavy areas can soften outside peak corporate nights.
02
Compare total cost, not nightly rate: resort fees, taxes and breakfast can change the real price quickly.
03
For school holidays, book cancellable rooms early, then re-check prices 6 to 8 weeks before departure.
04
If flying overnight from the UK, filter for luggage storage or early check-in options before choosing the cheapest room.
Match the length of stay
A three-night New York break needs a different hotel from a week-long stay.
First-timer city break
Stay central, keep one major sight per half-day and avoid a hotel that adds long transfers. Midtown, NoMad and Upper West Side are the safest bets.
Neighbourhood explorer
You can trade pure convenience for character. SoHo, Tribeca, Lower East Side or Williamsburg start to make more sense.
Live like you know the city
Room size, laundry access, kitchenettes and quieter streets matter more. Consider Upper West Side, Brooklyn or selected downtown hotels.
UK travel guide
The pre-flight checklist for New York.
Use this as your quick planning board before you compare rooms. For official entry rules, always check GOV.UK and US government sources before you travel.
Search live hotel ratesBefore You Fly
British citizens usually need an ESTA or visa before travelling to the United States. Check the official guidance before booking non-refundable plans.
Best Months
April to June and September to early December are the classic city-break windows. January and February can produce sharper hotel deals.
Getting In
JFK and Newark both work well from the UK. Pick the airport around total journey time to your hotel, not only airfare.
Room Choice
New York rooms can be smaller than UK travellers expect. Prioritise bed size, lift access, noise notes and recent guest photos.
Fast answers
New York hotel questions UK travellers ask first.
Where should first-timers stay?
Midtown is easiest for sightseeing, Broadway and transport. NoMad is a smarter-feeling alternative if you want central access without staying in Times Square.
Is Brooklyn a good idea?
Yes for repeat visitors, longer stays and skyline views. For a first three-night trip, Manhattan usually keeps the itinerary simpler.
When are hotels cheaper?
January, February and some late-summer windows can be better value. Fashion weeks, major events and December weekends can push prices sharply up.
Should UK travellers pay in pounds or dollars?
Compare the final total and your card fees before deciding. Dynamic currency conversion is not always the best value, so check your travel card rate.
Are resort or destination fees common?
They can appear at New York hotels. Always compare the full Booking.com total and read what is included before choosing the cheaper-looking room.
How far ahead should I book?
For school holidays, Christmas and autumn weekends, book cancellable rooms early. For quieter winter dates, it can be worth checking prices again closer to departure.
Ready to compare?
Start broad, shortlist hard, book the room that fits the trip.
Use the guide above to choose the right area, then compare live partner rates with the real total visible before you commit.