Hotels in New York: How to Book Without Overpaying

Hotels in New York are expensive. A basic room here costs what an upscale one goes for in another U.S. city.

The truth is, NYC is worth every penny! And there are ways to lock in the cheapest rates possible:

Tips for booking hotels in New York

The most important tip is to book early and pick a reliable search site (we prefer Booking).

Why Booking? Because it is the most popular, it drives competition between properties and pushes prices down, it charges no commission, and it has a best price guarantee.

That means if, after making your reservation, you find another property with the same conditions at a lower rate, they will match the price!

Cheaper rates

Often the cheapest rates hotels offer have to be paid at the time of booking or are non-refundable.

That means if you do not show up, you get no money back. If you are sure you are traveling, it is worth it!

Booking without paying anything up front

If you do not want to take the risk, in case plans change, go for flexible rates. They cost a little more, but in most cases you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead and you pay when you arrive at the hotel, so you lose nothing.

The key is to read the hotel's special conditions carefully before booking, especially the cancellation policy.

Special offers

It is a good idea to create a Booking account before you reserve, because there are exclusive deals for registered users that you will only see when you are logged in.

Traveler reviews

On most booking sites, hotels are ranked according to reviews and ratings from previous guests on service and quality.

That helps a lot when choosing the right place for your trip. Read through them carefully, they are the best guide you have!

Oh, and after your trip, fill out the service survey Booking sends you. You will be helping future travelers 😉

How do you book hotels in New York?

To book through Booking you just provide your personal details and a valid credit card number, then you pay the agreed amount directly at the hotel (and you have to add the mandatory taxes we explain below).

The card is only charged if you do not show up and did not cancel your reservation beforehand. In that case, the usual penalty is one night's rate.

To avoid losing money, it is important to read the cancellation policy of the hotel you choose, available right there on Booking. In the United States it generally lets you cancel up to 24 hours before arrival.

As you can see, there is no excuse not to book. It costs nothing, and doing it early saves you money.

Some hotels do require a deposit to guarantee the reservation. In that case, Booking will tell you in the booking conditions, and we will say it again: read those conditions closely every time to avoid any misunderstanding.

Additional New York taxes

So you are not caught off guard: in New York they charge 14.75% tax on the price listed on hotel search sites, plus a city fee of $3.50 per night.

An example:

• Price of a 5-night reservation at hotel X = $500
• Plus 14.5% tax = $572.50
• Plus the daily city fee (3.5 x 5 days = 17.5) = $590 total

There are a few exceptions, like the West Side YMCA, which as a nonprofit only charges a $10 service fee per night on top of the rate, far less than the taxes at other hotels (and the location is fantastic, give it a look!)

When booking, pay close attention to Booking's «read me» and «good to know» sections, where each hotel's special conditions are spelled out.

What if my trip is delayed?

If you run into delays on your way, write to the property to let them know when you will be arriving (best to do it through Booking).

That way you avoid having your room canceled or being charged a «no show» fee.

Which neighborhood should you stay in?

New York has plenty of neighborhoods with their own charms to choose from (follow the link to see what each one is like).

If you have not decided where to stay yet, check out our where to stay section for extra help making up your mind.

New York hotels for every need

In each link below you will find recommendations for good, central hotels, or ones suited to different times of year:

• 5 Central and Cheap Hotels
• 5 Hotels with a Pool in New York
• Hotels with a Jacuzzi in New York, planning a romantic getaway?
• 5 Cheap Hotels in Brooklyn
• The Best Hotels in Manhattan
• 5 Hotels for Christmas and New Year's
• Hotels near the New York Marathon finish line
• 3-star hotels in New York that are genuinely decent, well priced and well located.
• 4-star hotels in New York, comfort at reasonable prices.
• 5-star hotels in New York, for special occasions and a bit of pampering.
• Family hotels in New York, everyone fits, at a good price!
• New York hotels with breakfast included, because not every hotel includes it!
• Hotels with a kitchen in New York, it is amazing how far they stretch your budget.
• Modern hotels in New York, cutting edge in design and technology.
• Hotels with views in New York, the kind where you wake up and go to sleep with New York in the window.
• Hotels for couples in New York, on your honeymoon or celebrating something special?
• Boutique hotels in New York, unique stays in historic or restored buildings.
• Hotels in Manhattan at the best prices possible (Manhattan is expensive!)
• Hotels in Chelsea, a neighborhood full of nightlife, art and great food.
• Hotels in Times Square, right in the middle of the action and the lights of Manhattan.
• Spanish hotels in New York, with the quality of well-known chains and no language barrier.