5 reasons to choose a hotel in Manhattan

1/ Save time exploring New York

• New York has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. But Manhattan is clearly the heart of New York. You’ll spend most of your time here, visiting the Financial District, the Empire State Building, Times Square, and Central Park. Nearly all the major attractions are in Manhattan. Stay as close as possible to avoid long commutes.
• If you were visiting Paris, you wouldn’t stay in Versailles. Same logic applies to New York.
• Check our New York hotel guide for recommended hotels from our team and members of the New York Forum.

2/ Be in the heart of the action

• Staying in Manhattan is the best way to experience New York’s energy. Step out of your room, walk through the lobby doors, and you’re right in the middle of it all.
• Taxis streaming down the street below you, fire trucks racing past with sirens blaring, endless avenues, crowds rushing to work, and bagel vendors on the corner. That’s New York.
• Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island don’t have this same energy. In fact, they’re quite quiet in the evening. While you’ll soak up New York’s atmosphere returning to your Manhattan hotel, someone staying in Queens—say, Long Island City—will find empty, lifeless streets.

3/ Avoid spending time on the subway

• Staying in Manhattan means you can explore New York on foot. No need to waste time on the subway: New York starts right outside your hotel door.
• Choose a hotel in Times Square, and you can walk through Midtown, stroll up the famous 42nd Street to see Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, and the United Nations. Stay in the Financial District, and you have One World Trade Center, Battery Park, and Wall Street within steps of your room.
• That’s a real advantage over staying in a residential neighborhood deep in Brooklyn or Queens, where you’ll constantly need to take the subway back to Manhattan. And Staten Island? Expect at least 30 minutes just to reach Battery Park, Manhattan’s southern tip.

4/ Take breaks whenever you need

• With your hotel in Manhattan, you can easily pop back to your room whenever you want—to rest for an hour, shower and change, or drop off shopping bags. Your hotel becomes your base camp throughout the day.
• This is especially valuable if you’re traveling with children or a baby. You can return to the hotel for naps or to prepare a bottle.

5/ For nearly the same price

• Manhattan hotels are only slightly more expensive than those in Brooklyn or Queens. But before you settle for a distant neighborhood, do the math. If you’re making the trip to New York, isn’t it worth the small extra cost to have the best possible experience and enjoy all the advantages listed above? I think the answer is clearly yes. When you’re dreaming of a New York trip, it’s worth making that small effort—it will change everything about your daily experience and let you make the most of your visit.
• The price difference can sometimes be smaller than you’d expect. Because Manhattan hotels have more rooms than those in other boroughs, they frequently offer special deals and promotions. Always check the hotel’s website directly when you search to see what offers are available.
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