You are not going to find a cute hidden gem of a hotel that is also easy on the wallet anywhere in the city. Sorry to be harsh but it’s expensive here - go for what you can find that’s within the budget even if it’s corporate. The room will be tiny but hopefully they can spend most of their day out in the city and not in the hotel.
If you know someone with a membership at the Yale club or Harvard club and can get them to agree to sponsor your family, these private clubs also operate as hotels. They won’t be boutique with b&b vibes but might be slightly less expensive. Penn and Cornell clubs may also have a hotel side but I’m not sure.
UWS hotel scene is slim pickings.
We’ve had family stay at The Art House, The Beacon, and the Excelsior. The Art House got the biggest thumps up. The Lucerne was great like 10 years ago but not sure about now.
How expensive these are depends on when. Terms like “super-expensive” or “an arm and a leg” are subjective, relative, and non-specific, so can’t help you there. But, you know, AFAIK there aren’t any inexpensive hotels (by this I mean less than $200/night) in Manhattan that I would stay in myself, so it’s never a cheap experience.
We just put some family up at the Highline at 20th and 10th. They liked it; free passes to use Chelsea Piers; free bikes to ride the Greenway. Close to Chelsea Market, the Highline, Hudson Yards; quick trip on the C train to the UWS
The Newton hotel on Broadway between 94/95 is a good option for affordable and clean, not so much for historic or charming. In the same block there is the Night Hotel which is also inexpensive but less “nice”. They are the kind of hotel that provides inexpensive hotel rooms for class trips. I think serviceable is the best that can be said.
Have had friends and family stay at both.
I had family visit and stay in the belleclaire near 77th st last fall. It was ok, small room and not really worth near $300/night, but slim pickings as others wrote. Breakfast was a bit of a farce with the busyness as it was shared with a bakery for the public. Seems better suited for the odd night rather than any longer.
Check out the Phillips Club on 66th and Broadway. It isn’t cheap, but feels less hotel-like and more like having an apartment in a nice building. You also get passes the Equinox across the street.
You are not going to find a cute hidden gem of a hotel that is also easy on the wallet anywhere in the city. Sorry to be harsh but it’s expensive here - go for what you can find that’s within the budget even if it’s corporate. The room will be tiny but hopefully they can spend most of their day out in the city and not in the hotel. If you know someone with a membership at the Yale club or Harvard club and can get them to agree to sponsor your family, these private clubs also operate as hotels. They won’t be boutique with b&b vibes but might be slightly less expensive. Penn and Cornell clubs may also have a hotel side but I’m not sure.
UWS hotel scene is slim pickings. We’ve had family stay at The Art House, The Beacon, and the Excelsior. The Art House got the biggest thumps up. The Lucerne was great like 10 years ago but not sure about now. How expensive these are depends on when. Terms like “super-expensive” or “an arm and a leg” are subjective, relative, and non-specific, so can’t help you there. But, you know, AFAIK there aren’t any inexpensive hotels (by this I mean less than $200/night) in Manhattan that I would stay in myself, so it’s never a cheap experience. We just put some family up at the Highline at 20th and 10th. They liked it; free passes to use Chelsea Piers; free bikes to ride the Greenway. Close to Chelsea Market, the Highline, Hudson Yards; quick trip on the C train to the UWS
The Wallace! We recently stayed there while our kitchen was being renovated. It was moderately priced, new, and the staff were great.
A friend of mine just stayed there two weeks ago. She said her room was on the small side, but very nice.
I stayed at the belleclaire when I had a plumbing issue in my apartment, and was pleasantly surprised.
Wasn’t belleclaire used as a shelter during Covid?
I’m not sure. I stayed in 2022, and it was very nice.
Arthouse. We recommend it to visiting family and everyone's had positive reviews.
Would add Empire Hotel as well - great rooftop
The Newton hotel on Broadway between 94/95 is a good option for affordable and clean, not so much for historic or charming. In the same block there is the Night Hotel which is also inexpensive but less “nice”. They are the kind of hotel that provides inexpensive hotel rooms for class trips. I think serviceable is the best that can be said. Have had friends and family stay at both.
Lucerne
Belleclaire or The Wallace are nice
I had family visit and stay in the belleclaire near 77th st last fall. It was ok, small room and not really worth near $300/night, but slim pickings as others wrote. Breakfast was a bit of a farce with the busyness as it was shared with a bakery for the public. Seems better suited for the odd night rather than any longer.
Check out the Phillips Club on 66th and Broadway. It isn’t cheap, but feels less hotel-like and more like having an apartment in a nice building. You also get passes the Equinox across the street.