Tips for finding budget hotels in New York City

Visitors in New York City often face the same shock: A room costs how much? And it’s what size?

“So many people judge a hotel by its price,” said Pauline Frommer, author of the “Frommer’s New York City 2026” guidebook. “They come to New York, and they’re incredibly disappointed that they’re spending $400 a night for a crappy room.”

Some savvy travelers use credit card points for a deal. Some embrace mystery booking sites to game the system. The lucky ones splurge without batting an eye.

And many simply resign themselves to zero space, sometimes even with shared quarters, in exchange for the best deal they can find. For travelers in search of a bargain at hostels or hotels with super small rooms, here’s what to expect.

How tight is the squeeze?

Hold your breath and don’t stretch out your arms: Budget rooms can be extremely cramped. At Nap York Central Park, a hostel where this reporter stayed in June, a two-person room with bunk beds felt like a long, narrow utility closet (though the attached bathroom was a reasonable size).

Some properties, like Now Now NoHo and the Nolita Express Hostel, divide floor space into extremely small pod-like rooms with open ceilings that hold a bed and little else. The “cozy sleeper cabin” at Now Now NoHo is just over 32 square feet, while the “small vintage pod” at Nolita Express is 30 square feet.

Many hostels also offer larger private rooms for a higher price.

Closer to a traditional hotel, the Pod Times Square offers rooms between 115 and 125 square feet.

How cheap are we talking?

For a Saturday through Monday in mid-November, searches for a solo traveler turned up rates as low as $56 a night for a bed in a 10-bed dorm at HI New York City Hostel. For a double room with shared bathroom at the Carlton Arms, the price was $159 a night including taxes and fees. And that climbed to about $222 a night for a bunk pod at the Pod Times Square, where the rooms have their own bathrooms.

Do I have to share a bedroom or bathroom with strangers?

It depends on the type of place where you’re staying, the room you book and the price you’re willing to pay. This should be clear when you’re booking, however; you should not be surprised by a dozen bunk beds occupied by strangers in your room or a communal bathroom down the hall.

How do I know what I’m getting?

Become a forensic investigator. Read the website, reviews, current guidebooks. Pore over photos. Check the description of every room or bed you’re considering.

Matthew Kepnes, a New York City resident and founder of the travel site Nomadic Matt, recommends Booking.com for hotel inventory and Hostelworld.com for hostel-specific searches.

“I think it’s important to remember that hostels are not hotels so you shouldn’t expect any type of service or amenities and that you’ll be sharing space with a lot of people and spaces are cramped,” he said in an email. Still, he said, it’s a good option for cheap accommodations and meeting new people.

Danielle Brumfitt Norris, vice president of stakeholder activation for Hostelling International USA, a nonprofit organization that operates 14 hostels across the country, said in an email that the properties have to stay competitive and must provide amenities that customers are used to. She said that potential guests should look to see if a hostel has curtains for privacy, luggage storage, easy access to public transit and organized activities. She recommended also checking to make sure properties respond to guest feedback.

What do I need to bring with me?

You should expect the basics, like sheets and towels, at a hostel in New York. Bring a combination lock if you’re sharing space, as storage often comes in the form of a locker. Tote a toiletry kit just like you would to any hotel - and maybe don’t rely on the property for soap and shampoo.

What if I want small but kind of fancy?

Now Now NoHo, which opened last year, touts its “high design” and amenities provided for comfort, including Brooklinen robes, ear plugs, eye masks and sound machines. The higher-end “boutique hostel” experience is reflected in the price; mid-November rates are about $162 a night.

“We looked around New York, and we just thought there was nothing like this available, so our view was if we built it right people would be happy to experience it,” said Phil Hospod, founder and CEO of Dovetail + Co, the hospitality company behind the property.

Can I go with a partner?

Some properties - or just some rooms - are for single travelers only, but others note that they are good for pairs or groups. Make sure to enter the number of travelers in your group when you start your search to get the best results.

Kepnes, who has written about New York City hostels, said in an email that he would recommend hostels to couples because it is often possible to book a private room and bathroom.

Can families stay at a hostel?

While some properties are for solo travelers and adults only, others are open to families with kids.

Brumfitt Norris said HI USA hostels have room options that include renting a full dorm or a private room with en suite bathroom. Properties also have shared kitchen spaces where families can store food and put meals together.

I really don’t want shared spaces. What other options are there?

Enter the microhotel. The Pod Hotels, with four New York City locations, are a good example. Aside from a set of rooms with communal restrooms at Pod 51, the properties’ rooms are tiny but private, each with their own restroom.

Major hotel chains have launched their own tiny-room brands, including Moxy by Marriott and Motto by Hilton. These properties often have buzzy common areas but can break tight budgets.

In mid-November, a bunk room for two at the Pod Times Square can be found for about $222 a night, but the Moxy downtown runs about $340 a night.