If you’re planning your very first trip to New York City, you’ve probably already got a long list of places to see and things to do: Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, the Statue of Liberty, and maybe even a Yankees game if you’re feeling adventurous. But before any of that can happen, you need to answer one critical question: Where should I stay?
As a frequent traveler who has both made mistakes and had incredible experiences in NYC, I’m here to offer one key piece of advice: choose accommodation that balances subway convenience and safety. New York is enormous. It moves fast, runs 24/7, and the subway is the key to unlocking it all — but not all locations are created equal.
In this journal, I’ll share my favorite hotel picks for first-time visitors, based on personal experience. Each recommendation is in a neighborhood that’s safe, well-connected by the subway, and perfect for those new to the city’s pulse.
1. Moxy NYC Times Square – Best for First-Timers Who Want to Be in the Action
Location: 485 7th Avenue, Midtown Manhattan
Subway Access: Steps from Times Sq-42 St station (1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, W, A, C, E, and S trains)
Price Range: $180–$300 per night
Service & Amenities: Rooftop bar, 24/7 gym, cozy rooms with smart space-saving design
Booking Tips: Available on all major hotel booking platforms like Booking.com and Expedia
Let’s start with the heart of the action — Times Square. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s loud. But if it’s your first time in NYC, the buzz is irresistible. Moxy Times Square offers a perfect launchpad into the city’s most iconic landmarks.
What I loved about Moxy was the efficiency: rooms are compact but clever, the lobby has a buzzing social vibe, and the rooftop bar, Magic Hour, offers skyline views that make you feel like you’ve landed in a movie. I arrived late at night, alone, and still felt 100% safe — both in the hotel and walking a couple blocks from Penn Station.
Bonus: you’re walking distance from Bryant Park, Macy’s, and Broadway theaters. If your focus is on sightseeing, you really can’t go wrong here.
2. Arlo NoMad – Boutique Comfort With City Views
Location: 11 E 31st St, NoMad (North of Madison Square Park)
Subway Access: 33rd Street Station (6 train), nearby Herald Sq (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W)
Price Range: $200–$280 per night
Service & Amenities: Rooftop bar, free bike rentals, floor-to-ceiling windows
Booking Tips: Easy to reserve on apps like Hotels.com or Agoda
If you prefer a quieter but still central location, Arlo NoMad is a solid bet. This hotel sits in a safe, somewhat upscale neighborhood that feels like real New York, not just the postcard version.
The rooms are compact but come with stunning skyline views — waking up with the Empire State Building practically at eye level was surreal. The staff were warm and attentive, offering insider tips without sounding rehearsed. I loved the rooftop bar, especially after long days on my feet.
It’s especially easy to explore Uptown and Downtown from here, thanks to the nearby 6 train and Herald Square subway lines.
3. Hotel Beacon – Perfect for Families and Longer Stays
Location: 2130 Broadway, Upper West Side
Subway Access: 72nd Street Station (1, 2, 3 trains)
Price Range: $230–$320 per night
Service & Amenities: Kitchenettes in every room, family-friendly, quiet neighborhood vibe
Booking Tips: Search across platforms like Kayak or Trivago for best rates
Not every first-time NYC trip is about flashy lights and 2 a.m. pizza slices. If you’re traveling with family or prefer a calmer environment, Hotel Beacon in the Upper West Side is ideal.
This neighborhood is residential, leafy, and filled with charm. It’s also incredibly safe, even late at night. You’ll be near Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and Zabar’s (an iconic deli where locals go for fresh bagels and coffee).
The rooms at Hotel Beacon are bigger than typical NYC standards and include kitchenettes — a huge bonus if you want to prepare breakfast before heading out. I stayed here with my niece and felt completely at ease navigating the area, even solo.
4. citizenM Bowery – For Solo Travelers Who Love Design
Location: 189 Bowery, Lower East Side
Subway Access: Bowery Station (J, Z trains), Grand St (B, D), 2nd Ave (F train)
Price Range: $160–$260 per night
Service & Amenities: Ultra-modern rooms, lobby workspace, self check-in/out
Booking Tips: Search through Trip.com or SnapTravel for deals
As someone who travels alone often, citizenM Bowery has become a personal favorite. It’s in a vibrant area full of art galleries, independent boutiques, and some of the city’s best food (hello, Chinatown dumplings and East Village ramen).
The hotel’s design is sleek and smart: rooms use iPad-controlled lighting, blinds, and temperature. The bed is wall-to-wall — incredibly comfy — and every inch of the space is optimized for the modern traveler.
What impressed me most was the safety. Despite the Lower East Side being a nightlife hotspot, the hotel itself feels secure, and subway access is quick and easy. It’s a great base if you want to explore downtown neighborhoods like SoHo, LES, and the Financial District.
5. Pod 39 – Budget-Friendly, Central, and Social
Location: 145 E 39th St, Murray Hill
Subway Access: Grand Central Terminal (4, 5, 6, 7, S trains)
Price Range: $120–$200 per night
Service & Amenities: Rooftop, shared or private rooms, excellent community vibe
Booking Tips: Found on all budget-friendly platforms like Hostelworld or Booking.com
If budget is a concern but you don’t want to sacrifice location or safety, Pod 39 offers unbeatable value. It’s located in Murray Hill, a neighborhood popular with young professionals — safe, quiet at night, but full of great eateries.
The rooms are small — think Tokyo hotel capsule-style — but very well-designed. You can choose private rooms with en-suite bathrooms, or go even cheaper with shared accommodations. The rooftop bar here is an unexpected bonus, often buzzing with travelers from around the world.
It’s just a 5-minute walk to Grand Central Station, which means you have direct subway access to almost anywhere in the city. I loved being able to hop on the 7 train and zip into Queens for dinner one evening, then return without stress.
What to Look for in Your NYC Hotel
Planning your first trip to New York City is exciting — but also overwhelming. There are hundreds of hotels, spread across dozens of neighborhoods, with wildly varying prices, amenities, and vibes. How do you even begin to narrow it down?
Start here. Whether you’re drawn to the glitter of Midtown, the village charm of SoHo, or the tree-lined streets of the Upper West Side, these five considerations will help you find the right stay — especially if it’s your first time in the city that never sleeps.
1. Subway Proximity Is Non-Negotiable
New York is a walking city, yes — but the subway is your lifeline. Hotels within a 5-minute walk of a major subway hub (think Times Square–42nd Street, 59th Street–Columbus Circle, Union Square, or Herald Square) are game-changers. You’ll save time, energy, and your feet. Bonus points if multiple subway lines run through that station — more lines = more direct routes = less hassle.
2. Stick to Manhattan for Your First Visit
Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx all have their own character and gems — but for your first trip, staying in Manhattan simplifies logistics. You’ll be closer to most iconic sights, and you won’t have to worry about long commutes back to your hotel after a full day out. Once you’re more familiar with the city layout, then you can explore those outer borough stays.
3. Accept the Room Size Reality
New York hotel rooms are compact — sometimes shockingly so. It’s not uncommon for a “double room” to feel tighter than a walk-in closet. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great stay. What matters more? Cleanliness, thoughtful layouts, responsive staff, and efficient use of space. You’re here to see the city, not host a dance party in your room.
4. Use Reputable Booking Platforms
Instead of going down a rabbit hole of hotel websites, stick to trusted booking platforms. They let you compare prices across multiple hotels, filter for your priorities (like “close to subway” or “non-smoking”), and they often come with free cancellation options and loyalty perks. Just double-check you’re booking the actual hotel — not a third-party reseller with no support.
5. Safety > Price
A $95 hotel deal might look tempting — until you realize it’s a 45-minute train ride away in an unfamiliar area that feels deserted at night. Always check recent reviews for insights about neighborhood safety, cleanliness, and staff friendliness. Look for mentions of how guests felt walking back after dark, or whether the front desk is staffed 24/7.
Choosing your first NYC hotel doesn’t have to be stressful. Use these tips as your compass, and you’ll land in a spot that feels like a safe, comfortable launchpad for your city adventures.
New York is chaotic and beautiful. With the right home base, you’ll spend less time worrying about logistics and more time discovering bagels that ruin all other bagels, views that steal your breath, and neighborhoods that feel like their own tiny countries.
So pack light, bring your most comfortable shoes, and get ready to ride that subway like a local.
Your New York adventure starts at check-in. 🗽🛎️