Living In A Hotel In NYC (Your Ultimate Guide)
By Dale P. This guide to living in a hotel full time in New York contains affiliate links to trusted partners.
Have you ever wondered about living in a hotel in NYC?
Living in hotels has a long, storied history in New York City. Many of the city’s most iconic hotels have had (and still have) residents who call the hotel home.
One of the most famous examples is Hotel Chelsea. This Manhattan hotel has been home to a myriad of legendary artists, writers, and musicians including Jackson Pollock, Patti Smith, Dylan Thomas, Robert Mapplethorpe, Arthur Miller, and Bob Dylan.
The Barbizon Hotel was another famous residential hotel that was for young women only, giving them a place to stay in the city while they pursued their careers. Actress Grace Kelly and writer Joan Didion once called the Barbizon home.
And perhaps the city’s most famous fictional hotel dweller is Eloise, a precocious six-year-old dreamed up by Kay Thompson, whose adventures living in a suite at the luxurious Plaza Hotel are chronicled in a series of children’s books and movies.
Living in a hotel in NYC is not all glamorous, though. With real estate prices in New York so high, you may be considering living in a hotel as an alternative; however, this can actually end up being even more expensive than renting an apartment in New York.
In some parts of the United States, living in a long-stay hotel or motel can be cheaper than renting your own apartment, but that is not the case in NYC.
Read on for everything you need to know about living in a hotel in New York!
Looking to capture your time in NYC with beautiful photos? Book a Private Photo Journey, a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or get a styled, custom shoot that tells your unique story through an NYC Influencer Shoot or Professional New York City Shoot. These experiences are offered by Jessie on a Journey’s sister company, NYC Photo Journeys. Email [email protected] with inquiries.
Pros & Cons Of Living In A Hotel In NYC
There are positives and negatives to living in a hotel in NYC. Here are some pros and cons to keep in mind when it comes to hotel living.
Pros Of Living In A Hotel In NYC
It’s great for short-term living in New York. Did you know it’s illegal to rent out whole apartments for less than 30 days in NYC? For short-term stays in New York City, you cannot rent an entire apartment on Airbnb or VRBO.
So if you want to live in New York for less than a month, living in a hotel is a good option for short-term stays of two to four weeks.
It’s flexible and hassle-free. When living in a hotel, you don’t have to worry about getting locked into a long-term lease like you do with an apartment. Also, hotels are fully furnished, you don’t have to pay for utilities, and cable and Wi-Fi are usually free too.
You get free housekeeping services. Living in a hotel in New York City usually means that you get daily housekeeping services included in your stay. You can request fresh bedding, towels, and toiletries any time you’d like. It’s a huge pro not to have to worry about doing all of this yourself.
Cons Of Living In A Hotel In NYC
It’s not cheap. One of the biggest drawbacks to living in a hotel in NYC is the cost, as it’s really tough to have enough money to afford this lifestyle.
A cheap budget hotel in New York City may cost $125 to $150 per night. As a monthly rate, you’re looking at $3,750 to $4,500 a month! For that price, you could rent a luxury one-bedroom apartment or even a big house right outside the city.
So if you’re on a budget, living in a hotel may not be the best option for you. Living with a roommate or two in an apartment in New York can save you a lot more money.
You don’t get much space. Most hotel rooms in New York City are quite small. Unless you splurge on a suite, you may be living in a hotel room that is less than 300-square-feet. And for a comparable price, you could get an entire apartment with a kitchen, living room, and storage space.
With a hotel room, you’ll be lucky to have a desk and a kitchenette.
You won’t have a permanent address. When living in a hotel, it can be difficult to receive mail and packages since you won’t have a permanent address. Not having a permanent address can also be an issue when it comes to accessing services and getting things like a driver’s license.
NYC Hotel Living Hacks
If you are looking for tips on how to live in a hotel for cheap in NYC, here are some things you can do to save money and make the most out of hotel living.
One major NYC hotel living hack is looking for properties that offer discounted rates on long-term stays. Some hotels offer special weekly or monthly rates that are much lower than the typical nightly rate.
For example, at the Extended Stay America hotel near LaGuardia Airport, you can get a discounted rate of only $128 per night for longer stays compared to the regular rate of $170 per night. That’s a significant discount that makes long-term stays much cheaper.
Another way to save money is by looking for hotels outside Manhattan. Other boroughs in New York City like Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx are more affordable, but you can still easily get to Manhattan by taking the subway.
If you really want to save money, look for hotels in New Jersey or Long Island. Many of these hotels are in locations that are still connected to NYC by public transit, and you can reach the city in less than an hour.
Finally, another hack for living in a hotel in NYC is searching for hotels that offer amenities like an included breakfast, kitchen access, a laundry room, or a fitness center. These are added perks that can improve the value of living in a hotel while helping you to have a more budget-friendly New York City experience.
Live In Hotel Jobs In New York City
Have you ever wondered how to live in a hotel for free? It isn’t common, but some NYC hotels offer live-in jobs that come with free housing.
This is a great perk that will allow you to save tons of money.
Occasionally, you can find live-in hotel jobs for positions like housekeeping or receptionist. You can also find jobs working at a hostel that offers free accommodation — as most hostel jobs are volunteer only, but they include a free place to stay and meals.
Your best bet for living in a hotel for free is becoming a hotel general manager. Many people in this position live and work in their hotel.
Best Extended Stay Hotels In NYC
Looking for hotels you can live in NYC? Many hotels in New York City offer extended stays, a number of which are mentioned below.
Note: The monthly rate for each of these live in hotels was determined by searching for a four-week stay on Expedia. Rates include all taxes and fees.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or you can afford to splurge, these are the best extended stay hotels in NYC.
Budget-Friendly
The Capital Hotel is located in Long Island City, a bustling neighborhood in Queens that is just across the river from Manhattan. Aside from its great location, this modern hotel receives good reviews for cleanliness and fast Wi-Fi. You’ll also be in a prime location to take in some of the best Manhattan skyline views from Queens!
Monthly rate: $2,758
This boutique hotel has a great location in the quiet Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn. Although it receives positive reviews for its modern and clean design, it’s also important to note that the rooms in this hotel are extremely tiny.
Monthly rate: $2,953
Although this hotel does not receive the best reviews, it’s located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan — close to Bryant Park, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and Grand Central — and you will not find a cheaper hotel in the area. This hotel has some perks like a communal kitchen space, but drawbacks like shared bathrooms; however, if you’re on a tight budget but want to be in the center of all the action in NYC, this is an option to consider.
Monthly rate: $2,930
Mid-Range
TownePlace Suites Long Island City
This two-star hotel is a great option for a long-term stay, receiving positive reviews from guests. With a convenient location in Long Island City, many of the rooms offer Manhattan views. Their rooms also include kitchenettes, and they even offer a free breakfast.
Monthly rate: $3,313
Residence Inn Downtown Manhattan
The Residence Inn Downtown Manhattan has an excellent location in Manhattan’s Financial District. This hotel receives great reviews for having large rooms and workspaces, a kitchenette, and free breakfast.
Monthly rate: $3,533
If you’re looking for an extended stay hotel in Brooklyn, this is a good choice. Located in the Prospect Park neighborhood, this hotel receives high ratings from guests because of its cleanliness and spacious, well-equipped rooms.
Monthly rate: $3,855
Luxury
InterContinental New York Barclay
This four-star hotel in Manhattan is just steps away from Rockefeller Center. If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel to live in, this is a great place to stay. Perks include a 24-hour health club and laundry facilities.
Monthly rate: $9,099
WestHouse is a luxury boutique hotel in Midtown Manhattan just a short walk from Central Park, Columbus Circle, and Broadway. One of the biggest benefits of this four-star hotel is a free included breakfast.
Monthly rate: $10,834
One of the most famous New York City hotels is available for full time stays, but it will cost you! The five-star Plaza Hotel is famous for its opulent rooms and location on the corner of Central Park. If your idea of hotel living includes room service every day and extravagant luxury, this is the place to stay.
Monthly rate: $21,554
Living In A Hotel In NYC [FAQ]
Do you have questions about how to live in hotels in NYC? Here are the answers to some common queries you may have!
Q: How much does it cost to live in a hotel in NYC?
The cost of living in a hotel in NYC varies a lot based on your budget and the location you choose. It will be difficult to find any hotel for less than $100 per night anywhere in New York City. Meanwhile, a luxury hotel in Manhattan can easily run you $1,000+ per night.
Q: How much does it cost to live in a hotel for one month?
Again, the monthly cost of living in a hotel in NYC will vary. For a cheap hotel, you may pay $3,750 to $4,500 for one month. Staying in a luxury suite at the Plaza Hotel, on the other hand, could cost you $50,000 or more for one month.
Q: What is it like to stay in a 100 dollar hotel room in New York City?
Staying in a $100 hotel room in New York City is generally not the best experience. Considering that the average price for a hotel room in NYC is $235 per night, a $100 hotel is typically not very nice.
For $100 per night, it will be very difficult to find a hotel room in New York. If you’re on an extremely tight budget and need to stay in a $100 hotel, you may find that the room is very basic and does not have a private bathroom, but rather shares a communal bathroom with other guests.
Q: Can you live in a hotel for a year in NYC?
Living in a hotel for a year in NYC is an option if money is no object to you.
However, for most people, it doesn’t make sense to live in a hotel for a year. It’s a poor value for money because the total cost will be exorbitant, and much higher than signing a year-long apartment lease or living with roommates in New York.
Q: Is it possible to live in a hotel room forever in NYC?
Many people have lived in hotel rooms for months and even years in New York. While living in a hotel permanently is less common now than in the past, it’s still possible to live in a hotel in NYC.
As long as the property does not have a limit on the duration of your stay and you can afford it, you can live in a hotel indefinitely.
Looking to capture your time in NYC with beautiful photos? Book a Private Photo Journey, a walking tour that includes photos of your group to keep. Or get a styled, custom shoot that tells your unique story through an NYC Influencer Shoot or Professional New York City Shoot. These experiences are offered by Jessie on a Journey’s sister company, NYC Photo Journeys. Email [email protected] with inquiries.
Travel Insurance In New York City
When visiting New York City — even if you’re living in NYC hotels — it’s wise to get travel insurance.
One of the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country.
Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.
Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks.
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