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SPONSORED LISTINGS
The Cheapskate's Guide to Temporary Lodging in New York
- by aliciak
- -
- August 25, 2008
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Living in New York will strip you of your last pennies, but have you seen the price tags on bare-minimum hotel rooms lately? We're talking $300/night for the local HoJo's! Complain all you want about that $1400/month studio apartment, because if you spend a month in hotel here, you're out $9,000. That's criminal, isn't it? I'm here to help you find alternate bed options that don't involve strutting your stuff along 42nd Street or sleeping on a park bench.
Mooch Off Friends
Everyone seems to know someone in New York, so before you start comparing prices, investigate the futon/floor options of your friends. Free lodging is the way to go, but it can come at a cost: loud neighborhood, mice scurrying on by your head, sharing the bathroom with 6 dirty hipsters. Some suggestions:
- Bring your own “linens” and pillows.
- Bring ear plugs and sleeping pills.
- Bring a sleeping bag, air mattress, or even one of these fluorescent swimming pool floats.
- Have a back-up lodging plan.
It ain’t just for the swimming pool anymore!
Hostel
Both Hostel movies scared me to the point of having to leave the room, but I’m still going to suggest hostel options in the city because they are on the cheaper end of things. Unless you get dragged to a surgery torture chamber and lose your invaluable body parts. Unlikely though.
West Side Inn and Hostel
237 W 107th St, New York, NY 10025
The hotel term “inn” always worries me a bit, but the West Side Inn and Hostel is actually located in a Georgian-style brownstone, which means you’re getting a little taste of New York architectural flavor. $120/night.
The hotel term “inn” always worries me a bit, but the West Side Inn and Hostel is actually located in a Georgian-style brownstone, which means you’re getting a little taste of New York architectural flavor. $120/night.
The “courtyard” at Chelsea International Hostel
Candy Hostel
316 West 95th Street, New York, NY 10025
“Candy Hostel” reminds me of “Candyland,” so props to them for choosing a not-sketchy name. Rooms run about $137/night, but keep in mind you will be rocking out on a bunk bed and sharing a bathroom. I’m pretty sure there’s no Rainbow Trail or Gumdrop Pass, unfortunately.
“Candy Hostel” reminds me of “Candyland,” so props to them for choosing a not-sketchy name. Rooms run about $137/night, but keep in mind you will be rocking out on a bunk bed and sharing a bathroom. I’m pretty sure there’s no Rainbow Trail or Gumdrop Pass, unfortunately.
Your new digs at the Manhattan Inn
Manhattan Inn
303 W 30th Street, New York, NY 10001
This may be the second cheapest room in Manhattan: $35! Okay, so it looks like the above photo, but breakfast is included and there’s internet access. And is that an air conditioner in the window??? I just might have to move in there myself…
This may be the second cheapest room in Manhattan: $35! Okay, so it looks like the above photo, but breakfast is included and there’s internet access. And is that an air conditioner in the window??? I just might have to move in there myself…
Ny International Ayh-Hostel
891 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025
THE cheapest room??? $22/night and in a gorgeous building on the Upper West Side.
THE cheapest room??? $22/night and in a gorgeous building on the Upper West Side.
Book a Room
The YMCA
The “Y” is an enigma to me, and I’ve even stayed at one! Depending on the neighborhood, the Y can be a nice gym facility cum hostel, or a downright scary haven for old men. And then there’s the 92nd Street Y, perhaps the most famous of all Y’s because of its extensive programming, lecture series (famous people!), and pimped-out facilities.
YMCA by the Village People
“Young man, there’s a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you’re short on you dough.
You can stay there, and I’m sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.”
West Side YMCA
West Side YMCA
5 West 63rd Street, New York, NY 10023
I can personally vouch for this YMCA, having stayed there back in my college days. The lobby is fancy, the rooms are tiny, akin to a dorm room with bunk beds and crappy furniture, but it was filled with normal student types when I was there.
I can personally vouch for this YMCA, having stayed there back in my college days. The lobby is fancy, the rooms are tiny, akin to a dorm room with bunk beds and crappy furniture, but it was filled with normal student types when I was there.
92nd Street Y Buttenwieser
1395 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10128
Book a room here and look at the schedule of events while you’re at it. There’s a library! You can get a massage!
Book a room here and look at the schedule of events while you’re at it. There’s a library! You can get a massage!
Why Don't You Stay A While?
Craigslist Saves the Day Again!
How many times can Alicia mention Craigslist on Guidespot? I must be up to 3 already. You may associate Craigslist with apartment hunting, but behold two little gems: Housing Swap and Vacation Rentals.
Housing Swap
Say you’re coming from another big city or cool area. Well, there’s a good chance someone from New York is heading to your neck of the woods. People list housing swap options-you stay and watch my house, and I’ll do the same-usually with no costs attached. The advantage of this is that someone will pick up your mail at home, you will probably have free reign of the kitchen and use of the utilities, and you can experience a real New York home (whatever that may mean!)
Vacation Rentals
Not as good of a deal as Housing Swap, Vacation Rentals do cost money, but it can be a lot less than a hotel still. You’ll find people renting out their extra bedroom or the entire apartment while they are away for between $50-150/night. Again, you will most likely have access to all of the normal amenities.
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.jpg "GillianS")
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Great guide…though, “facility cum hostel” I think is an unfortunately turn of phrase to describe the YMCA. Then again, I have a notoriously dirty mind.
.jpg "mswen")
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This is a great resource. Thankfully, my best friend lives on the Upper West side so I can stay with her.
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