New York City has long been one of my favorite places to visit since my high school days, visiting the city as a young dancer. These days, I’ve been to the city many times, both with my family, my mom and my husband during all different seasons — all enjoying different sides of the Big Apple.

Suffice it to say, I’ve stayed in a few hotels in New York City, so I’ve compiled for you some of the most underrated, but best hotels in NYC according to me ;-).

 7 Most Underrated, But Best Hotels in NYC

From Times Square to the Meatpacking District and from Midtown East to Brooklyn, here are some of my favorite NYC hotels.

1. EVEN Hotels Times Square South

EVEN Hotels Times Square South New York City

No. 1 on my list is EVEN Hotels Times Square South. These days, I’m not a fan of Times Square (too loud and too much chaos, but I did enjoy it in my teens and 20s :)), but this hotel, while it says “Times Square” is not really in Times Square.

It’s quite a bit south and on the north end of the High Line in Chelsea, one of my favorite free things to do in New York City. It actually makes a great spot for exploring the city, because you are within walking distance of Times Square, as well as Chelsea and Meatpacking, which I like much better :).

EVEN Hotels is owned by InterContinental Hotels Group (so you can use IHG Rewards points) and is entirely health focused. You’ll find exercise balls and equipment in your room, filtered water throughout the hotel and delicious fruit smoothies for breakfast! Plus, our kids loved playing ping pong just outside the lobby.

Here is my full review of EVEN Hotels Times Square South.

2. Gansevoort Hotel, Meatpacking District

Gansevoort Hotel Meatpacking hotel

In the summer of 2018, my husband and I parked ourselves at the Gansevoort Hotel (note: This is an affiliate link) in the Meatpacking District, which is sandwiched between Chelsea and the Village. This area of town is much more appealing to me, as it feels more like a real neighborhood and is much quieter.

The Gaansevoort is a hip property with great city and river views. The rooms are spacious, some with couches for lounging when you need to kick up your feet after long walks in New York City.

We enjoyed walking to the Village from here to see famous comedians at the Comedy Cellar, and exploring the Gansevoort Market and Chelsea Market.

3. Westgate New York Grand Central

Located at Grand Central station, the Westgate New York Grand Central is extremely convenient for getting anywhere in town, as you can pretty much catch a subway going anywhere from Grand Central.

Choose a room with a balcony for awesome city views and enjoy access to a fitness center, as well as a dine-and-go restaurant with a breakfast buffet. 

More details: Westgate New York Grand Central 304 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017

4. Hotel Elysee, Midtown East

best hotels in NYC Hotel Elysee
Credit Hotel Elysee

Midtown East is another relatively quiet (if that’s possible in New York City!) area of the city. It’s also very close to Grand Central, making it convenient to access to the subway to get elsewhere around town.

The Hotel Elysee (note: This is an affiliate link) is historic and utterly charming. You’ll feel like you’re visiting New York in the 1920s. I feel like this is the spot where I could rent a room and write that novel that’s inside my head one day…

Rooms have a Victorian, elegant feel, and our family loved that they had movies we could borrow and watch together at night after a busy day of exploring the city.

5. The Williamsburg Hotel, Brooklyn

Williamsburg Brooklyn hotel

In summer 2018, my husband and I spent time exploring hip and trendy Brooklyn. We stayed in Williamsburg at the Williamsburg Hotel, but also enjoyed taking the super cheap water taxi (the views of New York City don’t get any better than from the water!) over to the Dumbo area to dine, shop and hang out at the park.

The Williamsburg Hotel has small but funky rooms, perfect for a couple, with floor-to-ceiling windows, and we loved the hip and happening bar in the hotel lobby with live music in the evening and a yummy breakfast in the morning. There’s also a rooftop pool that you can enjoy in the summer months.

Of course, there are awesome views of the city skyline from Brooklyn, and the Williamsburg Hotel doesn’t disappoint on that front! Here was the view from our room at sunset – gorgeous! Many rooms have these private balconies.

Brooklyn hotel New York City view

6. Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown

Crowne Plaza HY36 Hotel New York City

A newer hotel close to the amazing Hudson Yards development on Manhattan’s west side, the Crowne Plaza HY36 (note: This is an affiliate link) is a small, modern hotel with a really cool courtyard and the funky TGA NYC restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

We really loved both the exterior and interior design of this hotel, which is extremely interesting and unique. Use your IHG Rewards points to book this property.

7. Hotel Indigo Lower East Side

Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
Credit Hotel Indigo Lower East Side

While the Lower East Side of Manhattan has not always been the greatest of spots, it has produced many a musician and artist over time. The boutique Hotel Indigo Lower East Side (note: this is an affiliate link) pays tribute to the funky side of this area of the city, now up and coming, with interesting features like street art throughout the property.

The hotel also has fantastic panoramic views of the city, a gorgeous deck with pool, a rooftop bar and quick-grab Lobby Bar & Cafe. 

Hotel Indigo is one of my favorite hotel chains for its localized design specific to a destination and always boutique feel. Book with IHG Rewards points. 

Where is your favorite place to stay in New York City? And what side of town do you prefer when you visit the Big Apple?

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