Where to Stay in NYC For a Weekend Trip (For First-time Visitors)
The accommodation is a huge part of any trip, but when it comes to NYC it can make or break your trip. You want to make sure that you are able to access as much of the area as possible from the door of your hotel when visiting New York City. You don’t want to have to travel super far every day to visit all the attractions planned.
In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the accommodation options that we think are the best choices if you’re going to be staying for a weekend in New York City. Last summer I visited NYC again (I used to live in the Big Apple when I was a student), this time with my two kids for a weekend before heading over to Europe. I was very glad we picked the right hotel, as I can honestly admit that we probably wouldn’t have covered as much… and we’d definitely not have taken our cat Poofy to see the Statue of Liberty otherwise 😉
Where to Stay in NYC for First Time Visit
Margaritaville Resort Times Square – for Those Looking for Active Nightlife
A 4-star hotel located in Times Square, Margaritaville Resort has been open since 2021. It’s the first New York City property from this brand, and combines a tropical resort theme with a Midtown location. There are multiple restaurants, bars, a fitness center, and a rooftop pool with city views.
What you don’t tend to find in NYC hotels is a vacation-style atmosphere, but Margaritaville Resort Times Square bridges that gap. As such, it’s a popular choice for tourists, and those who are visiting this place for the first time or those wanting to catch as many Broadway shows as possible.
One of the biggest pros of this hotel is definitely the location, only ever steps away from Times Square and subway lines if you want to venture out a little more. In fact, this is often seen as one of the best features of the hotel. You might be surprised to hear that the rooms are actually pretty quiet even though you’re right in Times Square.
The rooftop bar and pool are also definite selling points. This is rare to find in Manhattan hotels that aren’t insanely priced and as such they are some of the most distinctive features of this hotel.
Are there any cons? A common complaint is that there always seems to be an issue with the elevators. Either they are slow, guests are having to wait forever to get up to their rooms, they are overcrowded and there are occasional times where they are not working at all. This is especially prevalent during busy periods, but on the other hand it’s not unique to this hotel but many of them in NYC.
Another thing to note is the price. In NYC, you don’t always feel as though you’re getting what you pay for because the rooms are small, but that’s something to keep in mind.
The William Vale Brooklyn – For Those Wanting a More Local Experience
If you’re looking for a place with modern architecture, private balconies, rooftop venues, and a beautiful skyline view, then The William Vale might just be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s now one of the most recognizable hotels in Brooklyn, and is popular with people who want a more neighborhood-focused experience rather than heavy hustle and bustle.
This place has floor-to-ceiling windows in every room, as well as a rooftop bar, outdoor pool, fitness center, and hosts multiple cultural events. You don’t get many balconies in Manhattan, but in Brooklyn it’s a nice change.
Honestly, for those wanting a slightly more peaceful experience than staying near Times Square, Brooklyn is awesome. The skyline views of Manhattan are great, and in 10 minutes you can reach Manhattan by either boat or subway.
M Social Hotel Times Square – For Ultimate Luxury Seekers
The final option is M Social Hotel, which is an upscale hotel located on West 52nd Street, right on the edge of Times Square. While the location is great for first-time visitors, the best selling point of this hotel is that rooms are unusually big for Manhattan. They allow more people, which is great for families (and kids under 12 eat for free there!) or those needing more space.
Another fantastic aspect is their roof terrace, which has unobstructed views of Times Square, which allows you to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the square from above, in peace.
Hopefully, you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the fantastic accommodation options for the best possible weekend in New York City. Of course, there are a lot of other factors that are going to impact your trip, but this is one of the most important. You want to feel the city vibes at all times, and you want to make sure you’re comfortable while you do it. Each option on this list provides you with exactly that.
