Best NYC Locations, Cheap, Budget, Closest
The best New York Marathon hotels book up very quickly, as our 5 borough marathon shows off over 50,000 runners to over 2 million spectators, many of whom are visiting NYC. Whether you want to see the start, middle or end of the race, which is always held the first Sunday in November, "there’s a hotel for that." The NYC Marathon Route kicks off in Staten Island and continues through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and finishes in Manhattan in Central Park, next to Tavern on the Green.
2022 Info: Even though the NY Marathon takes place in November (Sunday, November 6, 2022), participants and their fans begin making hotel reservations in January, when registration and the draw usually take place. In 2022, applications will open on Wednesday, March 9 and will close on Wednesday, March 23. The drawing for non-guaranteed entries will take place on Wednesday, March 30.
Runners will generally take the Staten Island Ferry or the Bus to Staten Island for the start. The 1 train will let you out in the same terminal (Whitehall Terminal/ South Ferry) and the 4/5 trains to Bowling Green will leave you 3 blocks away. If you are a registered runner, the Marathon website offers you all the best ways and times to Fort Wadsworth.
Hotels Closest to Staten Island Ferry
For those running who just want to wake up and be on the Ferry, these are the closest hotels allowing you to walk a few blocks and hop right on for the scenic 30 minute ride right past the Statue of Liberty.
- Hampton Inn Manhattan/Downtown- Financial District
- DoubleTree by Hilton NYC – Financial District
- The Wall Street Inn
- Hyatt Centric Wall Street
- Holiday Inn Express – Wall Street
- Eurostars Wall Street
- Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center
- Casa Cipriani New York (closest – new in 2021)
Staten Island Ferry Hotels
- The Staten Island Ferry Terminal is the the little yellow marker on the map below.
- Tip: Do not enter anything in the "Where are you going" field – just enter your dates.
Top of Best New York Marathon Hotels
New York Marathon Hotels Manhattan
Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square
The new in 2021 Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square, not to be confused with the Riu Plaza New York Times Square on 46th St, is HUGE with more than 650 rooms with mini-fridges and free Wifi. A huge hotel means super competitive rates at a Times Square hotel opening at the (hopefully) end of a pandemic – never mind their sister hotel down the street also has 600+ rooms to fill!
- 145 West 47th Street, Times Square
Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards
Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards, opened August 2019, is NYC’s premiere hotel focused on health & athletics. Equinox offers the ultimate fitness experience in their 60,000 square foot club in the hotel which has indoor + outdoor pools, cryotherapy chamber, infrared sauna, group fitness classes and much more.
It’s about a 30 min walk, 12 min subway or 5 min taxi to the bus stop and the 212 rooms are dark, quiet and cool with over 60 healthy food mini bar options, face masks, sleep supplements and much more. If I were running the marathon and could stay anywhere, I would pick Equinox!
- Discount Rates: Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards
- 33 Hudson Yards, Hudson Yards
Crowne Plaza HY36 – Catering to athletes both pre- and post- race, Midtown Manhattan’s Crowne Plaza HY36 offers a dedicated NYC Marathon package complete with race day prep kit, dedicated carb-loading pasta dinner at the hotel’s restaurant and post-race in-suite ice baths /ice bags paired with in-room Zeel-powered massages. The hotel will provide giant posters and markers at the front desk for supporting friends and family.
- Discount Rates: Crowne Plaza HY36
the Quin – “I stayed here…as I was running the NYC marathon and wanted a hotel in walking distance of the finish line. Best choice ever!”
- Discount Rates: the Quin
Hampton Inn Manhattan – Times Square North – “The bed was comfortable, and I appreciated the in room fridge. The black out shades were awesome, and the room is definitely larger than most hotel rooms in Manhattan. It was also very convenient for the marathon”
- Discount Rates: Hampton Inn Manhattan
Hilton Garden Inn Times Square – “I stay here during every NYC Marathon and will return next year…can’t wait!”
- Discount Rates: Hilton Garden Inn Times Square
The New Yorker – “Overall a good place to lay your head, especially when you’re in need of lots of zzz’s to run a good marathon. Street noise is unavoidable which suggest to bring a pair of earplugs for the lighter sleepers.”
- Discount Rates: The New Yorker
The Bryant Park Hotel – “We had a fabulous stay!! What an amazing location. First, the concierge decorated the room, as I requested, as this was my husband’s first time running the NYC Marathon. It was done so well! We were in a Terrace Room which was spectacular.”
- Discount Rates: The Bryant Park Hotel
New York Hilton Midtown – Marathon Official Headquarter Hotel, if you wish to be at the hub of pre-race activities, and serves as the marathon’s professional athlete center. The 1,878 room hotel reopened as of October 2021.
Sheraton New York Times Square – Marathon Official Headquarter Hotel if you wish to be at the hub of pre-race activities.
Hotels on Covid Pause or Closed
Crowne Plaza Times Square – “I went to run in the NYC Marathon and the atmosphere was amazing with runners from all over the globe everywhere we went!”
- Discount Rates: Crowne Plaza Times Square
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton – “I took my family to New York to run the 2011 New York Marathon. We booked two rooms which were adjoining and they were large luxurious and very comfortable.”
- Discount Rates: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton
***Reviews provided courtesy of Trip Advisor and Booking.com
Top of Best New York Marathon Hotels
Hotels Near the Starting Line Bus Pickup in Manhattan
The Marathon Bus Pick up is at the New York Public Library, on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Midtown East and Midtown West hotels are your best bets within walking distance to the bus.
Cheap Budget Hotels Midtown East
Midtown East is one of the best value spots in Manhattan since there are so many hotels from which to choose! Staying near Midtown East puts you in walking distance to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, the UN, Grand Central Station, great NYC Shopping and much more. The hotels are mostly big skyscrapers, commercial brands and offer amenities targeted towards both business and tourist travelers.
- Pod 39 Hotel - marketed as "hip and thrifty," with multiple room types from private to shared (photo)
- Seton Hotel - Look for the Seton Economy Option, (SEO), designed for travelers on a budget
- Vanderbilt YMCA - less than $100 a night to be in the heart of NYC at Christmastime. Small rooms, shared or private baths.
See More: Cheap Budget Hotels Midtown East
Cheap Budget Hotels Midtown West
Finding cheap hotels in Midtown West NYC is less difficult than you may think, as this is one of the best value spots in Manhattan. You'll be right near the Empire State Building, Garment District, Times Square, Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen, all while possibly paying less than $100 per night for a clean and fairly spacious room. So, if you have reasonable expectations and can't wait to stay in the very center of Manhattan, these are the best value deals in Midtown West NYC.
- The Watson Hotel NYC - great pool 2 blocks from Central Park (photo)
- New York Manhattan Hotel - recommended by a NY childhood friend, now in Florida, who frequently travels to NYC
- Hotel Wolcott - right on the border of NoMad and Midtown West, 1 block from the Empire State Building
See More: Cheap Budget Hotels Midtown West
Midtown East Boutique Hotels
Midtown East offers tons of great boutique hotels, like The Library, Roosevelt, Dylan, Giraffe and many more. Staying here puts you close to the NY Public Library, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Boutique hotels offer a lot of character and unique amenities not found in other types of hotels.
- Club Quarters, Grand Central - great value, perfect location. Some rooms with kitchenettes.
- The Gotham Hotel - every room has an outdoor terrace with loft-like ceilings and walls of windows (photo)
See More: Midtown East Boutique Hotels
Spacious Suite Hotels in Midtown NYC
Many NYC visitors love staying in Midtown, putting them within a mile of Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Grand Central, Empire State Building, Broadway, Times Square and tons of restaurants and shopping. One could easily spend 2-3 days in Midtown alone and only see a fraction of all there is to offer. Some of our top spacious and family-friendly Midtown Suite Hotels include:
- Element Times Square West - roofdeck, gym, kitchenettes, bikes (photo)
- Best Western Hospitality - good family rates, great location, breakfast included
- The Jewel facing Rockefeller Center - great value hotel in a prime NYC location
See More: Spacious Suite Hotels in Midtown NYC
Top of Best New York Marathon Hotels
New York Marathon Hotels Near Finish Line (for Runners)
For runners who want their hotel to be a few blocks from the finish line, without having to jump on a subway, these are your best bets. These are different hotels than those which provide a spectator view of the race, although they are all about 20 minute walk to the last mile.
- Hotel Beacon – “We chose the Hotel Beacon because it was close to the finish line of the marathon. Nice and clean boutique hotel. Helpful and friendly staff.” (2130 Broadway @ 75th)
- Arthouse Hotel – "Really close to the New York Marathon finish, and perfect location to get anywhere in the city." (formerly the NYLO, 2178 Broadway @77th)
- Hotel Belleclaire – "Located just a short walk away from the finish line, Hotel Belleclaire is one of the most convenient and comfortable NYC Marathon hotels." (250 W 77th)
- La Quinta Inn & Suites – "For anyone that’s running in the NYC Marathon, this hotel is near the West 72 St exit of Central Park. After crossing the finish line, I walked right to the hotel." (31 W 71st Street)
- Mandarin Oriental – 80 Columbus Circle
- 6 Columbus – A SIXTY Hotel – 308 W 58th Street @ Columbus Circle
- 1 Hotel Central Park – 1414 6th Avenue
- Phillips Club – 155 West 66th Street
- Inn New York City – 266 W 71st Street (possibly closed in 2020)
Super Cheap Hotels Near the Finish Line
These are your two best bargains near the finish line.
- Hotel Newton – 2528 Broadway Ave at 95th St – 3 star modest hotel, but always get raves reviews!
- West Side YMCA – 63rd St @ Central Park West – bunk beds with shared bathrooms
The exit for runners is around 73rd & Central Park West (to find it on a map, look up Tavern on the Green or Strawberry Fields in Central Park). The official family reunion area, organized alphabetically, runs along Central Park West from West 60th – 66th Streets.
You will exit Central Park at the Post-Race Poncho exit at West 77th Street, approximately one-half mile past the finish line. You will reach this exit approximately 30 minutes after you cross the finish line. After you exit, you will receive an insulated, waterproof, wind-resistant poncho.
We also recommend you reserve a post-race meal, as the local restaurants get very crowded.
See All: Upper West Side Hotels
More Hotels Near the NYC Marathon Finish Line
Tip: The yellow marker is where runners exit the race. Just change the dates below. Do not hit search. November 6, 2022.
Booking.comTop of Best New York Marathon Hotels
New York Marathon Hotels Near Finish Line (for Spectators)
Want to watch the last mile and cheer on your favorite runners? Then, you’ll want to be along Central Park South or Columbus Circle. Top choices include:
Central Park NY Hotels
These are NYC Insider hand picked hotels that are not just “near” Central Park, as most NYC hotels claim to be…but on the Park itself, either Central Park South, Central Park West or Fifth Ave. Many other hotels are nearby, or within a few blocks, but these are the closest, and all offer Park views from select rooms.
Some of our top value picks near Central Park include:
See the Insider Guide for dozens more Central Park NY Hotels and download our free Central Park map at Central Park NY Guide
Top of Best New York Marathon Hotels
Brooklyn Marathon Hotels
Hotel Le Bleu – “There’s a small balcony view of lower Manhattan and we got to enjoy New York’s 45th Annual Marathon as runners past on street below.” and “I stayed here with my family the weekend of the NYC Marathon (which I ran). Perfect location- kids watched me run by the hotel which is right on the marathon course (mile 7)”
- Discount Rates: Hotel Le Bleu
Top of Best New York Marathon Hotels
NYC Marathon Route
Top of Best New York Marathon Hotels
Discount NYC Hotels
Discount NYC Hotels – These are my hand picked hotels that start at $25 per night. They are not always listed on generic hotel travel websites or they may be listed as ‘specialty lodging,’ and therefore hard to find.
While you may have to compromise to stay in one these hotels, like a shared bathroom, or no television, you cannot beat the prices for these locations.
- Seton Hotel – two blocks from Grand Central, check out their Seton Economy Option, offering a price point significantly lower than traditional midtown Manhattan hotel rooms. More Info: Seton Hotel
- Seafarers & International House – in Union Square, where I live, and just one subway stop to Grand Central, with a simple transfer to the 7 train
- Leo House – 10 blocks from Penn Station
- Menno House – near the E train, which goes to Penn Station with a simple transfer to LIRR
- NYC Soldiers Sailors Marines Club – 6 block walk to Grand Central
Top of Best New York Marathon Hotels
More Info New York Marathon
- nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon – official marathon site
- Marathon week includes shorter races for adults and kids, a marathon eve dinner and a three day expo at the Javits Convention Center.
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NYC events and holidays bring in massive amounts of visitors, all of which want prime views and access to the July 4th fireworks, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, New Year's Eve fireworks, Marathon finish line and more. Here are our top hotel picks for NYC's most popular annual events.
NYC Hotels by Type
NYC offers hotels of every type you can imagine. Boutique hotels with cool features like pools, rooftops and gyms, to suite hotels which are more comfortable for families or those who want more apartment-type lodging, to cheap budget hotels with bunk beds, check out our top choices appealing to all budgets and tastes.
NYC Hotels by Amenity
Turn your NYC stay into your home away from home with our amazing hotel amenities. Get an in-room jacuzzi tub to soothe after a long day of sightseeing, check into a hotel with an amazing rooftop to watch our skyline twinkle at you while sipping a cocktail and dive into the nooks and crannies of Central Park with a free bike. We've hand picked all the best of the best - the places where New Yorkers check into for a stay-cation.
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The best NYC Hotels Times Square chosen by a NYC local! If you want to be in the heart of Broadway, all the tourist action, Restaurant Row, lounge by a pool, check out the best views from a rooftop or splurge on the live NYE Ball Drop, we will show you the best places to stay.
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