NYC Hotel just over $100 a night

View of Manhattan from Long Island City

Like most visitors to New York City, my wife and I were on a limited budget for a hotel for our last visit.  There are no budget hotels in prime locations in Manhattan, so we had to compromise on location.  Realizing that hotels in Manhattan were over our budget, we searched for what was available outside Manhattan, but still close to the action.  We put together a list for what we needed in our accommodation.  Our hotel needed to:

1. Be close a subway line to easily get into Manhattan.  
2. Be clean and smoke-free. 
3. Offer a free continental breakfast. 
4. Have free Wi-fi
5. Cost less than $125 per night.  

After searching several boroughs and neighborhoods around Manhattan, we found a hotel that met each of our needs: the Howard Johnson Long Island City.   

What to Expect

Howard Johnson Long Island City

Long Island City is a neighborhood within Queens that is just across the East River from Manhattan.  It famous for having New York's highest concentration of art galleries.  We had read reviews about the hotel being located in "the ghetto," and were nervous about the area before our arrival.  While the neighborhood around the Howard Johnson Long Island City is not posh like Manhattan, we never felt unsafe in the area.  Like anywhere in New York City, my advice would be to not travel alone late at night. 

The hotel itself was basic, but clean.  Check in was quick.  The room was comfortable but not fancy (see pictures to see our room).  The free continental breakfast was good but not great.  Basically, it was what we expected out of a two-star hotel.  The best part about the Howard Johnson Long Island City is that it is easy to get into Manhattan from the hotel.  A subway station is only two blocks from the hotel.  Furthermore, the station is only two stops from Manhattan (along the "F" line), meaning we could get from our hotel into the city in 15 minutes!  

Howard Johnson Long Island City

Howard Johnson Long Island City Pros:

• Close to the Subway
• Cost--just over a $100 depending on season
• Free Continental Breakfast
• Free Wi-Fi
• Clean

Howard Johnson Long Island City Cons:

• Located outside of Manhattan  
• No-frills accommodation

Just the Basics

• Address: 38-71 13th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
  
• Website: Click Here
  
• Phone:  718-880-3855