11 Best Cheap Hotels in Lower East Side

Lower Manhattan is one of our favorite neighborhoods in NYC. In particular, the Lower East Side is our go-to destination when visiting this area. We were searching for cheap hotels in Lower East Side to save money and allocate it to other activities during our trip. We didn’t believe that we could find affordable options in the Lower East Side. Yet, our expectations weren’t true this time. We found a couple of budget-friendly options that still offer great services and value-for-money accommodation.

This area holds a special place in our hearts. We love walking through the streets, dining at authentic restaurants, and visiting boutique shops and galleries. We also love the energetic vibes of the area that reminds us of the busiest streets in NYC. If you want to visit such an area but you’re on a limited budget, no problem, we have a solution. Check out our list of the top hotels that won’t break your wallet. We promise an unforgettable stay at the best prices you can pay in the Lower East Side.

Redford Hotel

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Many travelers stayed in Redford Hotel on Ludlow Street and the common feature they mention is the good location. We stayed there for a couple of days as we had an occasion nearby. The location was great, there were lots of shops, bars, and eateries around. We didn’t need to use any transportation means to reach nearby locations. Moreover, our stay was a great value for money. It was one of the cheapest hotels we stayed in. Still, we enjoyed a good service.

Our room was small but it was suitable for the few days we stayed there. We didn’t have much luggage, so, the space wasn’t a deal breaker for us. We felt comfortable in our room and the bathroom was also clean. While the location was the main feature we booked this hotel for, we liked the friendly staff and how they dealt with our requests. Their way of welcoming us left a very good impression and made us willing to come back to us as soon as possible. If you don’t mind staying in a buzzing spot with tourists and locals, then, this hotel is for you.

Madison LES Hotel

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Introducing the Madison LES Hotel. It’s one of our favorites in Manhattan! The hotel has a perfect location amid the Brooklyn Bridge and SoHo. It’s a relatively high building compared to other cheap hotels in the same area. There was a rooftop terrace where we could enjoy impeccable views of this vibrant neighborhood. While there wasn’t an on-site restaurant, we could enjoy some snacks and our morning coffee using the coffee maker in our room. Then, we headed to any of the restaurants recommended by the staff to enjoy a mouth-watering hot breakfast.

The hotel boasts a modern architectural design. The rooms are similarly modern leveraging a minimalistic design. They cared for the details that would make any guest happy during their stay. We had toiletries and slippers in our room. The beds were so comfy offering good nights’ sleep. Further, the staff were super helpful, they did everything possible to make us satisfied. All of these features contributed to a warm cozy vibe you’ll surely feel inside the hotel.

Hotel on Rivington

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If we’re to mention only one feature of Hotel on Rivington, it’ll be the spacious room. We had an unexpectedly large room and all the rooms in this hotel are spacious like no other affordable hotels in Lower East Side New York City. Moreover, the view from our corner room was stunning. Try to book upper-floor rooms, they’re way better as you’ll enjoy a wonderful view of the city from your bed. Apart from the views, the location of the hotel was perfect. For travelers without cars, like us, hotels close to trains and subways are a must. Luckily, our stay this time was minutes walking from the nearest train.

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Adding to the wonderful things we found in the hotel, we had a good complimentary breakfast every day. They also do something fantastic named the happy wine hour, you can learn more about it through their official website. Best of all, the booking, checking-in, and checking-out procedures took no time. Everything went smoothly. They were so professional and fast in handling our requests.

Hotel Indigo

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One of the many reasons why we enjoyed our stay at Hotel Indigo was the open-air heated pool. Although we weren’t looking specifically for hotels with pools, we were thrilled to have a pool on-site. Before starting a long day in Manhattan, it was always refreshing to enjoy a few dips in the pool. Hungry and open to different cuisines? The hotel is surrounded by endless restaurants offering a wide variety of options. And on the days we were too lazy to go out, we had our meals at Mr. Purple, the on-site restaurant.

The hotel offers different stays whether a premium or a standard room. We made sure to choose a city-view room to enjoy the stunning view of Manhattan’s busy streets. Although rooms with city views are pricier, the price difference wasn’t too big to miss. With its premium location, 2 km from Brooklyn Bridge, we could see the hustle and bustle of the Lower East Side of Manhattan from our room’s window while enjoying some quiet moments. If you’re interested in Lower Manhattan in general, we have a list of the best cheap hotels in Lower Manhattan including all its areas.

UNTITLED 3 Freeman Alley

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Best city views. While looking for cheap hotels in the Lower East Side, we didn’t want to compensate for our comfort. Thus, we tried to choose affordable options that offer good services and amenities as well. We couldn’t find something better than the UNTITLED 3 Freeman Alley with its chic artistic design. There, we enjoyed many things, and on top of them all were the views. Our room was on the uppermost floor, thus, we had a fabulous view of the streets from the window. What’s better was the view from the rooftop bar. It was so enjoyable.

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We visited this bar more than one time to enjoy not only the views but also the drinks. Speaking of the drinks, the hotel offers one of the best pastries and freshly brewed coffee in the morning. It was a complimentary breakfast to our stay. Besides, they replaced the water bottle in our room every day. We didn’t need anything else in our room. We had a fridge, a kettle, a cable TV, and a spacious bathroom. It was a memorable stay.

The Ridge

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The Ridge is a perfect stay to explore most of Lower Manhattan. We were surrounded by many restaurants and shops. We could reach iconic landmarks easily thanks to the premium location beside the train station. It was one of the affordable hotels in Lower East Side New York City that offered more than what we expected. Our room wasn’t very big but cozy enough for a convenient stay. It had a microwave and a fridge, so, we could store any food leftovers for the next day.

“There wasn’t a coffee machine in our room but the one in the lobby was great. We had free fresh and tasty coffee every morning.”

WOW Travel

The terrace restaurant was another reason to love the hotel. Having a drink in such an open-air restaurant early in the morning before it gets busy was a nice experience. They also offered some food options for a mid-day snack. But if you want something to fill your stomach, you can head to nearby restaurants open every day and night. The area was so bustling that we could hear some noise from our room. However, it wasn’t so disturbing as we had an upper-floor room.

citizenM New York Bowery

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Best facilities. We didn’t expect much since we were looking for a budget stay. Yet citizenM New York Bowery surprised us at the level of services and facilities it had. This hotel elevated our accommodation and we had one of the best experiences in Manhattan. It isn’t only one of the best budget hotels in Lower East Side NYC but also one of the best hotels in Lower Manhattan in general. The hotel had many thoughtful details considering the facilities we loved a lot.

They offer complimentary breakfast at the on-site restaurant that has a great view of the city. In the afternoon, we enjoyed hot drinks at the bar. Then, we visited the same bar in the evening for cocktails. The vibes there were so lively. The best part was our room. It wasn’t large but it was thoughtfully designed to accommodate two people and their luggage without wasting the space. The design of the room was modern, very chic and simple. The wall-to-wall window offered an amazing view of the city. Moreover, they placed an iPad in every room to allow easy access to all the room amenities for the guests. We could control the light and temperature, for example, without leaving the bed.

Moxy

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Staying at the Moxy Hotel was an unforgettable vacation. This great hotel has affordable rates but it offers a lot. The style of the hotel was the first surprise we had there. It’s modernly designed with a warm classy touch to come up with this special venue. Our room had wall-to-wall corner windows offering a stunning view of the street. While the warm light lamps offered a sense of serenity and coziness at night. Other rooms have no view and they come at lower rates but having the chance to watch Manhattan streets at night was not to miss. Similarly, the bar had an intimate atmosphere.

Sitting in a great location, we could reach subway stations at walkable distances. We walked to SoHo and Washington Square from the hotel. There was no fridge in our room, so, we had lunch and dinner at nearby restaurants. For breakfast, we usually ate at the on-site restaurant. It was a delicious breakfast with a good variety of food. Looking for other facilities? There is a good fitness center with a view.

Wyndham Garden

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Although it isn’t the cheapest hotel on the list, Wyndham Garden was an excellent choice. It offers great accommodation at a fraction of the price. Whether you’re a family or a solo traveler, this hotel will suit you the best. Unlike cheap bed and breakfast hotels, we had nice times in this hotel. Most of our time inside the hotel was at Rooftop 93 Bar & Lounge. This bar was on an upper floor, so, we could enjoy a panoramic view of Manhattan. The vibes were cool and lively and the drinks were always fresh.

All the rooms include a cable TV, a coffee maker, and a refrigerator. However, you should book a premium room as premium rooms only have balconies. We didn’t book such a room but still enjoyed this view from the bar. The highlight of our stay was the staff who were always ready to help us at any time. They were available 24/7. The hotel didn’t look anything cheap but compared to similar hotels offering the same services, it was a great bargain. Looking for cheaper options? Maybe you need to check this list of the best hostels in Manhattan.

Holiday Inn

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Best staff. Holiday Inn felt like home to us. The atmosphere created by the professional staff there was so intimate. We didn’t want to leave. They treated everyone as if he was the only guest in the place. We had a couple of questions about restaurants that offer special diets and transportation means to specific locations and they eagerly helped us and made sure we got what we needed. Our trip was a kind of business trip, so, we used the business center at the hotel. The staff were keen on making everything easy for us and making sure we had all the facilities we needed.

Apart from that, the rooms were comfy and clean. Similar to most cheap hotels in the Lower East Side, our room was small but it included the basic furniture anyone would need. The most important thing for us was the cleanliness of the room. As for the location, it couldn’t get better. We walked less than five minutes to the nearest subway station. The Tenement Museum was also a walkable distance.

The Allen Hotel

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Best value for money. The Allen Hotel is another chic option at a good price in the Lower East Side. Although this hotel isn’t the cheapest, we can still consider it an affordable option especially considering the facilities there. It isn’t a large hotel, we believe it includes around 40 rooms only. Some of the rooms come with a large balcony with a wonderful view. We booked this room to enjoy our dose of morning coffee on the balcony. Then, we had breakfast at the on-site restaurant.

If you want to save money, you can book a room without a balcony. It’s cheaper, yet, you’ll enjoy the same views from the wall-to-ceiling windows. We mentioned it’s value for money. The reason why we say that was premium toiletries, modern furniture, and the lovely seating area in the room or the balcony. The on-site restaurant offered a delicious complimentary breakfast with good varieties. In brief, it’s a good option if you have a small budget but want a semi-luxurious stay.

Our Verdict!

All the above hotels are guaranteed to give you the best accommodation. However, the list below is tailored to specific needs. If you have one must-have criterion in your accommodation, this list might help you.

• Best value for money: The Allen Hotel
• Best staff: Holiday Inn
• Best facilities: citizenM New York Bowery
• Best city views: UNTITLED 3 Freeman Alley

Where to Stay in Lower Manhattan?

Lower East Side is only part of Lower Manhattan. It’s a vibrant neighborhood that includes many hotels and accommodation options. Lower East Side offers different stays at different rates. So, it’s usually our first choice when visiting Lower Manhattan. It’s also close to China Town which attracts many visitors all year round. There, we enjoy Asian food restaurants and other Chinese-themed restaurants. If you’re looking for budget hotels in Lower East Side NYC, this area is a great option.

On the other side, the Financial District is pricier. It’s closer to Wall Street which is pretty common among all Americans and tourists from different parts of the world. You can reach the renowned Statue of Liberty from there easily. It’s pricier than the previous neighborhood, but there are a couple of affordable options. Finally, SoHo is the most expensive part of Lower Manhattan. This area is home to fancy shops, art galleries, and high-end chain stores. You can do the best shopping there, however, accommodations are a bit more expensive than in other parts of Lower Manhattan.

Top Affordable Restaurants in the Lower East Side

• Manousheh Grand – It’s a Lebanese restaurant where we enjoyed the best wraps, Labnah, and other signature Lebanese plates. Desserts are also mouth-watering. They satisfied our sweet tooth.
• Trapizzino – A classic fast-food restaurant serving pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. We tried the Pesto Pasta and it was the best in town. Drinks are also refreshing and different there.
• DIG – A vegetarian-friendly restaurant. It has many plates with only vegetable ingredients. People on healthy diets can enjoy mouth-watering juicy meals without feeling guilty.

Free Things To Do at the Lower East Side

• Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space (MoRUS) – If you’re into history, you’ll enjoy this place. It didn’t charge us any fees but you can leave a donation to keep the place open. It has many artifacts, videos, photos, and other materials that engagingly tell New York’s history.
• Tompkins Square Park – A very attractive free park with many activities to do inside. We spent a whole day there walking, playing handball, eating, and enjoying the sun. There are special areas for pets and playgrounds for kids, so, everyone in the family will find something to do there.
• Pier 35 – We wanted to enjoy the sunset in a quiet place and this was a great option. The swings were so relaxing and enjoyable. Yet, if you want to sweat, there are some exercise machines to sore your muscles by the river.

Is Lower Manhattan a safe area?

Lower Manhattan is a busy area where life never stops. So, it’s safe to walk on the streets even at night. The streets are usually lit and transportation is always on.

Is the Lower East Side a good tourist spot?

The Lower East Side has many options for tourists to enjoy. For example, the Tenement Museum is a nice place to visit for those who want to know a bit of history about early immigrants. Further, the area is full of restaurants, bars, and nightlife.

IS the Lower East Side cheap?

Manhattan in general is a busy city and it isn’t considered on the cheap side. Lower Manhattan is the city center, so, it isn’t the cheapest either. However, compared to other parts of Lower Manhattan, the Lower East Side is the cheapest of them all.