11 Best Hotels in NYC Near Penn Station

Can you believe that there’s a railway station in New York City that’s older than Grand Central? Yes! We’re talking about Pennsylvania Station, also called Penn Station, which is the Western Hemisphere’s busiest transportation facility. The location couldn’t get better: It sits directly underneath Madison Square Garden, with exits all over Midtown Manhattan. Since our vacation included exploring not only the city but also the region around, we thought, why not look for hotels in NYC near Penn Station? While they might not be as glamorous as the ones near Central Park or Lincoln Square, they retain an old-world charm that’s hard to tear our eyes away from.

Moreover, they were connected to practically every corner of the city and beyond, thanks to excellent public transportation access. Plus, we were within walking distance of excellent neighborhoods like Chelsea, NoMad, and Hell’s Kitchen. So, here’s a detailed guide to staying in style and within budget near Penn Station in New York City,

Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel

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We begin this list with the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel. This hotel opposite Penn Station New York sits one small block away and diagonally across. So, it was less than a 10-minute walk to Penn Station along 8th Avenue. This tech-forward, digitally-enhanced hotel was all about the future and was designed to interact with us guests. We loved the smattering of tech touches, like the corridor walls that responded to our movement. Our favorite was the Discovery Portal, an online guidebook for different NYC neighborhoods, for which the hotel partnered with Time Out New York. That, combined with the killer location, certainly helped us explore the city.

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There’s a lot more to the hotel than its one-of-a-kind digitally enhanced experiences. We loved the stunning modern aesthetic, like hand-picked artwork in the lobby and contemporary furnishings everywhere. However, it’s the amenities that took the cake, like the 8000-sq-ft roof deck, which is the largest in New York City and offers killer views of the city. It’s part of Versa, the hotel’s main bar and outdoor restaurant, complete with a scenic terrace and retractable roof. Finally, there was also another stylish lobby bar called Thread.

We loved the calming color palettes that made the rooms a relaxing haven, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering excellent views. The luxurious marble bathrooms completed the picture of perfection.

TRYP by Wyndham Times Square South

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The TRYP by Wyndham Times Square South is an urban retreat that sits two blocks away from Penn Station, making it a less than 10-minute walk away. It’s the first American outpost of Wyndham’s TRYP brand and harkens back to the brand’s Spanish origins with a Mediterranean vibe. Even the stellar tapas restaurant, the Gastro Bar, is an extension of its origins and serves both Spanish tapas and international meals throughout the day. Not only that, but it also has a large selection of beers and wines and even served us a full European breakfast every morning. We also loved Plaza Central, the expansive lobby hangout space, where people could work, relax, and even hang out until they were picked up for their tours.

The rooms and suites were quite spacious, with cool wallpaper, reclaimed wood floors, and high ceilings. What’s more, we had many unique and different choices for rooms depending on the kind of traveler. So, there were rooms with exercise equipment, there were rooms with bunk beds for families, etc. Nevertheless, all rooms came with plush beds, 3D TVs, and modern bathrooms. 

Arlo Midtown

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Best for families with kids. Traveling to NYC with kids is not the easiest, especially since we’d promised them pasta, toys, and cookies shops, museums and parks, and traveling via the subway. Thus, Arlo Midtown seemed like the right fit, especially since it was just a 10-minute walk to Penn Station and Madison Square Garden. Moreover, it was a stone’s throw from FAO Schwartz, Bryant Park, Broadway, and more. That, combined with the effortlessly stylish rooms and excellent amenities ensured that we and the kids had a great vacation.

We were all impressed right off the bat when we stepped into the first-floor atrium, which created a sense of greatness. The bottom level was even buzzier, with breakout rooms and rows of couches for cocktails, coffee, conversations, and working. There was even a full-service restaurant and a cafe where we’d fuel up every day. The first-floor Bar Room at Altair was a kids’ favorite with French fries and pizzas, while ours was the Arlo Rooftop (aka Art Midtown). It offered cocktails with mesmerizing sunset views. Did we mention that the hotel has a roster of onsite experiences that include art gatherings, musical performances, and all sorts of pop-up activations? Yes!

If you were impressed by all this, wait till you see the rooms and suites. We got adjoining rooms with the kids, which had comfy beds, luxurious bathrooms, and huge windows. The staff was excellent and helped out with everything, even microwaving our popcorn for us to take to our room!

Selina Chelsea NYC

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A 10-minute walk southwest of Penn Station brings us to Selina Chelsea, a hotspot for the young and the restless in the neighborhood. This boutique property offered spectacular views of the High Line, thus capturing the stylish and artistic spirit of the neighborhood. The vibe extended to the rooms and suites which boasted both creature-comfort amenities and funky design elements. So, our room was a nice mishmash of soft denim robes, plush low-platform beds, addictive Aesop bath products, full-size mirrors, black-vinyl beanbag chairs, and vintage touch-tone phones. Sigh.

The rest of the hotel was equally amazing. One of the standouts here is the rooftop pool and bar, which is open throughout the year and very popular with fashionable locals. After a leisurely swim, we’d sprawl out on the daybeds even as coiffed staff members brought us drinks and snacks from the bar. Plus, the views over the High Line were fabulous. Thanks to the lobby coffee shop, we were always fueled up with on-the-go snacks and coffee. Moreover, the onsite pan-Latin restaurant not only had outdoor patio seating but also served a mean breakfast. Oh, and they even did room service.

The Evelyn Hotel

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Best boutique hotel. The Evelyn sits in the trendy NoMad neighborhood near Rose Hill, a 15-minute walk and a less than 10-minute drive from Penn Station. Plus, we were thrilled to have NoMad’s amazing restaurant scene all around us.

Formerly the Gershwin Hotel, this charming Beaux-Arts boutique hotel sits in a historic structure. We were amazed by the amenities here, especially the restaurant and the bar. The Tusk Bar, an oyster and cocktail bar, was sexy and chic and perfect for starting our evenings with an aperitif. Moreover, they had delicious options for their grab-and-go breakfast every morning, which was very convenient for us to enjoy a quick breakfast and head out to explore the city. There was also the all-day Ninepin Café in the lobby, which served creative sandwiches, pastries, and beverages.

“We love boutique hotels, and the Evelyn is by far one of the best boutique hotels we’ve stayed at!”

WOW Travel

That being said, we were most impressed with the rooms and suites, all washed in white with art deco undertones and stocked with C.O. Bigelow bath products and Frette linens. After a renovation, the new bathrooms in the rooms include tiles with musical notes, a nod to George Gershwin, which we loved.

Wyndham New Yorker Hotel

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You don’t have to be a New Yorker to recognize the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel, even if you don’t know it is what you’re looking at exactly! The iconic Art Deco structure is a lovable part of Midtown’s skyline and sits just a block down from Penn Station, making it a hardly three-minute walk.

The hotel has a long and eminent guest roster: think Jennifer Hudson, Muhammad Ali, JFK, and the like. Besides the guest roster and the old-school chandeliered lobby, the hotel also has a rather storied history. It threw open its doors in 1930 with much glam and glitz before Reverend Sun Myung Moon and his Unification Church bought it in 1975. It’s this historic vibe that continues in the rooms and suites with classic furniture, tufted headboards, and neutral hues. At the same time, we were pleased to find modern creature comforts and upgrades like flatscreen TVs with free HBO, plush beds, and luxurious bathrooms with modern bath products.

When it comes to amenities, the hotel isn’t far behind. We indulged in a little old-school New York at the 24-hour NYC institution, the Tick Tock Diner, which served all things American. During mealtimes, we’d dig into Italian cuisine at Trattoria Bianca. There was also a third restaurant, the Butcher & Banker, which is apt for the neighborhood the hotel sits in. Wrapping things up are the fitness center, business center, gift shop, and concierge services.

EVEN Hotels New York – Times Square South

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The wellness-friendly brand of Intercontinental Hotels, EVEN, has its own Midtown outpost in the form of EVEN Hotels New York Times Square South. When we entered the sleek lobby, the live plant wall, curvilinear desk, and upscale vibe were a harbinger of what we could expect. Random surfaces have phrases like ‘Stress, you are so outta here,’ keeping the mood laid back and light.

Aside from the down-to-earth and friendly staff, the hotel is bursting with amenities. There was a state-of-the-art athletic studio with live stream classes and Peloton bikes for the fitness fanatics. We were more thrilled with the lounge-meets-game room with foosball and ping pong tables and even bleacher seats for seeing sporting events on TV. Plus, there were many nooks for us to read to relax. We also loved that rather than stock bottled water, the hotel stocks flavored waters on tap in the lobby, 24/7. There was even a small business center for those who had to catch up on work. Finally, there’s a restaurant that, despite a limited menu, served cocktails, wine, quick bites, hearty dishes, and even a decadent a la carte breakfast. For all this, they charge USD 25 as an amenity charge/night per room, which also covers Wi-Fi.

The rooms and suites have comfortable double/king beds, sky-blue ceilings, color-changing lights, and HDTVs. Since we do love to exercise in private, we loved that the rooms had core exercise blocks, resistance bands, and yoga mats. Other in-room amenities included Keurig coffeemakers and mini-fridges.

Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards

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We wanted to stay in the amazing Hudson Yards closest to Penn Station, and we couldn’t find a choice better than the Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards. Located a five-minute drive away, the five-star hotel seamlessly integrates sleep, health, decadence, leisure, and work. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here, right from the design to the amenities and the hospitality.

The lobby exudes a calm yet laidback confidence, with good-looking people, designer labels, and even a celebrity sighting or two. What’s more, the service was top-notch, right from the front desk team to the restaurant and the room service staff. We loved the focus on wellbeing and health across the dining and drinking options, right from the main restaurant Electric Lemon to the bar, which was the hotel’s town square. It was the perfect place to enjoy a craft cocktail at the bar or in front of the fireplace. Our favorite space, though, was the 8,000 sq. ft private terrace, with plush outdoor sofas, lounge chairs, and incredible sculptures. The centerpiece was the seasonal outdoor pool, which was superb for a swim, which makes this one of the best indoor pool hotels in New York City. Finally, The Spa by Equinox Hotels was perfect for pampering.

The rooms and suites boast 10-ft, floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning views of Downtown and the Hudson River. What’s more, they have generous sitting areas, custom plush beds, Nespresso machines, yoga mats, blackout curtains for a good night’s sleep, and RoomBars, which are reimagined minibars with functional superfoods, artisanal cocktails, and wellness accessories. However, we were most impressed by the spa-grade bathrooms, which featured huge showers.

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

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Most luxurious. We were looking for luxury not far from Penn Station, which is when we chanced upon The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue. It was a mere 15-minute walk from the station, and less than a 10-minute drive when we had to take the car. Originally, the Setai Fifth Avenue, the hotel has some of the most spacious accommodations in the city.

Why we loved the Langham was its capability to walk the line between the old-school, ornate five-star spots and today’s lifestyle hotels. While the vibe was understated and sophisticated, it certainly wasn’t tranquil, but in a good way, though. This was thanks to chic touches like the residential atmosphere and the multi-million-dollar art collection. What’s more, there is a restaurant and an adjacent bar and lounge for cocktails and small plates. We also loved the new fourth-floor Executive Club lounge, an opulent space that served all-day refreshments. Wrapping things up is the swanky fitness center with on-demand classes.

Even the rooms and suites left us impressed. Besides all the space, many rooms boasted additional features, but the absolute favorites are the suites. All of them have kitchens with full fridges, extensive closet space, washer/dryer setups, and Empire State Building views.

Moxy Times Square

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The hip Moxy Times Square from Marriott is geared toward millennial travelers and is the millennial-friendly version of Airbnb, only better. It’s less than a 10-minute walk from Penn Station and sits in a 110-year-old landmarked building that’s been refurbished from top to bottom. In place of a central reception area, we entered an open lobby with individual desks where we could check in. What’s more, the two-storied lobby boasted a chandelier and dramatic skylight, which enhanced the entire space.

We had four food and beverage spots to choose from, including a grab-and-go, a rooftop lounge, a lobby bar, and a bar and grill. There was also a well-sized 24-hour fitness center, complete with Technogym and weekly fitness rooftop classes. Besides a business center and stylish conference rooms, there was also a salon, a garage next door for self-parking, and a resort fee of USD 30, which could be used at Bar Moxy.

We had the choice of bunk rooms sleeping four people, crash pads, king/queen rooms, and even studio suites with separate living areas. While the rooms are on the smaller side, the beds were super comfy and the bathrooms were modern with luxurious Muk bath products.

Kimpton Eventi Hotel

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Best overall. Modern and ultra-posh is the name of the game at the hotel-meets-art museum Kimpton Eventi Hotel. The omnipresent display of art installations everywhere was what made the hotel truly posh and unique, whether it was sculptures or paintings. But what we liked was the location — it sat a 10-minute walk from Penn Station, straight along West 10th Avenue. Since exploring the city was so easy thanks to the location, we’d be dead tired when we came back, and the rooms were a balm for our souls. All rooms boasted floor-to-ceiling windows that allowed us to soak in views of the surrounding neighborhood. What’s more, bathrooms were stocked with Barneys Atelier Bolem products and had snug Kimpton bathrobes.

After we had unwound to the hilt, we made sure not to miss the complimentary wine-tasting hour every day. What’s more, we had the choice of three restaurants for drinking and dining, including a delicious breakfast spread at the Vine restaurant. Did we mention that the other restaurant is a Michelin-starred one? Yep. The real luxury came from the personalized care from the staff, which also included booking excursions for us. What could be better?

Our Verdict!

We loved all these best NYC hotels near Penn Station for their specific qualities, and we’ve highlighted the best of them below:

• Best for families with kids: Arlo Midtown
• Best boutique hotel: The Evelyn Hotel
• Most luxurious: The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
• Best overall: Kimpton Eventi Hotel

Where to Stay near Penn Station?

Penn Station sits in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and is bounded by neighborhoods like the glitzy, commercial Hudson Yards, the charming Chelsea, the gorgeous Midtown South, and Hells Kitchen.

We begin with Midtown South, which is where Penn Station sits, along with Koreatown, Grand Central Terminal, Madison Square Garden, and the one and only Times Square. We had fun strolling this neighborhood, which is also home to some of the best boutique hotels in Midtown. Another area we stayed in was Midtown West, which is also called Hell’s Kitchen. Besides the fancy condos and other stays, this neighborhood boasted a ton of vibrant bars and chic restaurants.

Next, there’s Chelsea, which is one of NYC’s trendiest neighborhoods and is all about industrial-chic art galleries. It sits between Greenwich Village and Midtown, making it very easy for us to explore around. Its pretty cobblestone streets have many great places to shop, drink, and eat, but what we loved the most was the Highline. It’s a repurposed rail line suspended above the streets and one of NYC’s most unique green spaces. It runs between Chelsea and Hudson Yards, is blooming with shrubbery, art installations, and wildflowers, and offers superb views of the city. 

Which is the closest hotel to Penn Station?

The Wyndham New Yorker Hotel and the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel are the closest, sitting a block away.

Which neighborhood does Penn Station lie in?

Penn Station lies in Midtown South, near Hudson Yards. While it isn’t the prettiest neighborhood, it’s a well-connected one.

Can I stay near Penn Station without a car?

Yes. The Penn Station is a major transport hub for trains, subway, and buses, making it easier for you to get around everywhere.