11 Best Hourly Hotels in New York City

The melting pot that is New York City sees all kinds of travelers with all kinds of budgets from all parts of the world. So, it wasn’t surprising when we found a plethora of hourly hotels in New York City too! While hourly hotels of the past had sleazy reputations, today they are a practical way to spend a few hours. Whether you’re tired, have time to spend before a late flight, or are simply looking to get some action, NYC’s hourly hotels are perfect. What’s more, they range from opulent and luxurious options to the seemingly sleazy and raunchy hideaways and lie in practically every corner of the city. In the end, they make for comfortable and discreet havens, whether it’s a rendezvous you’re looking for or simply a place to rest your feet before you have to get on with it.

What’s interesting is that not many of these hotels advertise that they have day-use rooms, as they call them, for obvious reasons. So, chances are that you’ll have to book them over the phone, in case they don’t allow booking them online. And yes, it can be a formidable task indeed in a city that’s one of the world’s most expensive cities. Fret not, for we’ve unearthed and come up with a list of the best places for a quick rendezvous in the Big Apple.

Hilton New York Midtown

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We begin with a hotel where the skeeze factor is so low that you probably can’t even see it. We’re talking about the Hilton New York Midtown, which is one of the most luxurious day-use hotels we’ve seen. Staying here made sense since the day rates were significantly discounted — up to 50% off the nightly rates of USD 300. So, for a price of USD 120-150, we were able to snag a fabulous and upscale Hilton room until we waited to leave for the airport for our late-night flight.

Given the Midtown location and the upscale nature of the hotel, we weren’t surprised to see wealthy ladies taking a break from their shopping sprees and corporate high-flyers resting up between meetings. What’s more, we were able to use the facilities, which included the fitness center, the restaurant (its pizzas were delicious), and on-the-go specialties from the coffee station.

This Hilton outpost offers day rates on empty rooms in 4 time slots: 6 am-12 pm, 11 am-5 pm, 1-7 pm, and 3-9 pm, subject to availability for the said day. For the sake of respectability (read: anonymity), guests could even book these rooms over the phone and check in and out electronically using a kiosk.

St. Marks Hotel

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Basic but clean, the St. Marks Hotel in East Village is yet another hourly hotel in the Big Apple. We chose the hotel because of its excellent location: we were surrounded by multiple subway stations and affordable restaurants and bars. Moreover, Greenwich Village was a 20-minute walk, while Union Station was less than 15 minutes away. The second reason for choosing this hotel was the extremely affordable rates. While the nightly rate was USD 150, the hourly rate is more like USD 60 for 2 hours, with an extra USD 30 for every additional hour. Also, they don’t take checks or credit cards, but only cash, and all upfront.

Despite the funky nature of the hotel, we liked the place as it was clean, and the neighborhood was delightful. Interestingly, the hotel itself has an air of infamy and was a known hangout for unsavory characters in the ’70s/’80s! Today, it’s all about younger travelers who make complete use of the cheap rates.

The rooms are functional more than comfortable, with a bed and a modern attached bathroom. The linens were clean, as were the towels, and we couldn’t find anything to complain about for the few hours we spent here. 

Kew Motor Inn

9

The Kew Motor Inn is something of an NYC legend. This short-stay hotel, or rather an inn, sits in Queens, which has no dearth of cheap, short-stay motels. But this one is something of a local legend and boasts a proud couples-friendly heritage that dates as far back as 1969. In fact, the manager claims that celebrities used to frequent this motel back in its heyday. We could definitely imagine some raucous ’70s parties taking place here!

Today, this hotel is as practical as it gets. It sits right on Grand Central Parkway in Queens, so the Brooklyn Bridge was a mere 25-minute drive away. What’s more, the rooms and suites were comfortable, despite having kitschy details like mirrored walls and themes such as Oriental Delight and Arabian Nights. While the costs vary by room type, the rates usually begin at USD 51 for 3 hours, USD 55 for 4 hours, and USD 65 for 5 hours. If you’re looking for an adventurous few hours, then this is the place for you, but it has nothing else to offer.

Hyatt Herald Square New York

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We couldn’t have asked for a better day-use stay than at the Hyatt Herald Square New York. There were a lot of things we loved about this hotel offering hourly rates, starting with the amazing Herald Square location. We were just a block from the Empire State Building. Moreover, all of Midtown’s attractions were not more than a 20-minute walk away. Apart from that, we were within a stone’s throw of multiple subway stations.

Besides the fantastic location, we loved that this budget boutique hotel offered the best value in Manhattan — merely USD 65 for 3 hours in an upscale, comfortable Hyatt room. What was even better was that this “short stay” rate was valid from 8 am until midnight, which meant that we didn’t have to pay the full day rate even if we checked into the room at 8 pm. That’s why bookings here are subject to availability and on a walk-in basis, as they can’t be pre-booked or reserved in advance.

But that was more than okay, given the long list of benefits and amenities at this hotel. This included laundry, complimentary Wi-Fi, two bottles of water, and access to the onsite restaurant, cafe, and bar. What more could we ask for?

The Manhattan at Times Square

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We were surprised to find an hourly hotel in the middle of frenzied Times Square, but here we are. The Manhattan at Times Square was perfect for us as we had a few hours to kill before our late-night flight, and we also wanted to make the most of our NYC vacation in the meantime. So, what better way than to stay in the heart of Times Square?

Formerly the upscale Sheraton, this Times Square hotel had vacant rooms based on the availability for that day. What’s more, we could hire them until 5 pm that evening for a flat rate of USD 140. What’s more, the rooms boasted comfortable plush beds, work desks, views from windows, flatscreen TVs, and modern bathrooms. Plus, there was a seating area in our room too, where we could enjoy a much-needed cup of coffee.

While there was no room service, we could make use of all the other amenities. These included the fitness center and heated indoor swimming pool, and we certainly did get our money’s worth from them. There was even a business center and concierge services as well.

YOTEL New York Times Square

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Yet another great Midtown hotel is the YOTEL New York Times Square. We had lots of transportation options within merely two blocks. Moreover, some excellent landmarks such as Times Square, the USS Intrepid Museum, and the Rockefeller Center, among others. We loved the whimsical and bright decor that perked us up to no end. Interestingly, the hotel focused on tech and even had a robot that stores your luggage!

When it came to the rooms, we had many options for slots between 7 am and 11 pm, which is one of the widest time periods we’ve seen for day-use rooms in the city. What’s more, they were available for prices just between USD 80 and 90. Even the views were on point, besides having comfy beds, flatscreen TVs, and even modern bathrooms. The bed was even adjustable, and the rain showers were a blessing before we caught our long-haul flight back.

Besides the rooms, YOTEL also has the city’s largest rooftop terrace and bar, where we were able to enjoy a drink before we left. Comfortable rooms combined with an affordable rate and excellent amenities make this one of the best day-use places on this list.

NU Hotel

5

Best boutique hotel. We were looking for a fun hotel to spend a few hours before our late flight before, and we were thrilled to come across the NU Hotel. It was sleek and affordable and boasted the perfect Downtown location across the East River, close to many subway lines. On the inside, it was spiffy and had many amenities, despite its affordable nature. There was a windowless fitness center in the basement, a computer workstation, free Wi-Fi everywhere, and even some art books in the lobby.

“A day-use room in a boutique hotel with a hammock? Bring it on!”

WOW Travel

When it comes to the day-use rooms, we had many choices for time slots between 9 am and 10 pm, and all between USD 100-150. White walls, leather and chrome chairs, roll-down blackout shades, and modern bathrooms were mainstays. If you’re in luck and get one of the three larger corner rooms, they even have hammocks! What’s more, we had the choice of rooms facing the street or the quieter backside of the hotel. So, if you want to catch up on sleep during those few hours that you’re here, we’d recommend that you take the rooms at the back.

Hampton Inn by Hilton Madison Square Garden

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Best value for money. Set in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Hampton Inn by Hilton Madison Square Garden was the perfect day-use hotel for us. Not only was it set in a great location, but it was also value for money.

Both Madison Square Garden and Penn Station were within walking distance, and the subway was also a stone’s throw away. And, of course, there’s Times Square too. When it comes to the hotel, the day-use rooms were available from 9 am to 6 pm in different time slots. What’s more, they cost anywhere between USD 85-110, which was perfectly within our budget. Last but not least, the decor was airy and bright, with free Wi-Fi, plush Cloud Nine beds, modern bathrooms, and even flatscreen TVs.

While we didn’t take advantage of it, there were three restaurants on the property which served breakfast and snacks. However, they did have room service, free 24-hour beverage service, and even a modern fitness center.

The Draper New York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

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The Draper New York, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton Hotel, is yet another excellent hourly hotel in New York City. We loved the easy-breezy check-in and check-out processes, after which we were shown to our day room. What’s more, the room was more spacious than most small NYC rooms we’d seen. It included a comfy king bed, a workstation with a chair, and an open closet to stash our belongings for the few hours we were here. if someone wanted to get some work done during these hours, then the bedside area and desk would be perfect. What we loved was that the prices were reasonable, USD 90-110, for 5-6 hours between 10 am and 5 pm. The best bit? The property recently updated its rooms.

That’s not all we were impressed by. Since the hotel has a tie-up with a local eatery, we were able to quickly order room service using a QR code. The great location, price, and views made this hotel the perfect day-use stay while waiting for our late-night flight out of New York City.

Aliz Hotel Times Square

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Best location. Yet another Times Square hourly gem was the Aliz Hotel Times Square, which was a boutique stay perfectly suited for our use. The location was close to many notable attractions such as Times Square, 5th Avenue, Madison Square Garden, and more, making it perfectly suited for our short stay.

We loved everything about this chic and sophisticated hotel, especially since we had many time slot options to choose from to stay during the day. Nevertheless, all rates were between USD 80 and USD 110 for a 5/7/8-hour stay any time of the day until 10 pm. What’s more, the room was comfortable, had excellent views, a plush bed, a flat-screen TV, and a modern bathroom as well. It was the best place we could have asked for to relax before we caught a long-haul flight out of NYC. So, it was no wonder that this hotel was named one of the top 15 hotels in NYC by Travel+Leisure Magazine within the first year that it opened.

The rooms weren’t the only thing amazing about this hotel. We even had access to its restaurants and bars, especially the 40th-floor Dear Irving on Hudson’s.

Waldorf Astoria

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Most luxurious. Yes, we hear what you’re thinking: a Waldorf hotel renting by the hour? No way! And you’re right; the Waldorf Astoria New York is too classy to rent hourly, but this Park Avenue palace does have vacant rooms for day use which we could rent until 6 pm. While the cost depends on the availability and the type of room, don’t expect a price much lower than USD 300 for a few hours. However, we were rest assured of the ultimate in luxury, right from the plush Waldorf Serenity beds, marble bathrooms with Ferragamo bath products, and wonderful views from the windows.

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The best bit was that we got to access the rest of the Waldorf’s amazing amenities. While the hotel is undeniably historic, we loved having cocktails and a meal at the many restaurants and bars downstairs. In fact, we even got to enjoy treatment at the modern and luxurious Guerlain Spa, which was a real perk. Did you know that Waldorf Astoria New York is also one of the tallest hotels in the US? Yes!

Our Verdict!

While we found all hourly hotels on this list amazing,

• Best value for money: Hampton Inn by Hilton Madison Square Garden
• Best location: Aliz Hotel Times Square
• Best boutique hotel: NU Hotel
• Most luxurious: Waldorf Astoria

Where to Stay in New York City?

Since the Big Apple is such a huge city, we had to first decide which neighborhood we wanted to stay in. After all, it has five boroughs spread over three different parts of the mainland. Plus, there are so many neighborhoods within those boroughs, waiting to be explored. Since we didn’t want to spend all our time getting around everywhere, we decided to zero in on specific neighborhoods, depending on what we wanted to see and do in the city.

Since we wanted to do a bit of everything, Midtown Manhattan was perfect for us. In fact, this melting pot of a neighborhood is perfect for everyone, especially first-time visitors to NYC. It’s not only the prime neighborhood for sightseeing but also has tons of interesting attractions and activities. What’s more, it boasted a plethora of drinking and dining choices, options and avenues for shopping, and many excellent choices for hotels. Next, we had Downtown, a.k.a. Lower Manhattan, which was just south of Midtown. The neighborhood had a particularly amazing nightlife, but we found it great to explore during the day too, thanks to the blend of many diverse cultures and cuisines.

however, Midtown and Downtown aren’t exactly cheap. When it comes to cheaper neighborhoods, we loved the culturally diverse Astoria, which had cheap hotels and lots of amazing cultural things to do. Manhattan’s East Village is also cheaper than Midtown and Downtown, with a great bar scene, good food, and an eclectic mix of people.

Here’s a useful guide that’ll help you make the most of your NYC trip.

Top Affordable Restaurants in New York City

• Nenes Deli Taqueria: Just like LA’s rollicking modern taquerias, Nenes hopped onto the beef birria bandwagon a few years ago. Today, it offers a full and exhaustive roster of tacos. Don’t miss the chile relleno burrito, where an entire chile is squeezed into a flour tortilla wrapper.
• Benny’s Cuban Cafe: This amazing place serves delicious Cuban cuisine, especially Cuban sandwiches. Of course, there’s a lot more that are must-eats, like white rice and black beans, fully-sided vaca frita, and bacalao fritters. Don’t forget to try the Cuban coffee.

Free Things To Do in New York City

• Flatiron-NoMad walking tour: Imagine finding a free tour in an expensive city like NYC! Every Sunday at 11 in the morning, expert guides are up, ready, and waiting to offer interested patrons a historical tour of the Flatiron-NoMad neighborhood. Come rain or shine, these fascinating walking tours always take place and take visitors on an iconic walk down memory lane while soaking in the sights of some architectural gems. The best bit? It’s free and there’s no need to RSVP either; just meet your guide!
• Kayaking: One of the best free things to do in NYC is to grab a kayak and paddle out on one of its many waterways. In fact, they offer very different and unique views of the city and we got to see the Big Apple in a whole new light.
• The High Line: It’s impossible to miss the High Line when you see New York City. It’s a 1.45 mi-long park, which first threw open its doors in 2009. But what’s interesting about it is that it was originally created entirely on an abandoned elevated train track that snakes above the industrial West Side neighborhoods into the Hudson Yards. Today, it’s buzzing with energy and visitors, who clamor for the mesmerizing views of the Downtown skyline and the Hudson River. What’s more, it even hosts rotating works of art and sculpture, lively cultural shows like Latin dance nights, and free star-gazing events.

Are hourly hotels in NYC safe?

Unless you choose to stay in a neighborhood deemed unsafe, yes, hourly hotels are safe. However, it’s best to stick to this list or do your research before stepping into one.

Do hourly hotels ask for deposits?

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Which is the best hourly hotel in NYC?

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