NYC Hotels: Realistic Expectations, Prices, and (Lack Of) Amenities

New York City hotels, while expensive, often are much smaller and simpler than travelers expect. While you won't spend much time in your hotel, it's important to understand what your room and hotel experience will entail in NYC.

In this episode, we'll cover:

1. Average hotel prices
2. Taxes & fees to be aware of
3. Room size & what to expect for (the lack of) amenities
4. The Airbnb situation
5. Pro tips to maximize your NYC hotel experience

1. The Price of a Bed in NYC

• Average Range: $250–$400 depending on neighborhood (Times Square = highest)
• Budget [think hostel-style] ($115 +) vs. mid-range ($225+) vs. luxury ($500+++)
• Weekdays (cheaper) vs. weekends, and seasonal swings matter (Jan & Feb are often the cheapest time)

2. Taxes & Fees: The Hidden Cost

• Base rate is never what you pay — 14.75% in combined state/city taxes + $3.50/night flat fees
• Real-world example: one traveler's fees came to 29% of their room cost
• Even the fees get taxed on top of each other
• Pro tip: always check the total before booking, not just the nightly rate
• Some hotels add in resort fees, mandatory daily fees for food/drink, etc.

3. Room Size & What to Expect

• NYC rooms average ~300 sq ft — and that includes the bathroom and closets
• Micro-hotels can go as small as 60 sq ft
• Elevator overload is real — older buildings, high occupancy, long waits
• What you won't find: microwaves, pools, hot tubs (rare exceptions exist), very small mini fridges (or none at all)

4. The Airbnb Situation

• Local Law 18 (Sept 2023) essentially banned short-term rentals — listings dropped from 22,000 to under 7,000 overnight
• Side effect: hotel prices went up ~6–7% as a result
• Visitors coming from other cities expecting Airbnb as a budget option will be caught off guard

5. Tips for Doing It Right

• Bag storage: hotels will hold your luggage for free, tip the porter
• Skip hotel breakfast — go get a bagel or hit a diner
• Pools and hot tubs exist but are the exception, not the rule
• Book at least a month out for better pricing

You'll Have to Check It Out - Pig and Khao

At Pig and Khao on the Upper West Side, their head chef Leah Cohen pays homage to her Filipino upbringing with a variety of Southeast Asian dishes and flavors.

The portions, as part of their family-style meal, are MASSIVE. And the vibes are laid-back, perfect. 👌

Don’t skip the crab fried rice!

Check out Pig & Khao here.

PS- It's part of Chase Sapphire's dining credit program. Learn more & sign up here.

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