Hotels in New York are rarely a problem to find, but then one must also be prepared to open the wallet. Most tourists will want to stay in Manhattan and the surrounding area, as that is where most of the tourist attractions are located. Here you have to expect to shell out between 500 to 1000 kroner a night per person for the most affordable hotel rooms. If you want a fairly good standard, a hotel room quickly costs NOK 2,000 a night. On a general basis, it can be said that the hotel standard in New York is not in line with the price. Below you will find descriptions of the best areas to stay in when you visit New York:
Upper East Side– This district is called New York’s own Paris. Here the architecture is historic and the facades are beautiful. The hotels can be of the expensive and exclusive varieties, and are surrounded by museums, galleries, elegant cafes and restaurants, as well as good shopping in the higher price ranges.
Lower East Side (SoHo)– The South of Houston (SoHo) is known for its many cobbled streets, upscale restaurants, proximity to Chinatown, and major department stores. The district is described as intimate, multicultural and with a friendly atmosphere. In the Lower East Side you will find such things as the city’s best nightlife, top cocktail bars, many vintage shops and much more exciting.
Meatpacking District– Formerly a tired industrial area, but now The Meatpacking District is one of the liveliest in New York. In old factory premises you will find nightclubs, restaurants and cultural institutions. Here you live along the banks of the Hudson River, close to The High Line Park. In the district you will also find many good wine bars, fashion boutiques and hotels with roof terraces. Several of these terraces have swimming pools and top views of the city’s skyscrapers.
Midtown Manhattan– In this area you will find most hotels and tourists. This again means that you will also find many of the most affordable accommodation options in Midtown (but also many of the most expensive and beautiful). You can walk to Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, the Museum of Modern Art, Carnegie Hall and the Empire State Building, among others.
Brooklyn– Broooklyn is one of the hippest and most relaxed areas in New York. The district is suitable for those looking for good cafes, bars, brewery pubs, and cocktail bars on rooftop terraces. The district has had a somewhat worn reputation, but for the time being, a lot of positive things are happening in Brooklyn. Among other things, exciting restaurants and great hotels are constantly being opened here.
Harlem– The district is known for its vibrant African American culture and city life, and was previously considered a somewhat dangerous neighborhood. Today, Harlem is also a pretty safe and nice place to live, as is the rest of New York. If you choose a hotel in Harlem you get top jazz clubs and bars on your doorstep, lots of good soul food restaurants, many markets and cultural classics such as The Apollo Theater and The Cotton Club.
Long Island City– This district is not located in Manhattan, but just across the East River as seen from Midtown, and thus in the Queens district. Queens is described as a rather forward-thinking area for tourists, but many new hotel and restaurant projects. Choose Long Island City if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, and also if you want to find the cheapest hotels.
Security in New York
With many millions of people present in the small streets every single day, the chances of being exposed to something serious are very low. In addition, there are very many police officers at work every single day, and in New York the police are visible in the street scene. New York is actually considered one of the safest cities in the United States, with murder rates that have dropped drastically for about 30 years in a row. Your biggest threat is to be exposed to pickpocketing or fraud, something you should be aware of.
Avoid waving valuables, and take extra care when traveling by subway or staying in areas with a lot of tourists.
Be extra vigilant in the evenings, and avoid walking alone on low-traffic streets.
Take a taxi at night, avoid traveling by metro alone when it is late.
Avoid the parks after dark.
There are police everywhere, and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
