Ramada by Wyndham Long Island City

The sliver of a building is smack-dab in the middle of a cluttered urban block. There is very little space separating it from the homes beside it. Upon stepping foot inside the building, it's hard to differentiate the dining area from the lobby. Other than a few extra table chairs scattered by the front desk and luggage waiting area, there is nowhere to lounge. The elevator and luggage dolly are also right there in the dining area. The lobby decor resembles that of a residential kitchen, with checkered marble floors, black speckled granite countertops, wooden tables and chairs with red cushions and soft cream striped wallpaper with earth tone curtains. It's very no frills. The automatic doors in the common area are constantly open, so if there are any noises on the block during mealtimes, you can hear them.

Like its name indicates, the hotel is located in Long Island City, a sector of Queens right outside the borough of Manhattan. The Ramada is housed on an urban, residential block amongst two-level homes, hardware stores, schools, delis, and a laundromat. Its location isn't ideal for tourists, since not many sights are within the immediate vicinity, however, it is very close to public transit. The closest subway station (home to the N and Q trains) is a five-minute walk away, and it's only a couple minutes farther to the 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. Midtown Manhattan is only a couple stops away on the train.

• 10-minute drive to LaGuardia Airport
• 37-minute drive to JFK Airport

Each room in this hotel is generally clean and modern in design, with cream walls, dark wood furniture, sage bedding accents, a flat-screen TV, at least two hanging paintings and green (albeit slightly dingy) carpeting. Closets aren't built into the rooms. Instead, there are smaller, standalone wardrobes equipped with wooden hangers and ironing materials. Due to the bedside placement of the air-conditioning units in the Two Double Beds Rooms, there is a limited amount of passing space between the wall and the bed. In efforts to remain environmentally friendly, the hotel requests that you let them know when sheets need to be changed instead of cleaning staff automatically doing it during daily rounds. Additionally, odd numbered rooms offer a view of the Manhattan skyline while even numbered rooms only provide a view of the apartment complexes and houses across the street. The bathrooms are small, clean, and come with the standard toiletries.

High-speed Wi-Fi is available for free in all rooms and throughout the hotel. Continental breakfasts -- which include hot items, coffee, juices, cereal, fruit, baked goods and yogurt -- are free as well and there is usually plenty of available seating. In the same cafeteria-style dining area, there is an ATM, beverage vending machine, and access to free newspapers at the front desk. Their carpeted basement fitness facility is open seven days a week, and offers three machines: a treadmill, a bicycle, and one strength-training machine. Children up to age 17 stay free with an adult.