Best Value Hotels in New York

Opened in 2008, this modern 226-room Holiday Inn is a great value. Rooms are small but clean and all have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and comfy beds. The on-site gym and business center are bonuses at these prices. And the location in artsy Chelsea is a 20-minute walk, or a ten-minute cab or subway ride, from the popular tourist draws like Times Square (to the north) and SoHo (to the south).

Located on an unpopular side street, a bit cut off from most major attractions (though they are all accessible by subway), this 228-room Holiday Inn Express is significantly cheaper than its sisters, and just about every other hotel in New York. Given its free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and 24 hour gym, plus a cute outdoor courtyard, it's an incredible value.

When a good bed and a little desk space are all you need, the 158-room Four Points by Sheraton delivers, and then some -- you also get free Wi-Fi; printing; a gym; business center; and room service. It's near the Chelsea art galleries, restaurants, and ample subway lines, too. But be sure to compare rates to the comparable Holiday Inn 6th Avenue before booking.

Due to complete a full renovation in September 2009, the Best Western is an excellent budget option near Times Square, with clean rooms, brand-new appliances, and free Wi-Fi. Be prepared for the kitschy design -- and beware the street noise in the lower-level rooms.

After completing a renovation in early 2009, the 255-room Beacon Hotel is one of the city's best choices for an affordable family vacation. The huge rooms all have kitchenettes, and the hotel is in a safe and fun part of the Upper West Side, a 10-minute walk to both Central Park and the kid-tastic Museum of Natural History.

Located on the quiet, classy Upper East Side -- close to Central Park, but far from NYC's best nightlife -- the 1930s-era Franklin brings old Gotham romance to a modern boutique. Rooms are small but stylish and come with free Wi-Fi and excellent Bulgari toiletries. High-quality free breakfasts and a reasonable price tag make it a great pick outside the tourist zone.

Tucked into a quiet, classy, residential side street on the Upper West Side, this 250-room boutique comes with snazzy touches like a 16th-floor common terrace, a top-notch gym, friendly doormen, and good-size designer rooms with excellent beds. On the Ave is a great pick for anyone looking to explore -- and experience -- New York as New Yorkers do.

Excellent beds, great service, and attention to functionality means an easy stay in Midtown East, near Bloomingdale's and other major shopping destinations -- all for a great price. The neighborhood doesn't have much nightlife, but the on-site Opia bar is pretty happening.

The ethos of the Seattle-based mini-chain behind this hotel is "affordability without sacrifice" -- and the Ace New York lives up to that billing. Though it's located in a distinctly unhip stretch of Murray Hill, the meticulously curated, vintage-inspired design touches make the Ace New York as cool, comfortable, and inviting in its own way as any fancy downtown hipster boutique.

Steps from Central Park and five subway lines, the 807-room Hudson is the discount version of boutique luxury, and has a prime location. Beneath its surreal, Philippe Starck design and four scenester bars, it's actually a remodeled YMCA with very tiny rooms. Still, the hotel compensates for its cramped quarters with touches like luxe bath products. And the clean, modern look alone might almost be worth the room rate.

With a world-class gym and spa, plus dozens of customized amenities, the all-suites Dumont is a phenomenal option if you're looking for an urban spa getaway. More than that, it's an excellent high-end choice overall, as long as you don't mind hiking a bit to NYC's main tourist haunts. Prices can sometimes be steep, but when rates dip near $200 per night, it's a steal.