Where to Stay in New York for Christmas: Best Areas and Hotels

Christmas in New York is one of most magical time to visit the city! But where to stay in New York for Christmas is very important for planning the perfect festive trip. NYC is quite Spread out and choosing wrong area to stay can ended up in more commute time.

Do you want to be near the best Christmas holiday attractions? Near food spots? Or want to save Money on Accommodation? I have got you covered! New York in December can be quite expensive time to visit, So I will also include budget options as well.

Many of the most iconic hotels in NYC decorate for Christmas, and I’ve included all my recommendations for the most festive Christmas hotels in New York also. I’ll also cover the best areas to stay in New York with things to do around all of them.

While staying in Edison, NJ or Queens are more affordable, I spent a lot of time transporting into Manhattan. So I really don’t suggest this option during crazy holiday time. So, let’s deep dive into the best places to stay in New York at Christmas.

But before that read my detailed New York Travel Guide, to check out my top suggestions for things to do and see in the city!

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Where to Stay in New York for Christmas: Overview

• Best for first-timers: Midtown Manhattan
• Overall Best Area: Lower Manhattan (Downtown Manhattan)
• Best Budget Stay: Brooklyn or New Jersey side

Tip: Be sure to book your hotel for your trip to NYC at Christmas as early as you can! Prices go up the closer you get to the Christmas season, and availability becomes more limited as well.

Midtown Manhattan: Best area to Stay in New York for First Timers

If you’re visiting NYC for the first time, Midtown Manhattan is the best neighbourhood in New York to stay in during Christmas. 

By staying in this area, you will be near the most of festive activities, and it’s a great base to get around NYC. You’ll save time in commute and can easily reach anywhere from here than commuting in from other parts of the city.

Most of the best hotels that decorate for the holidays are located around Midtown Manhattan and the Upper East Side close to Central Park. This is also where you’ll find many of the most famous holiday activities, like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Fifth Avenue and its holiday shopping and light displays, Radio City Music Hall, Bryant Park Christmas Market, and the Wollman Rink for ice skating in Central Park.

You can easily spend 4 days in New York seeing the lights and iconic attractions of NYC from here. This area is great for first-time visitors to NYC or families with kids.

Where to stay in Midtown manhattan: List of Best Hotels

Top Choice: Hyatt Centric Times Square New York

If it’s your first trip to New York, staying in the middle of Times Square is the best feeling! You’ll in the middle of the most iconic square of the city and lively throughout day and night! You’ll see why NYC is called the city that never sleeps.

Hyatt Centric Times Square offers the best of both worlds, a fantastic central location, but in a quieter street than staying directly on the Square. Rooms are spacious and luxurious, creating a cozy retreat to in the middle of all the actions.

Best with Rooftop Views: M Social New York Times Square

If you want the bird eye views of times square from your room, M Social is best choice. They also have an outdoor rooftop terrace with cocktail bar, that said M Social is perfect place to make your holidays more special.

M Social New York is located just few steps away from Times Square. With colorful lounge, terrace dining, rooftop bar with views, city scape views, nothing can better than this. They also have larger family room options.

M Social also has Partial Ball-Drop View rooms that would be an epic booking for New Year’s or any time of year, for those who want to sleep in view of this iconic corner of Midtown.

Best Hotel to Stay on Short Stay: OMNI Berkshire Place

If you’re in NYC for just short 1-2 days during Christmas and want to walk everywhere to see Christmas decorations, OMNI Berkshire will serve the purpose. It’s located just few meters from Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, and few steps away from Central Park.

This family-friendly Manhattan hotel features on-site dining and a sundeck. The rooms are spacious, clean. Few rooms also offers the views of iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. You can easily walk around the major Christmas decorations and attractions from this hotel.

Best Budget stay: Hotel St. James

Midtown Manhattan is one of the most expensive areas to stay in New York, and Christmas time makes it more expensive! But still you can find few affordable hotels for budget stay!

Hotel St. James is located just 5-minutes from Bryant Park, 3-minutes from Times Square. You’re just You’re also just a short walk from the subway station, making it easy to get around by public transportation. Basically, you’re away from touristy area yet near to all the attractions.

Rooms are nicely decorated, Very spacious as per NY standard, and offers accessible rooms. They also offers offers Broadway tickets to guests. Overall its value for money. Check availability here.

Best Things to Do in Midtown Manhattan during Christmas

• Admire the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: The most iconic Christmas tree in the city
• Go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, or Bryant Park
• Enjoy Christmas Market at Bryant Mark winter village, and enjoy souvenirs shopping
• Take photos with the Christmas decorations at Radio City Music Hall
• See the Rockettes performance Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
• Stroll down 5th Avenue and for window shopping and admire the beautifully decorated stores, including Macy’s.
• Enjoy the Light Show at the Saks 5th Avenue
• Admire the NYC skyline from Top of the Rock. It’s better than the Empire State Building
• Stroll through Central Park and even go ice skating on the large ice rink
• Visit Columbus Circle Christmas Market for the European Christmas Market atmosphere in NYC
• Catch the performance of The Nutcracker at the New York City Ballet
• Eat dinner at Rolf’s, the most festive restaurant in New York!

Downtown Manhattan: Overall Best For Sightseeing

Downtown Manhattan is a great place to stay for more affordable accommodation options, best for sightseeing, and easy access to the main tourist attractions. You’ll be short subway ride away from Brooklyn and Times Square.

Christmas time is one of the most popular time to Visit New York, so midtown and around areas can be quite busy and expensive at this time of the year. But Downtown Manhattan is bit far away from touristy spots, yet you’re near to all the major sightseeing attractions of the New York.

Best Things to Do in Downtown Manhattan at Christmas

• Admire the Christmas Tree at 11th Wall Street and festive lights at NYC Stock Exchange.
• See the festive lights at Zuccotti Park
• Enjoy Ice Skating and Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Pier 17
• Admire the architecture of iconic Trinity Church
• Visit One World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial, it’s not very festive but an important part of the city’s history and great for a rainy winter day
• Take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty or Staten Island, one of the most popular things to do in New York
• Go on a River Cruise to admire the city skylines at night
• Celebrate Holidays at Brookfield Place

Best Hotels to Stay in Downtown Manhattan

Top Choice: AC Hotel New York Downtown

AC Hotel NYC Downtown is one of the best hotels in New York for Christmas to escape the crowds of Midtown and enjoy the calmer place to stay after walking all day long.

The hotel is located less than a mile from 9/11 memorial, and Brooklyn Bridge. It offers that iconic Downtown atmosphere, allowing you to admire the surrounding city views from your room. The rooms feature large comfortable beds with river views.

Most Unique and Highly rated: Artezen Hotel

You won’t see many ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews for location, comfort, cleanliness, and value for money for a single place that offers good ratings overall, and that too at affordable rate.

If you’re unsure where to stay in NYC for Christmas, the Artezen Hotel perfectly balances proximity to the main tourist attractions in the heart of financial district.

Located one mile from World Trade Center, it offers clean and spacious rooms, onsite bar and roodtop terrace. Even they have rooms with terrace access with beautiful city views.

Affordable Luxury Hotel: So Hotel

So Hotel is one of the best value-for-money hotels in the city, and a great place to stay at Christmas time.

Situated in the trendy SoHo neighbourhood, this hotel features a modern, clean rooms with elegant design that makes it upscale hotel with affordable rate. They also offers suite rooms for family that can accommodate 5 people.

If you’re traveling in a group or as a big family, booking this place makes lot of sense! SO Hotel is best family friendly and affordable hotel to stay in New York during Christmas.

Brooklyn: Best Affordable Area to Stay in NYC

If you’re on budget or it’s your second visit to NYC, Brooklyn is the best area to stay in NYC during Christmas. Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg are fantastic places to stay when you want to enjoy a lively neighbourhood and explore local culture away from the usual tourist hotspots. This way you can explore some off the beaten spots in New York.

Things to Do in Brooklyn at Christmas

• Go for Ice Skating at Prospect Park or Domino Park in Williamsburg
• Enjoy the Nutcracker ballet in King’s Theater for a fraction of the price of the New York City Ballet
• Admire all the Christmas decorations in the Dyker Heights neighbourhood, where residents go all out with decorating their houses
• Walk the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, and take photos from the popular DUMBO
• Visit Brooklyn Botanical Garden and explore lighting trail with illuminated sculptures and installations
• Find the Holiday Gifts at Brooklyn Flea Market

Best Hotels to Stay in Brooklyn During Christmas

Top Choice: Ace Hotel Brooklyn

Ace hotel Brooklyn is the best place to stay in New York if you’re looking for a budget-friendly and comfortable hotel away from the main tourist area.

The hotel is situated just a 5-minute walk from the metro that takes you right to the heart of Manhattan, Central Park, and Times Square. It’s also easy 30 minutes walk from Brooklyn Bridge, and very near to financial district.

You can choose the size of the rooms, and pay accordingly for the room size! Rooms are bright and comfortable, offers unmatched views from the room. They also have onsite bar and grill for the food.

Best Modern Hotel: Even Hotel Brooklyn

Located Just 2 minute walk from Metro, Even Hotel is best budget hotel to stay in Brooklyn. The hotel features a terrace and views of the city. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property

Rooms are bright and quite spacious for New York standard, the perk of being outside the city center. This is one of the best choice to stay in New York away from all the glamour yet just short ride away from all! You can check the availability here.

Affordable Luxury Hotel: The Penny Williamsburg

If you’re seeking a place that is most affordable yet stylish, and trendy hotel in the heart of hippy neighbourhood of Williamsburg, Penny Williamsburg is for you!

This affordable luxury hotel is situated in the heart of Brooklyn, just a short metro ride from the trendy DUMBO, and Times Square.

Rooms are a bit small as per NYC standard, but are bright and equipped with kitchenette. They offers complimentary bicycles to guests which you can use on warm days.

They have onsite rooftop bar and restaurant. The modern restaurant serves Mexican cuisine for brunch and dinner. Outdoor seating areas provide city views, while the bar offers a relaxing atmosphere. Check the availability here.

Now, let me add the list of all the best best hotels in New York at Christmas which goes above and beyond to decorate for holidays. You’ll find few of the best Christmas trees in NYC at these hotels. Of course, all of them are well known for luxurious stays.

• The Plaza Hotel New York: The Plaza is one of the most iconic hotels in New York City and they go all out for the holidays with incredible Christmas tree decorations. If you want that typical “Christmas in New York” experience, this is the best place to stay for families with kids.
• Lotte New York Palace: This hotel is located in Midtown East, just one block from Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Fifth Avenue. Book the room with the view of St Patrick’s Cathedral for Christmas vibes.
• The Standard East Village: This hotel is located downtown close to some of New York’s coolest neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, SoHo, NoHo and the Lowest East Side. The hotel totally transforms around Christmas, with one of the highlights being the Winter Garden, a bar and restaurant with cozy private yurts and lots of holiday decor.
• The Peninsula New York: The Peninsula is a grand and luxurious five-star hotel in Midtown East that is one of the best places to stay in New York City at Christmas. The holiday decorations at this hotel are some of the best. It’s located on 5th Avenue surrounded by the best shopping and holiday window displays. It is also within easy walking distance from Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and other major attractions of NYC.

Final Thoughts on Where To Stay In New York for Christmas

Midtown Manhattan is the best place to stay in NYC at Christmas, as it is close to most Christmas decorations, holiday activities activities and other NYC tourist attractions.

Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn are best for budget travel stay. If you’ve been to the City before, Financial District is great base for sightseeing around New York.

Now that you know where to stay in New York for Christmas with best hotel details; it’s time to start planning your best New York Christmas Holidays. Make sure you cover all the major iconic landmarks of the city, holiday decor and so much more.

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