Chelsea Pines Inn - New York

Over the summer I made plans to spend four fall days in New York City. True to my hopes the weather was absolutely perfect this October weekend. Booking a flight was the easy part. Finding a place to stay was not. I have a few friends in NYC, but like many New Yorkers their places are small and or shared. I didn't want to impose and preferred to be independent without worry of disturbing people when returning from jaunts around town or coming in late at night.

Recommended budget hotels like the Pod were all booked. I checked out a few sites like New York 50- a site devoted to hotels and rentals for around $50 a night. Needless to say the reviews were atrocious. I found various lists of top rated budget hotels including this About.com collection, but they were booked too. I checked out a condo rental site with attractive rates, but balked when I learned they wanted a 50% deposit forked over via wire transfer. Yeah right. Take a credit card already - This isn't 1950. For a month I occasionally read reviews and prices. Holiday Inns, Hampton Inns and the other chains run north of $300 a night in Manhattan. The nicer hostels were booked. Tripadvisor's reviews of budget hotels were actually amusing to read - if not frightening. When finding a place for under $140 I would pull up the Tripadvisor review and read horrifying tales of bugs, mold, surly staff, and even beetles crawling over people as they slept. I wish I had bookmarked some of the reviews as they're hilarious. I'm far from high maintenance, but I do require my room beetle free.

Someone on Lonely Planet mentioned the Chelsea Pines Inn to another poster looking for accommodations. It was the neighborhood I wanted to be in, for a very good price, and they had availability. Tired or searching and comparing I immediately booked it.

Chelsea Pines sits on 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. Typical to the area its a narrow building with five floors, with about four to five guest rooms per floor. Giving the rooms a distinct style and character, each is dedicated to a former actor or actress from Hollywood's golden years. There's a sunroom and patio for socializing and meeting fellow visitors, and breakfast is served every morning until 11am. Even though I always travel with earplugs just in case I wind up above a noisy street, the sounds below on 14th Street didn't wake me at all. It was fairly quiet at night, and central airconditioning helps too. (Above photo of 14th Street taken from room.)

Something else makes this place special though: The variety and diversity in their rooms and rates. The deluxe, modern rooms on the lower floors are decked out in granite, have iPod docks, flat screen TVs and modern fixtures. Standard rooms reside in the middle floors, and the fourth and fifth floor house smaller economy rooms with a partial shared bath - (not uncommon in NYC hotels.) My room wasn't as modern as the updated ones, but that was ok by me because the rate was below average for a place of it's overall superb quality. When I return I may opt for fancier accommodations, but this time my needs were simple. There are plenty of economy rooms dotting the city, but being able to find an economy room that's also in a well hosted and well kept building is rare. I'm appreciative of proprietor Jay and the staff for offering their guests a variety of economic options, which results in a nice blend of guests too.

Although there were a few faces manning the front desk I didn't meet, I chatted with the owner Jay a few times and met a small group visiting from Scotland. Chelsea Pines is clean, comfortable, and more than spacious enough for myself traveling solo - and I'd recommend it as a "second home" to anyone staying in the city.

They're at 317 West 14th Street in Chelsea, and about 30 steps from the subway too. Check out Chelsea Pines Inn .com for rate details and their history. And any other hotel should be so fortunate to have their Tripadvisor ranking.

If you find them booked when visiting NYC check out this article in New York Magazine listing other highly rated budget hotels.

Hourly Rate Hotels New York City

New York is a beautiful city and is on of the best holiday destinations in this world. Its elegance and sophistication is truly world class. Many leisure travelers as well as business travelers come to this city; therefore New York has a large number of hotels which vary from discounted ones to luxurious ones. Hourly hotels are usually those hotels which charge by the hour, they are very suitable for people with tight budgets.

So, now let me tell you about some of the hourly rate hotels located in New York City.

1. The Windjammer Motel Inn

This is one of the cheapest hourly hotel located in Sheepshead Bay, New York City. But this is not the best option that you can consider because the rooms are small and messy. On weekdays the rates are $40 for four hours and on weekends the rates are $40 before 4 p.m. and $50 after it.

2. Portland Square Hotel

Portland Square Hotel is a good option if you are looking for an hourly hotel because it has well maintained rooms with soft beddings and leather couches. The Portland does not give you the facility of rent by hour but it does have a day rate. The rate for a day stay varies from $99 to $179, and the night stay rate is $180 to $290.

3. Airway Inn

The Airway Inn is located next to LaGuardia, and the airport location makes it very suitable for tired air travelers. The Airway Inn Authorities not only provide accommodations for prostitutes or lovers but it is also a very good option for travelers tired after long flights. The rates are $61 for four hours and after 9pm it is $70 for four hours.

4. La Semana

La Semana is another hourly hotel located in the New York City, it is not very suitable for weekend trips but it is perfect for an afternoon stay. It is conveniently located in West 24th Street near Madison Square Park. Here you can get a deluxe room as well as a room with a Jacuzzi. The rates are $85 for a room with a Jacuzzi and $73 for a deluxe room for three hours.

5. Manhattan Hotel

This hotel is the best hourly hotel located near the Times Square; it is located right in the midtown hence very suitable for a large number of people. The hotel has a shabby structure and the rooms are very dirty including the bed and the sheets. The rate is $65 for three hours.

So, these are some of the hourly hotels which you can easily locate in the New York City.

Hourly Rates and Hotels in New York City

Hourly rate hotels are a dime a dozen and is usually associated with prostitution or sexual escapades of young teenagers. However, a person may also look out for an hourly rate hotel, for other reasons as well. As it is, you may need a hotel, in case your flight is delayed by a few hours, or, if you arrive at a city and you only have a few hours of work there.

So, if you are looking for such an accommodation option, then the following are some of the options that you can choose from:

1. Airway Inn
Located near LaGuardia, this cheap price hotel does not give much of an impression. So, do not expect much in terms of quality or service. However, since it is located near the airport this gives a perfect breather for those who have their flight delayed for quite a few hours. You may also want to catch a nap. Offered at $61 for four hours, plus $13 for each additional hour and $70 for four hours after 9 p.m. with $13 for each additional hour, this property is a relatively better option in this area.

2. Days Inn, Brooklyn
Do not expect much in terms of quality. But as we say, quality never comes cheap; you should not have any regrets. So, although it is not much in terms of aesthetics, but you can sure have the advantage of cost effectiveness. The charges are around $49 for three hours.

3. Manhattan Hotel
Located near the Times Square region, this hotel offers accommodation at $65 for three hours; and although you shall find a number of such hotels around this place, this is one of the best options that you have. The property too does not seem to be too dirty, making it a viable option.

4. St Mark's Hotel
The property does not offer much in terms of quality and so; do not look out for it as well. Located at this place since the 1960s, this property offers accommodation at $50 for a minimum of two hours, plus $25 for each additional hour.

5. La Semana
The West 24th Street location near Madison Square Park, the hotel charges $73 for three hours in a deluxe room, or $85 for a room with a Jacuzzi.

The above hotels are not recommended for stay with your family, but definitely provide respite from troubles of a delayed flight, an interview call visit and so on.