---
title: "Where to stay in New York"
description: "Four New York hotels we have read the guest data on — one in Chelsea, one in Midtown West, two by Times Square — with the complaints written as plainly as the praise."
url: "https://travelshifu.com/hotels/new-york/"
type: "hotel city guide"
source: "TravelShifu"
---

# Where to stay in New York

Four New York hotels we have read the guest data on — one in Chelsea, one in Midtown West, two by Times Square — with the complaints written as plainly as the praise.

## Verdict

Stay in Chelsea if the High Line and Flatiron are the map; stay in Midtown West if Penn Station and Hudson Yards matter; stay by Times Square if Broadway and Rockefeller Center are the week — then pick between the Riu and Margaritaville on guest data, not logo alone.

Times Square density is real. Hotel Riu Plaza puts Times Square at 0.1 km and Rockefeller Center at 0.6 km; Margaritaville puts Times Square at 0.2 km with a pool listed but inconsistent-amenity complaints. Motto by Hilton Chelsea puts the High Line at 0.2 km and Times Square at 1.7 km — a different trip entirely.

Guest scores in this sample include flat 10s that still carry caveats. Motto posts 10 out of 10 across every category from 4,105 reviews while one review notes limited room space; Margaritaville posts 10s on service, location and overall experience while amenities and breakfast expectations underperform at 8.72. We cite scale, count and date on every score.

Nothing on this page quotes a nightly rate. We hold no live rates for these properties, and a price baked into a static page is wrong by the next morning — the CTAs send you to Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com or Vrbo so you see the real number for your dates. Those are partners; the links may earn commission.

## Which area of New York is best for a first visit?

Times Square if Broadway and Rockefeller Center are the week; Chelsea if the High Line and gallery walks matter more; Midtown West if you want Penn Station and Hudson Yards within a kilometre. All beat a vague “Manhattan hotel” that satisfies none of those maps.

## Are Times Square hotels too noisy?

Often, yes — though Margaritaville lists soundproof rooms and both Times Square picks score location at 9.59–10 out of 10. Arlo Midtown names noise as a con 0.7 km from Times Square. Read the cons, not just the location score.

## Should I book New York hotels direct or through a booking site?

It varies by property and by date, which is why we never quote a nightly rate here. Check the partner link for your dates, then check the hotel’s own site before you confirm — direct rates sometimes include breakfast or a cancellation window the aggregated rate does not. Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com and Vrbo are partners; those links may earn commission.

## Why do you show guest scores but never a star-rating snippet in search results?

Because the scores are not ours. Every review number on this site comes from a supplier’s aggregate, and Google’s review-snippet guidance says not to aggregate ratings from other websites and that ratings must come from your own users. We show the supplier score plainly, attributed and dated, and we never emit it as structured data.

## Why does Motto show 10 out of 10 everywhere?

That is what our hotel data provider’s guest analysis returns for Motto by Hilton New York City Chelsea from 4,105 reviews as of 18 December 2025. The same analysis still notes limited space in guest rooms in one review — we show the scores as attributed supplier data and state the caveat alongside them.

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