Has anyone stayed in New York City recently? Need help!

[Sonolanona]

In October DD1, DS2 and myself are going for a long weekend. DD1 has just survived a hideous divorce, while getting through equally hideous professional exams, and her brother wants to go to NY to see a show (he has autism and shows are his big love)

BUT I was going to book an Airbnb, as have used them plenty of times and it suits us as both DD1 and myself have food restrictions, but apparently they are now ILLEGAL in NYC!!! They still show up on Airbnb but I am aware that the local laws are in the process of trying to stop them and don't want to turn up and find it's mysteriously no longer accessible!

We need somewhere for 3 adults that doesn't cost a kidney ( I'm not rich and this is a massive treat for them both) and is in walking distance of the theatres. Preferably with a coffee maker in the room!

If anyone has been recently and can recommend somewhere please share!

www.listings .com . A subletting agency.

https://www.thepodhotel.com/pod-51?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp_listing

Some friends stayed at Pod 51 last summer. I think it's pretty basic, but they were happy with it. No coffee maker, though

I was about to recommend the pod too. Not been there myself but friends were there recently and it’s central and good value (albeit quite basic).

My old very basic go-to hotel in Hell’s Kitchen has closed down, alas.would you stay off Manhattan and travel in?

People do sublet illegally and you can take a chance but personally I wouldn't as you could end up out on the street and out of pocket with no recourse to recover your money. And then you'd be paying through the nose for a hotel last minute.

We travelled in dec stayed in an apartment in Harlem it was amazing. Booked through booking.com lots of choice for very reasonable prices
Hope you have a fab time, just trying to work out when we can return

Yes they are illegal. I've been to nyc many times and we took a chance last time on an air bnb in Harlem, knowing if it went wrong we had a few hotel options in mind, know what areas we like etc. I wouldn't do it if it's your first time. The air bnb we had was on w128 st, it was very nice and the area was fine too, although this was pre Covid and I believe it's a bit more tricky in all areas of nyc now than it was.

Brooklyn was another option for us but couldn't recommend anywhere as haven't stayed there myself.

Riu plaza Times Square (not directly in Times Square a bit back from the business) - look at love holidays at their packages, very reasonable - we booked with them and it came with Virgin direct flights. Was cheaper than booking with Virgin directly. We just went with three of us end of Feb/March for 6 nights and paid less than we paid when we went to Disneyland Paris for 4 days!

They've been illegal for years but there are a lot of apart-hotels which have the same function, bed, bath, sitting area and cooking facilities. Have a look on booking.com

Are you on Facebook?
This group is good for advice and recommendations

https://www.facebook.com/groups/653376801416793/?ref=share

We stayed at Pod 39 - one of the Pod hotels mentioned by previous posters.

Would recommend- great location and price. Was very comfortable and trendy as well - the communal areas, bar and roof terrace were all lovely.

Rooms small but we were out and about all day so only slept there. Can't remember there being a coffee machine but there's loads of cafes nearby.