New York’s hotel market is huge, and even if you’ve visited the city before, it’s tough to wade through all the options. Here we suggest several hotels that are generally awesome, but also safe for single women, and affordable (by NYC standards) for the solo traveler who isn’t splitting the cost. For further recommendations, written by a single woman who moved to the city on her own, check out our NYC guidebook.
The Leo House is run by the Catholic Sisters of St. Agnes, though you needn’t be of any particular faith to stay here. In Chelsea you’ll have an almost frustrating wealth of bars, restaurants, and gay nightlife to choose from, not to mention Chelsea Market—restaurants, foodie vendors, and the artisan market Artists & Fleas—and the High Line—a beautiful park built on an elevated, previously neglected railroad track. Rooms are nice and quiet with cable TV and in-room safes. There’s a 24-hour front desk, a $9 breakfast buffet (they do their own baking), and a lovely garden in which to decompress from your sightseeing. Rates begin at $105/night for a room with shared shower (all rooms have a private sink and toilet), $115/night for private shower.
The Leo House is located at 332 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, ½ block away from the C and E trains at 23rd Street, 212.929.1010, leohousenyc.com.
The Jane is a boutique hotel deep in the West Village, dating back to 1908—once upon a time, the survivors of the Titanic stayed here. The bohemian lobby decor sets the mood before you even see the rooms romantically inspired by old train cars. The West Village offers easy access to the High Line and the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, which runs up the entire west side of Manhattan—perfect for a walk, run, or ride on The Jane’s complimentary bikes. There’s also a ton of designer clothing nearby in the Meatpacking District. The Jane has a 24-hour front desk, in-room safes, a very amenable staff, and both a bistro and cool bar on the ground floor. Rooms have air conditioning and either a terrace or views of the Hudson River. Rates begin around $99/night for a room with shared bath.
The Jane is located at 113 Jane Street between Washington and West Streets, approx. 10 minutes walking from the A, C, E, or L trains at 14th Street and 8th Avenue, 212.924.6700, thejanenyc.com.
3B is a homey bed-and-breakfast in downtown Brooklyn, and compared to the preceding hotels, it’s the most like actually living here. The rooms are tastefully furnished with great natural light, and the communal kitchen and living room are so cute you’ll want to renovate your own place at home. Breakfast is both vegetarian and kosher (vegan, gluten-free, etc. available on request), and made from mostly local, organic ingredients. 3B’s demographic skews young, but not hostel-young, so it’s very clean and well-kept. There’s no front desk per se, but the friendly staff lives on premises, and overall, we like B&Bs for single female travelers because it’s easier to meet people than at a regular hotel. Rates begin around $150/night for a queen, all rooms have a shared bath, and there’s air conditioning during the summer months.
3B is located in downtown Brooklyn at 136 Lawrence Street near Willoughby, 1 block from the A, C, and F trains at Jay Street, 347.762.2632, 3bbrooklyn.com.
Did you stay at a female-friendly hotel in NYC? How was it?
