New York City is expensive to visit, especially when your employer is no longer footing the bill. I found myself in this predicament on my most recent trip to the city, where I was speaking at the New York Times Travel Show.
I’ve stayed in a handful of places before, namely a basic hostel on the Upper West Side and a nice hotel with tiny rooms in Times Square, but wanted to branch out of my usual Hell’s Kitchen stays. I’d read about The Jane Hotel before, but decided this was the chance to check it out.
Long before I read up on the history, I found the neighborhood attractive, as it was a short CitiBike ride from the Javits Center, where the conference took place, via the Hudson River Greenway and within walking distance from the A, C, and E Subway lines.
It was also right next to the High Line Park, the elevated walking path on a former train line. The Meatpacking District location meant I was within walking distance of dozens of restaurants, including Chelsea Market and Gansevoort Market, as well as attractions like the Hornblower Cruise terminal.
The property started in 1908 as the American Seaman’s Friend Society Sailor’s Home, designed to resemble cabins on ships. The same designer of the building created the immigration station at Ellis Island. Survivors of the Titanic stayed here in 1912 and in 1944, the YMCA took over the property. The hotel still pays tribute to its history, as the decor is vintage inspired and the bellhops wear the signature uniforms and flat caps.
There are three types of rooms: standard cabins, bunk bed cabins and captain’s cabins. The bunk beds have 2 beds, the captain’s are like a standard hotel room and the standard cabins are akin to a small ship’s cabin, which is what I stayed in. The rooms themselves may be tiny but provide high value.
I’ve stayed in smaller rooms, namely on my sailing trip to Croatia, and was impressed by the amenities offered in only 50 square feet. There was plenty of storage above and below the bed so I put every item in its place. These rooms have windows, daily water service, bathrobes, flat screen televisions, iPod docks, and telephones with voicemail. The bathroom was down the hall, but it’s not too shabby for only $75 per night!
Free WiFi is found throughout the property, which is hard to come by at New York City hotels. There’s someone at the desk 24 hours per day, which is helpful for early or late checkouts. Cafe Gitane is the in-house cafe, serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner in a European-style setting.
I got daily vouchers for a free breakfast for staying for a week during the low season. The Jane Ballroom, the hotel’s bar, is open not only for guests but is one of the area’s top spots for nightlife on Saturday nights. Be prepared for noise and don’t hesitate to flash your key or mention that you’re a guest to skip the lines.
If you’re looking for a cheap stay in New York City that’s a step above hostels, I can’t recommend The Jane Hotel enough! You’re near transportation and attractions without overpaying for it. Just know that you get what you pay for.
The Jane Hotel is located at 113 Jane Street, New York City, New York 10014. Parking is not included with your stay, but the hotel is within walking distance from the A, C, and E subways, which come from Times Square and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Rates start at $75 in the off-season for standard cabins and go up to $275 for captain’s cabins with private bathrooms during the high season. The hotel rents bicycles and the closest CitiBike location is less than one block away. You can make reservations by calling (212) 924-6700 or by emailing reservations@thejanenyc.com.
Have you ever stayed at The Jane Hotel?
My stay was not hosted by The Jane, I’m just so excited that there’s such a cheap and awesome place to stay in New York City.
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