NEW YORK - January and February are the most affordable months to stay in New York City based on the cost of lodging. The latest report from NewYorkHotels.org has drawn this conclusion after conducting a recent survey.
The survey specifically established the minimum rate an overnight guest would have to spend for a 3-star and 4-star double room in Midtown Manhattan for each day throughout 2015. Midtown Manhattan was defined as the area extending between 59th Street down to 23rd Street.
Table 1: Monthly Average Rates (2015) for the cheapest available 3- and 4-Star hotel room in Midtown Manhattan (59th street to 23rd street)
The survey specifically established the minimum rate an overnight guest would have to spend for a 3-star and 4-star double room in Midtown Manhattan for each day throughout 2015. Midtown Manhattan was defined as the area extending between 59th Street down to 23rd Street.
Table 1: Monthly Average Rates (2015) for the cheapest available 3- and 4-Star hotel room in Midtown Manhattan (59th street to 23rd street)
| Month | 3-star | 4-star |
| January | $87 | $102 |
| February | $86 | $102 |
| March | $127 | $158 |
| April | $172 | $189 |
| May | $185 | $217 |
| June | $165 | $181 |
| July | $144 | $171 |
| August | $147 | $175 |
| September | $202 | $227 |
| October | $203 | $231 |
| November | $169 | $184 |
| December | $163 | $181 |
January and February are by far the least expensive months, with average rates of $87 and $86 respectively for the most affordable 3-star double room. Meanwhile, a 4-star hotel did cost guests an average minimum of $102 nightly during both months. On the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive months are September and October. A visitor had to spend slightly over $200, on average, for a 3-star room and $227 and $231 respectively for a 4-star hotel.
Table 2: Weekday averages (2015) for the cheapest available 3- and 4-Star hotel room in Midtown Manhattan (59th street to 23rd street)
| Day | 3-star | 4-star |
| Monday | $158 | $181 |
| Tuesday | $169 | $197 |
| Wednesday | $171 | $198 |
| Thursday | $157 | $179 |
| Friday | $141 | $164 |
| Saturday | $160 | $182 |
| Sunday | $121 | $141 |
When it comes to individual days, it's no surprise that New Year's Eve is by far the most expensive. On the last day of the year, a celebrator had to spend $361 and $416 to stay overnight in the most affordable 3- or 4-star hotel room. Also on the Top 10 list of priciest days are the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend, six days in mid/late September, and December 2nd and 5th. Minimum hotel rates on these dates were running $233 to $242 for the most affordable room.
Table 3: Top 10 most expensive days to stay in Manhattan (The rankings are based on the rate for the least expensive 3-star hotel room in Midtown.)
| Month | 3-star | 4-star |
| Dec 31 | $361 | $416 |
| Oct 10 | $242 | $286 |
| Sept 26 | $241 | $286 |
| Sept 29 | $239 | $289 |
| Sept 30 | $239 | $274 |
| Sep 15 | $238 | $287 |
| Sep 28 | $236 | $265 |
| Sep 16 | $235 | $281 |
| Dec 2 | $233 | $272 |
| Dec 5 | $233 | $253 |
The survey further found that a guest who stays from Sunday to Monday will spend an average of 30% less for a hotel room compared to Tuesdays or Wednesdays. These midweek days are when average rates are at their highest.
