Where to stay in New York City

The cleanest first-timer choice: walk to Times Square, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building and the south end of Central Park, with every subway line and Penn Station and Grand Central within reach. It is loud, relentless and the dearest part of town, with small mid-range rooms running roughly £150-£260 a night, but it saves you transit time every single day. Aim for the quieter blocks east of Fifth Avenue or up around Bryant Park rather than the streets right on Times Square.

Best for: First-timers, short stays, walk-everywhere sightseeing

Low-rise, leafy and the calmest evening base in Manhattan, full of proper restaurants and brownstone streets rather than tourist diners. It is a 10-15 minute subway hop to the Midtown sights, so you trade a little daytime convenience for a far nicer place to come home to. Prices match Midtown's premium and the prettiest streets book out early.

Best for: Couples, repeat visitors, food-led trips

Better value than Midtown with the city's strongest bar and late-night food scene, from Katz's Delicatessen to the dumpling and taco spots off Orchard and St Marks. You trade some walking distance for character and lower nightly rates, and the F, J and L trains keep you connected. The flip side is genuine weekend noise, so ask for a room off the main bar streets.

Best for: Nightlife, value, younger trips

Often the best-value Manhattan rooms at weekends, because the area empties of office workers once Friday comes. You are next to the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street, the Staten Island Ferry and the Brooklyn Bridge approach, and on the express lines uptown. The trade-off is a quiet, canyon-like feel after dark with fewer good dinner options, so plan to eat elsewhere.

Best for: Weekend value, Downtown sightseeing, 9/11 Memorial

Across the East River with skyline views straight back at Manhattan, independent shops, a strong food scene and more room for your money. Cheaper rooms come at the cost of a 20-30 minute commute on the L train or the NYC Ferry for every day of central sightseeing, so it suits longer stays and second-timers more than a tight first trip.

Best for: Value, longer stays, Brooklyn-curious

A residential, family-friendly base flanking Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History, calmer and often a touch cheaper than Midtown for the same proximity to the park. The 1, 2 and 3 trains run you straight down the West Side. It is a long way from Downtown nightlife, which is the point for travellers who want quiet evenings and good breakfast spots.

Best for: Families, Central Park mornings, quieter evenings