Let’s cut to the chase: booking a hotel in New York for more than a few nights can make your wallet weep. You end up in a shoe-box, living out of a suitcase, and desperately Googling “laundry near me.”
That’s where service apartments (also called aparthotels or extended-stay hotels) come in.
They give you the space and practicality of an apartment—think a kitchen, a separate living area, maybe even a washer/dryer—with the perks and consistency of a hotel (daily housekeeping, front desk, amenities).
It’s the ultimate hack for living like a local without the lease.
I’ve combed through the latest offerings, post-pandemic changes, and guest reviews to bring you the 10 best options right now.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, a relocating professional, or a family on a long city break, this list has your new New York home.
1. The Wall Street Hotel Residences (FiDi)
Why It’s Great: For the finance crowd or luxury seeker who wants downtown chic.
This isn’t just a hotel with suites; it’s a dedicated residence offering within a five-star boutique hotel.
You get full access to the stunning hotel amenities (like the glamorous rooftop), but with the privacy of a true, elegantly furnished one or two-bedroom apartment.
The Financial District location is perfect for proximity to work and exploring the Seaport and Brooklyn Bridge.
📍 Best For: Luxury extended stays, relocating executives.
🔗 Website: The Wall Street Hotel Residences
2. lyf Lower East Side Manhattan (LES)
Why It’s Great: A fresh, modern, and social concept from the Ascott group designed for the millennial/Gen Z traveler or remote worker.
The apartments are smartly designed with workstations and kitchenettes, but the real win is the community vibe.
There are co-working spaces, communal kitchens for social cooking, and regular events. It’s affordable, vibrant, and puts you in the heart of one of NYC’s coolest neighborhoods.
📍 Best For: Solo travelers, digital nomads, young creatives, budget-conscious stays.
🔗 Website: lyf Lower East Side Manhattan
3. AKA United Nations (Midtown East)
Why It’s Great: AKA is a powerhouse in NYC’s service apartment scene, and their UN location is a standout.
It offers exceptional privacy and residential feel with incredibly spacious studios to three-bedrooms, many with terraces.
The amenities are top-tier: a 24-hour fitness center, a private screening room, and a serene library lounge.
It’s a quiet, sophisticated oasis in a central but calm part of Midtown.
📍 Best For: Long-term stays (month+), families, professionals seeking peace and space.
🔗 Website: AKA United Nations
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4. The Quin Central Park by Hilton Club (Midtown)
Why It’s Great: This one merges a classic, upscale hotel experience with the utility of residential living. Their “Residence” options are spacious and come with full kitchens.
The location is unbeatable—steps from Central Park and Carnegie Hall.
You get Hilton’s reliable service and access to unique perks like an exclusive partnership with an art consultancy.
Ideal for those who want traditional luxury with apartment conveniences.
📍 Best For: Culture lovers, families visiting the park/museums, Hilton loyalists.
🔗 Website: The Quin Central Park
5. Sonder at 36 Broad (FiDi)
Why It’s Great: Sonder is a tech-forward brand offering beautifully designed, self-contained apartments with hotel-style booking and support via their app.
Their 36 Broad property features stunning, modern lofts with full kitchens in a historic downtown building.
You check in via the app, get 24/7 digital concierge, and enjoy a seamless, contactless experience with incredible design at a competitive price.
📍 Best For: Tech-savvy travelers, couples, small groups wanting style and independence.
🔗 Website: Sonder at 36 Broad
6. Arlo NoMad Residences (NoMad)
Why It’s Great: Taking the trendy, boutique vibe of the Arlo Hotel brand and applying it to apartment living.
These residences feature signature small-space-smart design (though larger than the tiny hotel rooms), high-end finishes, kitchenettes, and access to all the hotel’s hip bars and rooftops.
It’s for the traveler who wants to be in the middle of the energetic NoMad/Flatiron scene with a comfortable nest to return to.
📍 Best For: Shorter extended trips, couples, urban explorers who value location and style.
🔗 Website: Arlo NoMad Residences
7. CITIZENM Times Square (Midtown)
Why It’s Great: CitizenM’s innovative, affordable luxury model extends to its “XL” and “XLarge” rooms, which function like clever micro-apartments.
While smaller than others on this list, they pack in massive king beds, rain showers, kitchenettes, and the brand’s signature mood-lighting tech.
The value is in the phenomenal public spaces—vibrant lobbies designed for work and play, with 24/7 food and self-service bars. It’s a social hub.
📍 Best For: Solo travelers or couples on a budget who live in the lobby, tech lovers.
🔗 Website: CITIZENM Times Square
8. The Marlton Hotel (Greenwich Village)
Why It’s Great: This isn’t a traditional service apartment chain, but its charming “Residences” (a few one and two-bedroom apartments) offer a unique opportunity.
You get the historic charm and perfect Parisian-bistro vibe of this iconic Washington Square hotel, with the full space of an apartment.
It feels like having your own gorgeous West Village flat, with room service and daily housekeeping just a call away.
📍 Best For: Those seeking classic NYC romance and character, longer Village stays.
🔗 Website: The Marlton Hotel Residences
9. MOXY NYC Lower East Side (LES)
Why It’s Great: Like its sister Arlo, the Moxy brand offers “Stay Longer” suites designed for extended visits.
They feature convertible furniture (Murphy beds to maximize space), decent kitchenettes, and fun, youthful design.
The location on the Lower East Side is prime for nightlife and food, and you get access to the hotel’s buzzing rooftop bars and social events.
It’s playful and practical.
📍 Best For: Younger travelers, friends on a trip, those wanting a fun, social atmosphere.
🔗 Website: MOXY NYC LES
10. Equity Residential’s “Common” Coliving (Multiple Boroughs)
Why It’s Great: This is a different, brilliant model for truly long-term stays (1 month+).
Common partners with building owners like Equity to offer fully-furnished apartments (private studios or shared larger apartments) with all utilities, WiFi, and cleaning included in one monthly rent.
They have beautifully designed buildings with coworking, gyms, and community events in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. It’s the most “living like a local” option.
📍 Best For: Remote workers on 1-6 month stays, those wanting a true neighborhood feel, budget-friendly community.
🔗 Website: Common Coliving NYC
Final Thoughts:
Let’s be real—your New York trip shouldn’t feel like you’re camping in a shoebox.
Picking one of these apartments isn’t just a booking hack; it’s your ticket to actually living here, even if just for a week.
So go ahead—unpack, stretch out, and let this city feel a little bit yours! <3
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