Pod 51 Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
Pod 51 is the best cheap pick in Manhattan — a great Midtown location and a rooftop bar with city views.
Pod 51 is the best cheap pick in Manhattan — a great Midtown location and a rooftop bar with city views.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The pod-style rooms at Pod 51 are designed to make a small footprint feel bigger than it is. You get a comfortable bed, a flat-screen TV, some storage for your bags, and a bathroom that's compact but does everything it needs to. Most reviews land on the same note — small but not cramped, and well thought out. If you spend your days out in Manhattan, the room size really won't register, because what matters more is being in the middle of everything.
Food and amenities
The rooftop bar is what sets Pod 51 apart from the other budget hotels in Midtown. You get a 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline, and sunset is the time to be up there, with golden light coming off the towers. Drinks are reasonably priced by New York standards, and plenty of guests call the rooftop the highlight of the stay — getting a view like this at this price feels like a steal. There's also an in-hotel cafe and a 24-hour front desk. Breakfast isn't included, so plan to eat out.
Location and getting there
The Midtown East location near Grand Central Terminal is Pod 51's strongest card. It's about a 5-minute walk to Grand Central, which connects straight to subway lines 4, 5, 6, S and Metro-North. Times Square is roughly 10 minutes on foot, Bryant Park 8, and MoMA about 15. If you want to be out exploring the city every day, this is the best location you'll get at this price. Central Park is an easy walk or a short subway ride, and the streets around the hotel are packed with places to eat — Shake Shack, Eataly, and international spots across every budget.
Things to know before booking
The pod rooms are genuinely small, so skip this one if you need space to spread out. Breakfast isn't included in the rate. And parking costs extra — standard for Manhattan, but the subway or a taxi is the smarter move here anyway, since parking in the city is both hard and pricey.
Our take
Pod 51 is our #1 cheap pick in Manhattan, and the 8.3/10 score backs that up. You trade room size for an unbeatable Midtown East location and a rooftop bar most budget hotels can't match. For anyone who plans to be out all day and just needs a clean, well-placed base, it's hard to do better at this price.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A Midtown East location near Grand Central — easy to get anywhere in the city from here.
- A rooftop bar with gorgeous Manhattan views, best at sunset when the light hits the towers.
- Rates from about $63 a night — the cheapest in the Midtown area.
- Free Wi-Fi that runs at a good speed.
- 24-hour check-in, which is handy if your travel plans are loose.
- Pod-style rooms are very small — not the right fit if you want room to spread out.
- Breakfast isn't included in the rate, so budget for it separately.
- Parking costs extra, which is standard for Manhattan but worth knowing.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near New York City
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around New York City — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in New York CityAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Ask for a higher floor — the Manhattan views are much better than from the lower rooms.
- The rooftop bar fills up in the evening, so get there before 5pm to grab a good seat.
- Grand Central Market is a 5-minute walk and a reasonable spot for breakfast.