Looking for the best hotels in Long Island City Queens? You’re in the right place.

Long Island City, often called LIC, has become one of the smartest places to stay when visiting New York City. You get the advantage of being in Queens, but Manhattan is only a short subway ride away.

That means you can enjoy NYC attractions during the day and return to a neighborhood that can offer better hotel value at night.

LIC is also a great choice if you want easy access to Manhattan without paying Manhattan hotel prices. The neighborhood has everything from stylish boutique hotels and modern Marriott properties to affordable hotels, extended-stay suites and family-friendly accommodations.

I’ve put together this guide to help you find the best hotels in Long Island City Queens, whether you’re visiting NYC for the first time, traveling with family, planning a romantic getaway or simply looking for a good-value place to sleep.

Why Stay in Long Island City?

Before choosing your hotel, it helps to understand why Long Island City is becoming such a popular NYC base.

The biggest advantage is location.

Long Island City sits directly across the East River from Manhattan. Several subway lines serve the area, making it possible to reach Midtown and other parts of New York City without staying in Manhattan itself.

That can make a big difference when you’re comparing hotel prices.

Another advantage is the variety of hotels. Current hotel listings include boutique properties, major chains, extended-stay hotels and budget-friendly options.

LIC is also home to attractions such as MoMA PS1, Gantry Plaza State Park and waterfront areas with excellent Manhattan skyline views.

So if you want a quieter place to stay while remaining close to NYC sightseeing, Long Island City is worth considering.

1. Boro Hotel

Best for: Boutique style and Manhattan views

Boro Hotel is one of the most recognizable boutique hotels in Long Island City.

The hotel has a modern industrial design that fits the neighborhood particularly well. Large windows and contemporary interiors give it a distinctly New York feel without the traditional Manhattan hotel atmosphere.

It is also one of the strongest-rated properties in the area. Tripadvisor currently lists Boro Hotel at 4.5/5 from more than 1,400 reviews.

Why stay here?

• Stylish boutique atmosphere
• Modern rooms
• Manhattan and Queens views
• Good choice for couples
• Restaurant and bar
• Convenient LIC location

If you’re looking for a hotel that feels more special than a standard chain property, Boro is an excellent place to start your search.

Best for: Couples, design-conscious travelers and weekend trips.

2. Aloft by Marriott Long Island City-Manhattan View

Best for: Modern travelers

Aloft is a great option if you like contemporary hotels and want the reliability of a major hotel brand.

It is particularly appealing for travelers who want a lively, modern atmosphere rather than a traditional hotel.

Aloft currently has one of the strongest traveler ratings among Long Island City hotels, with a 4.7/5 Tripadvisor rating from more than 1,000 reviews.

Why stay here?

• Modern design
• Marriott Bonvoy property
• Manhattan-view positioning
• Fitness facilities
• Good option for business and leisure travelers

If you’re comparing hotels in Long Island City near subway stations, this should definitely make your shortlist.

Best for: Couples, solo travelers and business travelers.

3. Home2 Suites by Hilton New York Long Island City/Manhattan View

Best for: Families and longer stays

If you’re traveling with kids or staying in New York for several nights, Home2 Suites deserves a serious look.

The biggest advantage is the suite-style setup. Having more functional space can make a long NYC trip much easier, particularly when you’re traveling as a family.

The hotel is also highly rated, with Tripadvisor showing 4.5/5 from approximately 1,750 reviews.

Why stay here?

• Suite-style accommodation
• Good for longer stays
• Family-friendly
• Kitchen facilities in rooms
• Manhattan views available

This is one of my favorite types of hotel for travelers who don’t want to feel like they’re living out of a suitcase for an entire week.

Best for: Families, longer vacations and travelers who want extra room.

4. TownePlace Suites by Marriott New York Long Island City/Manhattan View

Best for: Extended stays

TownePlace Suites is another excellent option if you’re planning to stay in NYC for more than a few nights.

It’s designed around the extended-stay traveler, so it can be particularly useful if you want more practical accommodation rather than simply a place to sleep.

Tripadvisor currently lists the property at 4.6/5 from nearly 300 reviews.

Why stay here?

• Extended-stay setup
• Marriott Bonvoy
• Apartment-style conveniences
• Good for longer trips
• Manhattan-view options

Best for: Families, digital nomads and longer NYC stays.

5. Hyatt Place Long Island City / New York City

Best for: First-time visitors

Hyatt Place is one of the safest choices if you’re visiting New York City for the first time and want a familiar hotel brand.

It’s modern, practical and well suited to travelers who plan to spend most of their day exploring NYC.

Tripadvisor currently gives it a 4.4/5 rating from more than 600 reviews.

Why stay here?

• Well-known hotel brand
• Modern rooms
• Fitness center
• Good location
• Suitable for business and leisure trips

If you’re searching for where to stay in Long Island City for first-time visitors, this is one of the properties I’d compare first.

Best for: First-time NYC visitors and couples.

6. LIC Hotel

Best for: Value

LIC Hotel is worth checking if you’re looking for a more affordable hotel in Long Island City without going all the way down to basic budget accommodation.

The property has a strong traveler reputation, currently sitting around 4.3/5 on Tripadvisor from more than 700 reviews.

Why stay here?

• Good value
• Convenient location
• Rooftop area
• Free Wi-Fi
• Suitable for couples and solo travelers

The hotel is especially interesting for travelers who plan to spend most of their time sightseeing rather than sitting inside the hotel.

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers and weekend visitors.

7. Courtyard Long Island City / New York Manhattan View

Best for: Marriott travelers

Courtyard is a dependable middle-ground option.

You don’t get the boutique personality of Boro or the extended-stay setup of TownePlace Suites, but you do get a familiar Marriott experience in a convenient NYC location.

Tripadvisor currently lists the hotel at 4.3/5 from more than 400 reviews.

Best for: Business travelers, couples and Marriott Bonvoy members.

8. Hilton Garden Inn Long Island City New York

Best for: A reliable mid-range stay

Hilton Garden Inn is another practical choice for travelers who prefer staying with a familiar hotel chain.

The hotel currently has a 4.4/5 Tripadvisor rating based on more than 1,200 reviews.

Why consider it?

• Reliable chain hotel
• Fitness facilities
• Restaurant and bar
• Family-friendly
• Convenient location

It’s a good hotel to compare when you’re searching for mid-range hotels in Long Island City Queens.

9. Wingate by Wyndham Long Island City

Best for: Value seekers

Wingate is another property worth checking when you’re comparing affordable hotels in LIC.

It offers a more straightforward hotel experience without the boutique pricing of some of the neighborhood’s trendier properties.

Tripadvisor currently gives it a 4.2/5 rating from hundreds of reviews.

Best for: Budget-conscious couples and short stays.

10. DoubleTree by Hilton Long Island City New York

Best for: Hilton travelers

DoubleTree is a good option if you prefer Hilton properties and want something a little more traditional.

The hotel is located in the western part of Long Island City, giving travelers relatively easy access to Manhattan.

Current listings show a 4.2/5 Tripadvisor rating.

Best for: Business travelers, couples and Hilton Honors members.

11. Holiday Inn Express Long Island City E

Best for: Travelers who want breakfast included

Holiday Inn Express can be a particularly useful option for travelers trying to control their NYC vacation budget.

Breakfast included with your stay can save you from buying another meal every morning, which matters more than you might expect in an expensive city like New York.

The property currently has a 4.2/5 Tripadvisor rating.

Best for: Families and budget-conscious travelers.

12. Feather Factory Hotel

Best for: A smaller hotel experience

Feather Factory Hotel offers something different from the big-name chains.

If you prefer smaller properties with a more local feel, it’s worth adding to your hotel comparison list.

Tripadvisor currently lists it at around 4.0/5.

Best for: Travelers who prefer independent hotels.

13. Vista LIC Hotel, BW Premier Collection

Best for: Couples and travelers wanting something different

Vista LIC Hotel is another option to consider if you’re looking beyond the biggest hotel brands.

Its location makes it useful for travelers who want to stay in LIC while remaining close to the attractions and transportation connections of the neighborhood.

Best for: Couples and leisure travelers.

14. Residence Inn by Marriott New York Queens

Best for: Families and longer trips

Residence Inn is designed around longer stays, making it particularly useful for families or travelers spending a week or more in NYC.

Having additional living space can be a major advantage when you’re traveling with children or simply don’t want to spend your entire vacation in a traditional hotel room.

Tripadvisor currently lists the property at around 4.5/5.

Best for: Families and extended stays.

15. The Local

Best for: Budget travelers and social stays

The Local is worth considering if your priority is keeping accommodation costs under control while staying in Long Island City.

It’s a different experience from a full-service hotel, but it can work well for travelers who spend most of their time exploring NYC.

Tripadvisor currently lists it at 4.5/5 from more than 700 reviews.

Best for: Solo travelers, younger travelers and budget visitors.

Best Areas to Stay in Long Island City

Not every part of Long Island City feels exactly the same.

When choosing your hotel, pay attention to the area around the property rather than simply searching for the cheapest room.

Court Square

Court Square is one of the most convenient areas for visitors.

It’s surrounded by restaurants, residential buildings, offices and subway connections. It’s also close to attractions such as MoMA PS1.

Best for: First-time visitors and sightseeing.

Queens Plaza

Queens Plaza is another excellent choice if transportation is your biggest priority.

Staying around Queens Plaza can make getting into Manhattan particularly convenient.

Best for: Travelers who plan to explore Manhattan every day.

Hunters Point

Hunters Point is a great option if you want waterfront scenery.

Gantry Plaza State Park is one of the area’s biggest attractions and is an excellent place to see the Manhattan skyline.

Best for: Couples, photographers and travelers who enjoy waterfront walks.

Dutch Kills

Dutch Kills has a slightly more residential and industrial feel.

You may find good hotel values here, particularly if you don’t mind being a little farther from the waterfront.

Best for: Budget travelers.

Best Hotels in Long Island City by Travel Style

Here’s the quick version if you don’t want to read through every hotel.

Travel style	Hotel to consider
Best overall	Boro Hotel
Best modern hotel	Aloft
Best for families	Home2 Suites
Best extended stay	TownePlace Suites
Best for first-time visitors	Hyatt Place
Best value	LIC Hotel
Best Marriott	Courtyard
Best Hilton	Hilton Garden Inn
Best for breakfast	Holiday Inn Express
Best independent hotel	Feather Factory Hotel
Best for longer family stays	Residence Inn
Best budget/social stay	The Local

Is Long Island City a Good Place to Stay in NYC?

Yes.

In fact, I think LIC deserves more attention from travelers who automatically assume they need to stay in Manhattan.

You’re still close to the action, but you have a much wider selection of hotels to compare.

The key is choosing a property close to the subway route that works for your itinerary.

If you’re spending most of your days around Times Square, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Midtown, convenient subway access matters more than being directly in Manhattan.

If you’re interested in Queens, Brooklyn and waterfront attractions as well, LIC becomes even more appealing.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay for a Long Island City Hotel?

Hotel prices in New York change constantly depending on the season, day of the week, events and availability.

Don’t assume the hotel with the lowest advertised nightly rate will actually be the cheapest.

Always check the total price, including taxes and fees, before booking.

It’s also worth comparing several hotels for your exact travel dates because prices can change dramatically from one property to another.

For that reason, I recommend checking several hotels before making a decision rather than booking the first attractive deal you see.

Tips for Booking a Hotel in Long Island City

1. Check the subway location

This is probably the most important tip.

A hotel that looks cheap isn’t necessarily a bargain if you have to spend extra time traveling every day.

2. Compare the total price

Look beyond the advertised nightly rate.

Taxes, destination fees, parking and other charges can change the final price.

3. Book early for busy periods

New York can become extremely expensive during major holidays, events and peak travel periods.

If your dates are fixed, start comparing hotels early.

4. Consider weekdays

If your schedule is flexible, compare weekday and weekend prices.

A small change in dates can sometimes make a surprisingly large difference.

5. Think about your itinerary

If you’re planning to spend most of your vacation sightseeing in Manhattan, prioritize subway access.

If you’re interested in the waterfront and Queens attractions, consider staying closer to Hunters Point or Gantry Plaza.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Long Island City cheaper than Manhattan?

Often, yes. Long Island City offers a large selection of hotels outside Manhattan, which can make it easier to find better-value accommodation. However, prices vary significantly by date and demand.

How far is Long Island City from Manhattan?

Long Island City is directly across the East River from Manhattan. Depending on where you’re staying and where you’re going, subway travel into Manhattan can be very quick.

Is Long Island City good for first-time visitors?

Yes. The neighborhood is particularly attractive to first-time visitors who want to stay close to Manhattan without necessarily paying Manhattan hotel prices.

What is the best hotel in Long Island City?

For an upscale boutique experience, Boro Hotel is one of the strongest choices. For modern chain accommodation, Aloft is highly rated. Families and longer-stay travelers may prefer Home2 Suites or TownePlace Suites.

What is the best area to stay in Long Island City?

Court Square and Queens Plaza are excellent choices if transportation is your priority. Hunters Point is especially attractive if you want waterfront views and access to Gantry Plaza State Park.

Is Long Island City safe for tourists?

As with any large urban destination, visitors should use normal city safety precautions, particularly at night. Choose a hotel based on its exact location and check recent traveler reviews before booking.

Final Thoughts

Long Island City is one of the most practical places to consider when you’re trying to figure out where to stay in New York City.

You get access to a wide range of hotels, convenient transportation and some fantastic Manhattan skyline views without having to stay in the middle of the busiest parts of Manhattan.

For a stylish stay, I’d start with Boro Hotel.

For a modern chain hotel, look at Aloft.

For families, Home2 Suites and Residence Inn are worth comparing.

And if you’re focused on value, don’t overlook LIC Hotel and some of the area’s other mid-range properties.

Before booking, compare your exact dates, check the total price and make sure the hotel is convenient for the attractions you plan to visit.

That extra five minutes of research can make a big difference to your NYC trip.