Profile

The budget-friendly Amsterdam Inn caters to a mix of European tourists and resourceful families who are willing to forgo as many frills as necessary for a good deal. In this case, “frills” mean everything from indulgent extras like plush bedding and complimentary breakfasts to what might be considered basics—like, in some cases, a private bathroom. A steep wooden stairway leads to the sparse second-floor lobby, and because the hotel lacks an elevator, you'll be carrying your bags up as many as four more flights of stairs after check-in (unless you're in a deluxe queen room on the lobby level). The rooms themselves are a mixed bag: larger ones have private bathrooms, attempt some semblance of style with hardwood floors and simple wooden furniture, and generally include a kitchenette and storage cabinets, while the minuscule versions lack private baths and have frayed carpeting and little space to breathe. To their credit, all accommodations do have cable, Internet access, and basic kitchen necessities like a fridge and coffeemaker. The Upper West Side location is ideal if you're looking to soak in the city's cultural institutions—Lincoln Center and the Museum of Natural History are walking distance—but first-time visitors should know that you're a subway ride away from most everything else. — Keshia Crosby

Low rates, a safe location, and easy access to the Upper West Side’s cultural institutions.

Cons
No elevator, less-than-tidy rooms, and, in some cases, shared bathrooms.