Look, New York is expensive. Everyone knows it. If you’ve spent any time looking for a hotel in Manhattan lately, you’ve probably felt that specific type of sticker shock that makes you want to just cancel the whole trip. Then you see it: the Days Inn by Wyndham New York Chinatown. The price looks almost too good. The location is right there on the edge of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. But you’re wondering if it’s one of those budget hotels where the elevator breaks and the walls are paper-thin.
I’ve been tracking the Manhattan hospitality market for years. Honestly, this specific property on Henry Street is one of the most polarizing spots in the city. Some people swear by it because it lets them spend their money on $100 omakase dinners instead of a room they’re only sleeping in for six hours. Others find the grit of the neighborhood a bit much.
Located at 100 Henry Street, the Days Inn by Wyndham New York Chinatown sits in a pocket of the city that feels authentically "old New York." You aren't in the sterilized, glass-and-steel world of Hudson Yards here. You’re in a place where people actually live, work, and hang laundry out of windows.
What Staying at the Days Inn by Wyndham New York Chinatown Is Really Like
Let's get the vibe right. You walk in, and it's small. Everything in Chinatown is small. The lobby isn't a "grand entrance"; it’s a functional space to get your key and get to your room. If you’re expecting a bellhop to whisk away your bags, you’ve got the wrong address.
The rooms are compact. In some, you can practically touch both walls if you have a wide wingspan. But here’s the thing: they are usually clean. Wyndham keeps a relatively tight ship on brand standards, even in these older urban footprints. You get a flat-screen TV, a desk that’s honestly a bit cramped for a laptop, and a bathroom that does the job.
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One of the biggest misconceptions about this hotel is that it’s "out of the way." It’s really not. You’re a five-minute walk from the F train at East Broadway. That train is your golden ticket. It takes you straight to DUMBO in Brooklyn or up through SoHo and into Midtown.
The Noise Factor
New York never shuts up. If you stay at the Days Inn by Wyndham New York Chinatown, you need to bring earplugs. Seriously. The hotel is near the Manhattan Bridge. That means the rhythmic thump-thump of the subway crossing the bridge is part of the soundtrack of your stay. Some people find it soothing, like a mechanical heartbeat. Others find it infuriating.
Why the Price Fluctuates So Much
Pricing here is erratic. On a random Tuesday in February, you might snag a room for $140. During UN General Assembly week or graduation season at NYU? Expect that to triple. It’s a supply-and-demand game. If you’re paying $400 for this room, you’ll probably be disappointed. If you’re paying $160 while the Marriott nearby is charging $500, you’re winning.
The Neighborhood Secret Sauce
Most people book the Days Inn by Wyndham New York Chinatown for the price, but they stay for the food. You are steps away from some of the best cheap eats in the Western Hemisphere.
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Forget the hotel breakfast. Walk three blocks to Scarr’s Pizza for a slice that actually lives up to the hype. Or hit up Shu Jiao Fu Zhou for those peanut butter noodles and pork dumplings that cost less than a Starbucks latte. This is the real draw of 100 Henry Street. You’re immersed in a neighborhood that hasn’t been fully sanitized by gentrification yet.
There's a specific energy here. You'll see grandmothers haggling over bok choy at the street markets and skaters heading toward Coleman Skatepark under the bridge. It’s loud, it’s crowded, and it’s vibrant.
Safety and Perception
I get asked a lot if Chinatown is safe at night. Generally, yeah. It’s New York. You stay aware of your surroundings. The area around the hotel is well-traveled, though some of the side streets under the bridge can feel a bit lonely after midnight. It’s more "gritty" than "dangerous." If you're used to the suburbs, the trash piles on the curb on pickup night might be a shock, but that’s just Manhattan reality.
Things Most Travel Sites Get Wrong
They tell you it’s a "business hotel." It’s not. Not really. The Wi-Fi is fine for emails, but if you’re a high-powered consultant trying to run a four-hour Zoom workshop, you might struggle with the bandwidth and the lack of a proper ergonomic chair. This is a "tourist on a budget" or "weekend adventurer" hotel.
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Also, the "gym." Calling it a fitness center is generous. It’s a room with a few machines. If you actually want a workout, run across the Manhattan Bridge. The views are better and the incline will destroy your calves in the best way possible.
Logistics You Actually Need
- Check-in: Standard is 3:00 PM. They are usually pretty strict about this unless they have a room ready.
- Elevators: There are two. They aren't the fastest. Plan accordingly if you're on a high floor and have a dinner reservation.
- Views: If you get a room on a higher floor facing south, you might get a killer view of the bridge. It’s worth asking for at the front desk.
Comparing the Days Inn by Wyndham New York Chinatown to Nearby Options
You could stay at the Hotel 50 Bowery just a few blocks away. It’s gorgeous. It has a rooftop bar. It also usually costs $150 to $200 more per night.
Then there’s the Howard Johnson or various "boutique" spots that are basically converted tenements. The Days Inn sits in that "middle-low" sweet spot. You get the Wyndham Rewards points (which are actually useful) and a predictable level of service that independent budget hotels often lack.
Is it luxury? No. Is it charming? Not in the traditional sense. But it is effective. It provides a clean bed and a hot shower in one of the most interesting neighborhoods in the world.
Final Verdict on the Value Proposition
The Days Inn by Wyndham New York Chinatown is for the traveler who views a hotel as a locker for their suitcase and a place to crash. If you want to spend your time at the Whitney Museum, walking the High Line, and drinking cocktails in the East Village, this hotel keeps your overhead low so you can enjoy the city.
Don't expect the world. Expect a small room, a bit of bridge noise, and an unbeatable location for foodies. If you go in with that mindset, you'll have a great trip.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Stay
- Book directly through the Wyndham site if you can; they often have "Member Rates" that beat Expedia or Booking.com by $10 or $20.
- Request a high-floor room away from the elevator to minimize hallway noise and maximize your chances of a view.
- Download the "Transit" app. The subway layout around Chinatown can be confusing with the B, D, F, J, and Z trains all nearby.
- Bring a reusable water bottle. The tap water in NYC is actually some of the best in the country, and you'll save $5 a bottle compared to buying it in the lobby.
- Check the bridge schedule. If there’s major construction on the Manhattan Bridge, the noise might be worse than usual during your specific dates.