Finding a place to crash in Manhattan is usually a nightmare for your wallet. Honestly, if you've ever looked at hotel prices near Central Park, you know the "budget" options are often just slightly less expensive versions of luxury suites. That is exactly why people keep ending up at the Days Inn Upper West Side. It sits right on Broadway at 94th Street. It’s not fancy. It’s definitely not the Ritz. But it’s one of those rare spots where you can actually stay in a "real" neighborhood without selling a kidney to pay for the night.
New York is loud. It’s expensive.
Most people come to the Upper West Side expecting You've Got Mail vibes—brownstones and quiet cafes. They find that here, but the Days Inn by Wyndham Hotel Broadway is more about utility than romance. It's a base camp. You sleep there so you can spend your money on $18 cocktails and Broadway tickets instead of a high-thread-count sheet set you’ll only see for six hours.
What You’re Actually Getting at the Days Inn Upper West Side
The location is basically the entire selling point. You are steps from the 1, 2, and 3 subway lines at the 96th Street station. That is a massive deal. In NYC, being near an express stop (the 2 and 3) means you can get to Times Square or Chelsea in about ten minutes flat. If you stay further north or on a local-only line, your commute becomes a slog.
Here's the reality of the rooms: they're small. If you are traveling with three suitcases and a giant stroller, you’re going to be playing Tetris with your gear. The furniture is standard-issue Wyndham—think dark wood veneers and carpets that have seen a lot of foot traffic. But it’s clean. The staff at this specific location, formally known as the Days Inn by Wyndham Hotel Broadway, have a reputation for being surprisingly "New York friendly"—which means they are efficient, fast, and won't waste your time with fake pleasantries if there’s a line behind you.
The Neighborhood Factor
People forget that the Upper West Side (UWS) is a residential stronghold. When you step out of the lobby, you aren't greeted by Elmo impersonators or tourists holding giant maps. You see locals walking their Labradoodles and heading to the local Bagel Talk or Symphony Space.
- Riverside Park: Just two blocks west. It's better than Central Park if you hate crowds.
- Central Park: About a ten-minute walk east.
- Dining: You’ve got Absolute Bagels nearby—widely considered some of the best in the city. Expect a line. It’s worth it.
Staying here feels less like being a "visitor" and more like having a temporary apartment in a zip code where people actually live.
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Dealing With the Noise and the "Old School" Vibe
Let’s be real for a second. This building isn’t brand new. The elevators can be slow. Sometimes the heating system clanks in the middle of the night like a ghost is trying to escape the pipes. If you are a light sleeper, you need to bring earplugs. Broadway is a major artery for ambulances and taxis. The Days Inn Upper West Side doesn't have the triple-paned soundproofing of a skyscraper in Midtown.
Is it a dealbreaker? Probably not for most. But if you’re expecting a silent sanctuary, you’re in the wrong city, let alone the wrong hotel.
Comparing Costs: Why the UWS Matters
Why not just stay in Long Island City or New Jersey? Convenience. By the time you pay for the PATH train or an Uber from Queens, you’ve spent the "savings" you thought you were getting. The Days Inn on 94th keeps you in the mix.
Usually, hotels in this area (like the Arthouse or the Hotel Beacon) will run you double the price. The Days Inn occupies this weird middle ground. It's better than a hostel, but it lacks the "boutique" charm of its neighbors. You get a private bathroom, a TV that works, and a bed that is surprisingly comfortable for the price point.
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I’ve talked to travelers who stayed here during the Marathon or graduation season at Columbia University. For them, it wasn't about the lobby decor. It was about being walking distance to the campus or the finish line.
Essential Tips for Your Stay
- Request a High Floor: The street noise is significantly better once you get above the 5th floor.
- Skip the Hotel Breakfast: You are in the Upper West Side. Go to a bodega. Get a bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll. It’s the law.
- Check the MetroCard: Buy an OMNY card or use your phone. The 96th Street station is right there. Don't waste money on Ubers.
- The "Hidden" Grocery: There’s a Whole Foods nearby on 97th and Columbus, and a Trader Joe’s a bit further down. If you’re staying a week, buy snacks there to save a fortune.
The Reality of NYC Budget Lodging
There is a lot of misinformation about budget hotels in New York. People see a low price and assume it’s a "no-tell motel" or unsafe. That’s not the case here. The Days Inn Upper West Side is a corporate-managed property in one of the safest, most affluent parts of Manhattan. You can walk back to the hotel at 11:00 PM and feel totally fine.
The trade-off is simply aesthetic.
The lobby is small. There isn't a fancy rooftop bar. You won't find a gym with Peloton bikes. But you will find a functional room in a neighborhood that makes you feel like a New Yorker. Honestly, that’s a better experience than staying in a windowless room in a "cool" part of Brooklyn that takes forty minutes to get anywhere.
How to Book Without Getting Ripped Off
Prices fluctuate wildly. If there is a convention at the Javits Center or a holiday weekend, the rates at the Days Inn can spike to $300+, which is frankly too much for what it is.
- Book early. * Check the Wyndham rewards site. Sometimes they have member-only rates that beat the big travel sites.
- Avoid October and December. These are the most expensive months in NYC. If you must come then, book six months out.
The Days Inn Upper West Side represents a dying breed of Manhattan lodging: the straightforward, no-frills hotel that doesn't try to be something it’s not. It’s a place to charge your phone, wash your face, and sleep before heading back out into the chaos of the city.
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Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
If you’ve decided this is the right spot for your NYC home base, don't just click "book" and hope for the best. Take these steps to ensure the stay actually works for you:
- Verify the Address: Make sure you are looking at the 215 West 94th Street location. There are other "budget" spots nearby, but this is the primary Days Inn with the best subway access.
- Map your commute: Open a map app and look at the walking distance from the hotel to the 96th St Station (Red Line). It’s less than two minutes. If you have mobility issues, this is one of the best-situated hotels in the city.
- Download the OMNY app: Or just make sure your digital wallet is ready. You’ll be using the subway constantly from this location.
- Check for recent renovations: Hotels in NYC frequently do floor-by-floor refreshes. Call the front desk and ask if they have any "recently updated" rooms available for your dates; it never hurts to ask nicely.
- Plan your first meal: Don't eat at the hotel. Look up West Side Home Cooking or Manhattan Diner for a classic NYC experience within five blocks.
Staying here is a tactical choice. It’s about being smart with your budget so you can actually enjoy the city rather than just looking at it from a fancy window you can't afford.