Finding a cheap place to sleep in Manhattan is usually a pipe dream. Finding one with history, a sense of duty, and a nightly rate that wouldn’t make a Sergeant Major weep was the specialty of the Soldiers Sailors Marines Club NYC for over a hundred years. It wasn't just a hotel. Honestly, it was a sanctuary. If you’ve ever walked down East 37th Street and seen the understated brownstones at numbers 281-283, you were looking at a piece of American military life that simply doesn't exist anymore in the same way.
The club didn't just provide beds. It provided a bridge.
For decades, if you were active duty, a veteran, or a family member of someone who served, this was your home base in the city. But things changed. The world of New York real estate is brutal, and even the most noble institutions aren't immune to the pressures of skyrocketing maintenance costs and shifting demographics.
The Soldiers Sailors Marines Club NYC and the end of an era
The most important thing to understand right now is that the physical clubhouse on 37th Street is gone. It’s closed. In 2021, the Board of Directors made the gut-wrenching decision to sell the buildings. Why? Because the math stopped working. You have these beautiful, aging structures that require millions in upkeep, and a global pandemic that effectively ended travel for a year. It was a perfect storm.
But here is where people get it wrong: the club didn't just vanish into thin air.
The organization pivoted. They basically transitioned from being a brick-and-mortar hotel to a grant-giving foundation. They recognized that the mission—serving those who serve—was more important than owning a specific set of front doors. Today, they operate as the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club. It’s a mouthful, but the inclusion of all branches matters. They now focus on providing subsidies and grants to veterans and service members who need a place to stay in New York, partnering with other hotels to keep the spirit alive without the overhead of a 19th-century elevator.
Why the 37th Street location was so special
It was quirky. You stayed there, and you felt the weight of the past. It wasn't a Marriott. The rooms were small, the hallways were narrow, and the walls were covered in memorabilia that would make a military historian droon. We’re talking about a club that was founded in 1919, right after World War I. Think about that for a second. Men coming back from the trenches of France needed a place to regroup before heading home to the Midwest or New England. This was that place.
Mrs. Francis Rogers and Mrs. Cornelia Barnes Rogers, the founders, weren't just "society ladies." They were women with a vision for hospitality that went beyond a clean sheet. They wanted to provide a "wholesome" environment. Back then, that meant keeping young service members away from the less savory elements of Times Square.
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Throughout the mid-20th century, the club was the heartbeat of military social life in New York. If you were a Marine on liberty during Fleet Week, you headed to 37th Street. You’d find a library, a lounge, and most importantly, people who spoke your language. No one was going to judge you for your buzz cut or your uniform. You belonged.
The financial reality of 21st-century Manhattan
Let's be real. Running a non-profit hotel in the Murray Hill neighborhood is a nightmare. By the time 2019 rolled around, the club was facing a massive deficit. The elevators needed replacing. The HVAC systems were humming their last tunes. And then, COVID-19 hit.
Total shutdown.
When the doors finally closed for good as a clubhouse, the buildings were sold for roughly $10 million. It sounds like a lot, but in Manhattan real estate, that’s almost peanuts for two combined brownstones. The proceeds from that sale were moved into an endowment. This is a crucial distinction. The Soldiers Sailors Marines Club NYC didn't "go broke"; it changed its asset class.
What veterans get wrong about the closure
A lot of veterans I talk to feel betrayed by the closure. They see it as another piece of history being turned into luxury condos or boutique offices. And yeah, that sucks. It’s a loss of "place." But the board argued that by selling the building, they could help more people. Instead of subsidizing the rooms of 60 people a night in an expensive building, they could use the interest from the endowment to provide thousands of dollars in travel grants and support for veterans visiting the city for medical care at the VA or for transition services.
It’s a trade-off. You lose the lobby, but you gain a more sustainable financial future.
Where do you stay now?
Since you can't book a room at 283 Lexington Ave (the 37th St entrance) anymore, where do you go? If you’re looking for that same "military-only" vibe, your options in NYC are slim, but not non-existent.
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- The USO Centers: They don't offer overnight lodging, but for daytime "recharge" spots, the USO at Port Authority or the TWA Hotel center are lifesavers.
- The New York Athletic Club (NYAC): Sometimes they have reciprocal agreements or specific veteran events, but it’s high-end and exclusive.
- The Center for Veterans Advancement: While not a hotel, they are the ones to call if you are a veteran in NYC and find yourself in a housing crisis.
The club itself now directs people toward their "grant program." If you are a veteran and you have a legitimate need to be in New York—whether for a job interview, a funeral at Arlington (which isn't NYC, obviously, but you get the drift regarding travel), or medical treatment—you can apply for assistance through their official channels. They’ve basically become a travel agency for the military community.
The legacy of the 1919 mission
It’s easy to be cynical about another NYC landmark closing. But the Soldiers Sailors Marines Club NYC lasted over 100 years. That’s an insane run for a non-profit. They saw the end of WWI, the entirety of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the long wars in the Middle East.
They served over 3 million people.
Think about that number. Three million beds made. Three million breakfasts. Three million conversations in that wood-paneled lounge. That’s a lot of "thank you for your service" put into actual, tangible action.
The club also hosted legendary figures. General Douglas MacArthur was an honorary chairman at one point. This wasn't some fly-by-night operation. It was a pillar of the patriotic community in New York City. The fact that it survived long enough to transition into a foundation is actually a success story, even if the loss of the physical building feels like a defeat.
Is the foundation still active?
Yes. Absolutely. They still maintain a presence and a board. They still have their 501(c)(3) status. If you go to their current digital footprint, you can see that they are still very much in the business of veteran welfare. They just aren't checking people in at a front desk at 3:00 PM anymore.
Navigating New York as a Veteran today
If you’re a veteran traveling to New York in 2026, the landscape is different. You have to be more proactive. The days of showing up at a brownstone in Murray Hill and getting a $65 room are over. New York is one of the most expensive hotel markets in the world.
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Here is how you handle it:
Check the Armed Forces Recreation Centers (AFRC) first. While there isn't one in Manhattan (the closest is the Dragon Hill Lodge in Germany or Shades of Green in Orlando), they often have advice on civilian "hero" discounts.
Look into the Veteran Tickets Foundation (VetTix). If you can't get a cheap room, at least you can get free tickets to a Knicks game or a Broadway show while you’re in town. It balances the cost.
Use the VA’s Fisher House if you are in town for medical reasons. If you were coming to the Soldiers Sailors Marines Club because you had an appointment at the Manhattan VA on 23rd Street, the Fisher House is your best bet for a free place to stay. It’s located right near the hospital and specifically serves families of veterans receiving care.
Final thoughts on the transition
The Soldiers Sailors Marines Club NYC represents a shift in how we handle veteran support. We are moving away from the "old boys club" model—where you had a physical building with a smoking room and a library—toward a more mobile, flexible, and financially-driven model. Is it as charming? No. Is it as personal? Probably not. But in a city where the cost of a square foot of dirt is higher than a month’s combat pay, it’s the only way the mission survives.
The club didn't die; it just took off the uniform and put on a suit to work the endowment funds. For those who remember the creaky floors of the 37th Street brownstone, nothing will ever replace that feeling of walking in from the noise of Manhattan and finding a quiet room filled with people who understood the weight of the uniform. But the memory of that place remains a benchmark for what veteran hospitality should look like.
Actionable Next Steps for Veterans and Supporters
- Verify Current Status: If you are looking for lodging, do not go to 283 Lexington Ave. The building is closed to the public. Always check the official Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard and Airmen’s Club website for their latest grant application procedures.
- Search for "Veteran Discounts NYC": Many hotels like the Marriott Marquis or the Hilton Midtown offer significant "Gov/Mil" rates, but you have to book them months in advance. Always have your CAC or retired ID ready.
- Support the Mission: Since the club now operates as a foundation, they rely on donations to fund the grants they give to traveling veterans. If you want to keep the spirit of 1919 alive, consider a direct donation to their scholarship or lodging grant funds.
- Alternative Lodging: If you're a veteran in need of emergency housing in NYC, contact the NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) immediately. They have replaced much of the "emergency" function the club used to serve for veterans in transition.