You’re walking through Long Island City, just a bridge away from the chaos of Midtown, and you see it. It looks like a relic. Massive windows, weathered brick, and that distinct industrial vibe that everyone tries to fake but nobody quite nails. This is the Paper Factory Hotel New York, or as the locals and repeat guests just call it, "The Paper Factory." It isn’t actually made of paper, obviously. It’s a 100-year-old former paper and radio factory that got a second life as a boutique hotel, and honestly, it’s one of the few places in the five boroughs that doesn't feel like a sterile glass box.
New York hotels are usually a gamble. You either pay $500 for a room the size of a closet in Times Square or you end up in a "budget" spot that’s basically a converted basement. The Paper Factory hits that weird, perfect middle ground. It’s got these soaring 12-foot ceilings and authentic polished concrete floors that remind you of the building's blue-collar history. It’s gritty but polished. Sorta like the neighborhood itself.
The Reality of Staying at the Paper Factory Hotel New York
People get confused about the location. Technically, it’s at 37-06 36th Street. You’re in Long Island City, but you’re right on the edge of Astoria. This matters. Why? Because you get the best of both worlds. You have the massive Kaufman Astoria Studios nearby—where they’ve filmed everything from Sesame Street to Orange Is the New Black—and you’ve got the booming tech-hub energy of LIC.
The rooms are the real draw. Most Manhattan hotel rooms make you feel claustrophobic the second you drop your luggage. Not here. Because it was a factory, the proportions are massive. You’ve got huge industrial windows that let in actual sunlight—a rare commodity in NYC. The furniture feels curated, not mass-produced. Think leather accents, reclaimed wood, and custom art that actually reflects the local scene instead of those weird abstract prints you find in a Marriott.
The lobby is basically a massive living room. It’s filled with vintage machinery, including a giant spiral staircase made of books and an old printing press. It’s the kind of place where you actually want to hang out and grab a coffee rather than just sprinting to the elevator. You’ll see people on their MacBooks, locals grabbing a drink, and travelers trying to figure out the N/W train schedule. It feels alive.
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Why Long Island City Beats Manhattan Every Time
Most tourists make the mistake of thinking they have to stay in Manhattan to see New York. Big mistake. Huge.
Staying at the Paper Factory Hotel New York puts you four stops away from 59th Street. You can be at Central Park in fifteen minutes. But when you’re done with the noise and the tourists, you come back to a neighborhood that actually has a soul. Long Island City has become this incredible culinary hub. You have places like Mu Ramen and Casa Enrique (which has a Michelin star, by the way) just a short Uber or subway ride away.
- The View: Walk a few blocks toward the East River and you get the Gantry Plaza State Park view. It’s better than any view from a Manhattan hotel because you’re actually looking at the skyline.
- The Price: You’re usually saving 30% to 40% compared to a similar boutique hotel in SoHo or Chelsea.
- The Space: We already talked about the ceilings, but seriously, the extra square footage is a lifesaver if you're traveling with more than one person.
The Collective Takeover and What Changed
If you’ve looked at the hotel recently, you might have noticed the name "The Collective" popping up. A few years back, the building was acquired by The Collective, a co-living company. There was a lot of worry that it would lose its "hotel" feel and become some weird dorm for tech bros.
Honestly? It mostly stayed the same, just with more "community" programming. They leaned into the idea of "co-living," which basically means they offer longer stays and have more communal events. If you’re a traditional traveler, it doesn't really change your experience much. You still get your private room, your own bathroom, and all the standard hotel amenities. It just means the person sitting next to you in the lobby might actually live there for a month instead of just a weekend.
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What You Need to Know Before You Book
Don't expect a 24-hour white-glove bellman service. That’s not what this is. This is a boutique, lifestyle-driven space. It’s for the traveler who knows how to use Google Maps and doesn’t need their hand held.
The subway is right there. The M and R trains are at the 36th St station, literally a one-minute walk from the front door. This is a double-edged sword. It’s incredibly convenient, but yeah, you might hear a faint rumble. It’s New York. If you want total silence, go to upstate New York. If you want the city, you embrace the noise.
The staff are generally younger and more "neighborhood" than "corporate." They’ll tell you where the best taco truck is, but they might not be wearing a tuxedo. I personally prefer that, but if you’re looking for the Waldorf Astoria, you’re in the wrong place.
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Forget the hotel breakfast. It’s fine, but you’re in Queens. Walk a few blocks and find a local bodega or a Greek bakery in Astoria.
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- Check the Event Calendar: Since the takeover, they host a lot of cool stuff—yoga, art shows, networking nights. Even if you aren't "living" there, hotel guests can usually jump in.
- Request a High Floor: If you’re worried about street noise, just ask. The higher floors have better light anyway.
- Explore Astoria: Everyone goes toward the water in LIC, but if you head north into Astoria, you hit some of the best food in the world. Steinway Street and 30th Avenue are legendary for a reason.
- The Museum of the Moving Image: It is literally a five-minute walk away. Even if you aren't a film nerd, the Jim Henson exhibit is worth the price of admission alone.
The Verdict on Paper Factory Hotel New York
Is it perfect? No. The elevators can be a bit slow when it's busy, and sometimes the "industrial" vibe means the hallways feel a little cold. But in a city that is increasingly becoming a playground for the ultra-wealthy, the Paper Factory Hotel New York feels like a piece of the real NYC that survived.
It’s stylish without being pretentious. It’s affordable without being cheap. Most importantly, it gives you a base of operations that feels like a cool loft apartment rather than a sterile box. If you want to see New York like someone who actually lives here, this is where you drop your bags.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Book directly on their site or check major travel platforms for "The Collective Paper Factory" to see the latest seasonal rates.
- Map out your arrival. If you're flying into LGA, it's a very short 15-minute Uber ride, which is way better than the hour-long slog to Manhattan.
- Pack for walking. LIC and Astoria are extremely walkable, and you’ll want to explore the street art and breweries nearby like Fifth Hammer or ICONYC.