Five of the best budget hotels in New York City

New York accommodation doesn't come cheap, especially in desirable parts of the city. But it is possible to stay somewhere convenient and clean without shelling out hundreds of dollars a night.

Here are five hotels that are well-located, rate highly on TripAdvisor and other booking sites, and are pretty affordable by New York standards.

Of course, at these prices you'll have to sacrifice some amenities. But look on the bright side: you'll spend less time in your hotel room and more time out exploring the city, which is how you'll really get your money's worth.

The Jane Hotel

This quirky hotel could be a Wes Anderson set with its uniformed bellhops and ship's cabin rooms. The seafaring theme has to do with the hotel's history - it was built in 1908 to lodge sailors and famously hosted Titanic survivors in 1912. Space is tight in the majority of the cabins and bathrooms are mostly communal. But the West Village location can't be beat; the Whitney Museum, the High Line, and the chi chi Meatpacking District are so close you won't even bother with the hotel's complimentary bicycles.

Double rooms with shared bathrooms from $US89, www.thejanenyc.com

Hotel 31 and Hotel 17

There are several other properties in this family of hotels, which are sensibly named for the street they're located on. They're all solid choices but 31 and 17 have the best locations (near the Empire State Building and Union Square, respectively) as well as the best reviews. The rooms are spotless although the interiors are extremely dated - we're talking floral wallpaper and ornate wooden paneling. Rates are reasonable for the location, especially if you're willing to forgo an ensuite bathroom.