Vacation Rental Apartments in New York

Some New Yorkers travel for part of the year and rather than let their apartment sit empty, they make it available for daily, weekly or monthly guests.

These may be apartments that are set up for rental - or the empty nests of New Yorkers on vacation themselves. This alternative to hotels has been popular in Europe for years and is starting to catch on in Manhattan.

It's a great way to get the real New York experience when you visit. Check the prices and the areas - a cheap apartment may be in a less desirable location.

Many great prewar buildings in nice areas are walk ups. Make sure you ask about elevators, pets and other amenities if they will make a difference to your enjoyment of your vacation.

Bed & Breakfasts are rooms in an occupied apartment. It isn't the same as having your own apartment, but worth checking out.

Many of these agencies carry national and international vacation rentals. If you live in New York, you may want to see what they have available in other areas!

Make sure when you deal with owners, that you get a written contract listing the dates and the amount that you've agreed on. Most owner rentals require a deposit to reserve the dates you want - and the deposit is not usually refundable. Travel insurance is a good idea if there is any chance you may need to cancel or change your plans. Most owners in New York get a lot of inquiries and holding the dates for you means turning down others who want the apartment. These are not hotels, but people who are opening their homes.

The upside of renting an apartment is that you have a home away from home where you can settle in and get up in the middle of the night for a snack without calling room service. If you want a home cooked meal, you can cook! It can save quite a bit of money... most are priced lower than comparable hotels.

Many owners will be glad to help you get oriented in the city and tell you where the good restaurants are and which sights are nearby.

The downside is that you are on your own. There will be no concierge to set up tickets to plays and no room service to make the beds. If you cook, there are dishes to clean... not something you may want to deal with on a vacation!

also see in NYC Apartments -> Furnished or Corporate Apartments

Roommates | Sublets | Unfurnished Apartments | Vacation Rentals