New York is one of my favorite places to visit, as there’s always something new to discover and visit. Finding a hotel in New York City that balances a great location, fun amenities, and a reasonable price tag is a whole lot harder, but Staypineapple New York came through for me in my most recent visit.
I’ve stayed at the Staypineapple location in Boston before, so I knew pretty much what to expect. Each location has its own quirks and charms, but the overall mission of Staypineapple to be a comfortable place to stay with a personalized feel that goes beyond a typical hotel.
I received a comped stay during my visit, but all opinions always remain my own.
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Value and Convenience in Midtown Manhattan
If you’re planning a trip to New York, you already know that location is everything. I chose to stay in Midtown because it’s the perfect base for both business meetings and tourist adventures, with plenty of destinations within walking distance and subway stations nearby to get me where my feet can’t.
Historically, Midtown has been the hub of the city’s commercial and entertainment districts, and it’s a busy area where I feel safe walking alone even at night (within reason, obviously). The pricepoint at Staypineapple’s New York hotel is noticeably lower than many other hotels in the area, which gives you more room in your budget for food tours, shows, and shopping.
I remember traveling to New York for business many years ago, and the cheapest hotel we could find was over $400. Staypineapple is just a fraction of that, and I wish it had been around then.
Even better, I have a discount code to save you even more money! Use the promo code INSIDER for 10% off a stay at any Staypineapple hotel.
What Exactly Is Staypineapple?
I have to admit that the first time I heard the name of this hotel brand, I was a little worried it might be catering to a very specific, alternative lifestyle crowd. I can assure you it is absolutely not that kind of place.
The name actually comes from a sweet family story. The founder’s father used to call her his Little Pineapple when she was growing up, and Michelle’s (not me – the founder) childhood nickname just stuck.
Since pineapples are also the historic, universal symbol for hospitality and welcoming guests, the name fits the hotel chain, and they lean into the theme hard. You’ll notice bright pops of yellow and pineapple motifs sprinkled everywhere throughout the property and the room decor.
When you walk into the hotel, the lobby is beautifully decorated with quirky and inviting touches. I was honestly too busy going on food tours and heading to meetings to spend much time hanging out down there, but it made a great first impression.
The hotel invites you to hang out in the lobby, playing board games or enjoying a meal from a local restaurant. I love the fireplace, and it has all the pineapple decor you expect to see.
Inside the Jewel Box Queen Room
Staypineapple offers a few different room types, ranging from their standard Queen and King rooms to much larger setups, but I stayed in the Jewel Box Queen room. These rooms are located on the top floor of this 24-story hotel, with a unique layout and floor-to-ceiling windows.
It is definitely small, but it is intelligently designed for the space it had, so I never felt cramped. Especially in New York City, I’m in my room pretty much to sleep and shower, so I’m ok that this is more like a cruise cabin size than a luxury hotel size room – especially given the affordable nightly price for the rooms.
They really put a lot of thought into the design of the room. For example, the television arose from the footboard of the bed at the push of a button rather than taking up space when you aren’t watching it. The same holds true for the coffee, tea, and water station that is the back of the room’s sofa that slides up instead of having a cabinet or drawer that opens out.
(Honestly, to get a good sense of what this room really looks like and how it works, you need to watch my video. I did a room tour of this Jewel Box Queen room, as well as one that walks through the hotel itself.)
The room was spotlessly clean, and my favorite feature was the cozy quarter-moon-shaped couch built directly into the bed area. I did a lot of my work curled up right there, looking out the window at the city below.
The room’s floor-to-ceiling windows let in tons of natural light during the day. However, the push-button open-and-close shades did not block all the light at night. I wake up as soon as there is any light, so I am glad I packed my Manta Sleep Mask for this trip.
You can book two people in this room, but honestly, that might be a bit tight. That said, this Midtown New York hotel has plenty of other options if you want a little more space.
Book this hotel for your next stay!
Find the Room That Works for You
Most of the rooms at Staypineapple New York are designed for two people. However, they have rooms that accommodate one to four people, making them a perfect option for a solo trip or for taking your family to New York for the first time.
Most of the rooms for two have either a queen bed or a king bed, but if you’re traveling with a friend, book the Persona Two Twins room that allows you to share a room and not the bed. If you’d rather have more space, consider the Glamour King, which is the largest of their rooms, or a Terrace King or Terrace Cosmo King, which come with your own private (ridiculously large) terrace with multiple seating areas for some downtime.
If you really want to live large, the Cosmo Suite (and Terrace Cosmo Suite) combines two hotel rooms, where one room is your bedroom and the other a sitting room. All these rooms still sleep just two people, so keep that in mind.
If you are looking for a four-person option, you need to book connecting rooms. The Fashionista Connector, Cosmo Connector, and Terrace Cosmo Connector all have king beds, so be aware of that when you book.
Hotel Amenities You’ll Love
One of the things I really love about this hotel chain is that they do their best to make it feel like home. This hotel has no restaurant attached, so instead of the CORE Welcome Drink I got from the bar in Boston, just off the lobby, there’s a small fridge with pop and prepackaged snacks that you can help yourself to.
I expected it to be like Boston, where you can only take one, but the Everything Person in the lobby assured me I could take whatever I wanted. For the record, I didn’t, but the only downfall of this policy is that I noticed the snacks were often empty because people took multiples.
As with all their locations, you’ll find a reusable aluminum water bottle in your room, filled with filtered still water. You can drink it during your stay, take it with you as you explore, and refill it down in the lobby.
The lobby water station offers still water, sparkling water, and hot water. Obviously, you don’t want to put hot water in an aluminum bottle for safety reasons, but it is great for making tea – and there are custom-blended tea bags in your room for you to enjoy, along with coffee, of course.
When you are ready to make yourself a mug of coffee or tea, you’ll find gorgeous, pineapple-decorated ceramic mugs instead of the thin plastic cups you get in so many standard hotels. If you run out of the Keurig pods, the Everything Person in the lobby will get you more, too.
Staypineapple puts out its trademark pineapple cookies in the lobby in the afternoon, which is a really nice treat after a long day of walking. I think they’re absolutely adorable, and they taste pretty good, too.
Another fun perk to enjoy in nicer weather is borrowing bikes to explore the city at no cost. They’re stored underground, so you’ll need to ask the front desk staff for them. They come with locks and helmets, so you can feel comfortable using them.
As I noted, this New York location does not have an on-site restaurant, but there are many options within walking distance. One night when I didn’t want a real dinner, I actually used my Too Good To Go app to find a quick, affordable, and delicious snack right around the corner.
If you want to stay in the hotel, Staypineapple has a variety of snacks, along with locally sourced craft beer, wine, and other refreshments you can purchase from the Everything Person. They can let you know exactly what’s on offer at the time or recommend somewhere to eat if you want to venture out.
I can’t forget to mention that if you arrive before check-in or have activities in the city after check-out, they are happy to hold your luggage for you. This is a real benefit, since there’s so much to do in NYC and you don’t want to miss a moment while dragging a heavy suitcase down the sidewalk.
Staypineapple Is Pet-Friendly
I always leave my own pets at home when I hit the road, but if you like to travel with your dog, Staypineapple welcomes your four-legged friends. They charge a nightly pet fee, but they make it worth it by offering special pup packages that include water bowls, treats, and other dog-friendly goodies.
On the other hand, if you happen to be allergic to dogs, no need to panic. The hotel recognizes that not everyone is an animal person, so they maintain a separate inventory of pet-free rooms.
Even if you travel without a real dog, you see their adorable stuffed husky mascot named Dash hanging around. You can adopt one to take home for $25, and they donate a portion of the proceeds to local animal rescue organizations.
Make your Staypineapple reservation for your next visit.
Be sure to use the promo code INSIDER for 10% off a stay at any Staypineapple hotel. Who doesn’t love a discount?
Making the Most of a Quick New York Trip
Between the clever room design, the fantastic Midtown location, and the easy subway access, this hotel gave me exactly what I needed for a busy trip. I would absolutely book another stay here the next time my travels bring me to the concrete jungle.
