Hotels With Free Breakfast in NYC, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
Free hotel breakfast in Manhattan clusters in a few pockets of Midtown West. Here is where those pockets are, which real hotels sit in each, and how to use that buffet to get a head start on your day.
Quick answer
Most Manhattan hotels with free breakfast sit in three pockets: near Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, on the side streets west of Times Square, and near Bryant Park. Pick the pocket closest to your plans, then confirm breakfast is in your exact rate.
Free breakfast in Manhattan, in one minute
Full-service Manhattan hotels almost always charge for breakfast. The hotels that include it are mostly from a short list of brands: Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Homewood Suites, Residence Inn, Embassy Suites and, at many locations, Hyatt Place.
Those brands need simple, efficient buildings, so they ended up on the side streets of Midtown West, where land was cheaper when they were built. That is why the map matters more than the brand. Choose the pocket of the city that fits your trip, then pick a breakfast hotel inside it.
Our guide to hotels in NYC with free breakfast explains each brand in detail. This page is about location: where to stay so the free breakfast and your plans line up.
Near Penn Station and Madison Square Garden
This pocket suits travelers arriving on Amtrak, NJ Transit or the Long Island Rail Road, and anyone going to a concert or game at the Garden. Eat breakfast, check out and walk to your train.
Hampton Inn Manhattan-Madison Square Garden Area, 116 W 31st St. A two- to three-minute walk to Penn Station and the Garden. The breakfast is the standard Hampton hot buffet.
Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square-South, 312 W 37th St. Suites with kitchens between Penn Station and Hudson Yards. Good for longer stays and the Javits Center.
Embassy Suites by Hilton New York Manhattan Times Square, 60 W 37th St. Two-room suites near Herald Square and Macy’s, with cooked-to-order breakfast in the brand standard.
See our full guide to hotels near Penn Station for more options.
On the side streets west of Times Square
This pocket suits Broadway fans and anyone arriving by bus at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. You can eat breakfast, see a matinee and be back at the hotel without a subway ride.
Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central, 220 W 41st St. Half a block from Times Square.
Holiday Inn Express New York City Times Square, 343 W 39th St. Simple rooms a short walk from the Port Authority.
Hyatt Place New York City/Times Square, 350 W 39th St. Modern rooms on the same block. Check that breakfast comes with your rate, since it varies at Hyatt Place.
The A, C and E trains at 42 St–Port Authority are a few minutes away. Hell’s Kitchen, just west, is full of good restaurants for dinner.
Near Bryant Park
This pocket suits families and anyone who wants a calmer block. Bryant Park, the New York Public Library and Grand Central are all close.
Residence Inn by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square, 1033 Avenue of the Americas at W 39th St. Studios with kitchens and breakfast included, a block from the park. The B, D, F and M trains stop at 42 St–Bryant Park.
In winter, the Bryant Park rink is a two-minute walk. In summer, the lawn hosts free movies. See hotels near Bryant Park.
Plan your mornings around the buffet
A hotel breakfast is most useful on days that start early. Use it to beat the lines.
Statue of Liberty. Take an early ferry from Battery Park. From Midtown West, the 1 train reaches South Ferry in about 20 minutes. Eat at 7, be in line by 8. See our Statue of Liberty guide.
9/11 Memorial. The plaza is calm in the early morning. The E train from 42 St–Port Authority runs straight to World Trade Center.
Central Park. Walk or ride up to the park before 9 a.m., when joggers and dog walkers have it mostly to themselves.
Morning flights. Grab-and-go bags are common for guests leaving before the buffet opens. Ask at check-in the night before.
On slow mornings, skip the buffet and try a New York bagel instead. See our best bagels in NYC.
Three checks before you book
Read the rate, not the hotel page. A hotel can include breakfast on one rate and not another.
Watch for fees. A daily destination fee that “includes” a breakfast credit is not free breakfast. See NYC hotel fees explained.
Ask the hours. Hotel breakfast often runs about 6:30 to 9:30 or 10 a.m. Weekends can run later.
Tips for a better hotel breakfast
Go early or go late. The rush is usually 8 to 9 a.m., when tour groups and families all come down at once.
Bring a reusable bottle and fill it at breakfast. Some hotels also put out fruit you can take for later.
Families should consider a suite hotel like Residence Inn, Homewood Suites or Embassy Suites. Breakfast for four every morning, plus a kitchen for snacks.
How to Plan NYC Hotels With Free Breakfast: Rates, Subway Access, and Seasonal Timing
Common questions
Where are the hotels with free breakfast in Manhattan?
Most are in Midtown West: near Penn Station and Madison Square Garden, on the side streets west of Times Square, and near Bryant Park.
Is hotel breakfast in NYC really free?
It is included in the room rate, not free. Some hotels add a daily destination fee that covers a breakfast credit, so compare the total price for your whole stay.
How do I know if my NYC hotel rate includes breakfast?
Read the rate name and the details for that rate, not just the hotel description. Look for wording like breakfast included. Room-only and some prepaid rates leave it out.
What time is breakfast at NYC hotels?
It is often about 6:30 to 9:30 or 10 a.m., and later on weekends at some hotels. Ask at check-in, since hours vary.
Which free-breakfast hotel is best near Penn Station?
The Hampton Inn Manhattan-Madison Square Garden Area on W 31st St is a two- to three-minute walk from Penn Station and includes a hot breakfast.
Keep reading
Hotels in NYC with free breakfast · Hotels with a kitchenette · Cheap hotels in NYC · Breakfast near Times Square · NYC hotel fees explained · Hotels near Times Square