🇺🇸 New York, United States
Union Square Inn
📍 209, East 14th Street, New York, 10003
Your stay — Union Square Inn
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The Property — Union Square Inn
Union Square Inn is a no-frills 3-star hotel on East 14th Street, a block from Union Square Park. The lobby is compact and functional, with laminate flooring and a front desk that moves fast. It works best for solo travellers or couples who want a clean, safe bed in a central location without paying for amenities they won't use. If you’re planning to spend most of your time outside, this is a sensible base.
Chronicles of New York
New York City was founded by Dutch colonists in 1624 as New Amsterdam, a fur-trading outpost on the southern tip of Manhattan. Its gridiron street plan was formalised in the Commissioners' Plan of 1811, shaping the dense vertical growth that followed. The rise of the skyscraper in the early 20th century, driven by steel-frame construction and elevator technology, defined the skyline. Today, the city is a global hub for finance, media, art, and fashion, with a multicultural population of over 8.5 million. It’s still the fastest-paced city in the US, where neighbourhoods shift character from block to block.
Best Time to Visit
Full New York guide →Best months
September and October offer warm days, lower humidity, and fewer tourists than summer peak. May is also excellent, with mild temperatures and blooming parks.
Peak / festival surge
July is the busiest month for tourism, driven by school holidays and events like Independence Day fireworks and restaurant week. Hotel prices can double from spring rates, and the Union Square Inn will be near full occupancy. Expect crowds at every attraction.
Budget shoulder season
April and November are the best budget shoulder months. April has occasional rain but cheaper rooms and lighter crowds before summer. November cools down but stays pleasant, with bargains available after Thanksgiving.
Weather & packing
New York summers are humid and sticky, with highs around 30°C and frequent thunderstorms. Pack light, breathable layers, a compact umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes — you’ll cover a lot of pavement.
Live City Briefing — New York
- The MTA is continuing signal upgrades on the 4/5/6 line through summer 2026, which may cause weekend closures and delays at the nearby 14th Street-Union Square station. Check the MTA website before departing.
- Union Square Greenmarket runs year-round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In July it’s peak season for local berries and tomatoes, and the square itself hosts free outdoor concerts and fitness classes.
- A new pedestrian plaza on Broadway between 17th and 14th Streets opened in 2025, reducing car traffic and making it easier to walk to the Flatiron Building area from the hotel.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Union Square Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 4 through 7, facing the rear courtyard (away from East 14th Street). These mid-floors avoid street noise while staying above the ground-floor bustle, and the rear aspect cuts traffic rumble from the busy intersection at Third Avenue.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3 facing East 14th Street — they catch direct street noise from the 24/7 traffic, delivery trucks, and late-night crowds near Union Square. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft (usually rooms ending in '01' or '02' pattern) as the old lift mechanism can clang loudly.
Best views
Sadly, no great views. This is a dense East Village block. Rear-facing rooms look onto a brick-walled courtyard. Front-facing rooms see East 14th Street's row of delis, bodegas, and a fire station — New York grit. The best you get is a sliver of the Empire State Building from the upper front left rooms, but it's not worth the noise trade-off.
Quietest floors
Floors 5 through 7 are the quietest — high enough to deaden street noise, low enough to avoid roof-level mechanical hum or water-pump cycling.
🔊 Noise notes
East 14th Street is a major crosstown artery with buses, taxis, and delivery trucks 24/7. The nearby L-train subway entrance at Third Avenue adds pedestrian and traffic rumble. The hotel shares a building with ground-floor retail (likely a 24-hour deli) and a bar next door — expect street chatter until 2am weekends.
Insider tips
Ask for a room on the 5th or 6th floor rear, and request a top-floor room if you don't mind the lift noise — much quieter than street side. For parking, there's a lot on 13th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues (around $30-40/night) — book ahead via SpotHero, as street parking is near-impossible. Check-in staff can sometimes upgrade to a rear room if you ask nicely and the hotel isn't full.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Union Square Inn
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; no login required (simple accept terms). No paid upgrade available.
One lift serves all floors (3–6); no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Building is a converted 19th-century townhouse; original staircase and small lobby with exposed brick.
Check-in 15:00, check-out 11:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 without charge; late checkout (until 13:00) $40 on request, subject to availability.
Free; leave with front desk before check-in or after check-out; collect by 23:00 same day.
No step-free entrance: three steps up from street. Lift fits standard wheelchair; no accessible guest rooms; no grab rails in bathrooms. Best for guests without mobility needs.
No on-site parking. Nearest public garage: Icon Parking at 301 East 14th Street (0.1 mi), ~$45 per 24 hours. No EV charging nearby.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: $3.50 per room per night occupancy tax plus 14.75% state/local sales tax on room rate; typically included in quoted total by OTAs; verify at booking.
Deposit & card hold: First night plus tax charged at booking; $100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in (refundable if no extras).
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Jubilee Mission Center (329 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Cristo (523 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: East Side Church of Christ (525 m · ~7 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Hare Krishna Temple (700 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Chelsea Market — 2.5 km · ~31 min walk
Yu Suen Garden — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
The Brant Foundation Art Study Center — 678 m · ~8 min walk
St. Mark's Comedy Club — 53 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 468 m · ~6 min walk
CVS Pharmacy — 137 m · ~2 min walk
CVS Pharmacy — 137 m · ~2 min walk
Astor Place — 209 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →US Dollar, USD
ATMs are the best rate; avoid currency exchange booths at airports and tourist areas which charge high fees.
Visa/Mastercard accepted almost everywhere; Amex and Discover less so; contactless and Apple Pay are common.
Restaurants 15-20% pre-tax; taxis 10-15%; hotel bellhops $1-2 per bag, housekeeping $2-5/night.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Drip coffee from a deli or bodega – around $2-3.
A slice of pizza from a pizzeria – about $3-5; a deli sandwich – around $8-12.
A main course at a casual sit-down restaurant – roughly $15-25.
Food carts and halal carts on major streets (e.g., 14th St, Broadway) – $6-10 for a filling platter.
Key Food, Associated, and Trader Joe’s (popular for affordable staples).
TJ Maxx and Marshalls on Broadway for discounted brand names; thrift shops along 2nd Ave.
Unlimited 7-day MetroCard ($34) for subways/buses; from JFK take the AirTrain to Jamaica then subway (total ~$11), from LGA take the Q70 bus to subway ($2.90).
Eat at delis or bodegas for quick, cheap meals; walk instead of taking short subway trips; look for 'prix fixe' lunch specials at nicer restaurants.
Good to know — New York
Type A/B · 120V
safe
USD ($)
Emergency Contacts
New York911 connects you to police, fire, or ambulance. For non-urgent police matters, call 311. Text 911 if you cannot speak (register your phone for text-to-911 in advance). Poison control: 1-800-222-1222.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in New York, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Union Square Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 468 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · CVS Pharmacy — 137 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Newark (EWR) Airport → Trump International Hotel and Tower, Columbus Circle (A/C/E/1 lines)
💡 Most economical option. Take AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station, then NJ Transit to Penn Station, then A/C/E subway. Buy 7-day MetroCard ($33) for unlimited local transit.
Times Square, Grand Central, Penn Station → Columbus Circle (59th Street Station)
💡 Use the A or C line directly to 59th St-Columbus Circle. Get a 7-day unlimited pass ($33) for best value during multi-day stays.
Midtown / Upper West Side → Trump International Hotel and Tower, Columbus Circle
💡 Good for short hops and sightseeing. M10 runs along Broadway/Amsterdam Ave. Combine with subway for city exploration. Get MetroCard for both bus and subway access.
Newark (EWR), LaGuardia (LGA), or JFK Airport → Trump International Hotel and Tower, Columbus Circle
💡 Pre-book Uber/Lyft for predictable pricing; avoid peak hours (8-10am, 5-7pm). Yellow cabs from EWR are flat-rate ~$70.
About New York
Wikipedia ↗
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States. It is located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island;...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Union Square Inn?
Request a room on floors 4 through 7, facing the rear courtyard (away from East 14th Street). These mid-floors avoid street noise while staying above the ground-floor bustle, and the rear aspect cuts traffic rumble from the busy intersection at Third Avenue.
Which rooms should I avoid at Union Square Inn?
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3 facing East 14th Street — they catch direct street noise from the 24/7 traffic, delivery trucks, and late-night crowds near Union Square. Also avoid rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft (usually rooms ending in '01' or '02' pattern) as the old lift mechanism can clang loudly.
Is Union Square Inn noisy?
East 14th Street is a major crosstown artery with buses, taxis, and delivery trucks 24/7. The nearby L-train subway entrance at Third Avenue adds pedestrian and traffic rumble. The hotel shares a building with ground-floor retail (likely a 24-hour deli) and a bar next door — expect street chatter until 2am weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Union Square Inn?
Sadly, no great views. This is a dense East Village block. Rear-facing rooms look onto a brick-walled courtyard. Front-facing rooms see East 14th Street's row of delis, bodegas, and a fire station — New York grit. The best you get is a sliver of the Empire State Building from the upper front left rooms, but it's not worth the noise trade-off.
What are insider tips for staying at Union Square Inn?
Ask for a room on the 5th or 6th floor rear, and request a top-floor room if you don't mind the lift noise — much quieter than street side. For parking, there's a lot on 13th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues (around $30-40/night) — book ahead via SpotHero, as street parking is near-impossible. Check-in staff can sometimes upgrade to a rear room if you ask nicely and the hotel isn't full.
What time is check-in at Union Square Inn?
Check-in at Union Square Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Union Square Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; no login required (simple accept terms). No paid upgrade available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Union Square Inn?
$3.50 per room per night occupancy tax plus 14.75% state/local sales tax on room rate; typically included in quoted total by OTAs; verify at booking.
Where can I eat cheaply near Union Square Inn?
A slice of pizza from a pizzeria – about $3-5; a deli sandwich – around $8-12.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Union Square Inn?
Unlimited 7-day MetroCard ($34) for subways/buses; from JFK take the AirTrain to Jamaica then subway (total ~$11), from LGA take the Q70 bus to subway ($2.90).
When is the best time to visit New York?
September and October offer warm days, lower humidity, and fewer tourists than summer peak. May is also excellent, with mild temperatures and blooming parks.
Top Attractions in New York
💡 Rent a bike or walk the Mall to see literary statues and street performers; avoid horse carriages unless you want a pricey, slow ride.
💡 Walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan for the best photo backdrop; go at sunset to see the city lights come on.
💡 Bring a suggested donation of $25 if you're not eligible for pay-what-you-wish; or aim for a quiet weekday morning to avoid crowds.
💡 Check their website for free 'Shop Life' walking tours or pay-what-you-wish hours on certain days; book tours well in advance.
💡 Visit the free memorial plaza at dawn for quiet reflection; reserve timed tickets for the museum online to avoid queues.