Wingate by Wyndham Long Island City — Hotel in New York

If you're visiting Manhattan, this hotel is a good choice for non-solo budget travellers who don't mind taking the subway into the city. It is conveniently located next to the subway station (about a 12-min walk), which can bring you straight to Radio City Hall. The wait time for the subway is longer than the subway lines in Manhattan, around 15 min.||||The major flag with this hotel is safety. I would not recommend this hotel for families with young children or female solo travellers. As a female solo traveller myself, I felt vulnerable on the walk between the hotel to the subway station even in daylight. For context, the hotel is located right next to the biggest housing project in USA, the Queensbridge Housing Projects (search vlog for walkthrough of space).||||To get to the subway, G Maps instructs you to cut through the housing courtyard, but it's best to stick to the streets (40th avenue, then 21st avenue) to avoid the people loitering outside the buildings. The hotel doors do lock in the evening, and you'll need to tap your card to enter.||||Other than the neighbourhood, the hotel was great for its price. Inside, the lobby was clean and maintained well, with a dining area for complimentary breakfast, as well as small tables for working/leisure. Tap water was offered throughout the day, as was hot water, but it had an unpleasant coffee taste.||||The hotel room was big, and is most likely way larger than the ones in Manhattan. Decor and furnishing were nice, and the shower pressure was terrific. The fridge came in handy for stops at Trader Joe's (about 20 m away by subway). Hair dryer worked well. Rooms were mostly quiet, except you can hear a party if it's happening next door. It's a good idea to bring earplugs when staying in New York. Up on a higher floor, the noise level outside is muffled, but you can still catch sounds of sirens or rough yelling on the streets in the night.||||A note about housekeeping: they don't clean your rooms until the 3rd day. However, you can ask the front desk for additional shampoo, soaps, conditioner, lotion (no toothbrush/toothpaste or combs). There were also minor signs of dirtiness when I checked in, notably an untouched sticky spot in between the desk and the fridge. They cleaned well generally (sheets, covers, bathroom, showers), but the in-between bits where guests can't reach weren't done very thoroughly.||||My card stopped working 2 times throughout the trip. The first time, a housekeeper was in the hall and opened the door for me—without checking my credentials or card. That was a major flag in terms of safety. The second time, the front counter helped me reset my card. A second major flag in terms of safety: they didn't check my ID or confirm whether I was staying in the actual room. They simply reset the card after I reported my room number.||||Complimentary breakfast was decent, but recommend getting there as early as it starts to avoid the crowd. There's a good mix of bread, bagels, yoghurt, fruit, tomato and cucumber slices, hardboiled eggs, sausages, cereal, and juices. Coffee and tea selection was limited. The selection does not change day to day.||||This hotel is a good option for those who don't mind commuting and have a smaller budget. However, if safety is a number one priority for you, it may be better to consider different hotels in Long Island City, such as around...

My recent stay at the Wingate by Wyndham in Long Island City was such a good experience! It’s right in LIC, which is very close to Manhattan’s east side. You can take a nearby subway or hop in a car for a ride over the Queenboro Bridge for gorgeous views of the city or take the Midtown Tunnel to pop you out straight into the heart of NYC!

The check-in process was seamless. I love how Wyndham does a pre-check-in online. So all I needed to do was check in, get my room key, sign your standard hotel disclosure and I was in my room shortly after.

My room had tons of beautiful natural light. I didn’t have a room with a Manhattan view but for me, I don’t care. I lived in NYC for 10 years, so if you wanna see Manhattan, go see it for yourself! ;)

My room was clean, spacious, and comfortable. I had a nice, comfy King bed to myself, with a pillows of varying feels from soft and plus to more firm and full.

The shower had good water pressure, which is key!!

I didn’t hear too much noise from the city, I was on the 6th floor so I was about midway up the building. I also was facing another building so that could’ve helped with noise.

The area is more industrial with not as many residents around the block as other spots in NYC have. I think it’s important for folks to be aware of their surroundings and make smart decisions when they go outside in any city. If you are worried about walking around at night, don’t go by yourself and if you feel unsafe, make sure you budget to take Ubers to/from your locations.

There’s a laundromat and a convenience store (bodega) across the street from the hotel - convenient if you need to do a quick wash or grab a snack.

The lobby has a small market where you can get snacks, drinks, ice cream, random toiletries and stuff you may have forgotten, and it has some microwaveable meals and stuff you can make using the lobby microwave.

The lobby has a pretty spacious common area which is nice to hang out in or do some work.

Their breakfast is really good especially for a continental breakfast. Eggs, sausage, fruit salad, yogurt, juices, pastries, waffles(pre-made & need to be warmed up) are all available. I also saw they had some tuna salad too. One morning had fried potatoes instead of sausage (at least when I got to breakfast). It’s a popular spot for guests so don’t miss out on it!

24/7 coffee, tea, and water is available!

The internet wifi is terrible though. It’s really slow. If you need to use the internet, I recommend finding a coffee shop nearby. i have Verizon and my service was not great in my hotel room. I went to Cloud Coffee in Astoria, which was a few blocks over. Support local businesses in the neighborhood and you’ll see how brilliant Astoria and LIC are!

I lived in NYC for nearly a decade and I come back often for work. This hotel will be my new go-to hotel for...

A Five-Star Stay Fueled by Jose and Jimena at the Front Desk

From the moment I arrived, this stay felt effortless and luxurious in the best possible way. The hotel itself is stunning, but what truly elevated the experience was the front desk team—Jose and Jimena. Their care and attention turned a great stay into something unforgettable.

Front Desk Excellence

Jose greeted me with a warm, sincere welcome and made check-in incredibly smooth, setting a relaxed tone for the entire stay. Jimena was always one step ahead, offering thoughtful recommendations for dining, sights, and local gems that enhanced my visit. Both of them checked in during my stay to ensure everything met my expectations, and they resolved any small hiccups with speed and grace. Their teamwork felt natural and genuinely caring, making me feel like a valued guest rather than just another inside the hotel.

How They Took Care of Me

Anticipated needs: extra pillows, a quieter room, handled without me even asking. Personal touches: notes on my preferences and memories of my plans for the day, which made every interaction feel personalized. Exceptional responsiveness: questions or requests were met quickly, with clear follow-up and a friendly attitude. Genuine hospitality: their kindness extended beyond formal service—felt like I had two incredibly helpful friends on staycation duty.

Rooms and Amenities

The room was spotless, well-appointed, and incredibly comfortable. The bed was plush, the bedding fresh, and the bathroom spotless with ample toiletries. Quiet atmosphere and thoughtful lighting created the perfect retreat after long days of exploring the city. Facilities such as the gym, pool, and dining options were top-notch and easy to access, making the entire experience seamless.

Overall Impression

This is the kind of stay that deserves a full 5-star rating. Jose and Jimena at the front desk are remarkable—professional, personable, and truly devoted to making guests feel special. Their care alone would be reason enough to return, but the rest of the hotel more than keeps up.

Would highly, highly recommend staying here. If I return to this city, I’ll book again—and I’ll be seeking out this hotel specifically for the team that made my visit...