STUDIO PLUS, Next to the Korea-Town

Overview

I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to STUDIO PLUS, Next to the Korea-Town, I wasn’t expecting much from this three-star spot tucked away on West 31st Street. But you know what? Sometimes the unassuming places end up surprising you the most. This little gem sits right in the heart of NoMad, and I mean literally steps away from some of the best Korean BBQ you’ll find outside of Seoul. The location is actually pretty brilliant – you’re close enough to Midtown that you can walk to the Empire State Building (it’s right there looming over you), but far enough from the Times Square madness that you can actually think straight.

The studio-style rooms are exactly what they sound like – compact but cleverly designed spaces that make the most of every square foot. I stayed here twice, once in winter and once during the spring, and honestly the rooms felt bigger than I expected. The beds are surprisingly comfortable, and there’s this little kitchenette setup that’s perfect if you want to grab groceries from the H Mart down the street and cook something instead of eating out every single meal. Speaking of which – and this is where being next to Korea-Town really pays off – you’ve got incredible late-night dining options basically at your doorstep. I’m talking about places that stay open until 2 AM serving up proper Korean fried chicken and hot pot that’ll ruin you for the stuff back home. The hotel staff seemed to know this too, because they had these little maps with restaurant recommendations that were actually good, not just the touristy spots.

What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night, considering you’re in the middle of New York. Sure, you’ll hear some street noise – it’s Manhattan, not a mountain retreat – but the windows do a decent job of keeping the worst of it out. The check-in process was straightforward, no weird surprises or hidden fees that some places love to spring on you. Parking is street parking or nearby garages, which is pretty much what you’d expect for this area. The whole building has this sort of practical, no-nonsense vibe that I found refreshing after staying at some of those overly designed hotels that prioritize Instagram moments over actually being comfortable. If you’re the type who wants to experience the city rather than hide away in your hotel room, this place works really well as a clean, comfortable home base. Just don’t expect a rooftop bar or a fancy lobby – but honestly, with Herald Square and all of Korea-Town’s energy right outside your door, why would you want to stay inside anyway?

Hotel in New York booking should be done early, especially during holiday seasons when the city hosts internationally celebrated events and concerts at Madison Square Garden and other iconic venues.