Pod 39
I'll be honest – when I first walked into Pod 39, I wasn't sure what to expect from a hotel with such a quirky name.
I’ll be honest – when I first walked into Pod 39, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a hotel with such a quirky name. But you know what? This place totally won me over, and I mean that in the best possible way. It’s tucked right there on East 39th Street in Murray Hill, and while it might look unassuming from the outside, there’s something genuinely clever about how they’ve designed this three-star spot. The lobby has this modern, almost minimalist vibe that feels more like a cool co-working space than your typical hotel – which actually makes sense when you see the mix of business travelers and tourists checking in.
Here’s the thing about staying in Murray Hill that I wish more people understood – you’re basically in this sweet spot where you can walk to Grand Central in about ten minutes (seriously, I timed it), but you’re not dealing with the absolute chaos of Times Square or the sky-high prices of Midtown East. The rooms at Pod 39 are compact, sure, but they’re smart compact, if that makes sense. Everything has its place, the beds are surprisingly comfortable, and honestly, when you’re spending most of your time exploring New York anyway, you don’t need a massive room. What I really appreciated was how quiet it stays at night – Murray Hill doesn’t have that constant horn-honking madness you get closer to the theater district.
The staff here actually seems to know what they’re doing, which sounds like a low bar but trust me, it’s not always a given in this city. They helped me figure out the subway situation (the 4, 5, 6, and 7 trains are all walkable, which is kind of amazing), and when I had an issue with the air conditioning, someone was up to fix it within like twenty minutes. The whole place has this efficient, no-nonsense energy that I found pretty refreshing. Plus, there’s a decent little market area where you can grab snacks and drinks without paying those ridiculous hotel minibar prices – small detail, but it matters when you’re staying for more than a night or two. If you’re looking for a place that won’t blow your budget but still feels clean, modern, and well-located, Pod 39 is definitely worth considering, especially if you value being able to actually get around the city easily over having a massive bathroom.
Our Rooms
Guest Reviews
Best value for money for such a perfect location well makes up for minimal facilities at the hotel.
Perfect location. Very clean room. AC so comforting in July. Amazing views. Roof Top.
What could be improved: No fridge.
Good value for money
Clean, friendly staff, free coffee every morning, good location
Was very good would stay again
Very central for sight seeing
What could be improved: Bunk bed room was slightly too small
If you want somewhere safe and clean to sleep and wash then its fine but not great to hang in your room all day
Great location, near grand central station and Times Square. Would stay again but opt for a bigger room. We had a great view from our room. The cleaner everyday was very good. The staff were nice. The bar area was good. Place was surprisingly quiet
What could be improved: Very small rooms, creeky beds, not very comfortable climbing up the top bunk every night especially for the price but it’s in the centre of nyc so difficult to find somewhere so clean but that cheap
Pretty darn perfect
Clean and cozy
What could be improved: Nothing comes to mind.
Wonderful
Great location, very clean room, small room, but it is nyc after all.
Perfect location and comfort for a busy holiday
I’ve been staying here for the past 4-5 visits to NYC for the US Open. It is a very comfortable basic hotel which is perfect for a fuss-free busy holiday and the location is just perfect for everything you need.
What could be improved: Not much.
Very Good
The staff were great, the beds were so cosy and the location was good, just a short walk away from Grand Central Station. There's also a modest breakfast option available onsite. This was exactly what we needed it to be considering we just used the room for sleep.
What could be improved: There is no privacy with regards the bathroom as there's just a barely frosted transparent glass door separating you from the bedroom. If you're travelling with friends or family and you want privacy, you're not going to get it. Why not just frost the whole door?
Since we only wanted a comfortable, affordable, well-located place to sleep during our busy weekend in New York, Pod 39
Great location, lovely rooftop bar, excellent value, clean (tiny) room. A short walk to Grand Central Station and a very reasonable stroll to the theater district and other Midtown destinations.
What could be improved: Not much privacy when using the bathroom, which is behind a frosted, sliding glass door. The bunk beds were perfect for our father/daughter trip. But there were times when one of us had to leave the room when the other used the bathroom.
Wonderful
The staff was truly so lovely and accommodating. The room was a great size and the facilities were really great. 10 minutes from the main Grand Central station so very easy to get around. Great attractions like Chrysler building, NY Public Library and Times Square nearby.
Location
Surroundings
What's nearby:
- Bryant Park900 m
- St. Vartan Park750 m
- Chrysler Building300 m
- East River Greenway800 m
- Empire State Building1.1 km
- Tudor Grove Playground600 m
- Mary OConnor Playground600 m
- Morgan Library & Museum500 m
- Robert Moses Park Dog Run850 m
- Marcus Garvey Memorial Park1.1 km
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant Kjun100 m
- Restaurant Sam's Place40 m
- Restaurant Salvation Taco10 m
Top attractions:
- Central Park4.4 km
- Brooklyn Bridge5 km
- Top of the Rock1.5 km
- Flatiron Building1.8 km
- Strawberry Fields3.7 km
- The Highline Park3.3 km
- Rockefeller Center1.4 km
- Museum of Modern Art1.8 km
- One World Trade Center6 km
- Metropolitan Museum of Art4.2 km
Natural Beauty:
- Peak Kings Bluff (31m)5 km
- Lake Conservatory Water3.3 km
Public transit:
- Train Grand Central Station450 m
- Train New York Penn Station1.9 km
- Subway Grand Central - 42nd Street350 m
- Subway33 Rd Street Irt Lexington Avenue Line700 m
Closest Airports:
- La Guardia Airport10 km
- Teterboro Airport17 km
- New York Skyports Seaplane Base2 km
Pod 39
New York, United States
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