5 great cheap hotels in New York (with pool, rooftop and view of Manhattan!)

The Margaritaville Resort Times Square has it all. Its location in the heart of Manhattan is ideal. Close to Times Square, which will dazzle you with its effervescence, day and night, it is at the junction of the whole of Manhattan, which has its price when you know how much time is usually spent in New York's transport system.

So you'll be close to Broadway, with its many flashing signs and theatres - be warned, you're likely to see stars of the silver screen performing there! - but also Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan and the Empire State Building! If it's the shows that attract you here, you won't be far from Carnegie Hall, on the corner of 57th Street.

And if it's jazz that makes your eardrums vibrate when you're in a dilettante mood, then at the end of the day you can head to No. 178, to the Village Vanguard, a legendary club where the greatest saxophonists, Coltrane and Marsalis, as well as the great pianist Bill Evans, have performed.

As for the hotel itself, it has a lot going for it. Already, affordable hotels with swimming pools in the heart of New York can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The bar opens directly onto the pool and the pool is on the roof. A guarantee of successful evenings! Here, you'll be served by an atmosphere, and above all a décor, that's very Californian beach, or even Polynesian! The bars are called Tiki Bar, License To Chill and LandShark. But don't worry, the sharks are in Wall Street!

Located a stone's throw from the East River, in Queens, Long Island City, the Ravel looks out over Manhattan. An important detail is that it is just a few steps from the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge, which will take you first to Roosevelt Island and then directly to the island of Manhattan, on 1st and 2nd Avenues.

The hotel offers spacious rooms and an unobstructed view of Manhattan, an enchanting sight at the end of the day, when the lights gradually come on everywhere. That's when its rooftop and outdoor pool really come into their own. As well as the bathing area, you can also enjoy a table and chairs for a drink or a meal you've brought along (the establishment has no restaurant), sheltered from the hustle and bustle of the city, because its view over Manhattan, in addition to the quality of its services, is really its strong point.

The Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge is also worth a look. Its metal architecture, which makes it look like the Brooklyn Bridge, is one of New York's mythical signatures. Remarkably, the Roosevelt Island cable car accompanies its trajectory all the way to Manhattan. Don't miss this unusual opportunity to fly over a small part of New York without having to use a helicopter.

This hotel in the shape of an elongated tower combines a number of assets, starting with its floor-to-ceiling bay windows in a number of rooms, giving you a rare view of New York and unrivalled brightness. What's more, the Indigo is conveniently located in Lower Manhattan, between the Brooklyn Bridge and Little Italy.

On the 14th floor, Mr Purple and its lovely panorama await you with open arms. It's a bar-restaurant serving refined cuisine, either indoors or on the terrace, which has a long heated swimming pool. It's not big, but it's nice to have. Another bar is outside.

In the heart of Downtown Manhattan, this beautiful establishment has character and spirit. This is due to its interior architecture, which successfully blends American art deco style with subtle modernity. Everything here is beautiful and bright.

The top floor boasts an impeccable walk-through lounge with bay windows offering a prime view of Manhattan. The swimming pool is a haven of peace where you can relax after a day of sightseeing in the Big Apple. The bar, just a stone's throw away, is just as classy as the other areas of the rooftop. The rooms are not lacking in space. Their porthole-shaped windows will make you feel like a European on a cruise to the New Continent. Last stop: New York!

In terms of location, the Dream Downtown Hotel is lucky. Located in Chelsea, you'll be close to Greenwich Village and Hudson River Park, a green space integrated into the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, the second largest park in Manhattan after Central Park. The island's nerve centre is not far away.

You won't be in a palace, but you'll almost be. Because the decor here is stunning! Ideally located near Central Park, The Empire Hotel offers elegant, impeccable and cosy rooms at reasonable rates. It's one of New York's finest addresses, not least for its excellent value for money. And you're just a 15-minute walk from Times Square, the Rockfeller Center and the Metropolitan Museum.

Open only in fine weather (remember that NY winters are used to sub-zero temperatures), its rooftop pool is covered, with access to the beach equipped with large sun loungers. You'll have an unbeatable panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline. The rooftop has a Pool Deck, where you can enjoy a drink or cocktail.