PHOTO: Pod 39

Fodor's Expert Review Pod 39

Name: Pod 39
Address: 145 E. 39th St, between Lexington and 3rd Aves., New York, New York, 10016, USA
Telephone: 212-865–5700
Price range: $

145 E. 39th St, between Lexington and 3rd Aves., New York, New York 10016, USA See on Map

Jessica Colley Clarke

This cheap and cheerful sibling of the Pod Hotel on 51^st Street has tight quarters and trendy amenities. Common areas are spacious: the rooftop lounge and bar has stellar views, and Salvation Taco on the ground floor is super busy all the time. The lobby lounge, complete with a fireplace and a ping-pong table, is another appealing place to kick back.

YOU SHOULD KNOW The popular lobby lounge and restaurant might not suit all guests—they aren’t exactly peaceful places to get some work done or read a newspaper.

Photo: Pod 39

room

Sleek and functional pods are available in single, bunk, and queen bed configurations, maximizing space with clever storage and mounted flat-screen TVs. Small work desks are also incorporated into the design. The pods are tech-friendly, too, with free Wi-Fi and a media center that allows you to easily connect your devices to the TV and speakers.

Single rooms are one of the best deals in Manhattan for solo travelers looking for the privacy of an en-suite bathroom.

Photo: Pod 39

bathroom

All pods have private bathrooms with white subway tiles and walk-in showers.

lobby

The colorful lobby lounge is a lively space with a ping-pong table, board games, and communal spaces for charging devices. There’s plenty of room to sit, with clusters of couches and comfy chairs.

Photo: Pod 39

dining

Salvation Taco is a colorful, relaxed cantina from Chef April Bloomfield. This ground-floor restaurant is popular with locals and hotel guests, and is known for its house cocktails and tacos. The rooftop bar also serves drinks, with a background of the Midtown Manhattan skyline.

Photo: Pod 39

LOCATION

Getting Around

Located on East 39^th Street between Lexington and 3^rd Avenues, this hotel is near many Midtown East landmarks including Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building. Subway service is available nearby at Grand Central Terminal/42^nd Street (4, 5, 6, 7, and S trains). Taxis and Uber are widely available in the neighborhood.

Restaurants

Start your day like a New Yorker with a bagel and cream cheese from Zucker’s Bagels (2-minute walk). Grand Central Terminal might be an odd destination for a meal, but it’s home to one of Manhattan’s best food halls, the Great Northern Food Hall (4-minute walk); try anything from the divine bakery and healthy eats from the grain bar. For a traditional sushi experience, make a reservation at Sushi Yasuda (6-minute walk).

Bars

With tin ceilings, exposed brick walls, and plenty of space to sit, Park Avenue Tavern (3-minute walk) is a cozy place to settle in for a craft beer. Middle Branch (8-minute walk) is an elegant cocktail lounge set in a two-story townhouse.

WHY WE LIKE IT

The sleek, clean, and private pods offer both style and affordability. We love the atmosphere of this hotel, from the spacious rooftop bar with skyline views to the fun ground floor taqueria. It’s also a great pick for groups, with bunk rooms that can sleep 4 and fun common spaces including the lobby lounge with ping pong table.