The Best Perks of Your Own Hotel Suite vs Apartment in NYC (Upper East Side Edition)

Not long ago, a short-term rental in New York City was reliably the cheaper way to stay, but that gap has narrowed. Between shifting short-term rental rules and steady hotel demand, the two options now land close enough in price for stays of a week to a month that rate alone isn’t the deciding factor anymore.

Here’s how this plays out on the Upper East Side, comparing The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites with a comparable studio rental in terms of layout, amenities, cancellation terms, and cost.

*Pricing data is provided for illustrative comparison only. Rates are subject to change; please confirm current pricing before booking.

Quick Facts

• The Junior Suite at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites (425 sq ft) sits in the same size range as a typical NYC studio, with a separate living area, dedicated workspace, and a full kitchen with oven and stovetop.
• The hotel’s amenities are guaranteed by brand standard; a studio apartment rental’s amenities depend on the individual host’s listing.
• Studio apartment rentals often look cheaper per night, but cleaning fees, service fees, and security deposits close much of that gap for stays of a week or longer.
• Pet policy, cancellation terms, and breakfast are defined upfront at the hotel; all three vary by host on a studio apartment rental platform.
• Sonesta Travel Pass members get reduced nightly rates across the Sonesta portfolio. Sign up before you book, so that the rate applies to your reservation.
• The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites is an all-suite extended-stay hotel on East 64th Street on the Upper East Side, with 132 suites, full kitchens in every suite, and weekly and monthly rates available.
• Long-term guests at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites can upgrade to Penthouse, Terrace, or Patio suites to enjoy rare private outdoor space in Manhattan
• Reservations for 30 days or more are legally required to provide a signed contract.

Hotel Suite vs. Studio Layout in NYC

A typical New York City studio can vary significantly based on building age:

• Pre–war buildings, common on the Upper East Side, usually have smaller footprints. Sometimes under 350 square feet, but make up for it with higher ceilings and more distinct room shapes.
• Studios in post–war buildings tend to fall in the 350–450 square foot range, with more standardized, boxier layouts.
• Newer high–rises typically offer the most space, from 450 to 550 square feet or more, reflecting modern space standards, generally at a higher price point.

The Junior Suite at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites, our all-suite hotel on the Upper East Side, measures 425 square feet, comparable to a well-sized post-war studio.

Even though the two options are close enough in size, your day-to-day experience can feel different, depending on how the space is organized.

In the Junior Suite, you have a structured space:

• Full kitchen with an oven and stovetop, where you can cook like you would at home
• Dedicated workspace for the days when you need to answer emails, or take a call. At the end of the day, you can close the laptop and let the workday end without it following you to the sofa, the kitchen, or bed.
• Separate areas for sleeping and relaxing, which works well when you’re traveling with someone else. One of you can wind down while the other answers an email, makes tea, or plans the next day without turning the whole room into either a bedroom or a workspace.
• Select suites also include a private patio, a rare luxury in New York, where you can enjoy peace after a hectic day in the city.

Living area at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites’ Penthouse

A typical studio apartment rental may feel more blended. Guests sleep, sit, cook, eat, and work in the same open room, with some space between the bed and the kitchenette.

That can feel perfectly manageable for a quick trip. For a longer stay, though, comfort comes down to how smoothly the space supports ordinary routines.

Amenities Comparison

For a one- to four-week stay, everyday amenities, such as laundry access, housekeeping, fitness access, and kitchen features, shape daily comfort as much as the square footage does.

When booking a studio apartment, you may find a space that works beautifully for your stay, with a comfortable kitchen setup, reliable internet, and fitness options nearby.

With an individual rental, amenities depend on the specific listing, the host, and the neighborhood around the property. One studio may be well stocked and close to everything you need. Another may ask you to plan a little more around laundry, fitness access, housekeeping, or day-to-day support.

At The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites, those everyday details are built into the stay, so you know what is waiting for you before you arrive. Across the property, guests can expect:

• Daily housekeeping on a set schedule
• Staffed front desk and concierge support
• A kitchen stocked with cookware
• Stable Wi-Fi with documented speed, especially helpful if you work remotely
• 24/7 Fitness Center access
• Business center access
• On-site laundry

Find the full list of extended-stay facilities here.

Here’s a quick amenities comparison between The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites and a typical studio rental, so you can see where each option may fit your stay better.

Cost Comparison

Comparing cost fairly means looking past the headline nightly rate to what each option adds on top of it.

With a studio rental, the full cost becomes clearer once you add these fees to the headline price:

• Cleaning and service fees are calculated automatically, but they sit on top of the advertised nightly rate, so the first price you see may not be always the full price you will pay.
• You may also need to account for a refundable security deposit ($200 to $500 for a studio rental in this price range), which is not part of the final cost but can still hold a few hundred dollars on your card until checkout.
• If you’re traveling with a pet, most studio rental hosts add a separate pet fee, typically $20 to $100 per stay, sometimes alongside its own refundable pet deposit of around $250.
• Many of our guests also maintain a fitness routine, so we added a gym access estimate based on budget to mid-tier daily passes: 7 day-passes at $15–$30/day, totals $105–$210.
• Under current New York State law, short-term rentals are also subject to occupancy and sales tax, similar to a hotel, though how clearly that tax appears at checkout still depends on the platform and host.

At The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites, the nightly or weekly rate and mandatory facilities fee are part of the stay cost shown upfront under the 2026 NYC Hotel Fee Transparency Rule. But a few costs still sit outside that total:

• Breakfast isn’t included as a standard part of the rate, though it’s sometimes bundled into select promotional packages.
• Traveling with a pet costs a flat $75 for stays up to seven nights, or $150 for longer stays, with no breed or weight restrictions.
• On–site fitness center available to all guests 24/7
• New York City hotel occupancy tax, currently around 14.75% plus a small nightly fee, is also listed separately.

With a studio rental, you may spend less overall, and that can make sense if you like a more residential setup and do not mind checking the details yourself, from kitchen supplies and pet rules to nearby laundry or fitness options.

At The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites, the added cost goes toward convenience and predictability. You have a suite with a full kitchen, daily housekeeping, front desk and concierge support, clearer pet details through PAWS, and a stay that is easier to understand before you arrive.

That can be especially helpful if you are working remotely, traveling with a pet, sharing the space with someone else, or simply want an Upper East Side base with more of the daily details already taken care of.

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Other Considerations

You may also need to weigh a few details that do not fit neatly into layout, amenities, or cost. Pet policies, loyalty pricing, cancellation terms, and other practical fine print can all shape which option works for your stay.

a. Pet Policy

To make the first day feel easier for you and less stressful for your pet, The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites’ PAWS program provides you with our pet policy upfront:

1. What’s welcome,
2. What’s provided in the room,
3. What to expect at check-in.

With a studio rental, you may need to check the pet policy more closely. Some hosts make it clear in the listing, while others confirm pets case by case once you ask.

b. Loyalty Program

With Sonesta Travel Pass, you can access reduced nightly rates across the Sonesta portfolio, including The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites. It is free to join, but you need to sign up before you book, because member rates apply when you make the reservation, not after the stay is already on the calendar.

For a one- to four-week stay, you can start to see the savings in the final total. Sonesta Travel Pass member pricing can save you about $181 on a weekly stay, $363 over two weeks, and $514 over a month-long stay.

Sign up at sonesta.com before you confirm any reservation, so the savings apply from the start.

c. Cancellation Flexibility

The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites carries a defined, transparent cancellation policy you can read before booking. Studio rental cancellation terms vary by host, and can tighten the closer you get to arrival.

Before you book a stay several weeks out, give the cancellation terms a quick read. This can spare you confusion later, whether you choose a hotel suite or a studio rental.

d. Practical Logistics

When you stay in the Junior Suite at our hotel, you can book for up to four guests. Valet parking is also available on-site for a separate fee. To see more of what’s included at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites, check out the amenities page.

For a studio rental, guest limits depend on the host and may not always be clear until you check the listing details closely. Parking is usually separate too, so you will typically need to arrange it yourself.

View from The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites

About The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites

When you stay at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites, you are based on a quieter stretch of East 64th Street on the Upper East Side, just a few minutes on foot from Central Park.

The property is all-suite, with 132 suites in total, and each one includes a full kitchen with an oven and stovetop, so you can keep a real daily routine in place.

You can choose the 425-square-foot Junior Suite or give yourself more room in the 625-square-foot One Bedroom Apartment Suite, which includes a separate bedroom.

For a quintessential NYC experience, you can choose one of our spacious terrace suites. The Terrace & Patio Suite spans 625 square feet, featuring separated living and sleeping areas, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private terrace overlooking Manhattan. Penthouse Suite are premier one-bedroom suites spanning 875 square feet, with uniquely furnished private outdoor space and amenities designed for home-like long-term stays. –

When you stay at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites, we offer weekly or monthly rates across every suite type. You can also bring your pet through the PAWS program, with pet-friendly rooms available for guests traveling with dogs, cats, or other approved companions.

During the stay, you have access to practical on-site amenities, including a fitness center, concierge, and a small market for everyday essentials. Our valet parking is available for a separate fee. Check-in begins at 4 p.m., check-out is at 11 a.m., and guests must be at least 21 to check in.

For questions beyond what’s covered here, from cancellation specifics to accessibility requests, the FAQ page is the next stop, or explore the neighborhood before booking your stay.

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