What to expect: Family owned and operated, Pan American Hotel opened in 1965. It has a veteran staff and a large repeat clientele of budget-minded guests who return because of the hotel's proximity to Manhattan's attractions and free parking. An international flag motif in to the lobby is in recognition of the clientele's worldwide origins.

Amenity highlights: Public buses to Manhattan stop across the street from the hotel on 24-hour schedules. Subways to Manhattan stop at a station four blocks from the hotel. Offering live music for dancing on Fridays and Saturdays, a casual restaurant and bar serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from a menu of American and Italian classics.

Insider tip: The child-friendly Queens Museum of Art, 1.5 miles from the hotel, offers changing exhibitions in addition to its permanent collection and a 10,000-square-foot scale model of New York City.