Hotel Moca NYC
505 W 181st St, New York, NY 10033, New York, United States
2-star hotel
Guest rating: 2.7 / 5
Hotel Moca NYC is a budget (2‑star) hotel at 505 W 181st St in northern Manhattan. The only documented on-site amenity is an elevator, positioning it as a simple, no-frills base rather than a full-service property. Its location places it closer to uptown and Bronx attractions than Midtown: the Bronx Zoo (about 4.6 km) and New York Botanical Garden (about 4.8 km) are among the nearer major sights. Classic Manhattan highlights are still reachable but farther out, including Central Park (about 7.9 km), the Guggenheim (about 7.7 km), The Met (about 8.1 km), and the American Museum of Natural History (about 8.3 km). Popular Midtown destinations like Times Square (about 11.1 km), Rockefeller Center (about 10.8 km), and the Empire State Building (about 12.0 km) are significantly farther, which may affect sightseeing plans. Public feedback places the property at a 2.7/5 rating across 252 reviews.
Best for
This hotel is best suited to travelers who prioritize a lower-service, basic lodging option and want to be relatively closer to Bronx attractions such as the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden. It may also appeal to guests who specifically value elevator access in an older-city setting and plan to spend most of their time outside the hotel.
Travel tips
If your itinerary centers on Midtown (Times Square, Rockefeller Center, MoMA), budget extra time for travel since these are roughly 10–12 km away. For museum-heavy days, note that Central Park and the Upper East Side museums (The Met and Guggenheim) are around 7–8 km away, while nearby Bronx destinations are closer. Given guest reports about check-in and room issues, consider confirming arrival timing and room details directly before you travel.
What guests say
Across reviews, guests sometimes mention friendly staff and appreciate nearby food options, with a few noting rooms and bathrooms that appeared clean. More frequently, reviewers describe significant negatives including cleanliness problems (stains, mold, and other unsanitary conditions) and maintenance issues (malfunctioning elevator button, doors not locking, key cards needing frequent resets). Noise and thin walls are recurring complaints, with reports of disrupted sleep due to loud neighbors. Value-for-money is also questioned, with multiple comments that pricing feels high for the location and level of service, alongside frustration about front desk responsiveness and basic guest-support policies.
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