The three-and-a-half-pearl Holiday Inn Manhattan - Financial District is a reasonably priced, 50-story chain hotel a brief walk from Wall Street. The property opened in late 2014 as the world’s tallest Holiday Inn, and many of its rooms offer impressive views -- some look out on the nearby Freedom Tower. A subway station is only a one-minute walk away, making connections to the rest of the city easy. The 492 rooms are small but modern and nicely decorated, with upscale bathrooms, safes, and coffeemakers, but no mini-fridges. Features include concierge service, a restaurant/bar, and guest laundry facilities, but there’s no on-site parking. For a nearby alternative set in beautiful old building, consider the upper-middle-range Wall Street Inn, which offers free breakfast, rooms with mini-fridges, and equally attractive rates, though decor is old fashioned.

Located in the Financial District immediately next to the construction going on at Ground Zero, this Marriott is mostly a place for business travelers to rest their heads. But the downtown location has more going for it than many visitors realize, including proximity to the underrated Hudson River Greenway. The clean, and spacious rooms, many with views of New York Harbor, make this hotel a decent alternative to the nearby Millenium Hilton (if only because there's less construction noise). This Marriott is also a good alternative to its Midtown sister, especially for visitors looking for easy access to (and views of) New York's revitalized waterfront.

The 81-room Hampton Inn Manhattan / Downtown - Financial District is a solid mid-range hotel that's no-frills in terms of amenities, but still feels fresh from its 2014 opening. The lobby merges with the breakfast room, where a free breakfast buffet is served each morning with hot and cold options, including a waffle station. There's also a business nook with two computers and a tiny gym, with only three pieces of cardio equipment and free weights, but that's about it. Guest rooms are tasteful and contemporary, with walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but mini-fridges aren't standard and views are nothing to write home about. Travelers looking for a stay with more features can consider the larger DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York City - Financial District. 

The hotel's location across the street from One World Trade Center -- for many years a noisy and emotional construction site -- is now the hotel’s best feature. Guests can walk not only to the September 11 Memorial, but also to Wall Street and South Street Seaport. This upscale business-oriented hotel is a big name and also a big property (it rises 55 floors), and the 569 modern rooms and suites have large windows to capitalize on the spectacular city views. Just note that room service and Wi-Fi fees add up fast; it's also worth considering other upscale hotels in the neighborhood, such as Gild Hall and Andaz Wall Street.