Wow House New Jersey Review 2026: Budget NYC Stay with Private Bath

Manhattan Hotels: ~$222 - ~$370 per night

VS New York Korean Guesthouses: ~$74 per night

What's more, Manhattan hotels are often incredibly cramped and don't allow cooking,

which means it's hard to save on food costs.

→ So, I'm going to share my review of a New Jersey Korean guesthouse

where you can get a room for around ~$74 a night, complete with a microwave and refrigerator!

I'll also break down how to get around New Jersey by bus, and share some useful info about local Korean markets.

1. Comparing Korean Guesthouses in the New York Area

Before my trip, I was considering these two places:

📌 Popular Korean Guesthouses in the New York Area

Wow House (New Jersey)

Lala Guesthouse (Queens)

Lala Guesthouse really appealed to me because they offer unlimited Korean food,

but the fact that it was mostly dormitory-style with no private bathrooms gave me pause.

On the other hand, while Wow House doesn't provide Korean meals,

the rooms are incredibly spacious and come with private bathrooms.

→ So, I decided on Wow House, thinking, 'A microwave is enough, and a private bathroom is crucial!'

I was a bit worried about commuting to and from New Jersey by bus,

but once I actually took the bus,

it only took about 20 minutes to get to Times Square.

The Korean town in New Jersey is quiet and safe,

offering a completely different charm compared to Times Square.

(Times Square is noisy with ambulances running all night... 😇)

📌 Price for 2 people

Wow House, New Jersey: ~$133 per night

↓↓↓

Check Prices for Wow House, New Jersey on Minda

2. Wow House, New Jersey

📌 Room Types at Wow House, New Jersey

1) Deluxe Room

2) Studio Private Unit

There are two room types in total,

and both come with private bathrooms.

The Studio Private Unit is larger and includes a private kitchen,

making it ideal for groups of four or family trips.

We (two people) stayed in the Deluxe Room.

Sometimes, Airbnbs can look different from their photos,

so I worried that the pictures might not match the actual room or cleanliness.

But it was incredibly similar to the photos!!

Unlike those tiny Manhattan hotels,

it was spacious enough to comfortably open up two large suitcases.

There was also a dining table by the window and a separate vanity table,

making the space very versatile.

Our Deluxe Room came with a microwave, electric kettle, and refrigerator,

so as soon as we arrived, we stocked up on groceries from a Korean market.

(There's a huge Korean market called H Mart just a 10-minute walk away.)

I mostly bought and cooked instant rice bowls, instant cup noodles, and Bibigo kimchi,

and sometimes got takeout from places like Chipotle or had burgers.

(You can also grab takeout from a nearby Korean town.)

The bathroom is located right next to the room.

It's a private bathroom exclusively for Deluxe Room guests!

Fortunately, it wasn't a fixed rain shower head,

so I was able to use the travel shower filter I brought with me.

It was clear at a glance that the owner is truly meticulous,

as everything was kept incredibly clean and well-maintained.

(They emptied the trash can daily and refilled the toilet paper.)

Inside the room, there's a spacious closet,

where you'll find bottled water, trash bags, towels, and more.

As for towels, they were washed and provided every two days or so!

(There was a generous supply of large and small towels.)

There was also a very generous supply of bottled water, which lasted perfectly throughout my 6-night stay.

From the Korean market, I stocked up on instant cup noodles, Hetbahn (pre-cooked rice), and instant rice bowls.

A hair dryer and slippers were also provided,

so there was no need to pack my own.

I'm usually quite particular about hair dryer power,

but its performance wasn't bad at all, and I used it comfortably throughout my stay.

▽ See more details about reserving Wow House in New Jersey ▽

Accommodation at Wow House-Studio in New York New Jersey - Minda3ha.in

3. New York Accommodation Recommendations

Honestly, the most satisfying aspect of my stay was

the incredible kindness of the owner couple!

While I have a lot of international travel experience, so I'm usually quite self-sufficient (?)

those who are new to traveling in the US will find invaluable help throughout their trip

from the Korean owner.

→ Highly recommended, especially for family travelers.

On the day I needed to catch a late-night bus after seeing a musical,

they even personally looked up the late-night bus schedule for me.

And on the morning I was heading out for an early Brooklyn tour,

they helped find the morning bus schedule too.

Beyond that, they shared tips on how to load luggage onto the bus,

and a wealth of information about local attractions!

(It can be quite tricky to find free restrooms in New York,

but they even provided restroom information for each tourist spot..)

4. Getting Around: New Jersey Bus

Taking the New Jersey express bus to Times Square

only takes about 20 minutes!

(At first, you'll be gazing at the Manhattan skyline, then maybe catching a quick nap!)

📌 Bus Stop: New Jersey → Times Square

: In front of Orange Coffee

📌 Bus Stop: Times Square → New Jersey

: Port Authority Bus Terminal

(Just a 7-minute walk from Times Square)

While the host will give you a super detailed explanation on how to use the New Jersey bus when you check in,

if you want to get a head start, feel free to check out the post below!

How to Ride the NJ Transit Bus from New York/New Jersey to Manhattan: A Complete Guide to Ticketsblog.naver.com

There's a Target near the bus terminal,

which is great for grabbing groceries when you head back to your accommodation.

✔ Looking for a great value stay or an Airbnb in New York?

✔ Searching for a Korean guesthouse with a private bathroom?

✔ Seeking a safe, clean accommodation perfect for family travel?

If any of these sound like you, we highly recommend Wow House!!

Rooms can disappear quickly, especially during peak holiday seasons,

so be sure to check availability right away.

▽ Book Your Stay at Wow House Korean Guesthouse in New Jersey ▽

Accommodation at Wow House Studio in New York, New Jersey - Minda3ha.in

As a side note, I also stayed for 3 nights at a hotel in Times Square,

and it was super convenient because it had a microwave too!

New York Manhattan Hotel Times Square Accommodation Recommendation: Home2 Suites by Hiltonblog.naver.com