6 Reasons Why More NYC Marathon Travelers are Choosing Furnished Apartments Over Hotels 

The energy in New York City surges every November as tens of thousands of runners arrive from across the world to take part in the TCS New York City Marathon.  

Whether you’re a runner, a volunteer, a media member, a spectator, or part of the team organizing the highly anticipated event, there’s much to plan and consider as you prepare as a Marathon traveler.  

But few things are as important as finding the right place to stay. 

For years, hotels were the default choice. But lately, that’s been changing.  

More and more marathon travelers are choosing furnished apartments for their New York extended  stays — and for good reason. With rising hotel costs, limited availability, and the growing appeal of a “home away from home,” furnished apartments are redefining the NYC marathon experience. 

Why Finding Alternatives to Hotels Makes Sense for Travelers

New York City’s hotel market has always been competitive, but this time of year pushes it to the limit. 

According to Business Insider, the average nightly hotel rate in NYC now exceeds $300, one of the highest in the U.S., and those rates soar during major events like the marathon.  

Complicating matters, some hotels have been repurposed for long-term housing needs, tightening supply even further. 

For marathoners and their families, who often need to arrive days or weeks before race day for training, stay through recovery or look forward to exploring a new city, that means higher costs, limited availability, and less flexibility. 

It’s no surprise that savvy travelers are seeking alternatives that offer more comfort, value, and convenience. 

And here are six reasons why those travelers are choosing to stay in short-term furnished apartments rather than hotels: 

1. Furnished Apartments Offer Better Value for 30-Day Minimum Stays

Marathon participants rarely stay just one or two nights.  

Between the Expo, the race itself, post-race recovery and the desire to explore the city like a true local, most travelers can benefit from booking 30 days or longer.  

Furnished apartments typically offer more competitive pricing for extended stays — often with discounts that bring the average nightly rate below that of a comparable hotel. 

And they’re bigger. Serviced apartments typically provide about 30% more space than hotels at a similar or lower price point. Add in the ability to cook your own meals, do laundry in-unit, and avoid costly hidden hotel fees, and the savings add up quickly. 

2. More Space to Relax, Recharge, and Recover

After 26.2 miles and weeks away from home, every runner wants one thing: comfort.  

Furnished apartments deliver it in spades. 

With separate living, dining, and sleeping areas, these apartments provide room to stretch, hydrate, rest, and offer a true “home away from home” — not just a bed and a bathroom.  

There’s space for foam-rolling, stretching, and a fully equipped kitchen to prepare healthy meals after every training session. 

Traveling with a coach, teammates, family, or friends? Furnished apartments allow groups to stay together, creating a shared experience without needing multiple hotel rooms. That community can make a real difference during an extended stay when nerves are high and motivation matters most. 

3. A “Home Away From Home” Environment Improves Performance

The days or weeks before a marathon are about routine — and maintaining that routine is easier when your environment feels familiar. 

In a furnished apartment, you can cook your usual pre-race meal, make coffee the way you like it, and stick to your sleep schedule without the disruptions of hotel housekeeping or hallway noise. That sense of normalcy helps runners rest better, fuel smarter, and perform their best. 

Post-race, an apartment offers the perfect space to recover — a quiet setting for stretching, ice baths, and well-earned relaxation. And by taking advantage of a 30-day stay or longer, you can confidently explore the city at your leisure.  

4. Flexibility That Hotels Can’t Match

Hotel stays come with fixed check-in and check-out details, often inconvenient for marathon logistics. Furnished apartments, on the other hand, are built around longer stays and guest comfort. 

Our short-term housing inventory comes with flexible lease terms so guests can take advantage of additional training before race day or stay extra days to recover and enjoy all the city has to offer — so long as the reservation meets the 30-day minimum stay requirement. 

5. Ideal for Groups, Families, and Teams

The NYC Marathon is rarely a solo journey.  

Many runners travel with spouses, friends, or entire training groups. Thus, booking multiple hotel rooms can be costly and logistically complicated. 

Furnished apartments solve that problem beautifully.  

With multiple bedrooms, shared living areas, and full kitchens, short-term furnished apartments allow everyone to stay under one roof. It’s not just more cost-effective — it also fosters connection and makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

6. The Rise of Furnished Living, a Broader Travel Trend

The growing preference for furnished apartments isn’t limited to marathon travelers.  

It’s part of a larger hospitality shift. 

According to a 2023 AirDNA report, longer stays (28+ nights) have nearly doubled in frequency across the U.S. short-term rental market since 2020. Travelers increasingly seek accommodations that combine hotel-level convenience with the comfort of home. 

Greater flexibility, better value, and enhanced privacy are just some of the top reasons guests choose furnished living over hotels — all of which align perfectly with the needs of marathon participants. 

For NYC in particular, where space is limited and prices are high, the furnished apartment model provides a superior experience for travelers who need both functionality, flexibility, and comfort. 

Why Marathon Travelers Love Staying with Furnished Quarters

As one of the largest providers of short-term furnished rentals in New York City, Furnished Quarters offers everything runners need for an authentic marathon experience: 

• Convenient locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Jersey City and Hoboken — near major transit lines and race-related venues. 

• Spacious, fully equipped apartments with full kitchens, on-site laundry, and separate living areas. 

• Flexible lease terms designed for extended stays. 

• Professionally cleaned and maintained units with 24/7 guest service. 

• Competitive pricing that helps travelers save compared to hotels. 

Whether you’re a first-time marathoner or a returning finisher, choosing a furnished apartment from our extensive New York City inventory that includes surrounding cities and thriving neighborhoods means focusing on the entire marathon experience — not your room. 

Let our award-winning team help you create the perfect stay and live like a local. Our furnished apartments combine comfort, flexibility, and location — everything you need to run your best race and recover in style. 

Explore available furnished apartments in New York City.