Great — here are centrally located New York hotels that solo travelers like (with why each works and nearby transit). I grouped options by budget/style so you can pick what fits you.

Budget / micro‑hotels (compact, social, very central)

• Pod 39 — Murray Hill / Midtown (near Grand Central). Very affordable, tiny but efficiently designed single “pod” rooms, lively rooftop and lobby bar for meeting people; excellent walking/subway access to Midtown attractions. (oyster.com)
• Pod 51 — Midtown East (near 51st St/6 train). Similar pod concept with good value, a social lobby and rooftop, easy walk to Times Square/Grand Central. Good if you plan to spend daytime exploring. (tripadvisor.co.uk)

Trendy midrange (social lobbies, rooftop bars, good for solo evenings)

• citizenM New York Times Square — Theater District. Modern, techy “compact luxury” rooms and a lively, design-forward lobby where guests hang out; steps from Broadway and multiple subway lines. Great if you want a safe, central base and communal spaces. (travel.usnews.com)
• Moxy NYC (Chelsea or Times Square locations) — playful, design-forward, with rooftop bars and busy lobby bars (built for socializing). Good for meeting other travelers and for very central access to Midtown/Flatiron/Times Square depending on location. (moxychelsea.com)
• Arlo (Midtown / NoMad / Hudson Square) — small rooms, big communal areas and rooftop bars; convenient Midtown locations and a newcomer-friendly vibe that’s popular with solo visitors. (tripadvisor.com)

Boutique / social but quieter options (central + comfortable)

• Freehand New York — Flatiron / Union Square area. Artist-driven design, lots of small single-room options, several bars/restaurants and a popular rooftop (Broken Shaker) — excellent for solo travelers who want social spots without the Times Square crush. (cntraveler.com)

Central full‑service / reliable chains (bigger rooms, 24‑hr desks, very central)

• Hyatt Centric Times Square — Times Square/Theater District. Centrally placed for shows and Midtown sightseeing; bigger rooms for NYC standards and a high rooftop lounge (Bar 54). Good if you want convenience, 24‑hr service and easier solo logistics. (oyster.com)
• Park Central Hotel — Midtown (across from Carnegie Hall). Longstanding, very central option with larger‑than‑average rooms for Midtown and easy walking access to Central Park, Times Square and subway lines. Good practical choice for solo travelers who want space and convenience. (oyster.com)

Calmer, service‑oriented option (central but peaceful)

• The Kitano Hotel — Midtown East (Park Avenue area). Japanese‑run, quieter, service-focused hotel with attentive staff and single‑friendly rooms — good if you want a central location but a more relaxed, low‑key stay. (oyster.com)

Quick booking tips for solo travelers in NYC

• Prioritize hotels with easy access to multiple subway lines (saves time and keeps you safer late at night).
• If you want to meet people, pick hotels with a lively lobby/bar or rooftop; if you want quiet, choose Midtown East / Park Ave hotels.
• Read recent guest reviews (last 3–6 months) for notes on cleanliness, noise and elevator waits — these are common NYC pain points.
• Look for 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and single-room options (some hotels/collections offer smaller single-room rates).

If you want, I can:

• Narrow suggestions to a specific neighborhood (Midtown, Union Square/Flatiron, or downtown) or price cap.
• Check current availability/prices for dates you have in mind.

Which neighborhood or budget do you prefer?