Hotels Near UBS Arena
Where you stay for a UBS Arena concert or game depends on how you’re arriving, how much you care about comfort, and whether you’re staying local or flying in. This guide helps you choose the right base.
Quick Answer: Which Hotel Strategy Fits Your Trip?
The Right Way to Think About Hotels Near UBS Arena
Choosing a hotel for a UBS Arena night is not the same decision as choosing a hotel for a Broadway show or a concert at Barclays Center. There are no hotels within a five-minute walk of the arena. There is no adjacent neighborhood with a row of options at different price points. UBS Arena sits on the Belmont Park campus in Elmont — a suburban destination venue bordered by a racetrack, a parkway, and open parking lots. The nearest proper hotels are a short drive away, and the right one depends almost entirely on how you are getting to and from the show.
The question “what are the best hotels near UBS Arena?” is actually three different questions depending on the kind of trip:
Stay Near the LIRR
If you are taking the LIRR to UBS Arena — from Penn Station, Grand Central Madison, or a Long Island station — the right hotel has easy train access. A hotel near a Long Island Rail Road stop means you can get to and from the show without needing a car or relying on a rideshare at midnight.
Stay Off the Parkway Corridor
If you are driving to UBS Arena, the priority is avoiding post-show traffic. Hotels in Garden City and the surrounding Nassau County towns let you leave the venue, get clear of the arena lot, and reach your hotel quickly without navigating into a city. Free parking makes the stay straightforward.
Use JFK as Your Hub
JFK International is roughly 6 miles from UBS Arena — about 10 minutes by car on event night, depending on traffic. For visitors flying in for a concert, JFK-corridor hotels offer a practical double: easy airport access in and out, and a short drive to the arena.
Garden City as Your Base
If the priority is a full-service hotel with good dining, comfortable rooms, and the feel of a complete night out rather than a utilitarian overnight, Garden City is the area’s strongest answer — and the hotel that UBS Arena officially points visitors toward.
None of these strategies is inherently better than another. The best hotel for a solo concertgoer flying in from Chicago is different from the best hotel for a couple driving out from the city for an Islanders game. Matching the stay to the actual logistics of the night is what makes the difference.
UBS Arena and nearby rail access in Elmont, a fitting lead image for a hotels guide built around overnight planning and concert-night logistics.
Where Hotels Near UBS Arena Actually Are
There are no traditional hotel clusters right next to UBS Arena. The Belmont Park campus, the racetrack grounds, and the surrounding suburban roads do not have the density of lodging that you’d find around a Midtown Manhattan venue. What there is — within reasonable distance — falls into a few distinct zones:
Garden City — The Closest Full-Service Area
Garden City is a well-established Nassau County village about 6 miles from UBS Arena. It has real infrastructure for overnight guests — the Garden City Hotel is the area’s primary full-service property, and it sits within a walkable town center. From a pre- or post-event standpoint, Garden City offers dining options, decent road access, and free parking. The drive to UBS Arena is manageable on most nights, though Cross Island Parkway and Hempstead Turnpike traffic on major event nights should be factored in.
JFK Airport Corridor (Jamaica, Queens)
The cluster of hotels near JFK International Airport — Marriott JFK, Residence Inn JFK, Courtyard JFK and others — sits approximately 6 miles from UBS Arena, roughly a 10-minute drive. This corridor is the strongest option for anyone flying in for a show, since you land, check in, take a car to the arena, and return to the same hotel before your morning departure. The tradeoff is that the immediate area around JFK hotels is airport-adjacent rather than neighborhood-adjacent — functional, not charming.
Rockville Centre — LIRR-Connected Option
Rockville Centre is a South Shore Long Island town with a real village center, a walkable LIRR station, and one practical hotel for concert-goers: the Hampton Inn & Suites on Merrick Road. The train access is the asset — from Rockville Centre, you can ride the LIRR to the Elmont-UBS Arena station without a car. After the show, you ride back and walk to the hotel. It is the closest thing to a “train-friendly overnight” option in the UBS Arena orbit, though the hotel itself is a step down in comfort compared to Garden City.
Other Nassau / Queens Area Hotels
There are various mid-range and budget properties scattered through Nassau County and southeastern Queens — Floral Park, Valley Stream, Jamaica — that show up in generic hotel search results for UBS Arena. Most of them are functional and clean but require a car or rideshare to get to the arena and offer no particular strategic advantage over the options above. They are worth considering on price grounds if the priority is keeping the overnight cost low, but verify transit access and parking situation before booking.
Hotel Picks by Strategy
The Garden City Hotel
The Garden City Hotel is the area’s most complete option for a UBS Arena overnight — and the property that UBS Arena officially lists on its accommodations page. It is a full-service Long Island hotel with 272 rooms and suites, two restaurants including Red Salt Room by David Burke, two bars, a spa, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. Rooms are upscale without being pretentious. The hotel is located in the center of Garden City — a real village with walkable dining and a pleasant atmosphere that makes the overnight feel like more than a place to sleep after a show.
For drivers, the free parking is a practical advantage: you can leave the arena, get clear of the post-show traffic, and be at the hotel in 10–15 minutes. For Islanders fans, the hotel has positioned itself as a consistent game-night destination — reviews note it handles sports and concert crowds well. The distance to UBS Arena (6.2 miles) means a car or rideshare is required; there is no practical way to walk or take the LIRR directly from the hotel to the arena. But for anyone with a car, that is not a meaningful obstacle.
Tradeoff: The most expensive option in the area, and rates rise significantly on sold-out event nights. It is also worth noting that Garden City Hotel positions itself heavily around the UBS Arena connection — verify current availability and pricing for your event date directly, as demand-based pricing applies.
Hampton Inn & Suites Rockville Centre
The Hampton Inn & Suites in Rockville Centre is the strongest train-accessible overnight option for UBS Arena concertgoers. The hotel sits on Merrick Road in the heart of Rockville Centre — a real South Shore village with restaurants, bars, and a compact walkable center — and is a short walk from the Rockville Centre LIRR station. From there, you can ride the LIRR to the Elmont-UBS Arena station directly. After the show, the train runs back, and the hotel is a short walk from the station. For anyone doing UBS without a car, this is the most practical setup.
The hotel includes free breakfast, free parking, and an atrium-style common area that guests consistently find more pleasant than expected for the price point. Multiple UBS Arena eventgoers have reviewed the property specifically in that context, and the consistent feedback is: clean, practical, easy LIRR access, good breakfast. The rooms are not luxurious — walls can be thin and the LIRR tracks run behind the property, so light sleepers should request a front-facing room — but for a clean, functional concert overnight at a lower price than Garden City, it delivers.
Tradeoff: Not as comfortable or full-service as Garden City Hotel. Light sleepers may notice train noise. Driving to UBS Arena from here is about 20 minutes with traffic on event nights. Check pricing — it is typically more affordable than Garden City, but event-night rates fluctuate.
Marriott New York JFK Airport
The Marriott New York JFK Airport is a full-service property in Jamaica, Queens — 360 rooms, on-site dining, an M-Club concierge lounge, and a reliable shuttle to JFK. For concertgoers flying in from out of town, the logic is clean: land at JFK, shuttle to the hotel, car or rideshare to UBS Arena (approximately 10 minutes by car), and return to the same hotel before the flight out the next morning. It is a well-run airport hotel that functions better than the category typically suggests.
The surrounding Jamaica area is not a destination in itself — you are there for the logistics, not the neighborhood — but the hotel handles that well. Dining options on-site are solid enough that you do not need to go elsewhere before or after the show. For Islanders season ticket holders who fly in from regional cities for games, or for out-of-town concertgoers attending a major show at UBS, this is the most efficient setup.
Tradeoff: Airport-adjacent atmosphere — functional, not a charming Long Island stay. The drive to UBS Arena is fast but requires a car or rideshare; no LIRR connection from this property directly. Best suited to flying visitors rather than NYC-area residents.
Residence Inn by Marriott New York JFK Airport
The Residence Inn JFK is the extended-stay option in the JFK corridor — all-suite format with separate living areas, full kitchens, free breakfast, and a JFK airport shuttle. It is worth considering for families, longer stays, or anyone traveling with enough luggage that the additional space and kitchen access makes a material difference. At roughly the same distance from UBS Arena as the Marriott JFK, it covers similar ground but in a more spacious format.
It advertises proximity to UBS Arena and Belmont Park directly on its site. The free breakfast is a genuine perk for multi-night stays or for early departures after a late show. As with the Marriott JFK, a car or rideshare is required to reach UBS Arena.
Tradeoff: The extended-stay format is more useful for multi-night or family trips than for a single-night concert stay. For a one-night concert trip without a car, the Marriott JFK’s full-service setup may be slightly more convenient.
Courtyard by Marriott New York JFK Airport
The Courtyard JFK is the more value-oriented option in the JFK hotel cluster — a step down in price and full-service amenities from the Marriott JFK, but covering similar ground in terms of airport access and arena proximity. Clean rooms, on-site café, JFK shuttle. For concertgoers who want to keep the overnight cost down and do not need a spa or concierge lounge, it is a straightforward choice. The drive to UBS Arena from the JFK corridor is approximately 10 minutes.
Tradeoff: Note that the SpringHill Suites JFK/Jamaica — another Marriott property in this corridor — was listed as currently closed on its official site as of early 2026. Verify current status of any JFK-area property before booking.
Quick Comparison: UBS Arena Hotel Options
| Hotel | Distance to UBS | Best For | Key Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden City Hotel | 6.2 miles | Comfort, drivers, full-service stay, official partner | Most expensive; car required; rates spike on event nights |
| Hampton Inn Rockville Centre | ~11 miles | LIRR riders, budget-conscious, practical overnight | Train noise; rooms are functional not luxurious; longer drive if using car |
| Marriott JFK Airport | ~6 miles | Flying in, full-service JFK base, one-night show trip | Airport-adjacent; car/rideshare required to arena; no train connection |
| Residence Inn JFK | ~6 miles | Families, multi-night stays, free breakfast, suite space | Extended-stay format; less ideal for quick single-night stays |
| Courtyard JFK | ~6 miles | Budget-leaning flying visitors, practical one-night | Lower amenity level; less useful without a car |
The Geographic Reality of UBS Arena Hotels
Unlike MSG — where you can book a Midtown hotel and walk to the arena — UBS Arena does not have a hotel next door. The nearest properties are 6 to 11 miles away. That is not a problem; it just means the transit plan and the hotel choice are part of the same decision, not separate ones. Anyone staying in the Garden City Hotel is going to drive to UBS Arena. Anyone staying at the Hampton Inn Rockville Centre is going to take the LIRR. Anyone at the JFK Marriott is going to rideshare or drive.
Plan the hotel and the transport together. Do not book a hotel and then figure out how you are getting to the show. At UBS Arena, those two decisions are the same decision.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hotels Near UBS Arena
Assuming “nearest hotel” automatically means “best hotel”
Proximity to UBS Arena matters less here than it does at a dense city venue because there are no hotels directly adjacent to the arena regardless. The difference between a hotel 6 miles away and one 11 miles away, measured in drive time on a non-event night, is about 10 minutes. On a major sold-out event night, traffic patterns on specific routes can reverse that logic entirely. The better question is not “which hotel is closest?” but “which hotel fits how I’m getting to the show?”
Ignoring post-show exit timing when choosing a hotel
After a sold-out UBS Arena event, the Cross Island Parkway, Hempstead Turnpike, and the surrounding connector roads move slowly for 20–40 minutes while the parking lots empty. If you are driving from the arena to a hotel in Garden City or the JFK corridor, factor in that post-show traffic window. Drivers who stay in their seats for 15–20 minutes after the show ends usually clear the lot substantially faster than those who rush out at the final note. Your hotel is not going anywhere.
Booking a hotel without confirming the transit plan
The Hampton Inn Rockville Centre only works as a “no car needed” option if you are actually using the LIRR. It does not have a shuttle to UBS Arena. If you are staying at that hotel and planning to rideshare to the arena and back, the location advantage disappears. Similarly, the JFK-corridor hotels only deliver their value for visitors arriving by air. If you are driving from Long Island and staying near JFK, you may be adding distance to your route for no strategic benefit.
Assuming airport hotels are automatically inconvenient for the arena
JFK International is approximately 6 miles from UBS Arena. The drive on a non-event night is roughly 10 minutes via the Belt Parkway / Cross Island Parkway connector. For visitors flying in for a show, JFK hotels are actually one of the more convenient bases in the UBS Arena orbit — far more practical than trying to use a Manhattan hotel and fight traffic or train logistics from the city. Do not reflexively rule out JFK-corridor hotels because they sound like an airport stay rather than an arena stay.
Expecting walkable nightlife after the show
There is no bar district, restaurant row, or late-night neighborhood you are going to stumble into after a UBS Arena event. Belmont Hall stays open at the venue. Belmont Park Village closes in the evening. King Umberto and The Harrison nearby handle post-show dining, but you need a car or rideshare to reach them. If the plan is “we’ll see what’s around the hotel after the show,” the answer depends entirely on which hotel area you chose. Garden City has some options in the village. JFK corridor hotels do not. Plan the post-show dinner before you go — see the restaurants near UBS Arena guide for the full picture.
How Hotel Choice Fits the Full UBS Arena Night
A hotel choice is not just where you sleep — at UBS Arena, it shapes how the whole night flows. Think through the full sequence before you book:
Before the Show: Dinner and Arrival
If you are staying in Garden City, dinner at the hotel’s Red Salt Room or a nearby Garden City restaurant before driving to the arena is a smooth, low-stress pre-show plan. If you are staying in Rockville Centre, eating in the village before taking the LIRR to the arena gives you a similar ease — real restaurant options at the hotel end of the trip rather than scrambling near the arena. If you are at a JFK-corridor hotel, the dining near UBS Arena — Belmont Hall, Hundredfold at Belmont Park Village, nearby options — handles the pre-show meal, and the hotel stay is simply the return base. See the full restaurants near UBS Arena guide for pre-event dining options by type and timing.
Getting to UBS Arena
From Garden City: car, approximately 15–20 minutes on a normal night. Pre-paid parking is recommended for sold-out events — see the parking near UBS Arena guide for lot options and strategy. From Rockville Centre: LIRR to Elmont-UBS Arena station, then a 5-minute shuttle to the arena. From JFK-corridor hotels: car or rideshare, approximately 10 minutes. For a full breakdown of every transit option, see the how to get to UBS Arena guide.
After the Show
Post-show, the main variable is how fast you want to clear the venue area. Drivers in all directions face 20–40 minutes of post-show congestion on the main roads out of Elmont. LIRR riders have the advantage of a fixed, predictable schedule — the train runs after events regardless of parking lot traffic. If a late-night drink or meal after the show is part of the plan, that needs to be in a place near the hotel rather than near the arena. Garden City has more post-show options within a short drive than the JFK corridor does.
The Morning After
For visitors flying out the next morning, JFK-corridor hotels have a clear edge: shuttle to the airport, done. For people driving home to the city or to Long Island, the Garden City area gives easy access east and west on the LIE or Southern State without having to re-enter Midtown traffic. The Hampton Inn Rockville Centre works for anyone catching a morning LIRR back into the city. Think about the exit plan before you book — the hotel that works best for the show night should also work for the morning departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer depends on the kind of trip. For the most comfortable full-service stay with the strongest connection to UBS Arena, The Garden City Hotel is the clearest choice — it is on UBS Arena’s official accommodations list, 6.2 miles from the arena, has free parking, and offers two restaurants and a full-service hotel experience. For LIRR riders who want to do the trip without a car, the Hampton Inn & Suites Rockville Centre is the most practical option, with a walkable LIRR station and free breakfast. For visitors flying in through JFK, the Marriott New York JFK Airport or Residence Inn JFK handle the airport-to-arena logistics efficiently. There is no hotel immediately next to UBS Arena.
Yes, in specific circumstances — particularly if you are coming from out of town, if the show ends late and driving home is unappealing, or if you want to turn the event into a proper overnight. The case for staying is strongest for anyone flying in, for couples making a night of it, or for anyone driving from a significant distance who would rather sleep locally than drive back at midnight. For local commuters who live on Long Island or in the city, taking the LIRR home after the show is often more practical than staying over. Match the stay decision to how far home is and how late the show goes.
If you are flying in for the event, the JFK corridor is the smarter choice — JFK is approximately 6 miles from UBS Arena, and staying near the airport simplifies both arrival and departure. The drive to the arena is about 10 minutes by car. If you are not flying, staying in the JFK corridor adds an unnecessary detour to your trip. Garden City or the Rockville Centre option will be more practical depending on whether you are driving or using the LIRR.
The Garden City Hotel is the strongest upscale option in the area — it is a full-service hotel with a spa, indoor pool, David Burke restaurant, and a well-regarded reputation on Long Island. It is not a Manhattan luxury hotel, but it is a comfortable, genuinely nice property that handles event-night guests well. There is no five-star urban luxury hotel immediately adjacent to UBS Arena. If maximum luxury is the priority and you have a car, it is worth comparing current Garden City Hotel rates with Manhattan or outer-borough options and factoring in the drive.
For NYC residents or Long Island locals, taking the LIRR home after the show is often the most efficient option — no parking, no post-show traffic, predictable schedule. The LIRR runs from the Elmont-UBS Arena station with direct service to Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in approximately 30 minutes. If you live a reasonable distance from a LIRR station, staying over may not be necessary. The “drive and stay” option makes more sense for out-of-town visitors, for people coming from beyond LIRR range, or for anyone who wants the overnight to be part of the experience rather than just a convenience.
Yes. UBS Arena’s official accommodations page lists The Garden City Hotel (45 7th St, Garden City, NY) at 6.2 miles from the arena as a recommended stay. The hotel markets its UBS Arena connection actively and has hosted event-night guests since the arena opened in 2021. Book directly with the hotel or through its official site at gardencityhotel.com to confirm current availability and event-night rates.
For a single-night concert trip, the clearest options are: The Garden City Hotel if comfort and an easy drive home in the morning are priorities; Hampton Inn Rockville Centre if you want a train-accessible, lower-cost option; or a JFK-corridor hotel if you are flying in and out. All three cover the basic logic well for a one-night stay. The main thing to avoid is booking a hotel primarily based on proximity in miles without checking whether your transit mode actually connects to it well.
The Right Hotel for a UBS Arena Night
UBS Arena is not the kind of venue where you stumble out the door and into your hotel. It is a destination — a purpose-built arena on a campus that requires a plan. The good news is that the plan is not complicated once you know what you are working with. Driving? Garden City is clean, comfortable, and easy to exit from. Taking the train? Rockville Centre gives you a real overnight base with direct LIRR service. Flying in? The JFK corridor makes the airport the practical anchor for the whole trip.
The visitors who have the smoothest UBS Arena overnights are the ones who decided the hotel and the transit plan together — not separately. Book the hotel when you buy the tickets. Figure out the parking or LIRR logistics at the same time. The show is the easy part; the overnight is the part that benefits from a few minutes of actual planning.