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2023 Readers’ Choice Awards: The Top Hotels in New York City

By CNT Editors

Now in its 36th iteration, our annual Readers’ Choice Awards continues to capture the travel experiences our readers love best, from the top hotels in NYC and beyond, to the world's best airlines , cruises , islands , and luggage . This year, you traveled farther and deeper; seeking out remote properties; sailing on smaller, more intimate ships; and prioritizing destinations you’ve been waiting years to visit. At least that’s what a staggering 526,518 of you told us in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey. Now, you can use the results to decide where you’re going next—these are the top hotels in NYC, according to our readers.

View the Readers’ Choice Award winners for the top hotels in New York as a list with scores here .

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

25. 1 Hotel Central Park Arrow

AvroKo group and Kemper Hyers are behind the impressive design of this 229-room eco-conscious hotel. Perhaps only in a 1 Hotel could rooms come with stylish reclaimed wood furniture, recycled cardboard hangers line the closet, hemp Keetsa mattresses come topped with organic cotton sheets, and a Google Nexus tablet tracks your carbon footprint. The clever details don’t end there, either: The floor in the fitness center is actually the old University of Wisconsin basketball court; restrooms feature moss growing on the ceilings; and even the hotel's three-story living-wall exterior is composed of recycled materials and helps to conserve water.

24. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Arrow

Few things are as classically New York as the 1 Hotel's location at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge . Aside from the prime real estate, it's a thoughtfully designed, supremely attractive place to call home for as long you're a guest here. Plus, it has one of the prettiest farm-to-table restaurants in all of Brooklyn: the Osprey. You can feel even better staying here knowing that the entire hotel is sustainable and eco-friendly, using recycled materials for all furniture, LED lighting, and a gray water irrigation system. The rooftop pool has amazing views out over Manhattan and is where you'll want to be on warm days.

23. The Standard, High Line Arrow

At once futuristic and retro, The Standard almost feels like a scene out of The Jetsons , with mid-century-inspired furniture and lighting, all in a blocky concrete hulk that seems to float above the High Line in the Meatpacking District. Even if you aren't big on working out, check out the 17th-floor gym for sweeping Hudson River views. And if you're a night owl, head up to Le Bain, the penthouse discotheque and bar, for even better scenery and live DJs. The views are perhaps the most dramatic you'll find in downtown, and the location—in walking distance from the Whitney and Chelsea galleries—is ideal.

22. TWA Hotel Arrow

Completed in 1962 and designed by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, who also designed St. Louis's Gateway Arch, the original TWA Flight Center was built amid the Golden Age of Flying, but closed in 2001 when the airline went kaput. The architectural marvel has since been revived into a 512-room hotel designed that functions not only as a traditional (if more upscale) airport hotel, but as a fascinating place for those with layovers to get some respite. Rooms are available for four and six-hour bookings, as well as overnight, and are thoroughly soundproofed. You won’t hear a thing: not the booms as planes land and take off, nor the din of Ubers waiting to drop off passengers, nor the high-frequency bleeps and bloops one normally associates with an airport. But you will see all of this if your room faces the runway; if not, you’ll be facing the Saarinen building—either way, the views are a win.

Matt Ortile

Ryan M. Moser

Olivia Morelli

Hannah Towey

21. Lotte New York Palace Arrow

The Lotte New York Palace made its mark on impressionable viewers when it served as a frequent hangout for the entitled characters of Gossip Girl on TV, but its history catering to New York’s elite stretches back to 1882, when six neoclassical style townhouses were first erected with a courtyard that faced out to Madison Avenue. These historic buildings were annexed to a 55-story hotel tower in 1974 by hotelier Harry Helmsley, and the property has been pampering guests ever since. Today’s incarnation of the hotel features gorgeous luxury guest rooms with up close and personal views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral , along with a separate hotel-within-a-hotel called The Towers, which offers more space, better views, and personal butlers. The hotel also has two restaurants and four bars, including one named Trouble’s Trust (after Leona Helmsley, AKA the Queen of Mean’s dog.)

20. The William Vale Arrow

Its distinctive white criss-crossing exterior can be seen from Lower Manhattan, but The William Vale, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, also makes an impression when seen up close. Each of the hotel’s 183 guest rooms has balconies, most with views looking over the East River and at the Manhattan skyline. The decor is light, airy, and of-the-moment, with hardwood floors, glass-enclosed showers, patterned rugs, and succulents on the nightstand. The hotel also has its own elevated public park and retail shops, as well as a 60-foot outdoor pool, a restaurant from famed chef Andrew Carmellini, and a retrofitted Airstream trailer that serves burgers, fries, and ice cream in the warmer months. Come cooler months, guests can enjoy an ice rink and winter spa concept on the terrace—ensuring al fresco activity all year long. As for the hotel name, it’s an homage to William Vail, the original Brooklyn hipster, er, property owner in the 1800s.

19. Archer Hotel New York Arrow

Standing 22 stories above New York's Garment District, the Archer Hotel is a reflection of the surrounding neighborhood, with glass-and-steel exteriors, exposed brick walls, and 180 guest rooms full of decor ranging from tufted leather headboards to subway-tile bathrooms. You can also expect luxe but quirky touches like Malin+Goetz bath products and slippers embroidered with mustaches and lipstick kisses. The hotel's main appeal, though, lies outside of the rooms—specifically at the 22nd-floor Spyglass Rooftop Bar . Here you'll find some of the city's best views of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, plus signature cocktails like the Archer Palmer, a spin on the Arnold-classic made with black tea–infused gin, lemon, and simple syrup.

18. Baccarat Hotel New York Arrow

No one knew what to expect when a 258-year-old French luxury brand opened its first property, Baccarat Hotel, on West 53rd—except that there had better be at least one over-the-top chandelier. The hotel did not disappoint, but what was surprising was how wonderful its opulence felt, after all that industrial, bare-bulb, and rough-hewn everything—like a return to Champagne after years of lager. Unabashed opulence is what you get as soon as you step into the lobby, where there are about 15,000 pieces of the brand's crystal throughout, including glassware and chandeliers. Arrangements of fresh red roses everywhere add a touch of color. But even though the hotel is a singular vision, it may be the little touches—like Baccarat tumblers in the bathroom—that make a stay special.

17. The High Line Hotel Arrow

The area surrounding the High Line is so unrecognizable from recent decades that many lament the loss of the neighborhood’s former grit and industrial vibe. But if you’re feeling nostalgic, stay at Chelsea’s High Line Hotel, a red brick building built in 1895 as a Collegiate Gothic Seminary. While there’s nothing rough about it, you may still feel you’ve been shuttled into the past. Rooms look out onto the High Line (the former train track reimagined as a public green space) or the hotel’s own garden, and are treated with hardwood floors, idiosyncratic furniture sourced from the likes of Brimfield Antique Show, and reproduced 19th-century English wallpaper. Guests are encouraged to take one of the hotel’s Shinola bicycles for a spin or grab a latte at the lobby’s Intelligentsia bar. The hotel may be especially appealing to writers, given the building’s history (it once belonged to The Night Before Christmas author Clement Clarke Moore), the abundant presence of old typewriters, and the property’s claim to the city’s fastest Wi-Fi.

16. Aman New York Arrow

In the 35 years since Aman was founded and its first property opened its doors in Phuket, the brand has come to represent a certain kind of experience for a certain kind of traveler: discreet, expansive, and intimate, with a full-bodied approach to wellness and an almost chameleon-like ability to adapt to the surrounding landscape. So it goes with Aman New York, the latest jewel in its crown—the brand’s very first urban outpost in the United States, and only its second urban property in the world after Aman Tokyo . And what a crown it is: Taking up residence in Midtown Manhattan’s iconic Crown Building, a Beaux-Arts landmark carefully renovated with Belgian designer Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, the space dazzles with a 7,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, a spa and wellness center spread over three floors, and serene, high-ceilinged guest suites (each with its own fireplace).

15. The Mark Arrow

The polished black-and-white floor that greets you in the lobby is the first sign that the Mark is no ordinary hotel experience. Contemporary light fixtures, furniture, and modern art combined effortlessly by designer Jacques Grange give the hotel a sense of cool elegance. The restaurant, by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is high-end New York all the way. The classic Upper East Side location combined with the contemporary, Art Deco–inspired design make for an unforgettable stay.

14. The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel Arrow

When a hotel opens in New York , it’s not uncommon for locals to barely bat an eye. This is, after all, a city crawling with them—big, small, modern, classic. It  takes an exceptional property to capture the collective consciousness, which is exactly what happened in 2016, when The Beekman opened. The landmark was built in the 1880s with a nine-story, glass-ceiling atrium, but throughout the past century, the atrium had been covered up as the building functioned as just another office. Now the glass skylight soars once again above the lobby’s Art Deco bar where New Yorkers flock to—come 6 p.m. it’s nearly impossible to find a free bar stool. The rooms all have vintage furnishings, with dark wood floors and distressed leather headboards: comfortable but not so much so that you don’t want to leave and miss out on everything happening around you. So many hotels like to say they’ve made the neighborhood, but in the case of the Beekman it’s actually true.

13. The Lowell Arrow

The Lowell, on the Upper East Side, reopened in 2017 after a three-year renovation. Its 74 rooms got a refresh, but the important touches stayed the same: wood-burning fireplaces, grisaille wallpaper in the lobby, tasseled key fobs. Nowhere in the city feels quite as refined. Every room has fresh flowers, while huge marble bathrooms have separate tub and shower areas, Frette bath robes, and custom-made products from the high-end line DDC28. Unlike big luxury chains, there's a small-scale, quiet, and personalized feeling here that's worth the lack of extras (like a swimming pool or spa).

12. Ace Hotel Brooklyn Arrow

The lobby in any Ace hotel is the place to be, and its Brooklyn outpost is no different. There are public workspaces galore—including a library-style table, a plant-filled garden, and a moody bar area with cozy seating—and plenty of guests, locals, and staff making use of them all. Many of the hallmarks of Ace decor are present in the 287 rooms: plywood furniture that offers both form and function, local art, and pops of color (in this case, a deep green). But the room design also leans into the industrial building’s architecture, with exposed concrete and warehouse windows.

11. The Hoxton, Williamsburg Arrow

Last fall, when the Hoxton plunked itself down on Williamsburg’s Wythe Avenue—the neighborhood’s unofficial hotel strip—it was as much for New Yorkers as for visitors. Cases in point: a quirky, retro lobby that’s perfect for long, lazy Sunday afternoons; an events space that has hosted, among other things, a pop-up tattoo studio; a rooftop bar that doesn’t have a line (yet). The U.K.-based Ennismore designed the hotel to feel extremely Brooklyn, dotting it with locally sourced vintage furniture and bookshelves displaying hefty tomes on contemporary art, and ’70-style chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. The three on-site restaurants—seasonal Summerly and Backyard and the year-round favorite Klein’s—are overseen by Jud Mongell and Zeb Stewart, the names behind Williamsburg’s beloved Five Leaves, Union Pool, and Hotel Delmano. The cocktails are a delight (order the mezcal-infused Fire Island), and the food spans everything from New American comfort at Klein’s to New England–style lobster rolls at Summerly. Upstairs, the 175 rooms, like the ones at the Hoxton in Paris , are not massive but fit king-size beds and have views of either the Manhattan or Brooklyn skyline.

10. The Plaza Arrow

This Beaux Arts–style, 19-story landmark on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South is synonymous with New York. Rooms are as sophisticated and elegant as they come, but some views of the park are negligible—even from the higher floors. Don’t skip breakfast in the Palm Court, where the decor is straight out of The Great Gatsby . All rooms have period furnishings and chandeliers, 24-karat-gold-plated faucets, and iPads, and come with round-the-clock butler service.

9. Virgin Hotels New York Arrow

Fans of the Virgin brand's rock-n-roll personality will no doubt enjoy this playful property, which is certainly designed to be a social hub and event space more than a peaceful respite from the chaos of the city. It has a spectacularly convenient location in the oh-so-trendy NoMad neighborhood just blocks from Penn Station, the subway lines of Herald Square, and the Empire State Building—of which some rooms have a picture-perfect view. The nearly 40-story tower and its associated complex run the length of a full city block, but despite the big exterior, the design of the commons spaces and rooms—called “Chambers” across the brand—is decidedly minimalist.

8. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel Arrow

Since it opened in 1930, The Carlyle has become something more than the sum of its extremely alluring parts, a living legend that embodies, if not the spirit of New York City, at least one of her spirits: her brightest, most sparkling, most elegant self; witty, worldly and nostalgic. An entire movie has been made about this property— Always at The Carlyle —in which present-day tribal elders such as George Clooney, Sophia Coppola , Wes Anderson, and Naomi Campbell discuss their fondness for the joint. Broadly speaking, the rooms get better the higher the floor. Plus, you get to spend more time in the elevators—not an activity to enjoy in everyday life, but this is not everyday life. The ones at The Carlyle are the stuff of legend, as much admired as the astounding Dorothy Draper lobby or Bemelmans Bar . Imagine if you had been there when Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, and Steve Jobs all piled in (true story). You would have been in awe. Not of them, of course, but of the real superstar—the unflappable, icy-calm, white-gloved Carlyle elevator operator.

7 The New York EDITION Arrow

Understated, elegant, and reminiscent of a private club, the Edition isn't really a hipster hangout, nor is it an opulent, tricked-out palace. It expertly straddles the line of cool and sophisticated, with a predominately whitewashed interior accented with hits of warm mahogany and creams. The effect is a feeling of exclusivity. There are a lot of business travelers, given its convenient location to all parts of Manhattan. But they're the kinds of business travelers who care about their surroundings and who value great design, food, and amenities. Appreciate the restful simplicity of the white wood floors and little touches like the soft, faux-fur bed throw—If we had a U-Haul with us, we'd take the massive, beautiful walnut headboard against the bed. Plus, it's a couple hundred dollars less than the luxury mainstays you'd find further uptown, and right next to one of the city's best parks, to boot.

6. Ink 48 Hotel Arrow

Located in Hell's Kitchen, this 222-room hotel sits pretty, in a repurposed printing house from the 1930s—and it makes sure to pay homage to its literary past. There's the hotel name itself, of course, but also a 16th-floor rooftop bar called the Press Lounge and an in-house restaurant called Print. If you can pry yourself away from the cocktails and food long enough to spend some quality time in your room, you'll be treated to bright decor, extremely comfortable beds, and flat-screen TVs—although the view of Manhattan's skyline from your window is really the only show you'll need at night.

5. Mandarin Oriental, New York Arrow

A cornerstone of the city’s five-star hotel scene, Mandarin Oriental’s New York City outpost is known for elite service, a fantastic spa, and impressive vistas—the 75-foot lap pool overlooks the Hudson, the high-end MO Lounge boasts the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, and the best rooms have bird’s eye views of Central Park. The rooms feel equal parts timeless in their definition of luxury—think heaping, decadent curtains for privacy, heavy black stained wooden desks, rich hues—and contemporary, with modern artworks hung on the walls, shimmering structural light fixtures, and reflective metal details accenting every room. And the Mandarin Oriental’s spa is a destination in its own right, with luxe treatments like detox wraps, aroma stone massages, and hydrating facials.

4. Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Arrow

Set in Lower Manhattan, down the block from the landmark Woolworth Building, this 82-story tower features interiors by noted design firm Yabu Pushelberg, which has infused it with a comfortable, contemporary feel. The building also houses 157 private apartments, and that hushed residential atmosphere can be felt across the hotel's 24 floors. Just off the lobby, CUT by Wolfgang Puck is the first Manhattan restaurant by the renowned California-based chef and restaurateur, and the spa is one of the best in the city, scoring points for its lovely facilities and the breadth of its offerings. The main wellness floor houses a 75-foot heated lap pool, a well-stocked fitness center with Peloton bikes, a steam room and infrared sauna, and a sundeck.

3. The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City Arrow

A top-to-bottom refit of the Lambs Club, the historic thespian hangout in the heart of Midtown’s Theater District, by designer Thierry Despont has turned this actors’ den into a sleek 76-room hotel with Art Deco lines and ocean liner–inspired fittings that hark back to a bygone era of travel. (The wonderfully accommodating service throughout—is there anything the house butler can’t do?—is another throwback we love.) A small but richly furnished lobby gives way to the Lambs Club restaurant, an 80-seater from chef Michael White where the focal point would be the original stone fireplace if it weren’t for the storylines unfolding at the other tables. Rooms are fitted with gorgeous steamer trunk–like wardrobes and desk-vanity combos in chocolate leather, while bathrooms come with wall-to-wall mirrors and rain showers stocked with custom Asprey amenities. Guests can find a break at the cozy Lambs Club Bar, hidden away above the lobby, and at the underground spa, with a clever “endless” lap pool and small gym—probably the only place on the property where you can let them see you sweat.

2. Hôtel Barrière Fouquet's New York Arrow

The French hotel line known for its Paris and St. Barth’s properties has arrived in the U.S. by way of New York. At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France. Fouquet’s New York’s pastel-colored luxury includes three French dining options, an indulgent underground spa (complete with a sauna, hammam, and hydrotherapy pool), and a Cannes-inspired cinema space true to Tribeca’s popular annual film festival. The theater will host programming like screenings and film premieres, and will be reservable for corporate and artistic events. The street-level outpost of the famed Champs d’Elysee bistro, Fouquet’s restaurant is a destination in itself, with signature red and black bar mirroring its Paris (and Louvre Abu Dhabi ) counterpart. A French lavender, mint green, and cream color scheme includes custom-made wallpapers with France-linked illustrations of New York City scenes like Lady Liberty, pizza-eating Central Park goers, and cartoon pigeons with croissants in their beaks.

1. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad Arrow

During New York Fashion Week, this already-iconic hotel’s rooftop bar Nubeluz by José Andrés hosted a runway show for Bronx and Banco, complete with a downtown cool vibe and guest list to match—think actress Natasha Lyonne and rapper Coi Leray. Nubeluz (and The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad as a whole) was immediately cemented as an overnight New York City hot spot—just one example of how this legacy brand is reshaping its image. But how did a hotel conglomerate that is thought of as a bit stuffy create a hotel that is familiar to its existing clientele while becoming alluring to a new generation? The answers are found within the lobby which takes its inspiration and pays homage to its location in the floral district, the reservation-impossible Mediterranean restaurant Zaytinya (another José Andrés), view-laden rooms, and skin-tightening subterranean spa. Each space mixes current design trends, like hand-blown Randy Zieber floral petal-inspired chandeliers in the lobby and black Italian-marble walls, with the exceptional, discreet service that Ritz-Carlton is known for. We can’t imagine a more perfect place to shake things up than the capital of reinvention: New York.

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The 15 Best Hotels in New York City

From gilded age institutions to contemporary glitz, these are the best check-ins in the greatest city., carole sovocool.

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You can’t throw a mustard-covered pretzel in New York City without hitting a hotel. There are about 700 of them in the city, but only a few are truly luxurious. 

“Cookie cutter hotels are out,” said Daniel Lesser, cofounder, president, and CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors . “Plus, guests also want to know they’re getting a quality product as soon as they walk through the door.” 

Designer details, out-of-the-box amenities, Michelin-starred chefs, sumptuous suites, tony locations, and unique, personalized experience are all de rigueur. And while most of NYC’s best inns are century-old institutions, very prominent newcomers are testing the old standbys’ ability to stay fresh. 

In short: It’s a race to up the ante that has resulted in “six, even seven star hotels,” said Lesser, although there isn’t any regulated definition of what those stars mean.

So is it Gilded Age splendor or contemporary glitz? We did the math and whittled the city’s top offerings to just 15 five-star (or better!) hotels. Here’s a look inside. 

1. The Mark

Award : Best Crowd 

Housed in a 1927 landmark building renovated in 2009, the Mark oozes Upper East Side. With 106 rooms, 46 suites, and a penthouse, designer Jacques Grange has created modern French flair within its walls. But above and beyond that, a stay here gives guests unparalleled perks. There’s special access to Bergdorf Goodman goods via concierge, should you suddenly feel the urge for the perfect pair of Louboutins. Or live like a Kennedy and hire the Mark sailboat, a luxe 70-foot vessel. Sightseeing, anyone? Borrow from a fleet of chic, Mark-branded bikes, or, for the more sedentary, jump in one of their pedicabs. Michelin three-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is at the helm of the Mark Restaurant, open super late for post-theater munchies. For the pampered pooch, amenities include chef curated room service. Bonus: You’re just a few paw prints from Central Park.

Best Amenity : Parents rejoice, the hotel keeps a fleet of custom Maclaren strollers to loan out to guests. Plus, in season and for the inner child in us all, there’s a fabulous hot dog cart.

Can’t miss experience: It’s got to be whizzing up Madison Avenue on one of their signature N+ Mercedes-Benz Formula E Team e-bikes. Pack a top notch picnic from Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten for the perfect day in the park.

Who should stay here: It’s for the fun (and affluent) who expect finesse, panache, fine dining and elegance without stuffiness. No wonder they get so many famous faces ( Hi, Drake! ). It’s also a great pick for families.

Prices from $1,200

2. Aman New York

Award : Most Exclusive

If sanctuary is what you seek, look no further than the eastern-inspired Aman New York . Housed on floors seven through 14 in the 1921 Crown Building, with its signature green and gold embellished turret, the Aman has quickly established itself as an oasis of calm. The hotel opened to acclaim in 2022 after an overhaul by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, drawing inspiration from the company’s southeast Asian properties. The 83 all-suite property features abodes that are among the biggest in the city—up to 2,800 square feet—and feature highlights such as fireplaces, soaking tubs, and steam showers. You’ll feel transported out of the city with a visit to Nama, a restaurant exclusive to hotel guests, which serves up Japanese washoku cuisine—dine in either the indoor karesansui rock garden, or on the outdoor terrace. Or take a personal wellness journey in a Spa House, with Hammam or Banya that has its own treatment room, living area, and terrace, complete with hot bath and cold-plunge pool. Canopies allow for year round use, should you wish to brave the New York winter chill.

Best Amenity: Nestled at the foot of the building, the Jazz Club is hard to find, hip, buzzing with big names, and driping with artisanal cocktails. 

Can’t miss experience : Arva’s executive chef will take you on an early morning tour of Union Square’s market, explaining how to select the best fresh produce and cheeses. Your picks will be served up in a bespoke dining experience that evening, using all the sourced ingredients. It’s a chef’s kiss. 

Who should stay here : Go if you want exceptional calm in the center of the city, with spacious and harmonious surroundings, or for a physical — and spiritual — refresh. It’s perfect for staycations.

Prices from $1,750

3. The Lowell

Award: Best Indie

On the Upper East Side, the Art Deco Lowell was purpose-built as a hotel in 1927. Designed by Henry Stern Churchill, it likes to boast that “within these walls, novels have been penned, plays have been scrawled, and scripts have been studied.” It’s certainly a rarity in that it’s privately owned, by Dina De Luca Chartouni and her husband Fouad, who headed up a $25 million renovation in 2017 in collaboration with interior designer Michael S. Smith (highlight reel includes the Obama White House) and architect Mark Pinney (think Harrods, Armani, and Burberry). Its 74 rooms and suites include two-bedroom suites and a penthouse, which rocks three terraces and a Poggenpohl kitchen. Original wood-burning fireplaces throughout the property help make it feel as if you’re in your own stunning city abode. Particularly enchanting: Marjorelle restaurant, which features an outside terrace inspired by the Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Marrakech, evoked by palm fronds and pops of cobalt blue.

Best Amenity : Dedicated staff that go above and beyond. The concierge and personalization services begin before you even get there — a rep will reach out for your wants and wishes prior to arrival.

Can’t miss experience : Pretending you’re with Jacques Majorelle in Marrakech at his eponymous bar, drinking a White Negroni.

Who should stay here : Those looking for an oasis in the city, and “A” listers — the prominent guests who have walked through the doors include Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, and a troop of supermodels in Cindy Crawford, Christie Brinkley and Naomi Campbell.

Prices from $1,110

4. The St. Regis New York

Award: Old-School Cool

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to dramatically lop off a Champagne cork using a sword (and who hasn’t?) head to midtown and check into the St. Regis , where private “art of sabrage” master classes can be arranged. And that’s just the start. Founded more than a century ago by John Jacob Astor, everything throughout the landmark Beaux Arts property oozes class, with rich purple drapes and gold accents to fulfill any inner royal dreams. A private butler is available for every whim (naturally), while the stunning ballroom with painted sky ceiling evokes chateaus and castles. Choose from the 238 rooms and suites with chandeliers, dark wood floors, and marble bathtubs. Dining is at the regal Astor Court, or head to the famed King Cole Bar where, in 1934, bartender Fernand Petiot became the patron saint of the hungover by inventing the Bloody Mary.

Best Amenity : The butler service here is legendary, and ingrained into the very fabric of the hotel.

Can’t miss experience: The Evening Ritual was invented by Mrs. Astor in the 1900s, marking the transition from day to evening by the aforementioned slicing of champagne bottles. It still takes place every weekend.

Who should stay here: The Gilded Age heritage of the Astors reigns supreme here, so when provenance matters and the address means everything, pick the St Regis. 

Prices from $1,495

5. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Award : Best Bar

Built in 1930, the Carlyle has imprinted itself into the zeitgeist of the city. Now a Rosewood hotel, it has the proud boast that it’s hosted every president since Truman, and says its 192 rooms offer its guests “discretion.” Expect lots of Art Deco black and white, with recent updates from names such as Thierry Despont. Some of the 92 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic vistas, and the Presidential Suite boasts 360 degree views of the city. The classic dining room was renamed and reopened in 2021 and is now Dowling’s at the Carlyle. There’s 200 pieces of art adorning its walls, and food curated by chef Sylvain Delpique is widely lauded. And while the Plaza has Eloise, the Carlyle has Madeline—Bemelmans Bar, complete with a 24-karat-gold leaf-covered ceiling, features work from artist and author Ludwig Bemelmans, who created the beloved books. Featuring live music every night, it’s a hideaway haunt that will make you feel like a local.

Best Amenity : You can pick up some pretty awesome wallpaper at The Carlyle Wallshoppe. It’s based on the hotel’s whimsical decor (one roll has little martini glasses and olives on a pink background). Accent wall, anyone? 

Can’t miss experience : Speaking of martinis, the master class at the Bemelmans Bar will turn you into expert shakers and stirrers.

Who should stay here : Classy out of towners who want to feel like Manhattan insiders. No wonder royals like Princess Diana, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Harry and Meghan Markle have all checked in.

Prices from $750

6. The Dominick

Award: Best Transformation

If you want to stay in a glass castle in the sky, head here. The $450 million, 46-story, 391-unit condominium SoHo hotel is a Five Diamond winner that soars over the Hudson Square district. Built in 2008 as Trump SoHo, it went through all sorts of trauma (uncovering piles of human remains!) before being renamed in 2017, after which business boomed. As you might expect, it features rooms with lots of windows, light, and phenomenal city views. Highlights include a new Sisley-Paris spa and an outdoor heated pool. Lounge in one of the cabanas and indulge in Asian-Hawaiian food from El Ta’Koy. Art lovers, rejoice: The hotel has a collaboration with New York street artist Paul Richard, from its lobby art to the Street Art Suite, a two-bedroom penthouse displaying signature “art drips” of NYC landmarks. A stay here (priced from $10,000) includes the option to commission a portrait from the artist, as well as purchase Richard’s artwork. The hotel has also launched a Street Art Search, a curated scavenger hunt that comes with clues to find Richard’s art throughout downtown Manhattan. (Free!)

Best Amenity : The Terrace on 7 pool offers panoramic city vistas, and has a bar offering hand crafted cocktails.

Can’t miss experience : Guests can avail themselves of a special four-course tasting menu at Vestry, offering seasonal seafood in a quintessential Soho restaurant on a cobbled city street, among the art galleries.

Who should stay here : Art loving urbanites who can’t resist a room with a cracking view.

Prices from $595

7. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Award : Best View

The best Manhattan views are from outside the city, and that’s what guests of this waterfront hotel in Dumbo can enjoy. Like its sister hotel, 1 Central Park, the brand is “mission driven,” and the name of the game is serene, upscale eco-consciousness. The tread-lightly traveler will appreciate that almost half of the hotel was built with reclaimed materials, including heart pine beams from the Domino Factory, making for sweet suites. The 195 rooms, including 29 suites, brings nature in, with bleached wood and native greenery, and the cloudlike mattresses are organic cotton. Head to Harriet’s Rooftop for some farm to table bites, local beers, sustainable wines, and even a plunge pool, as you take in those sweeping views. A complimentary Audi e-tron is available and electric car charging is free. Bought too many clothes to take home? Leave behind any excess threads to go to a local housing charity, and feel even better about your stay.

Best Amenity : Waste not, want not. The lobby has a farm stand stocked with imperfect-looking fruit that is just as tasty, but would otherwise be discarded. 

Can’t miss experience : At the weekend, Harriet’s runs a Night Shift, with local DJs spinning the tunes. In the lobby, you can catch local Brooklyn musicians. Pair with a glass of vino from wineries with BIPOC and women owners.

Who should stay here : Mindful earth angels looking to sample Brooklyn’s buzz.

Prices from $449

8. Lotte New York Palace

Award : Best Architecture 

In the heart of midtown and within the Villard Houses estate, a U-shaped landmark built in 1884 for railroad magnate Henry Villard, you’ll find this stately oasis . WIth a sweeping lobby staircase that evokes the gilded age in all its glory, the 733 guest rooms sit atop in a modern 55 story tower, last renovated in 2015. The Towers is a hotel-within-a-hotel, offering 176 ultra luxe rooms and suites on the top 14 floors. Want a truly elite, personalized dining experience? Head to the Rarities salon, which seats 25 and offers curated wine and pre-prohibition spirits. New to the menu is the Bowmore 1969, a rare 50-year-old single malt Scotch, available for $42,000 a bottle, or $5,000 for a wee dram.

Best Amenity : The penthouse suites here are tricked out like private residences. Entertain a small gathering in one, with white-glove service and a custom menu.

Can’t miss experience : The Palace historian can take you on a guided tour of the Villard Mansion which dates from 1884, and is one of the few remaining Gilded Age mansionss.

Who should stay here : Connoisseurs and collectors of fine spirits, old wines, art and gemstones.

Prices from $450; Tower suites from $820

9. Baccarat Hotel

Award : Best Interior Design

True luxury: phones at the Baccarat have a button marked “Champagne.” Press it (and you will) and your favorite vintage will arrive served in namesake flutes. The whole 114-room hotel, which takes the first 12 floors of the midtown building, is draped in French flair, thanks to Paris-based interior design firm Gilles & Boissier, with calm grays and lots of sparkle—there are 17 custom chandeliers, and a 125-foot-wide, crystal-like curtain veils the lower levels. Their art collection spans 250 years, and if that’s not enough, MoMa is just across the street. You can peek at it from Le Bar (featuring a 60 foot bar) and Le Jardin terrace. Other highlights are an indoor pool and a Spa de la Mer. If you want some Baccarat crystal to take home (who doesn’t?) the hotel’s new 53rd Street Boutique has you covered. 

Best Amenity : The hotel’s art is museum quality, and spans the 250 years since Baccarat was founded in 1764. 

Can’t miss experience : The Spa de la Mer actually has sounds of the sea piped in as you luxuriate in their exquisite eponymous products. 

Who should stay here : The guests here are like a cut-crystal goblet: multifaceted, bling, sparkling and full of champagne.

Prices from $895

10. The Plaza

Award : Most Iconic

Arguably the most iconic of New York’s hotels, the Plaza has graced the southeast corner of Central Park since 1907. It’s as New York as you can get—you’ll recognise the 21-story, château-style building from myriad films including, in a major starring role, Home Alone 2 . As such, you can order the Home Alone 2 package, with limo, pizza, and a giant Kevin-sized ice cream sundae delivered to your room. Choose from 282 rooms—maybe the pink Eloise suite designed by Betsey Johnson named in honor of the 1950s book character who lived here. Enjoy a Plaza picnic in Central Park, or in a new elevated option, take a helicopter to the Hamptons, where you can have your hamper, with locally sourced seafood and caviar blinis, on the beach. Plus, your pampered pet here will have a matching bathrobe and a tier of pup-friendly macarons.

Best Amenity : If you want to throw a bash, go to the ornate Grand Ballroom, which once hosted Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, said to be the best party ever. Otherwise, don’t miss caviar and fizz at the Champagne Bar.

Can’t miss experience : It has to be the Palm Court afternoon tea, which is world renowned. Got kids? Treat them to the Eloise tea experience, with PB&J to die for.

Who should stay here : Those seeking the quintessential New York experience, and anyone who enjoys a hotel that’s also a movie star in its own right.

Prices from $805

11. Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

Award : Best of Uptown, Downtown

For complicated reasons the midtown Four Seasons remains temporarily shuttered, but the downtown branch , built in 2016 in a classical style, is keeping the flag flying in Tribeca. The 161 rooms and 28 suites are roomy, unfussy midcentury modern, while dining features Cut restaurant, the first in the city from Wolfgang Puck. At the Spa, there’s a new innovation called the Collective, bringing together an expert physical and spiritual wellness team for your complete overhaul, including celebrity facial masseuse Gavin McLeod-Valentine, astrologer Rebecca Gordon, and Michelle Pirret, an “international sonic alchemist.” (Perhaps it’s a bid to host “White Lotus” season 3 .) And if you’re hungry after all that, a rotation of top city chefs under the helm of executive chef Maria Tampakis can provide curated in-room dining.

Best Amenity: For those who want to stay in touch, the in-room iPad offers 100 international newspapers. Believe it or not, they’ve also got a notary in-house, making it the spot for deal closers.

Can’t miss experience : For guests only: A three-hour walking tour of Lower Manhattan street art with NYC photographer Joe Thomas, exploring urban murals and more, in little-known corners of the city. 

Who should stay here : Financiers and wheelers and dealers who want to be in the financial center of the universe, as well as the legions loyal to the brand.

Prices from $1,025

12. Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York

Award : Most Creative

The new kid on the block, having opened last fall, is the latest in this storied French brand of upscale hotels. The 19th-century building spans three blocks, and the refurb is designed to blend “Parisian panache with Tribeca cool.” Designer Martin Brudnizki has done just that. The 97 rooms and suites feature lavender tones for a calm retreat, with tall windows and plush furnishings. The Grand Appartment Terrasse is spread over two floors and has antiqued furniture, lacquered walls, and multiple terraces. But, as you might expect from a French endeavor, food is at the forefront. Michelin three-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire (owner of six Michelin starred restaurants around the world including in Paris and St Barts) oversees the Fouquet’s New York restaurant menu, offering a French brasserie with a new world twist. Newly opened: La Vaux, a stunning rooftop bar exclusive to guests. It echoes an Art Deco Parisian terrace garden, with scalloped umbrellas, pink striped chairs, and climbing flowered trellises. Bring on the Bollinger.

Best Amenity : The opulent meeting space – 2,700 feet with dining, screening room and a terrace – is not business as usual.

Can’t miss experience : Private screenings of favorite films in the Cannes Cinema, where you’ll relax on velvet seats that are more like chaise lounges.

Who should stay here : Francophiles and foodies should flock here for a Parisien twist on Tribeca.

Prices from $900

13. Mandarin Oriental

Award : Best Park Views

If you’re looking to take a walk on the west side, head to this sparkly highrise that looms over Columbus Circle. Convenience is the name of the game—the hotel is part of the Deutsche Bank Center, and guests have exclusive third floor lobby access to its upscale shops. If you’re more Wynton Marsalis than Michael Kors, the elevator can take you down to Jazz at Lincoln Center at the bottom. The 198 guest rooms and 46 suites feature views over Manhattan and Central Park, and as the name suggests, the modern decor comes with a taste of the orient, with delicate botanical twists. The spa has a menu of services that hark to the hotel’s heritage, or you can watch the skyline go by as you back crawl in the 75 lap pool.

Best Amenity : Some rooms feature the legendary Toto electric toilets. (If you know, you know.)

Can’t miss experience : Travel harbor-to-harbor to Boston via seaplane for a multi-city stay at Beantown’s own Oriental. 

Who should stay here : Shoppers, jazz fans and Lincoln Center-goers have the best site in the city here.

14. Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

Award : Best rooftop

Putting on the Ritz here means embracing the city, not escaping it. Open for just a year, the 50-story, all-glass block, 250-room hotel has a wealth of designers behind it, including the Rockwell Group. The goal was to blend the hotel into the electricity of the city, from a vibrant lobby to the stunning Nubeluz rooftop bar, where you can see the city from a veritable lightbox 500 feet up. Inside the hotel, downtown facing rooms have Empire State views, and all feature creams and gold, with signature statements like zany modern chandeliers. Michelin-starred chef José Andrés has made a home here with a curated Mediterranean mezze medley at Zaytinya. New this summer—and much anticipated—is a New York branch of the Bazaar, where Andrés shows his Spanish roots with tapas and, in this instance, Japanese fusion. 

Best Amenity : Lush bathrooms include supplies by Diptyque, with a signature scent, Philosykos, which evokes fig trees. 

Can’t miss experience : Forget mimosas and boring brunch and go for the weekend Mezze and Magnum at Zaytinya, featuring a three-course prix fixe menu and a large bottle of wine.

Who should stay here : Those who enjoy plenty of eye candy, both in the hotel’s design and its views.

Prices from $1,000

15. The New York Edition

Award : Biggest Clock

If you’re looking for urban renovation, check into the reinvented Metropolitan Life Tower, built in 1909. Firmly in the thick of things in the Flatiron District, this Edition-brand hotel , which opened in 2015, is a social hub. The 1,350-square-foot, one-bedroom penthouses—complete with 1.5 bathrooms and separate dining—are designed to live as a your own luxe Manhattan apartment. With a design by Ian Schrager, the 271 rooms feature dark and light oak treatments and curated artwork, and have panoramic views of the city. The lobby bar, with bleached leather armchairs and open fireplace, is a popular meeting and unwinding place for guests and locals alike.

Best Amenity : There’s a special “junket” floor for press conferences, TV and movie filming.

Can’t miss experience : Dine on British cuisine while checking out the 500 photos of American icons on the walls of The Clocktower restaurant.

Who should stay here : Digital nomads, media folk, and those in search of a lively lobby bar scene.

Prices from $625

Read More On:

• 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
• Aman Resorts
• Baccarat Hotels
• Edition Hotels
• Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Lotte New York Palace
• Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
• New York City
• Rosewood Hotels and Resorts
• The Mark Hotel

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Forbes Travel Guide Stories

The 40 Best New York City Hotels By Forbes Travel Guide

January 5, 2024

Manhattan ‘s magic lies in the fact that a small island — only 13 miles long — can contain so many worlds that are, in some cases, but a brisk walk from each other. As you do your best to keep up with the borough’s pace, don’t be surprised if you need a break, ideally, one with a place to recharge (you and your cellphone), a plush bed and a stiff drink. Luckily, the area’s most luxurious hotels understand that while the city might never sleep, people certainly do.

Manhattan has mastered the art of the posh property. Where else do locals consider a hotel bar a destination? Visitors have their pick of the best, and we’re confident that somewhere in this illustrious list, you’ll find your perfect bite of the Big Apple.

You can trust our list. Forbes Travel Guide has been rating hotels since 1958 using an objective, independent and data-driven process. To find the best hotels in New York City, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and checked in at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. The remaining 30 percent comes from the quality and condition of the facilities.

Five-Star Hotels in New York City

Mandarin Oriental, New York

Every element at Mandarin Oriental, New York — from the ginkgo metal design finishes on the revolving doors to the framed kimonos hanging in the hallways to the Chinese gold throw pillows on the beds in the notably large rooms — reflects a sophisticated Asian aesthetic that recognizes the brand’s heritage while simultaneously capturing the individuality of New York.

The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel’s Columbus Circle location puts you steps from Central Park, Broadway theaters and top-notch museums. But if you need a break from the bustle, don’t miss the Five-Star spa . See more.

Baccarat Hotel New York

Famed crystal company Baccarat dazzled even the most jaded travelers when it opened its first hotel in New York City in 2015. With its unflinchingly glamorous public spaces, subtly luxurious guest rooms, splashy bars and an ultra-luxe spa, Baccarat Hotel is pure opulence.

Across the street from the Museum of Modern Art on East 53rd Street, the French-inspired hotel is flooded with millions of dollars of prismatic Baccarat crystals. See more.

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

Standing 82 stories tall just a block from the World Trade Center, Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown helps usher the rebirth of Lower Manhattan. All of the windows have breathtaking views of city attractions, including the nearby Santiago Calatrava-designed Oculus, a $4 billion art structure in the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.

The area is also heavy with shopping options, such as the Westfield World Trade Center, Brookfield Place and trendy Soho boutiques. See more.

Park Hyatt New York

Escape the busy streets of Midtown Manhattan when you enter Park Hyatt New York’s oversized custom-made bronze double doors.

Occupying the first 25 floors of the 90-story One57 skyscraper, the hotel mesmerizes with breathtaking vistas and beautiful touches such as architectural screens and hand-woven custom carpeting. Common spaces have names like the Study and the Living Rooms and make you feel as if you are at home. See more.

The Peninsula New York

Traditional New York style and understated elegance surround you at The Peninsula. Expect dramatic, oversized crystal chandeliers, marble floors and staircases, Corinthian columns and soaring high ceilings in the Beaux-Arts-inspired building.

Simplicity is another key at this graceful hotel. But clean lines and subdued colors are countered with splashes of color found in the lovely flower arrangements and contemporary artwork strategically placed throughout public spaces. See more.

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York

A New York classic, The Pierre continues to impress after a long, glamorous history. The 1930s, Georgian-style building mixes old and new. The first floor accommodates a stylish lounge, Two E Bar, which serves afternoon tea by day, classic cocktails until midnight and light bites with both.

Gorgeous hand-painted murals from the hotel’s early-20th-century beginnings are laced throughout the hotel, sharing space with Indian artwork, some of which hails from the Taj flagship in Mumbai. See more.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park offers some of the city’s most elegant accommodations. The Emery Roth-designed building features 253 rooms and a majestic art-filled lobby. Expect a sleek look with hints of old New York scattered throughout — neutral color palettes with dark wood molding, plush chairs and marble tables.

The luxurious amenities (including a house Maybach) set this Five-Star stunner apart while its recently refreshed guest rooms and Four-Star La Prairie Spa provide serenity. See more.

The St. Regis New York

This designated New York landmark dates back to 1904. Today, you’ll find that the newly renovated treasure still offers original brass detailing and marble staircases throughout, evoking the grand old days when the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Salvador Dalí stayed here.

Every guest is assigned a butler, who arrives impeccably dressed in black tails and white gloves to attend to your every need, from unpacking your luggage to serving morning tea. See more.

The Towers at Lotte New York Palace

Sitting behind grand iron gates on Madison Avenue, Lotte New York Palace has served as the backdrop for shows like Gossip Girl , but the real star is the mansion’s exclusive hotel-within-a-hotel, The Towers.

Using the private 50th Street lobby like a Hollywood star ducking from paparazzi, waltz into the concierge area, before heading up to your exquisite room. The Towers occupy the top 14 floors of the Palace and feature 176 rooms boasting vistas of Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building. See more.

Trump International Hotel & Tower New York

The 52-story Trump International Hotel & Tower New York occupies a gleaming black glass tower at Columbus Circle and Central Park, smack in the middle of Manhattan.

The hotel’s 176 rooms are tastefully appointed, with many offering striking views of the park’s treetops from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Still, it’s the hotel’s discretion, commitment to excellent service and fine amenities that make it stand out. See more.

Four-Star Hotels in New York City

Andaz 5th Avenue

You’ll be at the center of the action during your visit to NYC at Andaz 5th Avenue. A couple of blocks from Grand Central Station, the Four-Star hotel is surrounded by the New York Public Library, Bryant Park and some of the city’s best shopping.

Inside the hotel, you’ll find another attraction: The Bar Downstairs & Kitchen, a restaurant that serves locally sourced dishes (like meats from Katz’s Delicatessen) and transforms into a cozy speakeasy after nightfall. See more.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Many of New York’s landmark 1930s hotels have lost some of their grandeur. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, in all of its Upper East Side glory, has managed to maintain the glamour and luxury of days past.

Just one block from Central Park, The Carlyle remains a mix of hotel rooms, suites and residences. Every American president since Truman has called the hotel his unofficial New York home. It was also a favorite of the late Princess Diana of Wales and many heads of state. See more.

Conrad New York Downtown

Conrad New York Downtown leaves a memorable first impression. The atrium lobby is a showstopper with its 13-story, blue-and-purple Sol LeWitt mural — the respected artist’s largest work — reflecting azure hues onto a two-tiered, cable-and-aluminum sculpture by Monica Ponce de Leon.

While most of the 463 suites take a more understated but still elegant tone, select spacious accommodations have a priceless visual element: views of the Hudson River, Battery Park and the Statute of Liberty. See more.

Crosby Street Hotel

On a cobblestone street in Soho, Crosby Street Hotel feels more residential than most properties. The stateside outpost of U.K.-based Tim and Kit Kemp’s Firmdale hotel group boasts the same eclectic, English-country-meets-modernist design as its London sisters. Thick layers of fabrics, textures and colors shine brightest in the guest rooms, where no two spaces are alike.

Crosby Bar is a colorful spot for a meal, and the adjacent sculpture garden is a great place for a drink. See more.

The Dominick

The Dominick is a welcome addition to the downtown hotel scene with its dramatic, two-story lobby outfitted in columns of brown and metallic blue Venetian plaster and a second-floor library complete with a fireplace.

Terrace on 7 is a seasonal indoor-outdoor bar that overflows onto the Pool Deck’s blue Italian mosaic-lined pool with a cascading waterfall. The 11,000-square-foot Sisley Spa includes separate luxury hammams for men and women, offering total relaxation. See more.

Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards

Before Equinox Hotel, it would have been hard to imagine that the area now known as Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s far west side would be a magnet for trendsetting urbanites. But this spot has emerged not only as one of the largest mixed-use mega neighborhoods in the world but a destination of its own.

This lifestyle-meets-luxury hybrid is the Equinox fitness brand’s first hotel. The ethos here skews more posh than sporty, with sleek interiors, a Four-Star spa and, of course, a state-of-the-art gym. See more.

The Greenwich Hotel

The Greenwich Hotel commands the cobbled corner of Greenwich and North Monroe streets in charming Tribeca. Just one block from the Hudson River Greenway, its red brick facade rests among buzzing restaurants and boutiques.  

A trove of top-notch talent — like Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt , who has a penchant for refashioning castles — melded wayfaring styles with lofty common areas, transporting you from modern Manhattan to somewhere refined and away from the ruckus. See more.

The Knickerbocker Hotel

For those inclined to brave the wild refuge that is Times Square, check into The Knickerbocker Hotel. Here, you can revel in every delight the NYC attraction has to offer before slinking into the arms of this Manhattan marvel.

Built by business titan John Jacob Astor IV, the 330-room hotel reigned as a testament to early-20th-century opulence. It’s also rumored to be the birthplace of the martini. See more.

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

Upon entering The Langham, you’re greeted with the brand’s signature pink roses and ginger flower aroma, a reminder that details are not overlooked at this Midtown spot. Its Fifth Avenue address (near the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center) makes it popular with leisure and business travelers.

Thoughtful amenities and attentive service are trademarks of The Langham. “Service stylists” gather your preferences pre-arrival and make it their duty to anticipate your needs. See more.

Located in a landmark 1920s building on the Upper East Side, The Lowell captures the essence of an elegant country house with a blend of English prints, floral fabrics and Chinese porcelains that surprisingly works. While the rooms are individually decorated, many suites boast wood-burning fireplaces, a rarity in Manhattan.

The English influences extend to the Pembroke Room, where Anglophiles can enjoy teatime. But for something uniquely American, visit the clubby Post House, a steakhouse with terrific chops. See more.

The Mark, decorated by French designer Jacques Grange, is one of the city’s chicest retreats. In the heart of the Upper East Side and steps from Madison Avenue shopping and The Whitney, the hotel offers an ideal base for discovering Uptown.

The property radiates a boutique vibe, perfect for the fashion-forward set. The stylish ways extend to the cuisine (the Jean-Georges Vongerichten-led The Mark Restaurant), the cocktails (the ’60s-inspired Mark Bar) and even an onsite coiffurist (the esteemed Frédéric Fekkai salon). See more.  

The New York EDITION

Residing in a historic clock tower, The EDITION epitomizes understated elegance. Hospitality impresario Ian Schrager teamed with Marriott to open this Flatiron District hotel in 2015, and it’s been stunning guests ever since.

Adjacent to Madison Square Park, the hotel gives you direct access to trendy neighborhoods (Greenwich Village, Chelsea, NoMad , Gramercy Park) and sites (Eataly is across the park). But with the hotel’s understated beauty and 360-degree views of NYC, there’s a chance you’ll be content going nowhere. See more.

Pendry Manhattan West

Pendry brings a laid-back West Coast vibe to the East Coast. The newly built hotel is a Midtown monument of gorgeous architecture with a rippled-wave glass exterior and calming, contemporary interiors.

When you’re hungry, head to the stylish Zou Zou’s for shareable Mediterranean plates or Garden Room, an all-day restaurant filled with natural light and plants. Grab a drink at the dimly lit Bar Pendry or Chez Zou, a gem where you can sip at an inviting alcove bar. See more.

The Plaza Hotel

Steeped in pomp and pageantry, The Plaza bridges Old World enchantment and contemporary comfort. Guest rooms are thoughtfully detailed in Beaux Arts-inspired décor, while bathrooms have 24-karat gold-plated Sherle Wagner faucets, handcrafted marble vanities and inlaid mosaic tiles.

Make your way to Guerlain Spa, where you can bask in the renowned facial massages. Keep the indulgences going at the storied Palm Court with a sumptuous afternoon tea or bubbles at The Champagne Bar. See more.

The Whitby Hotel

In Midtown’s fast-paced world, The Whitby Hotel is an oasis. Its airy, bright halls have delightful textures, ranging from the extensive array of original artwork to the padded fabric wallpaper that lines many guest rooms.

The 86-room property exudes a creative spirit — a far cry from the cookie-cutter experience found elsewhere in this corner of Manhattan. A prime location, within walking distance of offices and tourist attractions, makes it attractive to business and leisure travelers. See more.

Recommended Hotels in New York City

Archer Hotel New York

Archer Hotel mixes the Garment District’s innovative air with Midtown’s incessant energy. Designer Glen Coben gave this space an elegant, industrial twist that honors the area’s past (see: chesterfield sofas and subway-tiled bathrooms).

Upon entry, it might surprise you that Archer is a hotel. The lobby opens to a head-turning central bar. But look to the left and you will find a blue leather-tufted counter staffed with smiling hosts eager to check you in. See more.

The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel

In the heart of the Financial District sits The Beekman, a Victorian-era building with architectural elegance, innovative cuisine and lavish guest rooms and suites with impossibly high ceilings. Making amazing use of the former Temple Court site, the hotel takes you through a rich period of history.

Before the 1883 structure was built, this site was home to several buildings. In fact, at its height, the building housed more than 200 businesses. See more.

Conrad New York Midtown

Occupying a coveted corner at West 54th Street and Seventh Avenue, Conrad New York Midtown is a prime base for Big Apple adventures. Easily walk to attractions like the Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall, or just admire the views from your room — the property boasts 562 spacious accommodations.

Don’t miss a chance to explore the property’s vibrant art from more than 40 artists, ranging from Warhol’s Pop art to snaps by London-based photographer Amy Judd. See more.

Gild Hall, A Thompson Hotel

In an area known for towering skyscrapers and stiffly suited business types, Gild Hall provides New York City denizens and visitors alike with a cozy retreat.

This Financial District hotel sports a men’s club aesthetic, from the cowhide throw rug and leather couch in the lobby to the white-washed brick and wood walls. Keeping with the warm, comforting theme, the guest rooms have Sferra linens, D.S & Durga toiletries and well-stocked mini-bars. See more.

Hard Rock Hotel New York

Upon entering the Hard Rock Hotel, you might mistake it for a museum. The lobby is filled with that much New York City music memorabilia. The Jeffrey Beers-designed hotel weaves a musical motif throughout its 446 rooms, two-floor entertainment space and four restaurants.

With live tunes playing most nights of the week, a full calendar of scheduled concerts and thoughtful touches — the hotel will deliver a Fender guitar to your door during your stay — the Hard Rock feels alive. See more.

InterContinental New York Barclay

Step back into the 1920s at InterContinental New York Barclay. The East Midtown hotel oozes Old World charm. The luxe lobby’s seating areas make you want to sit down for coffee, cocktails or a private conversation and feel removed from the Big Apple’s busy streets.

Grand diamond-patterned marble floors complement a blend of traditional and contemporary furnishings, and artwork, such as the 19th-century Hudson River School landscapes, reflects New York’s proud history. See more.

The Kimberly Hotel

On first approach, The Kimberly appears to be a standard apartment building, but upon entering the marble-covered lobby, you’ll see why this place is a perennial favorite — the refined crimson and gold antique furnishings exude an enduring warmth and charm.

The central location — within walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Station and Radio City Music Hall — makes this boutique spot an even smarter stay, whether you’re visiting for business or a break. See more.

Loews Regency New York Hotel

Aiming to provide a feeling of privacy, exclusivity and unassuming glamour, the Loews Regency doesn’t want you to just stay at the hotel — it wants you to move in.

Awash with muted tones of purple, taupe and swirls of black and white marble, the property has a contemporary beauty. With oversized workspaces, personalized temperature controls and more, rooms evoke the feeling of an apartment that leisure visitors, business travelers and even locals can appreciate. See more.  

Lotte New York Palace

Lotte New York Palace’s motto —”Old world elegance, new world opulence”— clicks into place when you step through the gates and descend the grand staircase. First built as a luxury apartment building in 1882, the structure was transformed into a hotel in 1980.

If you’re in the mood to splurge, Triplex Suites run up to 5,000 square feet and boast art deco décor and unforgettable views from 18-foot windows and private rooftop terraces. See more.

Park Lane New York

Claiming a desirable Central Park South location, Park Lane is nestled among some of the world’s most exclusive buildings. The revamped 47-story hotel is one of the city’s newest landmarks, offering park panoramas, three popular three restaurants and bars and 611 richly adorned rooms.

Manhattan’s defining highlights inspire the décor. Central Park, Grand Central Station and the iconic Bemelmans Bar guide its motifs while many of the classic architectural details from the historic building were carefully restored. See more.

The Sherry-Netherland

Since opening in 1927, The Sherry-Netherland has been a Fifth Avenue staple thanks to its staggering architecture, signature sidewalk clock marking the entrance and intimate marble lobby’s 18-foot vaulted ceilings.

The European elegance also seeps into the hotel’s restaurant, Harry Cipriani. From the same family behind the famous Harry’s Bar in Venice , the classic restaurant is popular among guests and Upper East Side neighbors with a hankering for superb risotto and sea bass. See more.

Smyth Tribeca

Smyth Tribeca’s wood-paneled lobby lounge invites you to set your bags down, take a seat and warm up by the fireplace. Or opt to linger at a table at one of the dark inviting nooks.

To add a libation to the cozy scene, head to the glowing bar. Order a classic cocktail and soak up the vibe — you’ve arrived. See more.

Sofitel New York

This French-influenced hotel’s Midtown location makes it a perfect spot for those in town for meetings or me time.

The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel features an art deco lobby with plush seating in front of the fireplace and photographs of Paris and New York. Elegant guest rooms have feather bedding, glass-enclosed rain showers and deep-soaking tubs. As a bonus, so many of the staff members speak with French accents that you’ll confuse Manhattan for Marseille. See more.

The Times Square EDITION

The EDITION hides in plain sight amid Times Square’s billboards. The 42-story hotel brings a dose of modern luxury to the touristy neighborhood. Where Times Square is bright and loud, this hotel is serene, with all-white rooms and two terraces bursting with greenery.

The hotel has restaurants from lauded chef John Fraser, a 1,200-square-foot bar and a gym with a terrace. Don’t miss Paradise Club, a dinner theater/nightclub in partnership with avant-garde performance space House of Yes. See more.

The William Vale

Flee from Manhattan’s swarming streets at The William Vale. The Williamsburg hotel pays tribute to its hipster-cool location with a modern exterior, art-filled interiors, impressive city views and a laid-back nature felt in almost every corner.

Vale Park, the hotel’s elevated, 15,000-square-foot public green space, invites you to linger on small hills with picnic blankets and savor stunning skyline views — this is Brooklyn, after all. See more.

Stay tuned for our 2024 Star Awards announcement on February 7, 2024 .

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The best New York hotels for 2024

By Laura Itzkowitz

For a city that claims to never sleep, there are hundreds – over 500 according to Booking.com – of places to rest your head for the night. Some are much more than just places to sleep; a special few are even integral to the city’s identity, with historic addresses such as the Plaza and the Waldorf Astoria playing starring roles in New York ’s cityscape, plus some of the most beloved TV shows and films. The grand dames may last the test of time, but much of New York’s hotel scene is in a state of constant flux. New addresses pop up regularly and old ones are revamped to keep up with the changing trends. The scope of the best hotels in New York grows wider too, branching out well beyond the usual Time Square addresses, venturing downtown and even over the bridges.

What’s the best part of New York to stay in?

Locals will tell you to skip staying near Time Square, the soulless midtown monstrosity is a classic tourist trap with much hype but little to offer. If it’s your first time in New York or a whistle-stop trip, a hotel in midtown could be your best option for ease of getting around. But if you’re looking for a glimpse of real New York and its many personalities, some of the best hotels in New York are found outside of Midtown, like The Carlyle on the Upper East Side or PUBLIC hotel on the Lower East. Some of the city’s hottest addresses have even started to pop up outside of Manhattan, with Ace Hotel and 1 Hotel now with locations in Brooklyn and even Boro Hotel in Long Island City.

How we choose the best hotels in New York

Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.

See more of our New York recommendations:

• The best New York hotels for families
• The cheapest nicest New York hotels

Casa Cipriani, Lower Manhattan Arrow

Featured in our Gold List of the best hotels in the world 2024

This New York hotel is a Cipriani property, so it’s luxury to the max, but in that effortlessly chic Italian sort of way. Picture it: presidential suites featuring cashmere-covered walls by Loro Piana Interiors – that’s the sort of luxurious detail you’ll find in every nook and cranny of the guest rooms at Casa Cipriani. The sheets on the bed are from the 150-year-old luxury linen house Rivolta Carmignani based in Macherio, just outside of Milan . Prior to check-in guests can choose between Italian cotton or Italian linen. It’s hard not to fall completely under the spell of the hotel from the minute you step into your room or suite. Maybe it’s the Art Deco light fixtures or artwork on the wall. Maybe it’s the jazz playing softly in the background, or the way the setting sun hit the lacquer furniture and the shiny brass knobs. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the guest rooms at Casa Cipriani are the private terraces. The spacious private terraces. Be sure to request a river-facing room because there’s really nothing like this view anywhere in town. Next to the hotel, you’ve got the Staten Island Ferry pulling in and out of Whitehall Terminal; that’s Governor’s Island straight ahead and beyond that, Brooklyn. To your right, you’ve got the Statue of Liberty. But there’s also so much going on inside Casa Cipriani that no one would blame you if you spent your entire stay on the premises: the Club restaurant, the Jazz Café, the Pickering Room, the Promenade Bar, and the Living Room. On top of all that, the hotel service is attentive but not at all intrusive. They truly make you feel like you’re the most important person in the room, and who doesn’t want to feel like that for a few nights? Lauren DeCarlo

Address: 10 South St, New York, NY 10004, United States

The Greenwich, Tribeca Arrow

For one of my first visits to New York as a teenager, a family friend offered to host me for the weekend. I didn’t know him that well, but I heard the words “Manhattan apartment” and conjured visions of leather armchairs and silk rugs, parlour palms and walnut desks, and artwork sourced from far-flung travels. My grand expectations didn’t meet reality – but they do here at The Greenwich Hotel. This exquisitely designed property in Tribeca opened its doors in 2008 but feels like it’s been part of the city’s fabric for much longer. Perhaps it’s the hotel’s lived-in aesthetic textures: Not one of its 87 rooms, suites, and penthouses looks like another, all furnished by your chicest, most well-travelled uncle. In the guest rooms, there are Savoir beds, hand-made and cloud-like; in the bathrooms, Carrara marble and Moroccan tile; in the lobby, terra-cotta floors modelled after those in a 14th-century Italian palazzo; in the spa (featuring, in my humble opinion, the best indoor pool in Manhattan), timber that once held up a 250-year-old farmhouse in Japan – all of it undeniably luxe yet somehow unpretentious. Or maybe it’s The Greenwich’s rep: One of the owners is the actor Robert De Niro, who grew up nearby; paintings by his father, the abstract expressionist Robert De Niro Sr., add colourful drama to the hotel’s walls (childhood photos of both Bobbys, found in some guest rooms, are delightful Easter eggs). Or it might be the service: polished and friendly, familiar in a welcome way. With its thoughtful design and hospitality ethos, The Greenwich Hotel can’t help but echo the old Italian-American saying: When you’re here, you’re family. Matt Ortile

Address: 377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013, United States

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

Featured on our 2023 Hot List of the best new hotels in the world

When Ritz-Carlton announced its ambition to open in the NoMad neighbourhood, it raised some questions. Would it deliver its trademark brand of traditional luxury or incorporate some of the energy of the hotels that have transformed this once-anonymous neighbourhood into a place with a pulse? But this looks like the brand going a little off its beaten path: there’s a José Andrés restaurant serving moreish branzino, a lobby with hand-blown Randy Zieber light fixtures and an arboretum’s worth of potted plants around the place. Through the hotel’s outdoor plaza, passersby spy entrepreneurial types, heads bowed over Old Fashioneds on the green bar stools beneath a canopy of foliage. Upstairs, the rooms have cloud-like beds and wide windows with expansive views. The subterranean spa, with its black Italian-marble treatment rooms, has a reputation for its facials. The old indulgences, straight out of the Ritz’s classic playbook, blend seamlessly with the NoMad vibe. Scott Bay

Address: The Ritz-Carlton, 25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, United States

The Ned, NoMad

Five years after the landmark Ned opened in London , it has come to roost in NoMad, in the building occupied for nearly a decade by the neighbourhood’s namesake hotel. While The Ned NoMad isn’t quite as opulent as its sibling across the pond, it has the same dual role as a members’ club and stylish city bolthole (the brand is part of the Membership Collective Group, which also owns the Soho House venues). This is a glamorous modern take on Art Deco in a Beaux Arts building, with rich upholstery, marble floors and warm woods. Traces of the old hotel remain in the design details at the bar and restaurant Little Ned, which serves American classics to diners in 1920s-style booth seating. The property’s 167 rooms retain their wood panelling, damask dividers and, happily, freestanding claw-foot bathtubs. The rooftop restaurant and bar are currently available only to Ned’s Club members, but the company is betting that guests will join up. In fact, it’s counting on it: a second New York Ned is set to open in the Financial District in 2024 – and at a scale to rival the London location. Arati Menon

Address: The Ned NoMad, 1170 Broadway, New York, NY 10001, United States

The Mark, Upper East Side

Featured on our 2022 Gold List of the best hotels in the world

I’m not a fan of the term  staycation,  but I certainly enjoy the concept. And a delight of living in New York is that hotels here easily double as portholes of escape from my day-to-day existence in Brooklyn. Checking into The Mark, elegantly occupying a block between Fifth and Madison avenues close to Central Park, is like unlocking the door to my secret pied-à-terre on the Upper East Side. Here, tidy bundles of clipped white roses spruce up my dressing table, and the bathtub is a reliable 10 centimetres deeper than any I’d likely have at home. Those familiar with the work of French interiors master Jacques Grange will recognise his trademark restraint here. What The Mark lacks in ostentation it makes up for in subtle, glowing sophistication, from the tiled floor in the very discreet lobby to the sparse hallways that dimly light the way to each pale-blue door, with just the right splashes of commissioned art displayed throughout. Then there are those classic New York touch points, but fancied up a notch: the hot-dog stand with a menu designed by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and picnic baskets for Central Park delivered via pedicab and set up under oak trees with loungers and blankets. The Mark’s calling card is how successfully it transports guests into an elegant version of that very distinct style of life in New York, one that people travel from all over the world to get a taste of. And, for a lucky few, it’s just a subway ride away. Erin Florio

Address: The Mark 25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075, United States

Nine Orchard, Downtown

Ask any in-the-know New Yorker for their favourite neighbourhood, and chances are the Lower East Side will be it. The place teems with urban cool. Tattoo parlours on every corner. Low-key restaurants where the plates rival those in SoHo, but the crowd is a blend of skaters, designers, and musicians. When Nine Orchard opened this past July on a historic corner in the neighbourhood, it brought with it a degree of sophistication seldom celebrated here. There are the historical bones, for one, located inside an old, grand bank, with an airy lobby bar humming under old vaulted ceilings that rival those up at Grand Central. A superstar food pairing in the way of Ignacio Mattos, one of the city’s hottest chefs, means classic dishes like steak au poivre and frites are exceptional at the attached Corner Bar (the tables are lovely with their minimal settings but the pick of seats is one of the 40 stools at the wraparound bar). With a full belly, you’ll happily plunk down into one of the property’s 116 guest rooms with simple wood bed tables and hand-carved chairs that feel like a groovy space to tune into the custom radio stations created for the hotel by DJ Stretch Armstrong, a New York-based DJ and producer who focuses on New York inspired music on all four of the in-hotel stations. Whatever station you choose, this landmark hotel offers locals and visitors alike a sense of being grounded in a place and pays homage to the neighbourhood and its city as one of the very best in the world. Lara Kramer

Address: Nine Orchard, 9 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, United States

Aman New York, Midtown

The latest address to open in the city is also Aman’s first urban outpost in the US. Offering a much-needed exhale in the middle of Midtown Manhattan, the hotel combines quietly luxurious design with a generous commitment to space and a sense of rarefied seclusion. Case in point, the sprawling, three-floor spa and wellness centre with its 65-foot pool, and not one but two spa houses – one centred around an Eastern European banya, the other a Moroccan hammam. Set within the iconic Crown Building on Fifth Avenue, there are only 83 suites in total, all generous in space by New York standards, with working fireplaces and well sound-proofed windows. Rarer still is the outdoor space – there’s the Garden Terrace Bar as well as outdoor seating at Arva, Aman’s signature Italian restaurant. Read more of our Aman New York review .

Address: The Crown Building, 730 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, United States

Ace Hotel Brooklyn, Brooklyn

Featured on our 2022 Hot List of the best new hotels in the world

The lobby in any Ace hotel is the place to be, and its Brooklyn outpost is no different. There are public workspaces galore—including a library-style table, a plant-filled garden, and a moody bar area with cozy seating—and plenty of guests, locals, and staff making use of them all. Many of the hallmarks of Ace decor are present in the 287 rooms: plywood furniture that offers both form and function, local art, and pops of colour (in this case, a deep green). But the room design also leans into the industrial building’s architecture, with exposed concrete and warehouse windows. Meredith Carey

Address: Ace Hotel Brooklyn, 252 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States

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MADE Hotel, NoMad

This boutique hotel might be in the middle of trendy NoMad, but it feels like a serene Japanese hideaway. Enter the lobby, and you'll find yourself in an intimate space with a cosy coffee shop and communal tables. Reclaimed wood dominates the design in both the rooms and public spaces, while hand-woven textiles and brass fixtures add texture. The lobby bar serves some of the most creative and tastiest cocktails around, with the food and beverage operations overseen by Steven Waters. The in-house restaurant, Debajo, is now the neighbourhood go-to for classic tapas – think patatas bravas, slithers of aged Serrano ham and cod croquettes served with lemon aioli for generous dipping. The rooftop bar is one of the trendiest events spaces around, where you can catch New Yorkers and travellers alike sipping away the spring and summer evenings.

Address : MADE Hotel, 44 W 29th Street, New York, NY 10001, United States

Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg

Taking prime position on the corner of Wythe (naturally) and N 11 St, this boutique hotel opened in an old industrial building in 2008. Leaning into the history of the address – previously manufacturing barrels and then textiles – interior design firm Workstead created a warm yet distinctly industrial chic design that now defines the Williamsburg style. Exposed brick, factory windows, wooden beams and cast-iron columns are the name of the game here, while rooms come with high ceilings and crisp sheets. I stayed in the Brooklyn King, which had me constantly oohing and ahhing at the sweeping views of Manhattan, especially as sunrise hit the Midtown skyscrapers. The views can also be admired through the hatch-style windows in the bathroom, complete with rainfall shower and Davine’s products. The ultimate vista can be found up at the sixth-floor rooftop Bar Blondeau, where locals sip on natural wines. Le Crocodile – their feature restaurant – has been coined as Brooklyn's answer to Balthazar, serving up French fare in the form of creamy mushroom pâté with black truffle, and juicy roast chicken with herb jus and frites. Amber Port

Address: 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

PUBLIC Hotel, Lower East Side

Known for its iconic neon escalators, the much-buzzed-about new hotel from the legendary Ian Schrager (of Studio 54 fame) has landed on the Lower East Side. With the aim of bringing the brand to a wider audience and keeping rates down, the hotel offers streamlined express check-in via a mobile app (there are kiosks in the lobby to help) and minimalist micro-rooms that are certainly small but do have huge windows and great views. There's no room service either, but guests can electronically order food from the restaurant and pick it up from the lobby. However, what the hotel lacks in size and service it makes up for with the gorgeous restaurant garden, Popular and Cantina , which has a menu by Peruvian chef Diego Munoz. There's also a sceney rooftop nightclub with a fantastic vantage point over Lower Manhattan and a harder-to-find cocktail den Bar Chrystie. The design is flawless and the people-watching is just as good.

Address : PUBLIC Hotel, 215 Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002, United States

Freehand New York, Flat Iron

The New York debut of this trendsetting hotel/ hostel hybrid is a boon for the upscale but sometimes sleepy area around Gramercy Park. Located in the old George Washington hotel, the property pays tribute to the historic architecture with details like mahogany panelling and a portrait of the country’s first president in the George Washington Bar. But, designed by hit-making firm Roman and Williams, interiors have been updated with forest-green tiles, mid-century furniture, exotic textiles, and plenty of plants. Bedrooms include shared bunk rooms (perfect for families or groups of friends) to an enormous penthouse suite with views to match. Restaurateur Gabriel Stulman (of New York joints Bar Sardine, and Fedora) is behind the bar, Studio, an all-day café serving Middle Eastern snacks of spring-pea hoummous and lamb kebabs with tahini yoghurt, as well as the more upscale Simon & the Whale, which dishes up killer pastas and salads like the mouthwatering chicory tonnato. Soon to come: a rooftop outpost of the award-winning Broken Shaker bar, which originated at the group's Miami outpost.

Address : Freehand New York, 23 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States

The St Regis New York, Midtown

Even the most unaffected New Yorkers can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia when passing through the gilded revolving doors of the St Regis to be promptly greeted by a gentleman with white gloves and a smile. The sense of the city’s golden era lingers in that lobby, where shining chandeliers warm the pale walls to create a necessary calming counter to the crush of cabs and suits in Midtown Manhattan. It’s precisely the atmosphere John Jacob Astor IV sought to capture when he opened this 18-storey, Beaux-Arts landmark at the turn of last century. Today, there’s more Michael Kors than mink in the King Cole Bar, though the order hasn’t changed: ignore the lengthy cocktail list and go for a note-perfect dry Martini or a Bloody Mary, the house speciality, and fall into conversation with the bankers in from Boston sitting at the bar. For those who do stay on for a Martini or three more, it’s nice to know that your suite is just an elevator ride away. It may be done up in lipstick-ruby wallpaper or blue velvet curtains and striped white walls, with classic pieces such as silk-stitched loveseats and oil paintings to resemble that glamorous pied à terre everyone fantasises about. A New York institution that channels the city’s glamorous past like no other, steps from the Fifth Avenue buzz. Erin Florio

Address : The St Regis New York, Two E 55th Street, New York, NY 10022, United States

The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, Lower Manhattan

When a hotel opens in New York it’s not uncommon for locals to barely notice. This is, after all, a city crawling with them – big, small, modern, classic. In this town, it really takes an exceptional property, in an exceptional neighbourhood, to capture the collective consciousness. Which is exactly what happened in 2016, when The Beekman opened. First off, consider its location in the Financial District. Pre-9/11, this area catered to bankers and stockbrokers who scurried back uptown or to Westchester as soon as the market’s closing bell chimed. It was a no man’s land. Post 9/11, bars and restaurants opened and flourished; shops came; smart apartment buildings popped up. And then came the Beekman. The landmark building was built in the 1880s with a nine-storey, glass-ceiling atrium, but throughout the past century, the atrium had been covered up as the building functioned as just another office. And thank goodness, because when the property was being developed the covers were torn down, revealing the glasswork and wrought-iron railings beautifully intact. Now the glass skylight soars once again above the lobby’s Art Deco bar where New Yorkers flock to – come 6pm it’s nearly impossible to find a free bar stool. The rooms all have vintage furnishings, with dark wood floors and distressed leather headboards – they’re just what you’d want your New York apartment to feel like: comfortable but not so much so that you don’t want to leave and miss out on everything happening around you. The hotel is also home to Tom Colicchio’s classic American restaurant spot Temple Court, worthy of a dinner reservation. So many hotels like to say they’ve made the neighbourhood, but in the case of the Beekman it’s actually true. Lauren DeCarlo

Address : The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, Beekman Street, New York, NY 10038, United States

Hotel Chelsea

The former stomping ground of Andy Warhol, Dylan Thomas, Sid Vicious and the rest, the Chelsea has a fair claim to being New York City’s most rock ’n’ roll hotel. It stopped taking reservations in 2011 but finally reopened last year, with long-overdue upgrades to its 1884 bones, and the famous old spirit just about intact. The 155 guest rooms and suites are now bright and airy, with animal-print chairs bringing zing to original fireplaces, stained- glass windows and the wrought-iron balconies where Patti Smith and so many others peered out over West 23rd Street. Artworks by Sandro Chia and Alain Jacquet hang in the stairwells, a cleaned-up echo of a messy bohemian past. The tightly packed tables and banquettes of the 92-year-old El Quijote restaurant are busy again, still with raffish-red decor and homely Galician and Basque food. The decadent Lobby Bar has added a solarium to go with the chandeliers and grand piano, and a cocktail menu loaded with hotel classics. Some permanent residents still live in Hotel Chelsea’s few remaining apartments – like the old place itself, they probably have a story or two. Megan Spurrell

Address: The Hotel Chelsea, 222 West Twenty-Third Street, New York, N. Y. 10011

The Hoxton Williamsburg, Brooklyn

The Hoxton's first outpost in the US, there are pastel, velvet armchairs, retro details (from the Roberts Radios to the light fittings in the hangout-lobby) and views of the Manhattan or Brooklyn skylines from each of the 175 bedrooms. A recent collaboration with BOKA restaurant group has also meant a fresh food and beverage scene within the hotel; Laser Wolf is on the rooftop and serves fragrant skewers and classic cocktails, while K'Far is a fine dining hideout for innovative Israeli food, inspired by head chef Michael Solomonov’s hometown.

Address : The Hoxton Williamsburg, 97 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

Hotel 50 Bowery, Chinatown

This glossy high-rise is Chinatown’s first major boutique hotel and it pays homage to its location with a gallery of artefacts labelled with informative placards curated by the Museum of Chinese in America. At the street art-filled restaurant Rice & Gold, Filipino chef Dale Talde cooks up dim sum and noodles with influences from China , India and Malaysia . Rooftop bar The Crown offers a unique perspective on Lower Manhattan with views that stretch to Midtown. An underground nightclub is on its way.

Address : Hotel 50 Bowery, 50 Bowery, New York, NY 10013, United States

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo, Brooklyn

This eco-chic hotel in Dumbo is a tree-hugger’s fantasy. There's reclaimed wood everywhere, a living plant wall adorns the lobby, and rough-hewn marble sinks create an earthy vibe. But it’s not just looks – the hotel has organic sheets, filtered taps and recycled glass bottles in all the rooms to improve sustainability. Corner suites come with hammocks – perfect for staring out at those sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge. The restaurant, The Osprey, serves a mean brunch of bread pudding French toast with lemon curd and whipped ricotta or a stellar veggie burger made with nut cheese for the more health-concious. Come summer, the rooftop bar is the place to be, with staggering views of Manhattan.

Address : 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States

Pendry Manhattan West, Midtown

Pendry Manhattan West aims to bring a West Coast vibe to Midtown Manhattan, with 30 sprawling suites (all with floor-to-ceiling windows) and 164 guest rooms, modern furnishings, abundant greenery, and warm recessed lighting in both the rooms and common areas. The resulting crowd is mostly cool creatives looking for a place to hole up, whom you’ll spot posted up on laptops in the lounges during the day, and beelining to the ground-floor Bar Pendry for an innovative cocktail with friends in the evenings. Arrive with plenty of busy days planned out in the Manhattan West development, knowing you’ll have a calm space to recharge at night—complete with soft slippers and bedside macarons via turndown. Shannon McMahon

Address: 438 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001, United States

The Greenwich, Tribeca

In an era of the ever-more hyper-exclusive members’ club luring the black-card-carrying wolf pack, Robert DeNiro’s hotel makes privacy feel refreshingly effortless. Built more than a decade ago in this cobblestoned lower Manhattan quarter, it creates the sensation of stepping into the actor’s own salon. The lobby is hung with abstract paintings by DeNiro’s late father. Beyond it, more inner sanctums: a book-filled drawing room emerges into a pocket garden, where topiaries cast an Italianate charm. Each of the rooms is idiosyncratically arranged with antique silk rugs, the odd vintage table and marble bathtubs, while the Tribeca penthouse is earthy and minimalist. But the enduring revelation is the Shibui spa, where the lantern-lit pool glimmers under the beams of a 250-year-old Japanese farmhouse. A festive din still kicks up every night at Locanda Verde, which serves rustic plates of duck orecchiette, and New York fixtures such as Yoko Ono and Jay-Z go pretty much incognito, but things settle down early. The wolf pack can go elsewhere.

Address : The Greenwich, 377 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, United States

Lowell Hotel, Upper East Side

This privately-owned property on ritzy East 63rd Street, with Hermès for a neighbour and Barneys diagonally across the way, has always been exceptionally chic. But even the loveliest hotels have to age, and what the Lowell needed, as even its most diehard devotees had started to whisper, was a facelift. Well, she got it. After a three year renovation, the once-sombre black entrance lobby was gone by its 2017 opening, replaced by a gorgeous neoclassical foyer, bright and welcoming, sympathetic of scale. Behind it, there’s the Club Room, the most cosseting drawing room of any hotel in New York. And even the dear old Pembroke Room, which magics up the best afternoon tea in the city, has had a makeover; it’s still pretty as a peach but somehow fresher and airier. Majorelle is a beautiful, Moroccan-inspired French restaurant run by Charles Masson, previously of La Grenouille. There are vast arrangements of lilies and hydrangeas, sweet-smelling, blousy pink roses on the tables, a working fireplace for the winter and a retractable roof for summer. And all this before you’ve even tasted the magnificent couscous, perhaps, or the tangy tagine of snapper with preserved lemons. The bedrooms are the last word in elegance, with polished mahogany floors, Persian rugs and good, hand-made furniture (plus great technology, of course). Once again, everything at The Lowell is exactly as it should be.

Address : Lowell Hotel, 28 E 63rd Street, New York, NY 10065, United States

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, Upper East Side

'If we want things to stay as they are,' Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa famously wrote, 'things will have to change.' Anyone who knows and loves The Carlyle will want things at this Upper East Side institution to stay as they are, while also understanding that a certain amount of tweaking is, alas, necessary. Renovations here have always been a fraught business, not least because, as well as being a hotel, it also contains 50 or so privately owned apartments spread across its 35 floors, making it impossible to do the whole place up all at once. Thus some rooms are florid and chintzy; some are 1920s time capsules; some are slick and steely; and still others are something in between. Broadly speaking, they get better the higher the floor. Plus, you get to spend more time in the elevators – not an activity to enjoy in everyday life, but this is not everyday life. The ones at The Carlyle are the stuff of legend, as much admired as the astounding Dorothy Draper lobby or Bemelmans Bar. Steve King

Address : The Carlyle, 35 E 76th Street, New York, NY 10021, United States

The Wall Street Hotel, Financial District

These days, there’s pleasure as well as business to be had in the Financial District – and The Wall Street Hotel points to a more layered identity than the stereotypes of Goldman-issue puffer vests, charging bulls and Ellis Island ferries. Its owners, the Paspaley pearling family, hired multi-hyphenate designer Liubasha Rose (The Well Manhattan, The Madeline Telluride) to turn their former company HQ – an exquisite Beaux Arts corner building – into a refined Art Deco-accented 180-room hotel, heavy on brass, velvet and apt mother-of-pearl. As well as gems and oysters, Rose was inspired by timeless New York hotel spaces like The Carlyle’s Bemelmans Bar. Hence, a playfully art-directed elegance prevails, from rooms with brass-and-mirror bar carts and oyster-inspired watercolours to the clashing colours and textures of the double-height Lounge on Pearl bar. John Fraser, a prolific chef-restaurateur known for his Michelin- starred vegetarian restaurant, Nix, oversees La Marchande brasserie, with Long Island oysters and vanilla-cured snapper at the raw bar, and not a hedge funder in sight. A rooftop bar with precious river views is in the pipeline. Megan Spurrell

Address: The Wall Street Hotel, 88 Wall St, New York, NY 10005, United States

Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York, Tribeca

French hospitality company Group Barrière set Paris on fire with Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris, Jacques Garcia’s fantastical landmark in the city’s Golden Triangle, followed up a few years ago by the chic Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf on St Barts. Now the group has transformed a cobblestoned corner of Tribeca with its US debut. Inside, the wallpaper depicts expressionist park scenes and Francophile illustrations of New York City, such as Lady Liberty and cartoon pigeons carrying croissants in their beaks. The street-level outpost of its famed Champs-Élysées bistro, Fouquet’s, has become a destination in itself, offering brasserie-issue escargots and onion soup by Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire at its signature red-and- black bar. The buzz and cooking are lighter at Par Ici Café, which has a lush greenhouse look and a vegetarian focus, while things get sultrier at the guests-only Titsou cocktail bar. In the 97 rooms, interior designer Martin Brudnizki has tweaked his trademark refined maximalism, using a palette of French lavender and mint green, antiqued gold-leaf mirrors, and deep velvet couches. For the ultimate upgrade, the two-storey Le Grand Appartement Terrasse includes multiple terraces, some overlooking the Hudson. Shannon McMahon

Address: Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York,456 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013, United States

Hotel Hugo, Greenwich Village

This stylish, 20-storey hotel with its Art Deco interiors is a good excuse to explore this bit of Manhattan . With 17ft walls of travertine marble in the lobby, walnut panelling and low-slung leather seating, Beverly Hills-based designer Marcello Pozzi has given the 122-room property a distinctive look reminiscent of 1940s Rome . The rooms, while mostly modest in size, are well laid out with space to manoeuvre around the bed and swish marbled and grey-and-white tiled bathrooms, some with both bathtubs and showers. Those on the upper floors have views across the Hudson to Hoboken, but the additional cost may be better spent in the shops of SoHo. The two rooftop bars - Bar Hugo and Cuban-themed Azul - have staggering 360-degree views. In summer, Azul has the edge because it's open air, and serves delicious Mojitos.

Address: Hotel Hugo, 525 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, United States

The New York Edition, Madison Square Park

It's hard to believe, but when the Metropolitan Life Clock Tower was completed in 1910, the 41-floor (700ft) structure, designed to resemble the campanile in Venice , was the tallest building in the world – only to lose that crown to the Woolworth Building in Lower Manhattan three years later. In the decades since, it has stood sentinel over the increasingly trendy Madison Square Park district. So trendy, in fact, that it made perfect sense when Ian Schrager's Edition brand landed the deal to convert it into a hip 273-room hotel. The result is polished, chic and tasteful throughout. Many rooms on the upper floors have views of the beaming Empire State Building to the north, or One Madison Tower (home to Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen and Rupert Murdoch) to the south. All have pleasing blond-wood floors, striking ebonised headboards and door casements, snow-white sofas and wheat-coloured resin bathrooms.

The Clock Tower restaurant on the second floor is busy, clubby and panelled, with architectural details dating back to when it served as Metropolitan Life's executive offices in the 1920s and 1930s. The menu, by London's Jason Atherton (of Pollen Street Social ), is nothing short of phenomenal, with exquisite interpretations of American classics such as mac and cheese with wild mushrooms and slow-cooked ox-cheek, and North African-spiced Colorado lamb with yogurt, young curried onions and smoked eggplant, all assembled with a light sprinkling of British ingredients (English cucumbers!). A table here is one of the most sought-after in town.

Address : The New York EDITION, Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010, United States

The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel, Midtown

With its position facing Central Park on one side and the world-famous FAO Schwartz toyshop across Fifth Avenue, plus its association with Eloise, the precocious children's book character who lived at the hotel (her portrait hangs opposite the Palm Court), the Plaza is just made for kids. The hotel is styled as a French château: crystal chandeliers, velvet sofas, acres of polished floors. Stay in the Tower Suite, an extraordinary corner room with circular beds and ridiculously high, turreted ceilings. A family 'ambassador' (that is, a particularly patient and smiley staff member) accompanies you to your room on check-in, and knights younger family members with a ceremonial sword. 'For young children who have demonstrated bravery and prowess on the battlefield,' reads the ambassador, totally straight-faced, from a scroll that might put Magna Carta to shame and is yours to take home. (And if New York is a combat zone in terms of shopping and sightseeing, the citation couldn't be more apt.) Yes, it's kind of hokey, and older children might roll their eyes, but the under-eights can't get enough of this shtick - or the host of goodies, including a closet full of dressing-up gear, children's terrycloth bathrobes (very knightly), a hardback copy of The Knight at Dawn from the Magic Tree House series, and a $100 gift card for FAO Schwartz. They even throw in a family picnic, to be taken at Belvedere Castle in the park.

Address : The Plaza, 768 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10019, United States

Conrad New York Midtown

One of a handful of hotels that opened just before the pandemic, the Conrad Midtown never really got going pre-March 2020. As New York started to open up again in summer 2021, so did the hotel – with 500 suites in a prime spot of Manhattan real estate. The location is as convenient as they come – you’re four blocks from Central Park and just around the corner from the MoMA, Fifth Avenue, Broadway and Radio City Music Hall (although we’d jump on one of the many subway lines to find lunch, supper and drinks in one of the city’s less touristy neighbourhoods). Suites have either views of the city, with skyscrapers jutting up around the hotel’s 50-odd floors, or the park. Skip eye-wateringly expensive room service breakfast in favour of a stroll uptown through the Upper West Side (we like Barney Greengrass for smoked salmon bagels the size of your head) to then eat whatever you pick up on a bench in the park, or stroll through Times Square before the neon-lit nexus properly wakes up and grab coffee at Culture Espresso. Sarah James

Address: Conrad New York Midtown, 151 W 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, United States

The Whitby Hotel, Midtown

The second New York property by Tim and Kit Kemp, The Whitby brings colourful contemporary style to Midtown. Eclectic touches are everywhere: there's an installation of baskets that hangs above the pewter bar, custom scalloped headboards in the individually designed bedrooms and porcelain sculptures etched with New York landmarks in the Orangery. With its bright style and top-notch service, the hotel brings a breath of fresh air into a part of the city dominated by stuffy grand dames.

Address : The Whitby, 18 W 56th Street, New York, NY 10019, United States

The Williamsburg Hotel, Brooklyn

One of three hotels on a three-block stretch of Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg, this spot sets itself apart with style in spades. The great new restaurant just off the sunken lobby bar serves wood-fired pizzas and features an impressive bread and pastry programme in collaboration with the pop-up kitchen Brooklyn Bread Lab. The design, meanwhile, features exposed brick with pops of colour, like the rainbow yarn installation above the bar. Some rooms are on the small side, but they all have huge windows. (Request a room on the building’s east side for the best skyline views.) And stay tuned for the opening of the water tower cocktail lounge on the roof.

Address : The Williamsburg Hotel, 96 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

Boro Hotel, Long Island City

If you think Long Island City sounds like it's a long way from anything, you would be both right and a little wrong. This industrial-chic hotel in the magnificently named Dutch Kills neighbourhood of Queens is just two subway stops from 57th Street Manhattan. It's also just a few stops from Williamsburg. The designers have done a great job in turning what is nonetheless a challenging location into a plus by ensuring that most of the 108 loft-like rooms have views of Manhattan, and adding big (not Juliet) balconies and terraces. Once past the post-apocalyptic industrial exterior (it's covered in metal slats), the overall look is a much warmer, gritty Berlin meets cool Mexico City . The cinderblock and graffiti style was designed (but not overtly so) by Grzywinski + Pons, and it's slick and welcoming, with a book-lined lobby, and oak floors and cork ceilings everywhere. The bedrooms are roomy, with 10ft ceilings, surprisingly big bathrooms, and pine floors, celadon-coloured wainscoting, and stylishly simple wood beds, desks and chairs. The restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, serves no-nonsense American and French bistro favourites, and showcase beers from local microbreweries.

Address : Boro Hotel, 38-28 27th Street, Queens, NY 11101, United States

1 Hotel Central Park, Midtown

This handsome 229-room hotel, designed by the fashionable AvroKO group and Kemper Hyers, is green all over, with eco-tastic touches such as stylish reclaimed-wood furniture, an egg timer in the showers to tell you when five minutes is up, chalkboards on the nightstand in place of notepads, recycled cardboard hangers in the wardrobe, organic Keetsa mattresses, triple-filtered water coming out of all the taps, and American Ivy planted inside and out.

The 100-seat restaurant, Jams, marks the revival of local farm-to-table superstar chef, Jonathan Waxman, whose beloved original restaurant of the same name opened in the 1980s. His menu here has some of his all-time favourites – grilled chicken with tarragon butter; red-pepper latkes with smoked salmon, corn and California caviar – as well as new additions such as rigatoni with crab meat and swordfish with grilled pineapple salsa. All are made using locally grown or sustainably raised organic ingredients. And to work off those meals, there's a light-filled fitness centre – the floorboards are upcycled from a Wisconsin gymnasium – with enormous windows (a rarity in Manhattan). Or you could always hop on one of the hotel's bicycles and ride up to Manhattan's largest eco-Arcadia, glorious Central Park , just two blocks north.

Address : 1 Hotel Central Park, 1414 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10019, United States

Baccarat Hotel, Midtown

How many massive, Phantom-of-the-Opera-style Baccarat crystal chandeliers does it take to create an over-the-top hotel fit for a princess? The answer, according to this glittery new addition to the New York skyline, appears to be 17. And the crystal encrustedness certainly does not stop there. It first makes an impact as one approaches the shimmery exterior wall of this Skidmore, Owings & Merrill-designed building, continues with the spellbinding LED-light-patterned wall of 1,800 Baccarat Harcourt wineglasses in the lower lobby, through the grand salons and the 60ft, barrel-ceilinged bar filled with crystal sconces, crystal art, and finally up to the 112 relatively restrained bedrooms with their crystal table lamps and vases. With pleasing touches such as Fauchon almond biscuits, chocolates and cheddar mini-crêpes in the red-lacquered not-so-mini-bars and custom-made Mascioni jacquard bedding, the rooms are cosseting and calming spaces. Executive chef Ali Dey Daly leads the gastronomic front, bringing his experience from Michelin-starred Cru to the hotel to present elevated and imaginative dishes that attract foodie New Yorkers and international guests alike. With its shades of platinum and champagne, Grand Salon is the hotel's flagship food and beverage option, where craft cocktails in cut-crystal tumblers wash down plates of red snapper and bowls of seasonal pasta and risotto.

Address : Baccarat Hotel, 28 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019, United States, New York, NY 10019, United States

The best hotels in New York City, from luxury stays to points properties

Travelers headed to New York City are spoiled for choice when it comes to booking a hotel stay. After all, the city is home to an almost unfathomable number of hotels, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to iconic luxury properties frequented by dignitaries and celebrities. And, in a city that feels larger than life, there are dozens of neighborhoods spread across the five boroughs to choose from, not to mention iconic hotels made famous in movies and pop culture with their own magical allure.

So whether you're looking for one of the best hotels in New York City with a rooftop pool , an expansive spa , a subterranean nightclub or a Michelin-starred restaurant , this list has something for everyone.

What is the best area to stay in New York City?

Manhattan remains the borough of choice for first-time visitors thanks to its proximity to the city's iconic shopping streets, world-class museums, plethora of theaters and well-known tourist attractions. If you're looking to be in the heart of it all, consider booking near Times Square to be close to Broadway theaters and famous observation decks. Or, if shopping is on the itinerary, a boutique property in Soho might be ideal.

For travelers who prefer a more residential stay or have already exhausted the many neighborhoods of Manhattan, Brooklyn is also a popular choice — particularly the riverfront neighborhoods, such as Williamsburg and Dumbo, with breathtaking skyline views.

Just don't forget to factor in how you prefer to get around New York City, as you'll want to pick a hotel that allows for easy walking, access to the city's robust subway system or, if you prefer to travel by car, proximity to the city's major thoroughfares.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel, one of TPG's best new hotels of 2023 , opened in the most New York-centric way possible: with Sarah Jessica Parker pouring Champagne down a two-story tower of coupe glasses surrounded by the flora, fauna, glitz and glam of the hotel's signature restaurant, Cafe Carmellini, by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini. The property will certainly attract a who's who of socialites and society folk dying to see and be seen (or at least feast on lobster and oysters from the immaculate seafood tower on the restaurant's menu).

Throughout the gorgeous hotel (with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio), the eyes are treated to more patterns and textures than thought possible, all mixed together with an eclectic and over-the-top collection of art that includes an elevator bank with a wall of individually framed pictures and portraits of eyeballs.

In the pastel-infused rooms, guests should expect luxurious antique design touches paired with modern amenities and services (think: butler service and streaming capabilities), as well as the option to book great suites, like the Flaneur Suite, with a private terrace and heated bathroom floors.

Just don't forget to stop by The Portrait Bar, the cozy, librarylike bar serving up destination-inspired cocktails and elevated bar fare.

Rates at The Fifth Avenue Hotel start at $895 per night.

An exciting boutique hotel set in a historic bank building that's been meticulously restored to its 1912 neo-Renaissance splendor, Nine Orchard is a refined character in the story of the hip but not so refined Lower East Side, making it the perfect place to stay to see the side of New York that New Yorkers actually like to visit — at least its youthful, trendiest set.

In the rooms, custom-curated New York City playlists pour out of custom Ojas speakers and amplifiers, perfect for listening to while relaxing in the chic, less-is-more accommodations that range from two-bedroom suites to compact studio rooms.

But the place to be is the breathtaking bar, Swan Room, set inside the original bank teller room, followed by a meal at Corner Bar, with food from popular chef Ignacio Mattos of Michelin-starred Estela fame.

Rates at Nine Orchard start at $470 per night.

From its coveted roost in the neoclassical Crown Building on Fifth Avenue, Aman New York is one of the most expensive and exclusive properties in New York City. It's just blocks from the southern edge of Central Park and the Museum of Modern Art, but guests occupying its 83 suites feel worlds away from the cacophony of this frenetic part of Manhattan.

Spacious, spa-like accommodations start at 815 square feet and are anchored by custom, freestanding soaking tubs. Rice paper panels provide privacy and nod to the brand's Asian roots, as do the ink-on-paper murals, and there are fireplaces that warm every suite.

Tranquility is conjured in the neutral, monochromatic color scheme employed throughout the property, which has a three-story, 25,000-square-foot spa with a 65-foot indoor swimming pool, a year-round garden terrace and a subterranean speakeasy.

When it's time to eat and imbibe, guests and "founders" (members of Aman's even more exclusive members club) can grab a seat at the Bar Lounge for Japanese-inspired cocktails, order freshly made pasta at the Italian restaurant, Arva, or elbow up to the hinoki-wood counter for omakase at Nama, Aman's traditional washoku Japanese restaurant.

Rates at the Aman New York start around $1,700 per night.

The arrival of New York City's newest Ritz-Carlton — one of TPG's hottest new hotels of 2022 — signaled a departure for the brand: This 50-floor luxury hotel is modern and distinctive, with eye-catching design choices that pack a punch.

The blue lava-topped bar in the Mediterranean restaurant, Zaytinya, is accented by a glittering, curved backdrop of glass discs. You can admire the Rockwell Group-designed space while feasting on Turkish, Greek and Lebanese fare like taramasalata, dolmades and kebabs.

A canopy of lush greenery hangs above the lobby bar and lounge, which has fast become one of the most popular spots for an after-work drink in the city. And if you want to check out the 50th-floor Nubeluz bar, with its 270-degree views, call for a reservation well in advance.

In the 219 guest rooms and 31 suites, picture windows framing striking cityscapes complement terrazzo marble bathrooms, elegant armoires stocked with premium liquors and snacks, and floating light fixtures not unlike petals swept up from the nearby wholesale floral shops that gave the city's flower district its name.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad start at $763 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Natural stone floors in the guest rooms, marble bathrooms with deep basin tubs and polished gray and black stone throughout the lobby, restaurant and spa set the scene: The Park Hyatt New York is a sophisticated property that feels decidedly contemporary and also timeless. Since opening in 2014, it has remained one of the city's most highly regarded luxury hotels.

Its single restaurant, The Living Room, is an all-day dining spot known for its specialty cocktails.

In addition to admiring the impressive artworks on display throughout the property, the Park Hyatt New York may be best known for its spa and wellness facilities, which include a stunning indoor pool on the 25th floor where guests can enjoy the musical stylings of Carnegie Hall from a soundtrack played through underwater speakers.

Rates at the Park Hyatt New York start at $762or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Among the best NYC hotels for families , the Conrad New York Midtown has a decidedly residential feel, with separate living, dressing and sleeping spaces in its suites, which comprise most of the accommodations. Modern furniture with plenty of clean lines and chevron wood floors will make you feel like you've rented your own New York City apartment. The white marble and tile bathrooms are functional and bright.

Best of all, there is a limited number of suites per floor, and the privacy contributes to the sense that you're staying in a residence rather than a hotel room.

Eclectic fusion fare at Dabble, the Conrad's lobby-level restaurant, is befitting the colorful space, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and signature cocktails. Or, explore one of the many area restaurants.

Squeeze in a workout with a personal trainer at the unusually large (for New York) 1,500-square-foot fitness center .

Rates at the Conrad New York Midtown start at $406or 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

A fixture in New York City's hotel scene since it was founded by John Jacob Astor at the turn of the 20th century, The St. Regis New York continues to impress its well-heeled guests with opulent design flourishes and attentive service. Dedicated butlers, now a hallmark of a St. Regis stay, can assist with everything from tea service on arrival to luggage unpacking, garment pressing and more.

Rooms, which have been updated but still feel distinctly nostalgic, have the kind of details that ground you in a bygone era, such as beveled wall mirrors, crown molding, Waterford crystal chandeliers and an abundance of marble.

Even if you've never set foot in The St. Regis New York, you may be familiar with its lobby bar, the King Cole Bar. Here, beneath a 10-by-8-foot Maxfield Parrish mural, patrons can sip a Red Snapper, which may very well be the first-ever incarnation of the bloody mary that is said to have been invented at this bar.

Rates at T he St. Regis New York start at $878 or 102,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Occupying the stunning clock tower overlooking Madison Square Park, The New York Edition delivers designer Ian Schrager's unmistakable touchpoints, such as faux-fur blankets draped across beds dressed in crisp white linens and accented by dramatic walnut headboards.

Breakfast, brunch and dinner are all served at The Clocktower restaurant, which echoes The London Edition's Berners Tavern, with its rows of framed photographs, spectacular bar (this one is covered entirely in 24-karat gold leaf) and distinctly British menu (think: beef Wellington with bone-marrow gravy, ale-battered fish and chips, and a tandoori chicken with cucumber-cilantro yogurt).

Join locals at the lobby bar sipping cocktails and admiring the park below, or take your shot at the violet-lined pool table in The Clocktower's designated billiards room.

Rates at The New York Edition start around $535 or 71,000 Marriott points per night.

Thanks to its popular location, relatively spacious rooms — some of which have terraces — and great value, particularly for travelers who can redeem Hyatt points for award nights, the Hyatt Union Square remains one of the top properties in New York City for points travelers.

Hardwood floors and a cool black-and-white color scheme give this Hyatt's rooms and suites a more elevated vibe than most, and amenities include minifridges, coffee machines, flat-screen TVs, closets and ample outlets. Large windows with city views have blackout curtains, and the stone, tile and shiplap bathrooms are stocked with Pharmacopia amenities.

For meals, head to Bowery Road, an American restaurant serving farmers market-inspired plates for breakfast, lunch and dinner (show up for happy hour between 4 and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for light bites and discounted cocktails).

Rates at the Hyatt Union Square New York start around $182 or 21,000 Hyatt points per night.

Since opening in 2016, the city's newest Four Seasons has become a fast favorite with luxury travelers from around the world who want to stay in one of Manhattan's more residential neighborhoods.

Spacious rooms in a typical Four Seasons palette of muted grays, subtle plaid and light woods that are complemented by spa-like marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and Replica by Maison Margiela amenities can't fail to please.

Anchoring the hotel's wellness complex, which includes a spa and a fitness center, is a 75-foot indoor heated lap pool flanked by cozy cushioned loungers. After getting in a few laps, book a treatment at the spa and, during balmy New York summer days, take advantage of the outdoor relaxation terrace.

Later, feast at Cut, the first Manhattan outpost by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Signature plates include Miyazaki Japanese wagyu; a dry-aged, bone-in tomahawk steak for two; big eye tuna tartare; and Kaluga caviar with traditional fixings.

Rates at the Four Seasons New York Downtown start around $785 per night.

The first New York outpost from Firmdale Hotels is an ode to the English country aesthetic — not unlike the chain's London hotels, which were dreamed up by designer Kit Kemp. You'll even find Kemp's signature mannequin in each of the 86 rooms and suites, as well as works from her personal collection of art, including a 12-foot bronze cat by Fernando Botero that guards the entrance on cobblestoned Crosby Street.

Light floods all the rooms through warehouse-style windows consistent with the surrounding architecture, and some accommodation categories even have bathtubs, writing desks and decorative fireplaces.

For a meal or a drink, grab a seat at the namesake restaurant's pewter-topped bar and order the crispy duck confit leg with croissant croutons, or a lamb porterhouse with sunchokes and eggplant caviar. The Crosby Bar also serves afternoon tea — another nod to the brand's British roots.

Rates at The Crosby Street Hotel start around $895 per night.

Another British import, The Hoxton in Brooklyn's perennially hip Williamsburg neighborhood expounds upon the brand's "open house hotel" concept. The small but hip and sensibly arranged rooms aren't for hanging out in. Instead, guests are encouraged to lounge in the massive coworking-style lobby, with its bar, cafe and all-day Israeli restaurant K'Far by star chef Michael Solomonov.

The 175 rooms have fold-down desks to maximize space and bespoke bed linens by Brooklyn artist Dusen Dusen, as well as a clever contrast of raw concrete and jewel-tone velvet finishes.

One of The Hoxton's main attractions is Laser Wolf, the Israeli skewer house on the roof. In addition to Manhattan skyline views, guests can feast on chicken, sirloin, eggplant and tuna shishlik while sharing plates of shawarma-spiced cauliflower and baba ganoush and sipping frozen "Get Shishlik'd" cocktails with vodka, Aperol, guava and lime.

Rates at The Hoxton, Williamsburg start around $229per night.

Manhattan views are the star at this Brooklyn hotel — as are the art and architecture. You can't miss the 20-story Albo Liberis-designed structure hoisted above Williamsburg on a truss.

Every room at The William Vale features a furnished balcony, and the rooms — mostly white with mixed textiles like houndstooth and leather, colorful art and architectural lamps — are stocked with Le Labo amenities and Lavazza espresso machines.

But The William Vale is best known for its public spaces and restaurants, which continue to be hot spots for both tourists and locals. Head to Westlight for some of the best sunset views of New York City in Brooklyn, or reserve a table at Andrew Carmellini's fine-dining Leuca, which specializes in southern Italian fare.

When summer arrives in New York, so do the throngs of people vying for a spot around the borough's longest outdoor hotel pool.

Rates at The William Vale start around $289 per night.

Fresh from a significant renovation, rooms at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi — which occupies an entire block of New York City's Chelsea neighborhood — have floor-to-ceiling windows, a bright and soothing palette and marble baths stocked with Atelier Bloem products.

The lobby is meant to evoke a handsome living room, with dark tufted leather sofas and open views into Back Bar, the hotel's all-day American bar and restaurant helmed by chef Laurent Tourondel. Tourondel is also the mastermind of L'Amico, a well-regarded casual Italian restaurant with colorful floor tiles and exposed wooden beams. The hotel's newest dining venue, Skirt Steak, flaunts its desserts on a rolling cart.

When it's time to explore the city, take advantage of Kimpton's complimentary Public cruiser bikes (stick to the bike path!) or, if you'd prefer, keep the cycling to the 24-hour fitness center.

Rates at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi start at $221 or 36,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

Manhattan and Hudson River views are the stars of the 338-key hotel near the city's High Line elevated park and bustling Meatpacking District. But your eye will also no doubt be caught by the tambour paneling that acts as a headboard and continues up to cover the ceiling in many of the rooms. Handmade black, cream and orange tiles add to the throwback '70s aesthetic.

But it's all about the dining and event spaces at this Standard property on Manhattan's west side. Giant pretzels and pints feature prominently at the Standard Biergarten, which spills out onto the sidewalk in summer and has ping-pong tables. And, of course, there's Le Bain, one of the city's mainstay clubs, which has a coveted rooftop and parties that stretch until 4 in the morning.

You can get a good night's sleep at The Standard High Line, but only if you really want to.

Rates at The Standard High Line start at $249 per night.

As part of the initial trio of 1 Hotels to open in 2015, the Brooklyn Bridge outpost is a bastion of sustainability: Reclaimed heart pine beams from Brooklyn's Domino Sugar factory have been reimagined as lobby and guest room furniture. Rooms feature organic cotton mattresses by Keetsa and have filtered water taps for filling up recycled cups and carafes. Guests can explore the city in the emission-free electric Audi house car.

The intense focus on natural materials is seen throughout the property, with corrugated leather headboards and architectural blackened steel accented by reclaimed wood, Brooklyn-made glass accents and stone.

Farm-to-table fare is served at The Osprey, helmed by chef Denevin Miranda, while live DJs perform at the 10th-floor Harriet's Lounge, which has picture-frame windows overlooking Manhattan. In a move befitting the brand, there's also a farmstand in the lobby.

But one of the hotel's top amenities is its seasonal rooftop plunge pool, which is reserved for guests with limited-time spots, making it one of the most exclusive spaces in the city.

Rates at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge start at $349 per night.

Few hotels on Earth have risen to fame quite like The Plaza , which presides over Central Park South with the grandeur of a French chateau.

The Fairmont-managed hotel has hosted a laundry list of luminaries, but it's a star in its own right: The hotel has made appearances in "Sabrina," "The Great Gatsby" and "Home Alone 2," among other shows and films, while also being the home of the lovable literary character Eloise.

Gilded Edwardian furniture and wood-paneled closets are outshone only by the white marble and mosaic-tiled bathrooms, with 24-karat Sherle Wagner fixtures and, usually, separate soaking tubs.

Beneath a stained-glass dome and towering palm trees, guests can partake in a classic afternoon tea, leisurely breakfasts or evening cocktails. Before bedding down, grab a cocktail at the beautifully restored Champagne Bar — which might even be hosting a live band for the evening.

And don't forget, The Plaza is more than welcoming to pets and even makes bespoke robes for our fluffy friends.

Rates at The Plaza New York start at $995 per night.

True to its 1930s origin, The Carlyle is a tribute to art deco opulence that doesn't need to refresh its decor with every passing design trend. This is one of New York City's most famous hotels — desirable enough to lure travelers to its relatively sleepy Upper East Side address on the corner of Madison Avenue and 76th Street.

Room interiors have been influenced by a number of designers (some have original hardwood floors, others have undergone a modern art deco refresh), but all have Kiehl's amenities and Nespresso machines.

Dining at The Carlyle is an elegant affair, whether you opt for a table at the new Dowling's at The Carlyle, which serves New York classics interpreted by chef Sylvain Delpique, or The Gallery, where patrons can dine in a stunning space featuring hand-painted wallpaper from Italy and details inspired by Turkey's Topkapi Palace.

Don't miss a drink at the legendary Bemelmans Bar, which is clad in hand-painted murals by children's book illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans and often hosts live pianists and late-night jazz trios.

Rates at The Carlyle start at $761 per night.

Fresh off a multimillion-dollar head-to-toe revamp in 2021, the Gansevoort is once again one of the hippest hotels in New York City.

Contemporary rooms at the Gansevoort in the vibrant Meatpacking District are stocked with unexpected high-tech amenities, such as fitness mirrors for in-room workouts, Google Nest hubs and Marshall Bluetooth sound systems.

Throughout the refreshed lobby, which features warm woods, brass accents and cool porcelain floors, guests will find colorful street-style art by Banksy, Richard Hambleton and Hassan Hajjaj.

But it's the year-round swimming pool and roof terrace that continue to make the Gansevoort one of the city's most in-demand hotels. The heated rooftop pool is exclusive for guests only, while the rooftop bar and restaurant is a lush, plant-filled space with 360-degree city views and an eclectic menu ranging from classic sushi rolls to guacamole with plantain chips.

Other spots to drink and dine at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC include The Chester and the Saishin by Kissaki omakase pop-up on the rooftop.

Rates at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC start at $349 per night.

With 287 keys and a trio of restaurants, The Beekman is much more hip than you might expect from its exterior turrets and grand atrium.

Antique furnishings and a well-worn aesthetic set the tone for this moodily lit property, which feels like the kind of place you'd go to finish your memoir or sip whiskey (neat) while people-watching.

Guests are immediately wowed in the bar room and Temple Court restaurant, with its profusion of velvets, tassels, antique bookshelves, brass accents and a portrait of Edgar Allen Poe (of course). Like a library with libations but a culinary program by star chef Tom Colicchio, it's all the more impressive when you gaze down from the top of the nine-story atrium.

Stained glass, mohair, mosaic marble tiles, dark woods — the whole property, including French restaurant Le Gratin by chef Daniel Boulud, evokes old-world charm.

In the guest rooms and suites ( some of which occupy actual turrets ), leather headboards and vintage furnishings are elevated by marble bathrooms and playful pops of color.

Rates at The Beekman start at $321 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

For travelers who want to stay in a central location close to such attractions as the New York Public Library, the Empire State Building and Times Square, the Andaz Fifth Avenue has one of the most advantageous positions in the city.

Contemporary, loft-like rooms and suites designed by Tony Chi take advantage of large windows, 12-foot ceilings and timeless, neutral furnishings. Travelers familiar with the Andaz brand will appreciate the complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and snacks in the minibars , as well as the Fellow Barber amenities in the travertine bathrooms. Some suites even come with terraces and balconies — best enjoyed when they're furnished during the spring and summer months.

The Bar Downstairs and Kitchen is the sole dining venue at this Andaz, which serves crowd-pleasing plates like burgers with bacon and smoked aioli, and pasta with short rib and butternut squash, plus a ricotta-and-mushroom flatbread.

Rates at the Andaz Fifth Avenue start at $363 or 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Pendry continues to live up to its reputation as the luxurious, unflappably cool little sibling of Montage. The brand's relatively new outpost on the western edge of Manhattan , near Penn Station but far enough away you don't have to think about it, is cozy, stylish and inviting despite its celebrity clientele and exclusive hideaways.

An oasis of blond wood with an exterior ripple of glass, the entire hotel telegraphs the brand's West Coast roots. Guest rooms have curved windows, Fili D'Oro linens and marble bathrooms stocked with bath amenities produced by Pendry in collaboration with MiN.

Don't be surprised to see celebrities grabbing a cocktail from the luminous lobby-level Bar Pendry, brushed almost entirely in gold. An open-kitchen and colorful tiles set the scene for a spirited evening at Zou Zou's, which specializes in Eastern Mediterranean fare. Upstairs, bartenders at Chez Zou serve unexpected cocktails and Mediterranean snacks. There's even a reservations-only rooftop whiskey bar.

Rates at Pendry Manhattan West start at $523 per night.

Arrive at The Peninsula on Fifth Avenue and prepare to slip into "Peninsula Time" — you won't have to worry about the nuisance of early check-in or late checkout fees here.

Marble bathrooms and a soothing blend of grays, taupes and subdued golds in the rooms indicate luxury without any trace of ostentatiousness. For travelers in town for work, large executive desks and an ensuite multiuse printer, scanner and fax machine ensure your productivity always runs smoothly.

A glass-enclosed indoor swimming pool surrounded by black tiles, a fitness center with complimentary classes and an aromatherapy steam room, and a massive spa with 10 treatment rooms and a tea room have long set The Peninsula's wellness offerings apart from other top-tier hotels in the neighborhood.

Rates at The Peninsula New York start at $895 per night.

With the smallest guest rooms measuring up at a respectable 420 square feet, The Langham offers travelers some of the most spacious accommodations in Midtown. Walnut-wood walls and furnishings are bathed in light from floor-to-ceiling windows that open to let in fresh air (a rarity in the city). Marble bathrooms have bathtubs and rainfall showers. The rooms are a study in restraint, as they're sophisticated without being over the top or trendy.

In addition to its convenient location on Fifth Avenue at 37th Street, within spitting distance of Herald Square, the Empire State Building and The Morgan Library & Museum, one of the top draws of The Langham is its celebrated bar and restaurant.

White tablecloths and elaborate floral displays set the scene at Ai Fiori, which serves fancy French and Italian plates like trofie nero with Ligurian crustacean ragu, scallops and mollica. Afterward, grab a cocktail at the always-elegant Bar Fiori.

Rates at The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue start at $609 per night.

Ascend to the 35th-floor lobby and feel transported to a serene spa-like retreat with a distinctly Asian sense of hospitality and design. Splashes of black and gold fill the rooms and suites, which are dressed in silk textiles and floral accents. Two-toned marble and granite bathrooms have both bathtubs and walk-in showers and are stocked with Diptyque products. Suites occupy the corners of the high-rise and offer such extras as spacious furnished living rooms and separate dining spaces.

Foodies may already be familiar with the all-day dining experience at the MO Lounge, which has an intercontinental menu with a distinctly Asian focus: Plates like mushroom char-siu and Chinese egg noodle soup appear on the lunch and dinner menus.

The spa might be the Mandarin Oriental's true standout amenity, though. A 75-foot indoor lap pool has a Hudson River backdrop, while guests who have booked skin therapies or massages, among other treatments, can unwind at the tea lounge. Just don't forget, the toilet seats are luxuriously heated .

Rates at the Mandarin Oriental, New York start at $945 per night.

2024 Best Hotels in New York City, NY

Hotels ranked on industry awards, guest reviews and hotel class ratings

Unbiased content created by U.S. News editors

Photo tours of select hotels by local expert  Michael Cappetta

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New York City

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The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, New York

Business Center

Fitness Center

Pets Allowed

The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

Baccarat Hotel New York

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

Lowell Hotel

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Mandarin Oriental, New York

Pendry Manhattan West

The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

Park Hyatt New York

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

The Peninsula New York

The St. Regis New York

The Greenwich Hotel

The Towers at Lotte New York Palace

The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City

The New York EDITION

The Dominick Hotel

The Wall Street Hotel

Lotte New York Palace

1 Hotel Central Park

The William Vale

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• 1 Baccarat Hotel & Residences
• 2 The NoMad Hotel
• 3 The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
• 4 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
• 5 Gramercy Park Hotel
• 6 Park Hyatt New York
• 7 The New York EDITION
• 8 The Whitby
• 9 The St. Regis New York
• 10 The Plaza, NYC

The 10 Best Hotels in New York City

There are hundreds of factors that come into play when it comes to choosing the best NYC hotels. But for us, the three most important ones are style, service, and the thoughtful details that set a property apart from the rest. Here are our picks for the 10 best hotels in New York City. See if you agree.

Senior Editor, Jetsetter | @lindseytravels | lindseytravels.com

See recent posts by Lindsey Olander

Baccarat Hotel & Residences

The first-ever hotel from the iconic French jewelry brand, which debuted across from the Museum of Modern Art, is truly awe-inspiring. There are more than 15,000 individual crystals throughout the 50-story glass tower, and the 114 refined rooms feature gleaming white marble baths and sexy mini-bars (not to mention a “champagne” button on your in-room telephone—we’ll let you guess what happens when you press it). At the hotel's La Mer spa, the first in the States, you can get precious stone-inspired treatments like a pure powder diamond scrub, or simply lounge by the marble-floored swimming pool. The salon area, done up with Jouffre silk walls and fur chairs, is a gorgeous nook for afternoon tea before light bites at The Bar, where a stylish Euro crowd bellies up to the mirrored counter beneath blood-red chandeliers for champagne and whisky cocktails— plus, delicacies like beef bourguignon tartelettes and crème brulee.

Explore More: See hotel details | See all New York City, NY hotels

Top middle photo courtesy of Travel + Leisure

The NoMad Hotel

The resurgence of this once seedy industrial neighborhood (now called NoMad), is all thanks to this 1903 Beaux-Arts tower turned gorgeous New York hotel . French-inspired interiors by Jacques Garcia—velvet drapes, sconces dripping with tassels, antique rugs—extend to the 168 rooms and suites, as well as the lauded eponymous restaurant and bar from culinary power duo Daniel Humm and Will Guidara, formerly of Eleven Madison Park. After a drink at the mahogany bar courtesy of mixologist Leo Robitschek (we recommend a Mother’s Little Helper), tuck into one of the dining room’s mohair banquettes and don’t think about ordering anything other than the foie-gras-and-black-truffle-stuffed roast chicken for two.

Top left photo by Luis Ruiz, top right photos by Bjorn Wallander, bottom photo by Richard Barnes

The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel

Many spaces in New York—many hotels, for that matter—channel Manhattan’s glorified Gilded Age, but none transport you back quite like The Beekman . It all comes down to the history. The hotel occupies a landmark 1881 Queen Anne building (which, during its lifetime, acted as a playhouse, a law firm, and a publishing house) and still retains its nine-story, skylight-lit Victorian atrium. The Bar Room is lined with bookshelves, leather club chairs, and author portraits — subtle nods to the space that debuted Shakespeare’s Hamlet and hosted the likes of Edgar Allen Poe. Floors (and the check-in desk, a favorite 'gram post) are piled with Oriental Rugs. Incredible artwork, from photographs to sculptures is everywhere (ask for a booklet at check-in so you can take a self-guided tour). Upstairs, the feel is more modern, with 287 lofty guest rooms with mod lighting and subway-tiled bathrooms.

Photos courtesy of Matthew Williams

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Never in Brooklyn has a hotel had as much buzz as the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (and yes, it might be bigger than The Wythe). Here, you’ll find a certain tranquility often lost in urban hotels, thanks to its waterfront address by Brooklyn Bridge Park. Rooms are luxuriously spacious and bring in the borough’s eco-conscious sensibility with moss gardens, hemp-blend mattresses, a color palette defined by textures and materials rather than paint or wallpaper, and hour-glasses that time your showers. Living walls in the lobby create the ideal retreat from city life, a rooftop bar with fire pits and a lounge pool is the neighborhood’s hottest summer hangout, and floor-to-ceiling window views of the Brooklyn Bridge, the city, and Lady Liberty mean you’ll never have a bad view.

RELATED: The Best New NYC Hotels to Book Now

Explore More: See hotel details | See all Brooklyn, NY hotels

Gramercy Park Hotel

Ian Schrager and Julian Schnabel revived this Twenties-era icon back in 2006, and it's still a favorite. For the buttoned-up Gramercy neighorhood, Gramercy Park Hotel brings in a serious dose of sexy, from the crimson lobby with its wooden columns and oversize armchairs gathered around a 10-foot fireplace to the 185 jewel-tone rooms decked out with velvet headboards and “drinking cabinets” filled with crystal glassware. In each of the buzzy bars, the Jade and Rose, you’ll find canvases by Warhol, Twombly, and Basquiat, and a sceney crowd gathers at the Italian trattoria from Danny Meyer. The clincher: guests have access to the otherwise residents-only Gramercy Park, just across the street.

Park Hyatt New York

This Park Hyatt is as luxurious as they come thanks to an exclusive One57 tower address a block from Central Park and a gorgeous design that leans heavily on rich textiles to give it a timeless feel. All 210 rooms have leather trunks that double as mini-bars and freestanding tubs, which overlook the city. Leave time for a dip in the 25th-floor indoor pool: with its soaring three-story windows and cushy deck chairs, it's is the perfect place to unwind.

The New York EDITION

A 1909 landmark Metropolitan Life building on Madison Square Park is now home to one of the city’s slickest hotels, courtesy of Ian Schrager. Inside the EDITION , you'll find 273 casually elegant rooms with oak floors, Le Labo bath products, and dazzlingly high windows that look out over the cityscape. Don’t miss dinner at the second-floor Clocktower restaurant, where views of the park set the stage for English staples like Highland venison with spiced kumquats and Berkshire pork chop from British chef Jason Atherton’s. Cap off the evening with a nightcap in the adjacent billiards room or bar, which stays open well into the late hours.

The first stateside outpost from witty British brand Firmdale, the Crosby Street Hotel has made many a top 1o list—but The Whitby , its much-awaited follow-up in upper Midtown, does it one better. Expect the same Firmdale flourishes, from the colorful mash-up of intricate Kit Kemp patterns and paisleys on headboards, walls, armchairs, and rugs (a refreshingly bold departure from the city’s overuse of neutrals) to oh-so-English corners including a drawing room for afternoon tea and a library. There are plenty of indulgent extras, too, including a 130-seat theater and an orangery attached to the restaurant.

The St. Regis New York

More than a century’s worth of history exists inside the walls of the St. Regis New York , right in the center of Midtown on Fifth Avenue. First built in 1904 by John Jacob Astor IV, this Beaux-Arts landmark has served as the archetype for all St. Regis properties worldwide, and has hosted hundred of luminaries throughout the years, including Marilyn Monroe and Salvador Dalí. Here, it’s all about old-world opulence, from the hand-painted trompe l’oeil ceiling murals and Corinthian columns in the lobby to the moodily lit Cognac Room to the famous King Cole Bar, the proclaimed birthplace of the Bloody Mary and a favorite watering hole for Dalí. Guest rooms are equally lavish, with Italian marble baths, silk-covered walls, and 24-hour butlers (now a St. Regis signature)—though the one you might want to book is the Tiffany Suite, awash in crystal walls and—yes—that iconic blue.

The Plaza, NYC

What is it about The Plaza that makes it such a universal symbol of hotel luxury? It could be its appearance: a chateau-like tower that rises high above Central Park’s southeast corner, and New York’s ultimate grande dame. Or the fact that over the past century, it’s hosted anyone who was and is anyone. Or the fact that its 282 rooms (all Louis XVI-style interiors, wainscoted walls, and many with views of Fifth Avenue or Central Park) are just the icing on the cake of all there is to discover here, from luxury boutiques to a Todd English food hall, Caudalie Spa, Warren Tricomi Salon, and famous Palm Court, whose afternoon tea service beneath that gorgeous stained-glass ceiling has become one of the city’s top must-dos. It’s a force to be reckoned with, even today.

• 10 Stylish—and Affordable—NYC Hotels We Love
• The Best Hotel Bars in Manhattan and Brooklyn Right Now
• You’re Not a Tourist: New York City

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The Best Hotels in New York City, From Five-Star to Boutique

By Elise Taylor and Liam Hess

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The search for the best hotels in New York City isn’t exactly the easiest endeavor. Why? Because there are so many options —like, 705 to be exact. Even the best attempts at narrowing it down leave choices upon choices. Want to stay in midtown? Cool, there are 114 hotels in that neighborhood alone. Plan to splurge on a five-star hotel? Take your pick from over 122! Boutique more your style? Wonderful—Manhattan has 76 independently operated properties with under 200 rooms.

So, we here at Vogue decided to make a shortlist of where to stay in the Big Apple. Some are recent openings, others haute haunts steeped in history. Some are in trendy non-touristy locales, some sit in the heart of it all. Some you stay at for the scene, others are ideal for not being seen at all. But the common denominator among them? They’re all, well, cool .

Without further ado, the best hotels in New York City.

The Carlyle , Upper East Side

By Hannah Jackson

By Margaux Anbouba

If the Carlyle ever closed, an iconic bit of the city would be lost along with it—that’s how synonymous this storied hotel is with the soul of New York. It’s where Princess Diana stayed during her royal visit in the 1980s, and where her son Prince William returned with his new bride Kate Middleton two decades later. John F. Kennedy stayed there so much that it was dubbed the “New York White House.” After he was assassinated, Jackie lived there for three months. Bemelmans—named after Madeline creator Ludwig Bemelmans, who painted murals on its walls—remains the most famous bar in the city. There’s a documentary about it, books about it, and even a clothing line about it.

That doesn’t mean it's outdated or stuffy, by the way: with interiors by Thierry Despont and Tony Chi, the Carlyle encompasses both old-world charm and the modern day. And since it’s within walking distance of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, The Frick, and Central Park, you’re at most minutes away from the city’s best cultural and leisure offerings. – Elise Taylor

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, lounge, spa, fitness center, pet-friendly, business services

Address: 35 E 76th St, New York, NY, 10021

The Mark , Upper East Side

You probably recognize the exterior of The Mark. Why? Because every Monday in May, it’s in the background of a million paparazzi photos as celebrities from Lady Gaga to Kendall Jenner depart from its lobby to the Met Gala.

Its inside is of equal grandeur: designed by Jacques Grange, who also did interiors for Yves Saint Laurent and the Princess of Monaco, the lobby is adorned in bold black and white stripes. (That color combo serves as The Mark’s chic calling card, plastered over everything from their pedicab, to their hotdog cart, to their custom swimsuit.) Added bonus: Its restaurant, The Mark by by Jean-Georges, is divine. Order their cheeseburger with black truffle dressing.

Like The Carlyle, it’s located in close proximity to many major museums and is half a block from Central Park—of which some suites even have an expansive view. (Remember the Duchess of Sussex’s baby shower? That was hosted in their penthouse.) — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, snack bar/deli, fitness center, complimentary bicycle rentals, pet friendly, business services

Address: 25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075

Fasano Fifth Avenue , Upper East Side

The Thierry Despont-designed hotel rooms at the Fasano Fifth Avenue supply an air of subtle luxury with their warm beiges, crisp whites, and views of greenery-filled Central Park. Since the property only offers suites and duplexes, many guests at the Fasano stay there for weeks, using it as a posh pied-a-terre of sorts. They're not so interested in delivering an in-your-face style statement. Instead, they want you to feel right at home.

It's the perfect place to post up if you're looking for a more discreet, peaceful hospitality experience. The Fasano, which doubles as a private member's club, doesn't have any social spaces open to the public, and, with just a handful of rooms, interaction with other guests is minimal. The service is impeccable, the food elevated without being stuffy, and the front desk will know you by name. Plus, with the Upper East Side's main attractions close by and Central Park across the street, you'll still feel in the middle of it all. — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurant, café, packaging and delivery services, private shopping appointments, fitness center, sauna

Address: 815 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065

The Lowell , Upper East Side

There’s an intimacy to The Lowell from the moment you walk in the door: the reception desk feels like it’s in the foyer of a private home, and beyond, a sunken living room with a roaring fire serves as the social heart of the hotel. (Speaking of fireplaces: a select number of guest rooms have wood burning ones—a true rarity in New York.) 

All 74 rooms, the majority of which are suites, are designed by Michael D. Smith. Smith, best known for his work with the Obama White House, embraced a residential aesthetic that’s both neoclassical and contemporary: bedrooms have floral Iksel wallpapers while sitting rooms are in warm muted colors with detailed carvings. It’s a place set up to feel like you can stay awhile—and many do. Like the Fasano, many of their lodging offerings have an apartment-like layout complete with kitchens, meaning guests can book for months or more. — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, fitness center, pet friendly, library, business center, terrace, in-room massages

Address: 28 East 63rd Street, New York, NY, 10065

Aman New York , Midtown

The clientele of the Aman is so dedicated that they've given themselves a nickname— Aman Junkies. (According to a 2016 Town & Country story, repeat guests constitute 50 percent of Aman's business .)  Now, they've got a new outpost to visit: Aman New York, the hospitality brand’s first property in New York City and first urban property in North America.

Housed in the historic Crown building on 57th Street, designed by the same architects as Grand Central Terminal, Aman's signature Japanese-meets-Scandinavian minimalism is present in full force: neutrals, woods, and shades of black adorn the spacious 83 guest rooms, the vast spa, and the rooftop terrace. Modern art is scattered throughout: each suite, for example, has a mural by contemporary Japanese artist Ryoko Adachi. Yet despite all the worldly influences, the property also has a local touch: a jazz club, open to the public, offering nightly performances. — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurants, bar, jazz club, swimming pool, fitness center, spa, sauna, steam room, complimentary house cars

Address: 730 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Soho House , Meatpacking District

It may be a cliché, but staying at a Soho House always feels like a home away from home. (Clue’s in the name, you might say.) And where better to experience the hospitality behemoth’s legendary service than at its first-ever club outside the U.K.? Launched in the heart of New York’s Meatpacking District in 2003—and famously nodded to as the most exclusive spot in town in a  Sex and the City  episode a few years later—the original New York outpost has lost none of its charms over the years since. 

The unfussy approach begins with the room selection (pick between cozy, medium, and big) and extends to the charming, homely decor, from velvety sofas to weathered leather ottomans to roll-top copper bathtubs to match the brass light fittings and doorknobs. The perfectly-judged menu also has something to satisfy every craving, whether that’s a hearty bowl of cacio e pepe after a red-eye, or a lighter chopped salad or poké bowl for a room service night in. Two decades since it first opened, there’s still nowhere that makes you feel like you’re staying the night at a friend’s (in the best way possible) quite like Soho House. — Liam Hess

Amenities: Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, spa, complimentary Wi-Fi

Address: 29-35 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014

The Baccarat , Midtown

It perhaps goes without saying that a hotel created by the world-famous crystal company is going to be extravagant. Over 15,000 Baccarat pieces, from chandeliers to glassware, grace its reflective halls, and its ​​Gilles & Boissier-designed Grand Salon looks like it could be a room in a grand European palace. The location, which is close to MoMA, Broadway theaters, and Rockefeller Center, is perfect for visitors wanting to hit New York’s main attractions. — E.T.

Amenities: Indoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, spa, fitness center, library, sauna, steam room, terrace, business services

Address: 28 West 53rd Street, New York, NY, 10019

Ritz-Carlton , NoMad

The Ritz Carlton's newest outpost on 28th Street and Broadway boasts some of the best views from any hotel in the city: to the north, you can gaze closely upon the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, whereas to the south, the Freedom Tower is visible at the tip of Manhattan. (Smartly, guest rooms start on the 14th floor, meaning guests can soak in the splendor from their beds—or, quite literally, from their bathtubs.)

On the ground floor is Zaytinya, a restaurant by celebrity activist chef José Andrés that serves up innovative Mediterranean cuisine. — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, spa, fitness center, sauna, steam rooms, meeting space

Address: 25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001

The Ned , NoMad

Private members’ club The Ned, which opened to much fanfare this spring, includes a well-appointed hotel where no application is required. The guest rooms follow a rich jewel-tone aesthetic, inspired by the Beaux-Arts architecture of the building and the 1920s style of their sister property in London. “I wanted to make it glamorous—to have loads of atmosphere,” CEO and founder of Soho House Nick Jones previously told Vogue . — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, terrace, fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi

Address: 1170 Broadway , NoMad, New York, NY 10001

The Mercer , SoHo

Housed in a Romanesque Revival Building on (you guessed it) Mercer St., The Mercer is in, and perhaps is , the heart of SoHo: when it opened in 1997, the hotel instantly became a fashionable hangout for the then up-and-coming neighborhood’s It-crowd. In fact, so stylish are the hotel’s minimalistic Christian Liaigre interiors that Calvin Klein and Rupert Murdoch would go on to hire the designer for their own personal projects.

Nearly 25 years later, The Mercer still hasn’t lost its cool, regularly welcoming a slew of celebrities from Kylie Jenner to Kaia Gerber (that’ll happen when your sister hotel is the Chateau Marmont). Oh, and did we mention that Jay Z and Kanye West recorded “Watch the Throne” in suite 208? — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, complimentary Continental Breakfast, fitness center, personal trainers

Address: 147 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

Hotel Chelsea , Chelsea

Plenty of hotels are willing to refer to themselves as iconic, but few have earned the moniker quite like the Hotel Chelsea. Behind its red brick, iron-balconied facade—and its immediately recognizable neon signage—Madonna shot her most provocative photographs, Lou Reed strummed his guitar, Andy Warhol rolled his camera, and Dylan Thomas took his final breath. Following a period where its status as a residence looked in serious danger, and then a lengthy refurbishment by the team behind The Bowery and The Jane, the Hotel Chelsea finally reopened its doors this spring with a glamorous new makeover—albeit one that has been carefully considered to ensure it retains plenty of its original charms. 

The rooms feature all the mod-cons you’d expect from a high-end hotel in 2023—plush furnishings, monogrammed sheets, and Marshall speakers as a nod to its illustrious musical history—while retaining plenty of the original’s most iconic features, including fireplaces and stained-glass windows. (Meanwhile, an eclectic array of artworks made my former tenants of the hotel line the walls.) Most delightful of all, perhaps, are the new array of options to drink and eat: stand-outs include the laid-back opulence of the low-lit Lobby Bar, with its vintage chandeliers and restored wood-paneled walls, and the revival of El Quixote, the Spanish restaurant that has been running in the building since 1930. If these walls could talk, they’d have plenty of stories to tell—and with this thoughtful reimagining of a true New York institution, another chapter in those stories begins. – L.H.

Amenities: Restaurant, bar, fitness center, complimentary Wi-Fi

Address: 222 West 23rd Street, Chelsea, New York, NY 10011

The Wythe , Williamsburg

Reflective of its Brooklyn neighborhood’s industrial roots, The Wythe is housed in an old barrel and rope factory. Yet it doesn’t feel concrete or cold—the rooms are adorned in bespoke toile wallpaper by Dan Funderburg and contemporary, colorful art hangs in many of the common spaces. You’ll want to order room service: their restaurant, Le Crocodile , received a three-star review from The New York Times . — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurant, bar, private dining room, complimentary Wi-Fi

Address: 80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Ace Hotel , Boerum Hill

The Roman and Williams-designed Ace Hotel in downtown Brooklyn has attracted the attention of aesthetes everywhere thanks to its facade by modernist artist Stan Bitters, a sculptural light installation that acts as an homage to Tokyo’s now-demolished Hotel Okura, and a bar by Verdan Jakšić. Locals and visitors alike will find much to appreciate about the ground floor restaurant, As You Are, which serves up delectable pancakes for breakfast and seafood worth savoring at dinner. — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurant, bar, fitness center, meeting rooms

Address: 252 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY, 11217

The Greenwich Hotel , Tribeca

The Robert De Niro-owned Greenwich Hotel is swanky yet secretive: there’s a no photos rule and many common spaces are for guests only. Unsurprisingly, it regularly attracts an A-list celebrity clientele, who get to enjoy amenities like its Japanese-style spa and open-air courtyard. Their excellent Italian restaurant, Locanda Verde, is beloved by visitors and New York locals alike. — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurant, spa, indoor swimming pool, drawing room, courtyard, fitness center

Address: 377 Greenwich Street, Tribeca, New York, NY 10013

Fouquet’s , Tribeca

A sister property to the famed five-star hotel on Paris's Champs-Élysées, Fouquet’s Tribeca location harmoniously combines downtown industrial design and Parisian flair thanks to inspired interiors by Martin Brudnizki. (An example? Some guest rooms are adorned in custom Tribeca toile de jouy by Schumacher, a playful interpretation of the classic French wallpaper print.)   — E.T.

Amenities : Restaurants, bar, indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, fitness center, lounge

Address: 456 Greenwich Street, Tribeca, New York, NY 10013

Nine Orchard , Lower East Side

After an extensive restoration, Nine Orchard opened in the former Jarmulowsky bank at the corner of Canal and Orchard Streets. Guests check in where bank tellers once cashed their checks, while vaulted ceilings soar above and rooms are filled with honest wood furniture and crisp linens. 

Famed chef Ignacio Mattos spearheaded the food and beverage offerings. Grab a drink at the grand Swan Room, which sits under an intricate Beaux-Arts ceiling, or a smoked-onion remoulade burger at the airy Corner Bar. — E.T.

Amenities: Restaurants, bars, terrace, complimentary Wi-Fi

Address: 9 Orchard Street, Chinatown, New York, NY 10002

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16 of the best boutique hotels in New York

Where to stay in style in the big apple — from manhattan and brooklyn to queens.

T here is never a bad time to visit New York. The city is always open for business; the Broadway lights are up; and restaurants and bars are buzzing every night of the week. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, you’ll find new places to explore, new streets to walk down, new skyscrapers to look up at, and that same energy that comes from staying in the city that never sleeps — even if you have to.

You can stay in style from Manhattan and Brooklyn to Queens, in modish city hotels that cater to every level of traveller with stellar designs and inspired uses of space. This is our pick of the best boutique hotels in New York City.

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1. MADE Hotel

££ | Best for natural chic

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The NoMad neighbourhood has seen an influx of high-end, luxury hotels in the past couple of years, so the MADE hotel makes for a fresh alternative. The botanical, earthy vibes start in the plant-filled lobby and extend to the Paper coffee shop with its aslant clay tiles and organic wood stools. Rooms have low platform beds with colourful batik fabrics artfully wrapped around the headboards, while the carved stone sinks offer a handcrafted touch in the bathrooms.

2. Archer Hotel

££ | Best for NYC iconography

On a nondescript block in the Garment District, the Archer Hotel maximizes its prime location between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The hotel pays homage to iconic New York landmarks and design elements, from the white subway tiles in the bathrooms to the postcard views of the Empire State Building from many rooms. Its Deco-inspired Spyglass rooftop bar adds to the charm. The designers smartly set back the hotel’s entrance, creating a deep sidewalk patio that becomes part of the fabric of the streetscape. Here guests have a rare opportunity to sit and relax outside while observing the flow of the city.

3. CitizenM Times Square

£ | Best for couples and friends on the go

Can low-frill bring the big thrills? At this theatre district hotel, the answer is yes. While the rooms are all the same size – small – they are kitted out with luxe king beds and rain showers. But the emphasis is on the communal areas where guests create the buzz themselves. The “Living Room” lobby is an all-day hang out space with a bar, a convivial space where guests can sit, decompress after a day sightseeing, or meet up while the rear courtyard is another third space to gather in, and the rooftop bar on the 21st floor has a tempting outdoor lounge.

4. The Time New York, Times Square

££ | Best for theatre lovers

This swanky retreat is truly in the heart of New York, just steps from Times Square, Rockefeller Center and the Theater District, and just ten minutes from Central Park. The 192 rooms and suites are quiet havens done up in dark tones, modern wood furniture and sleek lighting fixtures, while the large round mirrors and brushed gold accents are a modern nod to the art deco era. Have a craft cocktail or nibble before dinner or the theatre at the LeGrande Lounge, tucked away on the mezzanine, or stop in to prolong your evening with a nightcap.

5. Yotel, Times Square

£ | Best for urban explorers

Everything is shipshape at this midtown hotel, where the 669 guest rooms are known as cabins and provide tight but well-designed quarters. And what else do you need when you’re out most of the day and night enjoying everything Manhattan and the rest of the city has to offer? The hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant Social Drink and Food is one of the largest in the city and does a neat line in cocktails and bites. There’s also a cabaret club and espresso bar on offer. Check in at the self-service kiosks, and if you need to store your suitcase after checking out before your flight home, take advantage of the Yobot — a robot arm that will effortlessly lift your luggage up into the wall of lockers near the hotel lobby.

6. The Bernic Hotel, Midtown East

££ | Best for business travellers

A few blocks north of Grand Central Station, this Turtle Bay hotel is close to Midtown offices and restaurants. The 96 rooms have small desks with office chairs, hardwood floors, and most of them have balconies — a rarity in Manhattan — while the well-proportioned, well-lit bathrooms have underfloor heating and rainfall showers. The Allora restaurant offers a taste of old New York, with a menu rooted in Northern Italian-American specialties.

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7. Pod 51, Midtown East

£ | Best for mod design

This bright and colourful Midtown hotel is all about maximising space and fun for a mix of mostly young leisure travellers. The lobby and hallways are decorated with oversized murals by contemporary artist JM Rizzi, while the Clinton Hall restaurant and courtyard beer garden have games to play indoors and out. The compact rooms are on the smaller side, but the 14th-floor rooftop garden and deck is filled with Adirondack chairs in bright shades, all the better for lounging against a backdrop of office towers.

8. The Muse, Times Square

££ | Best for families

Just off Times Square in the heart of Manhattan and steps from the Theater District, this boutique hotel offers guests a modern twist on art deco design, with the dramatic gold-accented lobby setting the tone. Families will appreciate the relatively large rooms (for New York), with a number of two-bed rooms and suites and the ability to reserve a cluster of rooms together. Bikes for adults and kickboard scooters (and helmets) for kids are available for free rental.

9. Freehand New York, Flatiron

£ | Best for hostel lovers who want more

The Gallery, the greenery-and-light filled first-floor lounge space, is the millennial version of a palm court, providing a chlorophyll chill space for the urban traveller. Rooms designed by Roman and Williams offer updated Seventies chic with platform beds, woven wall hangings and throw rugs, while original hand-painted murals from Bard College art students cover the walls. Find the fun in the communal spaces and activities, especially at Broken Shaker, the tiki-jungle of a rooftop bar that has cracking views of the Chrysler building straight up Lexington Avenue and the rest of the Midtown skyline.

10. The Kixby, Midtown

££ | Best for charming details and a great burger

The high-ceilinged rooms are painted in a calming blue, paired with plank floors and beds and dressers hand-crafted by Amish and Mennonite communities in Ohio, to give a feeling of respite in this boutique hotel near busy Herald Square and within walking distance of the Empire State Building. The common areas retain some original detail of the 1901 building, updated with velvet couches and brass details. Dine on one of the city’s best burgers at Black Tap and head up to the Lookup Rooftop bar on the 12th floor in summer for nibbles and cocktails with a view.

11. Hotel Hendricks, Midtown

££ | Best for animal lovers

The tiger stripes and giraffe spots above the beds, zebra-print chairs in the rooms and in the amber-lit bar, plus numerous cheetah patterns, plus the pet-friendly policy, make this the hotel for stylish lovers of our four-footed friends. The hotel is set back from 38th Street, which allows it to have a generous outdoor café seating, while the rooftop Daintree Bar serves sunset views alongside cocktails and Australian-Asian small plates.

12. The Jane, West Village

£ | Best for communal types

This historic 1908 hotel in the far West Village was once a sailor’s rest, designed by the architect responsible for the Ellis Island immigrant station, and survivors of the Titanic stayed here in 1912 after arriving in New York. It’s now a stylish budget boutique, where many of the rooms have shared bathrooms. Its far West Village/Meatpacking District location means it’s just steps from the High Line, the Whitney Museum, and Little Island, the Heatherwick-designed park built on the ruins of the old Cunard-White Star Line pier (not only where the Titanic survivors arrived, but from which the Lusitania departed in 1915).

13. Arlo Soho

££ | Best for space savers

The rooms at design-focused Arlo Soho redefine micro-decor: bedside lamps hang from the ceiling, the desktop drops down, the TV is affixed to the wall; but with floor-to-ceiling views, the overall feeling is quite spacious. The communal areas are large and varied — the wide-open ART rooftop bar and lounge with its views of the Hudson River; the day-to-evening Library; and bookable cabins (for dinner) in the Courtyard. The grab-and-go Bodega sells Intelligentsia coffee and sweets from Dylan’s Candy Bar.

15. Boro Hotel, Long Island City, Queens

£ | Best for contemporary design

Concrete pillars, plank flooring, translucent bookcases, and floor-to-ceiling, unobstructed views of the Queensboro Bridge and the east side of Manhattan give this hotel a sleek chic factor. The lobby lounge is stocked with books from New York’s famed Strand Bookstore, with cube-like couches and a mod, open fireplace. The rooftop bar has Negronis on tap and unmatched sunsets.

16. The Hoxton Williamsburg, Brooklyn

£££ | Best for boho comfort It makes sense that the Hoxton’s first New York hotel is in Williamsburg, which shares a certain amount of hipster DNA with Shoreditch, the OG locale. In the airy lobby lounge, plush club chairs and divans in mismatched florals and stripes are artfully scattered around the white-tiled fireplaces, and long communal tables up the creative-class vibe. Take it outside and sit under the catenary lights in the brick courtyard, or head to the Laser Wolf, the new rooftop Israeli skewer house and bar from one of Philadelphia’s top chefs — or get out and explore the neighbourhood on one of the hotel’s vintage bicycles.

17. Ace Hotel Brooklyn, Boerum Hill

££ | B est for those in the know

The Ace lobbies are known for being super hip but relaxed — and just as appealing to guests as locals. This natural-toned space with concrete walls, wood accents, leather couches, and long tables is no exception. A curving cocktail bar beckons from the back wall, and has an accessible low section for wheelchair users. The hotel’s As You Are restaurant is a destination dinner spot, but be sure to grab a morning pastry too — the pastel de nata are a piece of custardy heaven.

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The best hotels in Midtown, NYC

Put yourself at the center of what makes Manhattan electric with a stay at one of the best hotels in Midtown

There are few neighborhoods in New York better for sightseeing than Midtown, Manhattan. In the heart of the concrete jungle, you’re within walking distance of the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, Broadway , big-time shopping and Michelin-starred restaurants . It’s a great spot from which to base a weekend full of NYC’s most iconic sights.  

What’s more, often Midtown’s hotels are attractions in themselves. From big-name luxury like Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt to little boutique wonders, the hotels in Midtown can hold enough secrets and activities for you to never even need to do sightseeing at all. But of course, you will. You’re in New York, after all – it’s probably why you came in the first place.  

RECOMMENDED: The best hotels in NYC

Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our   affiliate   guidelines .  

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Best Midtown NYC hotels

1.  The Peninsula New York

• Chain hotels
• Midtown East
• price 4 of 4

This is the perfect hotel if you're coming to New York and plan to shop till you drop. You'll be right on Fifth Avenue so you won't even have to travel too far to drop off your bags. Branded as 'Fifth Avenue's most glamorous address', you'll find 241 luxurious rooms, 50 suites, a spa, their Has indoor pool and rooftop bar serving beverages with a amazing views of the city. Oh, and don't forget to visit their Clement restaurant which serves up notable American cuisine.

2.  W New York – Times Square

• Midtown West
• price 3 of 4

Want your hotel to capture the city's reputation of never sleeping? You’ll find it in abundance at the W New York, home to a hip vibe and a vibrant cocktail bar in the Living Room Lounge.  When you've finally rolled out of bed with a cracking hangover, work it off in the fully-equipped 24/7 2,000-square-foot FIT gym.

3.  Park Terrace Hotel

Overlooking Bryant Park – and just steps away from the New York Public Library and other local landmarks – the Park Terrace Hotel shifts effortlessly from a light-filled, daytime hangout to a chic evening cocktail venue-with-a-view. Wellness is king here, with yoga mats and resistance bands in each room, and a dedicated program of Peloton classes and off-site (read: in the park) fitness classes. And when that’s all over, there’s the hotel’s sauna to visit too. We feel healthier just writing about it.

4.  The Prince Kitano New York

• Boutique hotels
• Murray Hill

A slice of Japanese serenity in the midst of Midtown, The Prince Kitano is a neat and spotless but tremendously charming four-star spot. Japanese-style green tea, slippers and dressing gowns are included with each room, as well as bamboo furnishings. And it’s all within super easy reach of Grand Central Station and the Empire State.

5.  Ritz-Carlton Central Park

Despite its location and amazing views across the city’s most popular park, you won’t want to leave once you arrive at the Ritz-Carlton’s Central Park hotel. Its luxurious rooms are fit for royalty (which is probably who you will be rubbing shoulders with in the lobby), while the La Prairie spa is one of the best in the city.

6.  Park Hyatt New York

Park Hyatt NYC is where you need to be if you’re looking for a taste of luxury and minimalism but with a taste of home too. Located in Manhattan, you’re in the perfect location to be amongst the buzz, with fabs of cool restaurants and bars. You only have to search the hotel on instagram to see the endless amounts of celebrities who have stayed at Park Hyatt, they love it for its swimming pool, Living Room bar (serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and tapas-style appetizers) and even the spa treatments. A true 5-star hotel that won’t disappoint. 

7.  Lotte New York Palace

The Lotte New York Palace is a combination of the landmark Villard Mansion with a 55-story tower with some suites adorned with over-the-top touches. How 'over-the-top' we hear you ask? Like a complimentary microband ring when guests book the Jewel Suite by Martin Katz. Can’t quite afford a suite? The rest of the neo-Italian Renaissance-style hotel is just as luxurious, and offers plenty of opportunities to splash the money you’ve saved on your room, such as drinks in the 25-seat salon called Rarities.

8.  The Knickerbocker

Once you find out the Rockefellers used to live here, you know the Knickerbocker Hotel is going to be something special. There's a stately air to the place, with calming creams and earthy tones, not to mention the unbeatable views of the city. From its doorstep, it’s possible to explore Times Square, Bryant Park and the buzz of Broadway. It’s fair to say that, when it comes to location and style, you won't find much better than the Knickerbocker.

9.  Baccarat Hotel

The Baccarat doesn’t do understated, so stay away if shiny things give you migraines. Expect an exquisitely chic stay where extravagant chandeliers, crystal cut glasses and silk walls feature (yes you read right: silk walls ). Even the smallest details are afforded the utmost care and attention, so if you’re looking to experience the world of the one percent, this is the hotel for you.

10.  1 Hotel Central Park

Step inside 1 Hotel Central Park and you could easily mistake it for some hip spot straight out of Brooklyn—there’s an abundance of common workspace, a restaurant by noted New York chef Jonathan Waxman, a 24-hour gym, even access to a Tesla for local rides. But the vibe is never one that’s too-cool-for-school. You’ll feel right at home in the smartly-designed rooms with plenty of natural light, and all without leaving Midtown.

11.  Carnegie Hotel

A boutique hotel that really feels ‘boutique’, the Carnegie Hotel is – as the name hints – located a little over 100 metres from the famous hall it shares a name with. The swish Italianate interior design also nods to the musical venue, with lots of playful quirks based around, for example, musical instruments. In short, it’s an efficient, relaxing place to stay that also has a spoonful of fun thrown into the mix. And, of course, even if classical music isn’t your thing, there’s so much else to do in the immediate neighbourhood, including MoMA and Central Park Zoo.

12.  The Plaza

The Plaza, with its famed Eloise story and idyllic location, has been the backdrop to plenty of movies and host of many VIPs. It may now have a lot of competition from other neighboring luxury hotels, but its still a classic, with tourists still flocking here for the afternoon tea, photos ops, and a visit to turn back time in the Palm Court. The rooms show off a classic elegance that fits this iconic New York hotel.

13.  The Westin New York at Times Square

Although it’s a chain hotel, don’t let that put you off staying at The Westin Times Square. Not only is it conveniently located for exploring the rest of the city, but it has also undergone a recent renovation, with perks now including custom-designed terry bathrobes, eco-friendly design, and views of the city that make you feel like you’re in the middle of it all.

14.  Andaz 5th Avenue

Although some boutique hotels might scrimp on space, you won’t have that issue at the Andaz 5th Avenue. Handsomely designed loft-style rooms and ensuite bathrooms are the order of the day and all are within easy reach of shopping on Fifth Avenue or the Bryant Park library across the street. Putting the 'luxury' in 'luxury boutique hotel', this hotel has all the ingredients for a perfect stay.

15.  The Time New York

• price 2 of 4

Although its room rate might appear on the more ‘budget’ end of the spectrum, there are certainly no corners cut when it comes to The Time’s modern design and friendly service. It’s like finding a hipster hotel uptown where you assume all the creatives are staying because of the multimedia artwork adorning the walls and a glass elevator in the middle of the lobby. You’ll find rooms that are minimally decorated yet comfortable. And all just moments from Times Square.

16.  The Iroquois New York

The Iroquois is a boutique hotel on a stretch of 44th Street filled with clubs, from the Ivy League to the New York Yacht Club, you’ll find The Iroquois in the middle of it all. So stay here, and you won't even have to worry about getting a taxi home at the end of the night. Come home from a long night of dancing to rooms are outfitted with soft Frette linens, soundproof windows, and floor-to-ceiling marble in the bathroom.

17.  The Marmara Park Avenue

Despite its early 20th century façade, The Marmara Park Avenue is the embodiment of a trendy, stylish modern hotel. Each room dazzles with a contemporary touch, from private terraces to airy open spaces. And the best bit? The wine bar, obviously. The Marmara Park Avenue’s bar is reclusive and calm – the perfect spot for relaxing, post-bustle downtime.

18.  Grand Hyatt New York

One of the best parts about staying in a reputable chain hotel is reliability. You know how your loyalty points work, how comfortable the beds feel, and sometimes even the scent. It’s no different at the Grand Hyatt New York located right next to Grand Central Station, which makes it especially convenient. Plus, with just under 1,300 rooms, there will be one that suits your travel plans and budget.

Looking for more central hotels?

The best hotels near Times Square

These hotels near Times Square are the best for a vacation in the heart of NYC. And they’re non-touristy, too!

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Best Room At... The Wall Street Hotel

A calm, chic getaway offering tranquility in the of Manhattan's most frenzied corners.

In addition to the 180 rooms and suites, the hotel is home to Lounge On Pearl , its jewel-toned cocktail lounge, the newly opened rooftop Bar Tontine , and La Marchande , Michelin-starred chef John Fraser’s restaurant, making the hotel a destination for locals, and not just guests, in a neighborhood full of them. It’s a place where “guests can come together, be together, and everyone feels like they’re walking through the doors of their friend’s home,” says Lauren Schubert, the property's director of marketing and communications. After having a martini and frites in the lounge, or oysters and a rib-eye in the restaurant, guests can head up to spacious rooms that pay tribute in color and decor to the mother-of-pearl shells that are synonymous with the Paspaley name. A blissful calm washes over you as you gaze out over breathtaking views of New York Harbor. This is how it’s supposed to be.

Here, Schubert tells us about her favorite room at the hotel, and what makes staying in the Financial District so special.

What do you consider to be the best room at the property and why?

All of our rooms have unique features, but the Otto Suites are the premiere offering at the hotel. They have over 800 square feet and they’re meant to feel like a home away from home, where guests really have space to unwind, entertain, and do what they came to New York to do. They have a separate living area, an additional half bath, and it’s really perfect for guests that are looking for a longer stay and need more room to relax.

I think the most special part of the Otto Suite is the private sanctuary that is the bathroom. It is pretty massive, and I would say it has the same square footage of an apartment in New York City! The deep-soaking tub, sizable marble shower, and heated bathroom floors make the space feel extra-luxurious. It’s the piece de resistance, for sure.

How much does it cost per-night?

On average, that suite goes for $1,800 per-night.

How would you describe the guests and the vibe at the hotel?

We have a sophisticated and stylish, yet fun, vibe. The inspiration of the hotel—from the entrance to the rooms—is inspired by classic New York residences. It’s a place for people from all over the world to gather and feel welcome here. Our guests really come from all walks of life, so we see the business traveler, the leisure traveler, families, couples, and even the solo traveler. I think because of our location we see a lot of people naturally visiting this area because of business, but we also see those people extend their stay to enjoy the location and the city overall. What we call a bleisure trip, a blending of the business and leisure travel.

What feeling about the city and the neighborhood do you hope to impart to guests?

New York is such a special place, and it’s a city that offers something to everyone and anyone. At the hotel we wanted to impart that feeling: no matter where you’re traveling from, who you’re with, we want everyone to feel at home here. Especially in Lounge On Pearl and La Marchande we wanted the locals here in the community to feel like this hotel is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can come and escape here after work or use it as a place to work from. We can be that oasis.

What’s a local attraction that you always recommend?

There are so many! New places are popping up every day. It’s such a different vibe down in the Financial District. This area in particular has really seen a renaissance and there’s life down here. For foodies we always recommend the Tin Building , if you’re looking to shop we recommend Brookfield Place or the Oculus. And for those who are just looking for a great view we’d recommend Pier 17 and its incredible views of the Brooklyn Bridge, especially at night when everything’s lit up. There’s definitely never a shortage of places to recommend.

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10 Best Family Hotels in New York City

W hen it comes to family vacation spots , New York City is at the top of the list. From Times Square and the Empire State Building to Broadway and the Central Park Zoo, the Big Apple is a wonderland for visitors of all ages. And while New York may be the City That Never Sleeps, the hotel where you choose to stay the night is among the most important decisions you can make on your NYC vacation. Fortunately, in a city that’s so big, so busy, and so packed with tourist attractions , there’s no shortage of great family hotels in New York City to choose from.

As a seasoned family traveler and longtime New York resident who’s visited all of the best family hotels in NYC, I can tell you that location matters— a lot . It will impact almost every aspect of your visit. From the hectic heart of Midtown to residential Washington Heights, here are my picks for the top family hotels in every New York neighborhood, giving you the option to stay in the center of the action or to live more like a local, whichever your family prefers.

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1. The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites

215 east 64th street, upper east side, new york.

The Upper East Side is one of Manhattan’s most exclusive residential neighborhoods, and when you stay at The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites  you can live like a local family at one of the best family hotels in New York City. Located on a tree-lined street, the hotel’s apartment-style suites have full kitchens, a separate bedroom, and a sleeper sofa in the living room. Pack-and-play cribs are available, as is additional baby gear such as strollers , bottle sterilizers, and sound machines.

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What’s nearby: The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites is a short walk to the Central Park Zoo and the cultural riches NYC’s Museum Mile , a 22-block stretch on 5th Avenue that’s home to some of the city’s most popular museums.

2. Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan

320 west 36th street, hudson yards, new york.

Hudson Yards is Manhattan’s newest neighborhood. Nestled in among shiny skyscrapers, Crowne Plaza HY36  is a sleek New York family hotel with spacious rooms that come with a separate bedroom, a living room with a pull-out couch, and a mini fridge. If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, ask for a crib or bassinet , which are available upon request. When hunger strikes, adjoining restaurant Burgerology answers the call with over-the-top milkshakes, burgers, and tacos, plus a dedicated kid’s menu.

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What’s nearby: Among the most family-friendly hotels in NYC, Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan is a stone’s throw from  Edge , the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. It’s also an easy walk to the  Circle Line  sightseeing boat. 

3. Radio Hotel

2420 amsterdam avenue, washington heights, new york.

If you’re willing to stray a little from the tourist path for one of the best family hotels in New York City, the fabulous Radio Hotel  will be your reward. Located in Upper Manhattan’s residential Washington Heights neighborhood, this boutique NYC hotel reflects the neighborhood’s Dominican heritage with brightly colored masks, fun feather accents, and vibrant murals.

KIDS WELCOME: 17 Best Family Resorts and Hotels in the U.S.

Guest rooms with bunk beds are just right for kids. When you’re ready to sightsee, the A train can bring you to Midtown in approximately 20 minutes. And the onsite restaurant,  Jalao NYC , is a second location of the popular Santo Domingo restaurant of the same name, with great food, entertainment, and the all-important high chair for little ones.

What’s nearby: Radio Hotel is not far from the colorful unicorn tapestries that decorated the walls of the Met Cloisters . Of note to baseball fans, this hotel is about a mile from Yankee Stadium.

4. Park Hyatt New York

153 west 57th street, midtown, new york.

A luxury hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Park Hyatt ‘s family-friendly rooms and suites have natural stone flooring and soaking tubs made of marble. Some also have views of Central Park. Connecting rooms provide space for families to spread out. Kids can enjoy mini-bathrobes, slippers, and bath toys, plus an in-room teepee for an extra charge. Cribs are complimentary. 

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What’s nearby: Centrally located, Park Hyatt is just two blocks from NYC’s Central Park and across the street from Carnegie Hall . 

5. Aloft Harlem

2296 frederick douglass boulevard, harlem, new york.

Located in the heart of Harlem,  Aloft Harlem  is one of the best hotels for families who want to explore a dynamic Manhattan neighborhood that has long been the center of NYC’s Black community. Rooms present clean lines and high-tech amenities. Public spaces are inviting and include a 24-hour grab-and-go cafe. Hop on the 2 or 3 subway line and you’ll be in Times Square in 20 minutes. 

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What’s nearby: From this family-friendly New York hotel it’s an easy stroll to the historic  Apollo Theater , with its famous Amateur Night that has launched the careers of artists from Ella Fitzgerald to Machine Gun Kelly. 

6. The Rockaway Hotel

108-10 rockaway beach drive, rockaway beach, queens, new york.

When the weather gets hot, New Yorkers flock to Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk in Queens to jump the Atlantic waves—and the family-friendly Rockaway Hotel  is steps from the sand. A popular staycation hotel choice for local families as well as one of the best family hotels in New York City for visitors, The Rockaway Hotel rocks a coastal vibe with blond wood furnishings and pops of sea blue and sunny yellow. A swimming pool, rooftop deck, board games, and seasonal programming for kids enrich the experience. 

ON THE WATER: 16 Best Lake Resorts and Hotels in the U.S. for Families  

What’s nearby: Manhattan’s urban charms are accessible in an hour via subway or scenic ferry, so you can enjoy a late afternoon ocean swim after a day of sightseeing. Borrow the hotel’s beach cruisers to pedal Rockaway’s wooden boardwalk. 

7. The Chatwal New York City

130 west 44 street, theater district, new york.

Located in a landmark building built in 1905,  The Chatwal  puts you right in the heart of Broadway’s Theater District. It’s a swanky (but very kid-friendly) family hotel with butler service and a concierge. Each of its 76 rooms and suites are suitable for children, with in-room amenities such as a record player with classic Broadway albums and a puppet theatre that allows kids to unleash their dramatic flair. The hotel partners with premium stroller brand Uppababy , offering tiny guests a quality stroller for cruising around the city.  

BIG FAMILIES: 13 Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families of 5+

What’s nearby: What isn’t nearby? It’s one of the top family hotels in New York City if you’ve got tickets to a Broadway show, want to explore Times Square, or simply catch a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus.

8. Hotel Beacon

2130 broadway, upper west side, new york.

Located in New York’s Upper West Side and sandwiched between Central Park and Riverside Park, Hotel Beacon  has multi-bedroom suites with kitchenettes that feel homey. It’s perfectly situated for a kid-friendly family vacation with plenty of walkable attractions just outside the door.

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What’s nearby: It’s a quick walk to the  American Museum of Natural History and other cultural attractions from Hotel Beacon. For an authentic taste of NYC fast food, go three blocks south to no-frills  Gray’s Papaya  and order the “Recession Special,” two snappy hot dogs served with tropical fruit juice. 

9. InterContinental New York Times Square

300 west 44 street, times square, new york.

In the heart of Times Square, the  InterContinental New York Times Square wows guests of all ages with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of the cityscape. Suites have pull out sofas; rollaway beds are available upon request. The helpful concierge can recommend kid-friendly attractions in the area and beyond, and a large fitness center makes it possible for parents to stick to an exercise routine. 

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What’s nearby: When you’re staying in Times Square, everything’s nearby. Notably, however, this kid-friendly NYC hotel offers a package that includes admission to the famous wax museum  Madame Tussauds just a few blocks away.

10. The Hoxton Williamsburg

97 wythe ave., williamsburg, brooklyn, new york.

A boutique hotel in a transformed factory in Williamsburg, one of Brooklyn’s hippest neighborhoods, The Hoxton ‘s industrial-chic aesthetic might not seem kid-friendly at first glance. But this family-friendly NYC hotel fully embraces tiny travelers with its Tiny Hox program , providing essentials to make an overnight stay with kids a breeze. Perks include cribs with an organic mattress, bottle-warmers, diaper wipes, and a tote bag filled with coloring books. 

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What’s nearby: Let the kids run around the playground at Brooklyn’s Domino Park . If you’re traveling with a fashion-forward tween or teen, hit the vintage clothing stores. And you can all ride the subway or ferry to Manhattan in a jiffy. 

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 13 New York Family Vacations Beyond the Big Apple  
• 10 All-Inclusive Family Resorts Even Teenagers Will Love
• 17 Best Flight Booking Sites for Cheap Airfares

The post 10 Best Family Hotels in New York City appeared first on FamilyVacationist .

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Florence Is Italy's Cultural Capital — Here's Where to Eat, Stay, and Visit, According to an Expert

This local's guide to compact, walkable Florence, Italy, shares the best restaurants, shops, and museums to visit on your trip.

Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. She has been contributing to Travel + Leisure since 2014, when she started as a fact checker before becoming a contributing digital editor in 2015 and going freelance in 2016. She has also held positions as a contributing editor at The Points Guy and the NYC cities editor at DuJour Magazine. In addition to Travel + Leisure , her writing has appeared in Architectural Digest , Surface Magazine , Brooklyn Magazine , T Magazine , The Wall Street Journal , Vogue, GQ, Departures, Afar, Fodor's, Town & Country , Condé Nast Traveler , Robb Report , Hemispheres, and others. When she's not jetsetting around Italy and beyond, she can be found in Rome, enjoying some cacio e pepe or relaxing at home with her husband and two dogs. Originally from the Boston area, Laura moved to New York City in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in creative writing and translation at Columbia University. She also holds a bachelor's degree in French from Smith College. * 10+ years of experience writing and editing * Co-wrote "New York: Hidden Bars & Restaurants," an award-winning guide to New York City's speakeasy scene published by Jonglez Editions in 2015 * Contributed to "Fodor's Brooklyn," published by Penguin Random House in 2015, which won silver in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism competition * Contributed an essay to "Epic Hikes of Europe," published by Lonely Planet in 2021 * Updated the 2022 edition of "Fodor's Essential Italy"

Best Hotels and Resorts

Best things to do, best shopping, best nightlife, best restaurants, best time to visit, how to get there, neighborhoods to visit, how to get around.

Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

Capital of Tuscany, cradle of the Renaissance, and one of Italy’s most popular destinations, Florence needs little introduction. A World’s Best Awards Hall of Fame honoree , it consistently ranks as one of Travel + Leisure readers’ favorite cities thanks to its rich history, artistic treasures, and delicious food and wine, much of which comes from the nearby hills of Chianti and Montalcino. Florence is a must-visit destination for a rich cultural immersion in Italian art and history.

Though the historic center is relatively compact, it’s crammed with museums containing priceless works of art, churches that are architectural masterpieces, restaurants, bars, and shops selling everything from gastronomic specialties to handmade leather goods and jewelry. In fact, Florence has always been a haven for artisans practicing traditional crafts, and today, you can still find artisan-made goods if you know where to look. 

It would take years to see and do everything Florence has to offer, which is why we’ve enlisted the help of local expert Mary Gray , the editor-in-chief of Italy magazine who has lived in Florence for more than a decade. “The things that drew me here were the same things that draw all visitors and students here, but what’s kept me here has evolved over the years,” she says. “The city is gloriously walkable and compact while having many of the cultural offerings of a much larger and more metropolitan place.”

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• The Helvetia & Bristol Firenze is the city’s oldest luxury hotel, and after a top-to-bottom renovation, it’s more glamorous than ever.
• The Uffizi Gallery contains some of the greatest works of art ever created.
• La Scuola del Cuoio carries on Florence’s historic leather-making tradition and is the perfect place to buy a high-quality artisan bag.
• A sunset aperitivo at La Terrazza at the Hotel Continentale is the perfect segue into a lovely evening in Florence.
• When in Florence, you must try the bistecca alla Fiorentina; the best place to get it is Regina Bistecca.

The St. Regis Florence

Voted the number one hotel in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards , this opulent grand dame has pride of place along the Arno River. Contemporary art curated by Liquid Art System adds a touch of modernity to the otherwise classic decor. Don’t miss an aperitivo in the Winter Garden.  

Helvetia & Bristol Firenze

With a score of 94.75, Florence’s oldest luxury hotel closely follows the St. Regis in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. A major renovation in 2019 restored this member of the Leading Hotels of the World to its original glory, adding a soothing spa and outpost of Cibrèo restaurant and café. “I love to go to the spa at the Helvetia & Bristol when I’m in the mood to give myself the ‘staycation’ treatment,” Gray says.

Hotel Savoy, a Rocco Forte Hotel

The Rocco Forte Hotels group is known for impeccable design and service, and the Hotel Savoy certainly fulfills those promises, earning it a spot as the third-best hotel in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards. Standout details include colorful textiles by Laudomia Pucci, menus designed by lauded chef Fulvio Pierangelini, and views of the Duomo.

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

Courtesy of Four Seasons

More like an urban resort than a city hotel, the Four Seasons Firenze occupies the historic Palazzo della Gherardesca and is home to Florence's most extensive private garden. Original frescoes and period furnishings immerse guests in Renaissance splendor, and a meal at the Michelin-starred Il Palagio is a feast for the senses. No wonder this hotel ranked the fourth best in Florence in the 2023 World’s Best Awards.

Owned by the noble Ginori family, who once used the building as the headquarters of their world-famous ceramics production, Casa G. is a 15-room boutique hotel. A more affordable alternative to the city’s luxury five-star hotels, it offers style at prices that won’t break the bank. 

Admire incredible art at the Uffizi Gallery.

Florence is packed full of museums, but if you only go to one, make it the Uffizi Galleries , which contains a collection from the 13th to the 20th century. Must-see paintings include Botticelli’s Birth of Venus , Raphael’s Madonna of the Goldfinch , and Caravaggio’s Bacchus . 

Learn about Brunelleschi’s masterpiece at the Opera del Duomo Museum.

The Duomo is Florence's most recognizable landmark with its symbolic red terracotta tiled roof and Gothic facade. However, many of the great artworks created for it now reside in the nearby Opera del Duomo Museum . “This is definitely one of the most spectacular museums in the city and maybe in all of Italy,” Gray says. “I always tell visitors that if they’re deciding between going inside the cathedral or going inside the museum, there’s no contest.”

Visit the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.

With a history that stretches back to 1221, this is considered the world’s oldest pharmacy , where Dominican friars produced medicinal tinctures and perfumes. It was the official perfumer of Catherine de’ Medici and officially opened its doors to the public in 1542. The brand now sells its perfumes worldwide, but the original shop was turned into a sort of museum worth a visit.

Stroll through the Boboli and Bardini Gardens.

Christopher Larson/Travel + Leisure

Behind Palazzo Pitti, the Medicis’ royal palace, the Boboli Gardens are the archetype of the classic Renaissance Italian gardens, with fountains, grottoes, and statues. The same ticket will grant you access to the Gardens of the Villa Bardini, which has incredible views of Florence and, in the spring, wisteria-covered pergolas.

Explore Markets like the Mercato Centrale and the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio.

Though the stalls outside the Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo mainly sell fake leather goods and cheap souvenirs, the actual market is worth visiting. On the ground floor, vendors sell produce, meat, cheeses, fish, and other groceries, while the upper floor has been turned into an upscale food hall. The Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is a “great convergence point in the city for visitors and residents,” according to Gray. There’s also a flea market nearby in Largo Annigoni.

 Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images

La Scuola del Cuoio

Established post-World War II as a way to help orphans learn a trade, the Scuola del Cuoio still teaches students the art of leather-making. You can tour the school, learn about the process, and then buy original bags, wallets, belts, and other leather items.

Scarpelli Mosaici

Scarpelli Mosaici is one of the few remaining workshops that still makes mosaics and inlaid marble items the traditional way. Head to the shop near the Duomo to watch the artisans at work and buy a unique piece. They also work on commissions to make inlaid marble tables and other beautiful objects.

Marina Calamai

“ I’ve always been super inspired by Marina Calamai , who I think of as a true contemporary Renaissance woman,” Gray says about this jeweler and artist. “Her hands are in a ton of different artistic initiatives and green projects around Florence and the greater metropolitan area, but window-shopping her jewelry and art studio on Via Santo Spirito is a regular part of my daily route; I always love seeing what she’s come up with.”

Alberto Cozzi Rilegatore

Gray recommends this family-run shop opened in 1908, specializing in bookbinding, paper marbling, and the restoration of antique books. Stop by one of their shops — located on Via del Parione and Via Sant’Agostino — to pick up some stationary, a leather-bound journal, or have a book repaired.

Pegna dal 1860

“ Pegna is where I go in a pinch when I need to pick up travel-friendly non-perishables to take back to the ‘foodies’ among my stateside family and friends,” Gray notes. “Though it’s a historic local grocery, I do love that there is a range of products sourced from all over Italy, like capers from Pantelleria and Krumiri Rossi from Piedmont.”

Peter Adams/Getty Images

La Terrazza at the Hotel Continentale

It should come as no surprise that one of the best rooftop bars in Florence is run by the Ferragamo family. Book in advance if you want a spot at this small al fresco bar overlooking the Arno River. It’s incredibly atmospheric for a sunset aperitivo. 

Companion Dolceamaro Bar at 25Hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino

Gray likes the 25Hours Hotel for its variety of nightlife options, which includes the lobby lounge, the courtyard, and the intimate Companion Dolceamaro Bar . It has a wide selection of bitters, vermouths, and cocktails, but the most popular option is the Negroni, which has several versions. 

Vineria Sonora

“In Florence in recent years, it’s felt like a lot of venues have tamped down their personalities or strayed from their niches to appeal to more people or just to become more Instagrammable,” Gay says. “I love that Vineria Sonora stubbornly embraces doing its own thing, focusing on fun music and offbeat wines from small, independent producers. It’s perfect for pre-dinner or nightcap, and I love that it draws such a mix of demographics and ages.”

Chelsea Loren/Travel + Leisure

Alla Vecchia Bettola

“There’s definitely more to Florentine dining than steak, but when I’m craving one now and then, this is where I go,” Gray says about this no-frills trattoria with tables crammed together and stools instead of chairs. “I love sitting elbow-to-elbow and swilling back the house wine, but this admittedly isn’t the best place to go if you need to have a deep conversation over dinner —  you’re lucky if you can hear your seatmate over the ruckus!”

Regina Bistecca

For bistecca alla fiorentina and other Tuscan classics, including pillowy ricotta and spinach gnudi, in a more refined but still laid-back atmosphere, head to this lovely restaurant near the Duomo. The building used to be an antiquarian bookshop with soaring arches and the owners have kept the charming vintage vibes.

Borgo San Jacopo

For an unforgettable fine dining experience, book a table at this Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Lungarno Hotel, which is part of the Ferragamo family’s empire. The nautical-inspired interiors might make you feel like you’re on a yacht floating on the Arno as you savor one of Chef Claudio Mengoni’s exquisite tasting menus.

Trattoria Cammillo

“When one of my best friends who traded in Florence for London a few years ago comes back to town for visits we always love to make a splashy Saturday of it and have a special-occasion lunch at Cammillo . It’s a step up in price point from your average shabby-chic trattoria, but still has a soulful, neighborhood feel, which I love,” Gray says.

The Cibrèo family of restaurants encompasses five locations in Florence. There’s the restaurant, the trattoria, the café, the Tuscan-Oriental fusion spot, and a new outpost inside the Helvetia & Bristol Hotel. When Gray used to teach travel writing to university students, she sometimes brought them to Cibrèo Caffè. “This is still one of my favorite ways to spend a special morning out in Florence,” she maintains.

Evgeniya Vlasova/Travel + Leisure

The best time to visit Florence for fewer crowds is November through March. Summer is hot and crowded. Gray says, “A real ‘low season’ in Florence isn’t much of a thing anymore.” She loves January and February but posits that March is an excellent middle ground because the weather is good, the local event scene tends to pick up after a winter hiatus, and the crowds usually swell around Easter.

Easter is a significant celebration throughout Italy, and in Florence, the festivities include the Scoppio del Carro, in which a wooden cart pulled by flower-adorned oxen explodes directly in front of the Duomo. Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of Italy’s oldest music festivals. It typically starts mid-April and runs through mid-June, with classical music concerts, operas, and other performances. The city also celebrates its patron saint, St. John the Baptist, on June 24 with a game of Calcio Storico, a mix of rugby, soccer, and wrestling, with participants wearing 16th-century costumes. 

Florence is served by the Amerigo Vespucci Airport, which is about half an hour from the city center. It’s also easy to get to Florence by train from elsewhere in Italy. High-speed Frecciarossa trains run frequently from major cities like Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Venice. The Frecciarossa takes about 90 minutes from Rome, two hours from Milan, 40 minutes from Bologna, and a little more than two hours from Venice. The central train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

Duomo: Also known as San Giovanni, the part of the centro storico that covers the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria is the very heart of the city. This area is packed with sites, including the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Repubblica, and the banks of the Arno.

Evgeniya Vlasova /Travel + Leisure

Santa Croce: Just east of the Duomo, Santa Croce is known for the Basilica di Santa Croce, which contains incredible frescoes by Giotto and the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo. The neighborhood is home to the Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio, which, according to Gray, is a hidden gem.  

Santa Maria Novella: Santa Maria Novella is the neighborhood where you’ll find the train station and basilica of the same name. The western part of the neighborhood beyond the train station is primarily residential, but the area around the basilica is home to some upscale hotels, restaurants, and bars.

San Lorenzo: The small area between the train station and the Duomo is San Lorenzo, the city’s central market district. Beware of the stalls selling fake leather or souvenirs made in China. On the other hand, you’ll find vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat on the ground floor. The upper floor houses a food hall selling local specialties like lampredotto (tripe sandwiches) and schiacciata (a Tuscan flatbread).

Oltrarno: Literally ‘across the Arno,’ Oltrarno is a more laid-back, slightly bohemian area. Gray, who has lived in Oltrarno for the entirety of her time in Florence, says, “I’ve watched it change a lot over the past decade-plus; artisan studios and workers’ neighborhood trattorie are being replaced by generic Aperol Spritz spots and run-of-the-mill shops, but if you know where to look (and hint: it’s not where the long lines are), you’ll find Florentine traditions and long-standing independent shops quietly humming on.”

The historic center of Florence is compact and very walkable. Much of it has been pedestrianized or is part of a limited traffic zone. A car is a hindrance rather than a help, but taxis, buses, and trams are available to transport you to or from the airport or train station. 

Autolinee Toscane: Autolinee Toscane runs the buses and trams that connect Florence with the greater metropolitan area. Tickets cost 1.70 euros if you buy them in advance at ticket offices or ticket machines or 3 euros if you buy them on board.

Taxi: There are two taxi companies in Florence: Taxi4242 and Taxi4390 . A trip to or from the airport costs a flat rate of 22 euros (plus possible surcharges for luggage), but usually, fares are calculated based on the time and distance traveled. Use the itTaxi app to hail a taxi.

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