New York City offers no single way to stay—and that's part of its appeal. Some travelers prioritize design, others location, others a sense of calm in the middle of all the big city buzz. The best hotels in NYC reflect this range, with options across the board: stays that are understated, social, luxe, or simply iconic. From downtown hubs to uptown mainstays, our editors' favorite addresses pair intentional interiors with amenities that feel current—from rooftop spaces and swanky dining options to fitness and spa offerings that go beyond the basics. Service is a defining factor, too—where you'll find a staff that is attentive, efficient, and awaiting your call. Really, what connects the best of the best in the Big Apple is consistency, whether that means thoughtful design, capable service, or an arrival that feels like you're exactly where you're meant to be.
Whether you're an out-of-towner looking to plan your next trip or a local looking for a well-worth-it staycation, we've vetted NYC's best hotels to make your planning easier. Read on for our favorite mix of newer arrivals and established names—the places that have earned their keep through true attention to detail, where the experience is seamless from check-in to check-out.
Our top NYC hotels:
- Best hotels for families: Park Hyatt New York, The Peninsula New York, The Whitby Hotel
- Most romantic hotels: The Carlyle, The Fifth Avenue Hotel, The Lowell, Faena New York
- Best hotels for first-timers: Waldorf Astoria New York, The Langham, Fouquet's New York
- Best views: Mandarin Oriental, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
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Hotel Chelsea
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Chelsea
Hotel Chelsea may not be filled with famous musicians anymore, but the rock-and-roll vibe remains. Long-term residents who have been grandfathered into their apartments in the building still float around, and most guests—usually drawn by the hotel’s history—have a knowingness to them, whether they’re in their 30s or 60s. The 155 guest rooms and suites have wood floors with the Hotel Chelsea monogram now inlaid; the sun dapples through ivory eyelet fabric on the windows; and the bathrooms are classically done with light and dark grey marble accentuated by bronze details. Animal-print chairs maintain a bit of spunk in the now bright, airy rooms, as do ornate dark wood bedside tables. Massive closets, their interiors a riot of wallpaper, make it even easier to imagine unpacking and sticking around for a while. If you visited the Chelsea back in the day, you’ll recognize the original fireplaces, stained glass windows, and those iconic wrought-iron balconies leaning over West 23rd Street, which have been restored. —Megan Spurrell
The Bowery Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Lower East Side
Walking into the lobby at The Bowery feels like stepping back into a Gothic version of the 19th century—or at least, a movie set from someone with a Gothic vision. Dimly lit and oozing atmosphere, it's a world of crimson velvet, dark leather and wood, threadbare Oriental rugs and oil paintings. The effect is transportive to another time, but somehow still rooted in downtown NYC. The view from one of the upper floors is something you'll never get tired of and is worth the splurge. The Bowery's in-house restaurant, Gemma, is a solid choice on warm evenings—grab an outdoor table and get ready for some of the best people-watching in NYC. After dinner, few places are better for a glass of red than the lobby lounge (its fireplace makes the atmosphere even better). —John Wogan
The Greenwich
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Tribeca
In an era of the ever-more-exclusive members’ club luring the black-card-carrying wolf pack, Robert De Niro’s hotel makes privacy feel refreshingly effortless. Built more than a decade ago in a cobblestone quarter of Lower Manhattan, it creates the sensation of stepping into the actor’s own salon. The lobby is hung with abstract paintings by De Niro’s late father, and beyond it, more inner sanctums await: A book-filled drawing room merges into a pocket garden, where topiaries cast an Italianate charm. Each of the 87 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 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. —Matt Ortile
Mandarin Oriental, New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown (Columbus Circle)
Even if you have strolled through Central Park dozens of times, you'll still be awe-struck by the sweeping views from the Premier Central Park View Suite of this prime property. The accommodations are just as spectacular, with a massive U-shaped couch, a fluffy king-size bed, and heavy blackout shades that close at the touch of a button. Because of its top-tier service, sumptuous amenities, and fantastic central location, the Mandarin Oriental is both an excellent special-occasion staycation for New Yorkers and a prime landing spot for out-of-towners seeking easy access to Broadway, Central Park, and Bryant Park, as well as Fifth Avenue. Guests have easy access to two Michelin-starred restaurants, Per Se and Masa; a feat even by New York standards. —Madison Flager
Park Hyatt New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown
If James Bond had an apartment in New York, it would probably look a lot like one of the guest rooms and suites here. It's all crisp, cool minimalism with contemporary furniture, stone floors, and dark wood. And even entry-level rooms clock in at 530 square feet, making them some of the biggest in the city. Take in city views and breakfast on the patio on one of several Terrace Suites. An entire day can be spent at the hotel's 25th-floor Spa Nalai. After a treatment, you can try the eucalyptus steam room, whirlpool, and saltwater lap pool, which has to be the most beautiful in Manhattan (and also features underwater speakers with a curated playlist by Carnegie Hall). After a day of respite, get ready for a night on the town with a hair treatment and blowout at world-renowned Rossano Ferretti Hairspa. This is a chance to stay in one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan at the cross-section of the city; Central Park is just a block away. —J.W.
Pendry Manhattan West
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Manhattan West
Pendry Manhattan West aims to bring a West Coast vibe to Hudson Yards (just outside of 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, who 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 (just north of Chelsea), knowing you’ll have a calm space to recharge at night—complete with soft slippers and bedside macarons via turndown. —Shannon McMahon
Fouquet's New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Tribeca
The French hotel line known for its Paris and St. Barth’s properties arrived in the US in 2022 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 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 hosts programming like screenings and film premieres, and can be reserved for corporate and artistic events. The street-level outpost of the famed Champs d’Elysee bistro, Brasserie Fouquet’s, is a destination in itself, with a 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. —S.M.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: NoMad
If you’re in the mood for a change from the big hotel brands that run up and down the spine of Manhattan, and want to nestle into something more intimate, the Fifth Avenue Hotel is for you. Modern master Martin Brudnizki’s latest riot of colors, patterns, and curiosities is perhaps his most impeccably orchestrated yet. The vaulted lobby is dressed up in ornate wall panels; corridors are bedecked in vivid wallpapers; rooms are filled with painted screens and pagoda-style lamps that are an ode to the travels of hotel owner Alex Ohebshalom. A go-for-broke assemblage of art, from old-world oils to modern photography, greets you around every corner. It’s the bold palette Brudnizki is known for, a dreamlike pastiche that would have been chaos in the hands of a less practiced hand. Just as adept is the hospitality, which extends from the ready-to-please butler service on every floor to extra touches like the candle that’s slipped into your room after you’ve complimented the scent in the lobby, a martini cart that appears at your door when you need a nightcap, and the warm welcome you’ll get when you return. And you will return, even if just for a perfect Negroni at the hotel’s Portrait Bar or an extravagant dish from Café Carmellini—but most of all, for the chance to wake up in a giant cabinet of curiosities in the heart of New York’s NoMad district. —Arati Menon
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: FiDi
This hotel occupies 24 floors of an 84-floor building (with condos making up the rest of the space), New York's second Four Seasons property. There is also a pool, spa, steam room, and 189 total rooms, including 28 suites designed by Yabu Pushelberg, who also handled interiors for the NYC hotel debut from the fitness brand Equinox. This is one of the best hotel spas in the city, both for its lovely facilities and the breadth and diversity 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; these are open to hotel guests, people who book spa services, and members of Club27, an intimate, membership-only space launched in late 2020 to offer a more personalized approach to fitness and wellness. The two crown jewels are the Tribeca Suite and Empire Suite—the latter, at 2,400 square feet, has space for a dinner party and sweeping views of downtown New York. The Four Seasons Downtown's ground floor is home to the only New York City outpost of Wolfgang Puck's Cut, serving fresh fruit and upscale takes on egg sandwiches by day, and steaks by night. —Sandra Ramani
Nine Orchard
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Lower East Side
Ask any in-the-know New Yorker for their favorite neighborhood, and chances are the Lower East Side will be it. The place teems with urban cool. Tattoo parlors 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 in June 2022 on a historic corner in the neighborhood, 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. 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 113 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 and Devon Turnbull, 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 neighborhood and its city as one of the very best in the world. —Lara Kramer
The Manner
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: SoHo
Drenched in shades of ochre and warm reds, with varied textures of ceramic, cement, and tile throughout, The Manner in Manhattan’s SoHo is a “nostalgic utopia”—as its architect Hannes Peer puts it—combining Gio Ponti–esque Milanese midcentury modernism with glamorous New York flair. But what does that actually mean? It’s sexy. In the same way a really good jazz song is. And its guests play their roles accordingly. From 20-somethings attending Fashion Week parties to chic married couples reading by the fire, everyone here is either good-looking, interesting, or both. Or maybe it’s the hotel itself that instills its inhabitants with this mysterious cinematic aura. Whichever is the case, the sex appeal of this place isn’t one that’s intimidatingly aloof, or exclusive, or weirdly dark-lit. To quote the film Crazy, Stupid, Love, it’s the perfect combination of sexy and cute—a home base where you can rest your head after dancing late into the night or tuck in early with a burger and a book. —Hannah Towey
The Lowell
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Upper East Side
In an era when what’s newest and fastest often gets the spotlight, The Lowell, quietly holding court on a leafy block on New York City’s Upper East Side since the 1920s, remains a bastion of class and elegance. Sometimes you may need to wait a few minutes for one of the two elevators that service the hotel’s 74 rooms and suites, all reimagined by Michael S. Smith, the designer behind the White House updates during Obama’s presidency. But that’s okay; while you wait, you can quite literally stop and smell the flowers—gorgeous fresh bouquets are placed throughout the hotel. There are real room keys and actual light switches to flick, analog vestiges from simpler days that ironically make things easier than the latest innovations. There are dozens of lovely, throwback touches, such as the Club Room, a sophisticated convivial space off the lobby and adjacent to the hotel’s French restaurant, Majorelle, with oak parquet floors, a fireplace, and a small bar, for the exclusive use of hotel guests and their companions until 5 p.m., when the public can join. And while this neighborhood might never be the most avant-garde sweep of Manhattan, it isn’t totally caught in amber. Previously, downtown brands (Foundrae, Khaite, Ulla Johnson, Toteme) have opened outposts on nearby Madison Avenue, and the Frick Collection, a few blocks to the north, recently revealed a massive renovation. It seems like the storied Upper East may just be entering another Gilded Age. —Rebecca Misner
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: NoMad
When the Ritz-Carlton flung open the doors of its Manhattan flagship at West 28th Street and Broadway in 2022, the classic brand was making a bit of a daring declaration as to its direction. Moody and modish, the property is a far cry from the (splendidly) prim and proper Central Park location some 30 blocks north. There’s glass everywhere, for one thing, with the 50-story sleek slice of skyscraper designed in part to make the most of that killer location’s downtown views and light. The sun-soaked interiors are dramatic and textured—concierge desks in the grayscale lobby are made of almost zebra-print granite. A leafy, book-lined bar just off it leads to the excellent Spanish-Japanese fusion restaurant The Bazaar from José Andrés upstairs, with its plush upholstery, coffee-and-plum palette, and scenery-chewing jamón Ibéerico centerpiece (Andrés’s group also designed the complimentary menu in the very worth-it club level). Rooftop bar Nubeluz is a jewel-toned wonderland of wallpaper; highlights include the pleated emerald fabric of the elevator vestibule and the feathered Schumacher number that hugs each booth. Wrapped from floor to ceiling in blond wood, my suite on the 36th floor, with its deep, deep sofa of chocolatey crushed velvet, offers grand views of Manhattan; you could even see all the way down to the World Trade Center. —Charlie Hobbs
The Plaza
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown (Central Park South)
Whether you’re visiting New York City or are a lifelong resident, it doesn’t take convincing to stay at The Plaza—this stately grand dame, sitting right on Central Park South, is as New York as it gets. This hotel has been a New York City icon for over 100 years—everyone from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Marilyn Monroe to The Beatles has graced these halls, as have fictional characters like Eloise and Kevin McCaliister (Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, filmed here, draws a lion’s share of tourists to the gilded facade daily). The hotel is embedded in the social fabric of this part of the city: You’re just as likely to spot well-heeled visitors in the lobby as you are to bump into shopping bag–toting Upper East Side women stopping in for a drink in the Palm Court, or Tri-State locals arriving to tea en masse with their young kiddies. That said, afternoon tea at the Palm Court is the main draw here, and there are a few different sets of delectable finger sandwiches and desserts to choose from (expect a lengthy tea selection, caviar accents, and no shortage of macarons). Unsurprisingly, many young children joined by mothers in pressed shift dresses were ordering the Eloise at the Plaza riff on The Plaza’s tea (which comes with a dramatic puff of cotton candy on top). —M.S.
The Mark
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Upper East Side
The Mark Hotel sits on a quiet block of East 77th, between Madison Avenue and Central Park. The lobby is an oasis of cool, where the first thing that grabs you is the graphics—the crisp, black-and-white-striped marble floor, vividly-hued artwork, and an enormous bouquet of exuberant, pink lilies. It's sleek and sophisticated, and at the same time, playful. Luxury wrapped in fun. Housed in a 1927 landmark building, The Mark Hotel was developed by the New York-based Alexico Group, whose portfolio also includes The Laurel, 165 Charles Street by Richard Meier, Grand Beekman, 353 Central Park West, and The Elektra. Something to truly look forward to for your stay, though, is the food and drink—with all options top-notch. The Mark Bar is a natural point of entry: An intimate space off the hotel's lobby, its decor is sort of retro-futuristic, with a truly fun mood set by the cozy, cowhide-patterned couches and chairs that hug the perimeter. The cocktails are thoughtfully constructed, good-looking, and delicious. For truly luxurious experiences, visit most-delectable Caviar Kaspia for a medley of show-stopping plates. A few steps from the bar, you'll also find The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges, one of chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's New York establishments. —Nick Czap
W New York, Union Square
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Union Square
Union Square is one of New York’s most vibrant crossroads, where the gloss of uptown meets the grit of downtown, and since opening in 2001, the W New York, Union Square has been an unofficial living room to the neighborhood’s coolest denizens. An enormous floating staircase greets you in the lobby, and a technicolor, metamorphic rug appears to flow down its stairs and through the check-in area, pulling your interest upstairs to the hotel’s soaring Living Room. In the very same room where Gossip Girl filmed a pivotal fashion show scene for season one, you’ll now find serpentine couches, intimate socializing areas, and a bar that offers cappuccinos by day and cocktails by night. Here, perhaps more than any other W Hotel in the world, the brand’s central Living Room concept feels most fully realized. In the rooms, natural light helps the colorful custom furniture pieces positively glow with warmth; curved lacquer panels soften the vibe. Subtle nods to New York’s heritage abound, like wall sconces that emulate the subway, or original terrazzo flooring from before the building was even a W. And when you’re here, you’ll feel like a true part of the Union Square community. —Todd Plummer
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Gold List 2018, 2019, 2022Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Upper East Side
Few hotels are as iconic as The Carlyle—it’s a New York City institution, one with its own documentary, a recurring role in the Met Gala, and a roster of past guests that includes the British Royals, Hollywood A-listers like George Clooney and Jack Nicholson, and sports giants like Roger Federer. That lore hangs in the air, particularly in the common spaces like Bemelman’s Bar and Café Carlyle, where you never know who you’ll run into sitting nearby or getting up on stage. The decor throughout is elegant but playful, with geometric-patterned carpets, small animal figurines encased in glass, and Ludwig Bemelman–printed wallpaper. Perks like a town car on hand to take you anywhere in a 20-block radius, an extensive room service menu, and old-fashioned elevator operators make every guest feel like a VIP. —M.F.
Aman New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown
If New York sometimes feels like the center of the world, then Aman New York is the bull’s eye. Like an exhale in the middle of Midtown Manhattan, this princely landmark building-turned-polished urban oasis places you right in the thick of things—and allows you to quietly retreat from it just as easily, with a sprawling, three-floor spa, serene, Japanese- and Southeast Asian–influenced suites—and no shortage of space. Set on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, right on the corner from Billionaires Row, its location—the iconic Crown Building, circa 1921—is one of the city’s finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture, a landmark building that, until 1932, housed the first iteration of the Museum of Modern Art, and some of the city’s most coveted (and pricey) retail spaces thereafter. In its transition to an Aman property, little has likely changed about its clientele—except that now, they're probably already Aman junkies, self-described devotees of the brand who flock to its properties wherever they vacation, from Greece to Wyoming. This is a well-heeled crowd that expects the highest level of everything, from food to design and service, but prefers it dispensed without pomp, circumstance, or flash. It’s clear that these patrons, outfitted in sharp Brunello Cucinelli suits and chic Prada shirt dresses, could lay their heads (and their wallets) wherever they’d like, but they’ve chosen Aman precisely for its brand of unshowy but deeply luxurious hospitality. —Betsy Blumenthal
Warren Street Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Tribeca
To step into the Warren Street Hotel is another option to immerse yourself in the whimsical and wacky world of Kit Kemp. As the interior designer’s third New York City property with the Firmdale hospitality group (and 11th overall), each space is packed with her trademark eccentricity and magpie-like knack for sourcing eclectic artworks and inspiration from around the world—from the British craft and ceramics on display in the light-filled “Orangery” downstairs to the abstract sculptures greeting guests in the buttercup yellow lobby. Even the carpets are done up in a limited edition batik pattern, courtesy of Kit Kemp for Wilton Carpets. Meanwhile, no two rooms are the same—all have been designed by Kemp to exude their own personality, whether it be through the patterned headboards above king-size beds, one-of-a-kind artworks spanning all sorts of creative movements and styles, custom-made wallpaper and egg-shaped lighting, or even an occasional mishmash of antique furniture. Downstairs at the restaurant, where Tribeca locals jostle with guests for a prime-time table, dishes like a rich foie gras terrine and spaghetti alle vongole are served beneath custom-made wallpaper so beautiful it almost rivals the murals at the Carlyle’s legendary Bemelmans bar uptown. Kemp is a master when it comes to transforming a space into a riot of color and wit, and this latest endeavor may just be her most playful yet. —Lale Arikoglu
Waldorf Astoria New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown East
At the stately Waldorf—reborn in 2025 after an eight-year sidewalk-to-spire refurbishment—the resplendent atmosphere becomes a part of you. You’ll feel yourself stand taller as soon as liveried valets address you by name, relieve you of your bags, and escort you to Peacock Alley, the hotel’s bar and lobby lounge, which is home to a Steinway piano that once belonged to the American composer Cole Porter as well as the iconic Waldorf Astoria clock, crafted for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Both objects—plus the cavernous space’s marble columns, rich wood paneling, and silver-leafed ceilings, all restored to their original splendor—proudly declare the hotel’s historicity. Of course, the rooms are gorgeous, and the food is scrumptious (the citrusy Waldorf salad, invented right here in the 1890s and fine-tuned for modern palates, is a must). But it’s the common spaces like Peacock Alley and the opulent ballrooms—particularly the Grand Ballroom, which has played host to moments like the first Met Gala and the inaugural Tony Awards—that give this place its sense of majesty and deep heritage. Long the site of the city’s most important and consequential social and political events, it’s now ready to welcome a new generation eager to dine, drink, dance, and make memories at the Waldorf. —M.O.
The St. Regis New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: 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, 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-story, Beaux-Arts landmark at the turn of the 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 another martini (or three), 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 love seats and oil paintings to resemble that glamorous pied à terre everyone fantasizes about. This is a New York institution that channels the city’s glamorous past like no other, steps from the Fifth Avenue buzz. —J.W.
The Surrey, a Corinthia Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Upper East Side
Originally built in New York City in 1926, The Surrey is a historic Art Deco gem that was once a residential hotel frequented by celebrities like JFK and Bette Davis. It has since been completely renovated and now operates under the management of the global luxury hotel group Corinthia. But despite its newer conglomerate boss, the hotel has retained its famous residential ambience. Guests are immediately welcomed by stylish doormen into what looks like the lobby of an elegant Manhattan townhouse (complete with a Museum Mile–worthy art collection). These Easter egg odes to The Surrey’s fabled past are in part thanks to interior designer Martin Brudnizki, mastermind behind The Beekman and the Fifth Avenue Hotel (to which you'll also find on this list), among other properties. Instead of the colorful maximalism Brudnizki is best known for, The Surrey favors subtle geometric details and muted pastels, with a light touch of the designer’s signature patterns and textures sprinkled throughout. It all feels expensively zen and secretly high-taste, as is the Upper East Side way. —H.T.
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Upper East Side
There are a few stays in New York whose mention elicits “Oooh, really?!” from New Yorkers. The Pierre is an icon in the story of New York City. Built on the site of a former Gilded Age mansion, the Pierre was the brainchild of a Corsican chef who gained fame for his work in New York restaurants. As a venture with Wall Street financiers, including Walter Chrysler, it opened in 1930 to great fanfare. Coco Chanel was one of its first guests, setting a precedent for all the bold-faced names who have followed. Starting at a more practical 300 square feet, the standard rooms—the Superior and the Deluxe, with the option of a city or park view—are just as luxuriously decorated in soft blues, greens, and creams. With heated floors, the bathrooms are generously sized, some with a shower as well as a bathtub, and come stocked with plush linens as well as products from Santa Maria Novella (there’s also a store in the lobby). One of the things that sets the Pierre apart is its service: From the moment you walk through its revolving doors, you feel as if they’ve been excitedly awaiting your arrival. —Damian Fallon
The Whitby Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown
NYC’s second import by British brand Firmdale Hotels is designer Kit Kemp at another one of her playful best. She has created a place that's the antithesis of the staid, neutral-heavy luxury options in the area. It's like an English summer garden come to life in hotel form. A welcome addition to Midtown, it’s that rare find that is both family-friendly and sophisticated. As for where you'll sleep, the rooms are individually decorated in a riot of color, from the bright patterned headboards to walls that might be swathed in shades of yellow, crimson, or gray. Furniture is a mix of new and vintage, and the sometimes-quirky art on the walls lends a personal touch that feels more residential than hotel. Don't miss afternoon tea in the light-filled Orangery. The space itself—filled with comfy chairs and pillows covered in gorgeous patterned fabrics—is as compelling as the finger sandwiches and scones. A gorgeous hotel two blocks from Central Park with an excellent restaurant and sweet delights around every corner—the Whitby is worth every cent. —J.W.
Baccarat Hotel New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown
No one knew what to expect when a 260-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 has yet to 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. —J.W.
The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown and NoMad border
Three blocks north of the Empire State Building on Fifth Avenue, this polished hotel has spacious rooms starting at 420 square feet—generous for New York. All units have walnut furnishings, wondrously comfortable Duxiana beds, and deep soaking tubs, while the apartment suites each have a full stainless-steel kitchen. The hotel holds the largest private collection of original paintings by New York City artist Alex Katz. Start your journey of exploring his work in the lobby. Tired and don't want to go too far for a good meal? You're in luck; Ai Fiori is downstairs as part of the hotel, serving everything from top-tier pasta dishes to classic Italian Negronis made with vintage Campari. As to be expected from the luxury Langham Hotels & Resorts brand, the service is discreet and on-point, but it’s also personable, thanks to dedicated and friendly staff. It’s easy to see how so many guests—particularly those who are in for a longer stay—enjoy a nice rapport with the team. —S.R.
The Peninsula New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Midtown
Fresh off a major redesign nearly 40 years after its opening in 1988, the Peninsula New York remains a fine expression of the hotelier’s signature look and feel: refined, elegant, residential. This place is a total oasis. There’s nothing quite like the ability to escape the touristy hubbub of Fifth Avenue and dip into your plush room at the Pen to make you feel like you’ve got it all in hand. All 219 keys were given a makeover in 2024, courtesy of Manhattan’s Bill Rooney Studio, resulting in guest rooms with a pleasant, airy quality: pale walls, contemporary art in soft blues, white marble surfaces—everything easy on the eyes. The spa is sumptuous (spread over three floors), the cuisine New Yorky (Wagyu burgers with cheddar from upstate and bumps of Petrossian caviar), and the service stellar (at the Gotham Bar, ask for Conrad, who can suggest a martini for your mood). Being a big fan of the stately Peninsula lobbies in Hong Kong and Manila, with their cavernous size and tables occupied by well-heeled locals sipping afternoon tea, you might expect something similar at 55th Street. But here, where a marble foyer is framed by two grand staircases that lead up to the discreet check-in desks, restaurants, and bars, the Peninsula New York is perhaps more restrained, though no less lavish. —M.O.
The Ludlow
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Lower East Side
Fitting into its Lower East Side location, the Ludlow feels just cool and just hip enough without overdoing it. There are brick walls, low leather sofas, a roaring fireplace, and plenty of good-looking people sipping wine or working away on their laptops. In other words? It perfectly represents its neighborhood. Although not as buzzy as it was when it opened in 2014, the restaurant, Dirty French, is still a hopping place during dinner and weekend brunch (get the spicy pork chop with celery remoulade). Although the edgy neighborhood is known for its cool grittiness, the rooms are a well-designed sanctuary and a very comfortable place to come home to every night. —J.W.
Faena New York
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Chelsea
Arrival at Faena New York feels cinematic: Doormen in top hats open the doors with the timing of a curtain rise. Inside, the lobby unfolds like a mise-en-scène of opulence: leopard-print upholstery, red velvet banquettes, and burnished brass details. A sand-toned spiral staircase arcs upward beside a large-scale mural by Argentine artist Diego Gravinese—it's surrealist imagery of leopards, celestial forms, and mythic symbolism. The 120 rooms and suites are designed by Alan Faena alongside the Faena Design Team and Peter Mikic Studios. Each one expresses the brand’s artistic heart—fabulous animal printed motifs, sculptural lighting, marble bathtubs—through a distinctly Manhattan lens. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame cinematic views of the Hudson River, the High Line, and the Empire State Building. There’s intention behind the materials—velvet, marble, lacquer, silk—which provide a unique depth and rhythm to the space. —J.C.
The Marlton Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Greenwich Village
Built in 1900 and designated a Greenwich Village Historic District landmark in 1969, The Marlton served as a hybrid of a hotel and long-term residence for actors, writers, and artists in the early 1900s; writer Neal Cassady and comedian Lenny Bruce, for example, have both called it home. The building later became a dormitory for The New School, until hotelier Sean MacPherson—the creative force behind the Ludlow Hotel and Hotel Chelsea—transformed it into a hotel once again in 2012.
Today, The Marlton’s history shines through in every room, from the crown molding behind the beds to the marquee above the entrance. The rooms are tasteful in their simplicity—straightforward design with neutral furniture and gold fixtures, mirrors that maximize the room's south-facing sunlight, and industrial-inspired bathrooms thoughtfully stocked with French toiletries, like Marvis toothpaste and Côté Bastide body care. The windows overlook a sea of low-rise buildings, with the tree branches of Washington Square Park peeking out behind them.
Indeed, the true draw of The Marlton is its Greenwich Village zip code—and you should definitely cosplay as a downtown local during your stay. The hotel's signature restaurant, Chez Nous, offers an approachable mix of French and American options that are surprisingly affordable, especially for the neighborhood, and is a hot spot for New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike. —Erik Buckingham
The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: FiDi
This Martin Brudnizki–designed jewel box of a hotel escapes people's attention, tucked away as it is on a narrow street in FiDi near the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge…until it doesn't. And once it's on your radar, it's hard to ignore. You’re drawn in first by the bar, a lush atrium space thronged by locals and guests alike that’s designed to drop jaws and tilt heads upward toward the source of its incredible light. Next up: the delicately wrought Queen Anne structure you’ll see when you look up that unfolds like a nine-layer cake. You’ll be charmed by the parade of wedding parties dressed to the nines, posing against the hotel’s lush backdrops (those wrought-iron balustrades and skylight are catnip for photographers). And you’ll definitely note the location, with its easy access to multiple train lines and downtown mainstays. But it’s only when you stay that you realize it’s also a genuinely strong product.
The vintage-styled rooms are cozy but comfortable (the beds deserve their own callout); twice-daily housekeeping includes turndown; and the design, while charmingly shabby-chic, gives way to contemporary comfort when needed (the bathrooms are modern classics). Service is prompt and attentive without feeling overbearing. The two on-site restaurants are helmed by heavy hitters: Daniel Boulud at Le Gratin and Tom Colicchio at Temple Court. And little touches like the toiletries by local skincare brand D.S. & Durga and a minibar stocked with snacks you actually crave won’t go unnoticed. —A.M.
Crosby Street Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: SoHo
Pattern, color, whimsy—walking into Crosby Street Hotel is like entering a world represented by the best of modern English design, also dreamed up by Brit founder and designer Kit Kemp. Everywhere you look, there's a special artwork or piece of furniture you'd want to stare at for a long while. It's all a big visual treat in the middle of SoHo. There's nothing better than making it through a hectic day out and about and coming back to perhaps the city's most perfectly designed (yet supremely comfortable) guest rooms. Aside from being a visual treat, the location is nearly perfect—a quiet block in the heart of SoHo, next to public transportation, but also in the most pleasingly walkable neighborhood you could find, with endless amounts of great restaurants, bars, bookstores, cafés, and shops. —J.W.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Dumbo
If you’re coming here, you’re likely coming for the view—and it delivers. Even on rainy days (as it was during my stay), gazing out at the skyline and the boats puttering by the Brooklyn Bridge is a quintessential New York experience. Nestled in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the property itself is just steps away from the Dumbo ferry terminal—as well as a few delicious ice cream spots and plenty of shopping and restaurants. Sustainability is part of its ethos, featuring eco-minimalist decor with plenty of greenery, natural light, and wood and stone elements. The rooftop pool is arguably one of the best in the city, located next to Harriet’s. It overlooks the East River, the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. While it’s more of a lounging pool than a swimming one (it’s only three feet deep), it’s the perfect backdrop for an envy-inducing Instagram shot. —Jamie Spain
Wythe Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Williamsburg
The Wythe Hotel stands as the ultimate paragon of Williamsburg aesthetic, masterfully bridging North Brooklyn's raw industrial roots with high-end, sleek, sophisticated comfort. Housed in a meticulously converted 1901 barrel factory, the hotel translates industrial grit into high design by pairing original exposed brick and towering factory windows with rich, reclaimed wood. Flooded with natural light, the spacious, artfully minimalist guest quarters boast soaring ceilings, radiant-heated concrete floors, and cool, custom furnishings. Many of these rooms yield uninterrupted panoramas of the East River and the Manhattan skyline. Grounding the property's exceptional hospitality is Le Crocodile, a highly celebrated, glowing ground-floor brasserie serving up expertly executed French standards. And six floors above sits the chic, panoramic Bar Blondeau, a stunning destination dedicated to natural wines, shared plates, and iconic sunset views. Situated in the vibrant epicenter of Williamsburg, this One Michelin Key-awarded gem offers unparalleled neighborhood access while sitting a mere one-stop L train ride from the rush of Manhattan. —J.W.
TWA Hotel
Read Full ReviewNeighborhood: Queens
Transatlantic glamour is no thing of the past at TWA. And if you thought you had airport hotels pegged, this sprawling blast from the past is nothing short of an American monument to aviation, with peers few and far between. Best of all? You can soak in all that midcentury, retro-futurist nostalgia right up until you need to catch the AirTrain to the next leg of your journey. There are 512 rooms divvied up between 16 different room types that range from the all-out and ultra-swanky Howard Hughes Presidential Suite, beholding all of JFK's Runway 4 Left/22 Right (4L/22R), to the sleek and New York City-studio-sized Standard King. All rooms are soundproofed to the point that roaring jet engines don’t even produce a muffle, though the floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that you don’t miss out on the action. Expect the medley of era-accurate details to fill every corner of the rooms, from the functional rotary phone to the vintage editions of Life lying atop the Eero Saarinen-designed coffee table—Kat Chen
FAQ:
What is the best area to stay in NYC?
First-time visitors often flock to Midtown, which makes sense—from there, you've got easy access to Central Park, Broadway, Times Square, Bryant Park, and the Empire State Building. It's a good place to be, though staying in this area does pretty much guarantee you'll be elbowing your way through crowds every time you leave your hotel. For a little more breathing room without losing out on proximity to the aforementioned attractions, choose a hotel right on the south end of Central Park, or a bit further downtown around Flatiron or NoMad.
How we choose the best hotels in New York City
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
More NYC recommendations
Read our complete New York City travel guide here, which includes:
- The Best Things to Do in New York City
- The Best Restaurants in New York City
- The Best Bars in New York City
- Family-Friendly NYC Hotels
- Best Boutique Hotels in New York City
- Best Hotels in Brooklyn
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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