Finding the best hotels in New York City isn’t exactly the easiest endeavour. It’s also a pretty subjective one. Why? Call it the tyranny of choice. Consider the below guide a handy shortlist of reliably good places to stay in the Big Apple, rather than a comprehensive overview. Some are recent openings, others famous grande dames. Some are in trendy non-touristy neighbourhoods, others sit in the heart of the action. Some you stay at for the scene, others are perfect for those who would prefer not to be seen at all.
What part of New York is best to stay in?
This all depends on what you want from your visit. Do you want a five-star hotel with a pool? Is boutique more your style? Is being close to the city’s cultural landmarks a top priority? Scroll on to find options that fulfil all of those briefs, and then some.
’s pick of the best New York hotels at a glance:
Explore the best hotels in New York City by neighbourhood:
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Towering over Madison Avenue, The Carlyle is 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, his widow Jackie Kennedy lived there for three months. Meanwhile, Bemelmans – named after creator Ludwig Bemelmans, who painted the murals on its walls – remains the most famous bar in the city. There’s a documentary about it, books about it – it even inspired a clothing line.
None of which is to say it’s outdated or stuffy. With interiors by Thierry Despont and Tony Chi, timeless is the more appropriate term, a sense immediately felt when crossing the mirror-polished black marble floors of its chamber of a lobby, flanked by giant greyscale Rudolf Stingel paintings (themselves an homage to the iconic murals in the hotel’s storied bar). Speaking of art, staying here puts you within walking distance of The Met, the Guggenheim, The Frick, and a smattering of blue-chip galleries. The winning picture, though, is a south-facing view from a suite on one of the property’s upper floors, offering a peerless vantage on one of the world’s greatest skylines.
Restaurants, bars, lounge, spa, fitness centre, pet friendly, business services
35 E 76th St, New York, NY, 10021
You probably recognise the exterior of The Mark. Why? Because every Monday in May, it appears in the background of a million paparazzi photos as celebrities from Lady Gaga to Kendall Jenner depart from its lobby to make their way to the Met Gala.
Designed by Jacques Grange, who was also commissioned by Yves Saint Laurent and Princess Caroline of Monaco, the lobby floor is adorned in bold black and white stripes – a motif that serves as The Mark’s chic calling card, plastering everything from its pedicab to its hotdog cart to its custom swimsuit. Added bonus: its restaurant, The Mark by Jean-Georges, is divine. Order the cheeseburger with black truffle dressing.
Like The Carlyle and The Surrey, it’s located in close proximity to many major galleries and museums and is half a block from Central Park – which several suites overlook. (Remember the Duchess of Sussex’s baby shower? That was hosted in the penthouse.)
Restaurants, bars, snack bar/deli, fitness centre, complimentary bicycle rentals, pet friendly, business services
25 E 77th St, New York, NY 10075
Stepping through the doors of The Lowell is confirmation that the fantasy of the Upper East Side’s old-school elegance is very much alive and well. Opened in 1927, this stalwart reveals itself as an oasis of calm from the moment you step into the softly lit lobby: the hustle and bustle of Madison Avenue fades away, and any traces of jet lag evaporate over a (classically American, supersized and very strong) martini at Jacques Bar, where you’re made to feel like a regular from the moment you arrive.
No detail is overlooked, from the treasure trove of Dean & DeLuca toiletries stocking the bathrooms to the plush pile of the carpets of the breakfast room, where an all-American morning menu is served with silver service. The suites, reimagined by interior designer Michael S Smith as the hotel approaches its centennial, feel truly residential, furnished with wood-burning fireplaces (a rarity in modern-day Manhattan), sculpted Jamb marble mantelpieces and Louis XV-style writing desks which could inspire even the most reluctant wordsmith to put pen to paper. Add in down-filled sofas, custom-made mahogany double doors and glossy coffee-table books, perfect for leafing through on a lazy afternoon, and you have all the makings of the perfect New York apartment.
Restaurants, bars, fitness centre, pet friendly, library, business centre, terrace, in-room massages
28 East 63rd Street, New York, NY, 10065
A stone’s throw from The Carlyle and The Mark, this Upper East Side icon has joined their ranks in a glorious second act. Beloved by the likes of Bette Davis and John F Kennedy, The Surrey originally opened a century ago. Having shuttered at the onset of the pandemic, it returned in 2024 following extensive renovation under the management of Corinthia Hotels, marking the group’s first North American opening. Stepping across the threshold, there’s an immediate warmth to the place, courtesy of the refined yet relaxed design language of Martin Brudnizki. His approach here is more understated than that you’ll find at, say, The Fifth Avenue Hotel, embracing local, historical references while applying his distinct understanding of texture. Case in point: the Murano chandeliers throughout.
The feast for the eyes extends to the art dotted throughout communal areas and guest rooms, including works from the hotel’s original heyday – Willem de Kooning charcoal sketches and a quartet of playful George Condo etchings chief among them. As for actual feasts, Casa Tua – the Italian restaurant beloved by Miami and Aspen It-crowds – finds a New York City home at The Surrey. Up above, you’ll find a private members club, as well as a dimly-lit cocktail bar serving up glacial martinis to guests and locals alike. –
Restaurants, bars, lounge, fitness centre, pet friendly, library, roof terrace, spa
20 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021
The Thierry Despont-designed hotel rooms at the Fasano Fifth Avenue – the Brazilian luxury hotelier’s first property in the United States – exude an air of subtle luxury via warm beiges, crisp whites and views of Central Park. Since the property only offers suites and duplexes, it lends itself to longer stays, with certain guests using it as a posh pied-à-terre of sorts.
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 members’ 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.
Restaurant, café, packaging and delivery services, private shopping appointments, fitness centre, sauna
815 5th Ave, New York, NY 10065
Housed in the historic Crown building – a Beaux-Arts landmark on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, designed by the same architects as Grand Central Terminal – Aman New York sits at the heart of one of the city’s (if not the world’s) premier shopping districts, with views onto the neighbouring Tiffany & Co. flagship and Bergdorf Goodman. Despite its in-the-thick-of-it location, calm prevails. A palo santo-tinged scent wafts throughout its moodily lit halls, and the brand’s signature Japanese-inflected minimalism is ever present: neutrals, woods, and shades of black adorn the spacious 83 guest rooms, as well as the rooftop terrace.
Contemporary art is scattered throughout: a swirling, rust-hued paper sculpture by Dutch artist Peter Gentenaar floats above the double height atrium, and in each suite you’ll find an ink brushstroke mural by contemporary Japanese artist Ryoko Adachi. And then there’s the vast spa, a triple-storey wellness sanctuary. The property has a charming local touch, too: a jazz club offering nightly performances. While the rest of the hotel is solely accessible to guests (the most loyal of which brand themselves as “Aman Junkies”) and members of the ultra-exclusive Aman Club, this offers the public a taste of the world-renowned hospitality.
Restaurants, bar, lounge, jazz club, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam room, complimentary house cars
730 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
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. Its Midtown location, which is close to MoMA, Broadway theatres, and Rockefeller Centre, is perfect for visitors wanting to hit up New York’s main attractions.
Indoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, spa, fitness centre, library, sauna, steam room, terrace, business services
28 West 53rd Street, New York, NY, 10019
Private members’ club The Ned, which opened to much fanfare in 2022, includes a well-appointed hotel where no membership is required. The guest rooms are decked out in rich jewel tones, drawing inspiration from the Beaux-Arts architecture of the building and the 1920s style of its 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 American .
Restaurants, bars, terrace, fitness centre, complimentary Wi-Fi
1170 Broadway, NoMad, New York, NY 10001
The Ritz-Carlton’s second outpost in the city, situated on 28th Street and Broadway, head here for some of the best views from any hotel in the city: to the north, you can gaze 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 splendour from their beds – or even from their bathtubs. On the ground floor, you’ll find Zaytinya, a restaurant by celebrity activist chef José Andrés that serves up innovative Mediterranean cuisine.
Restaurants, bars, spa, fitness centre, sauna, steam rooms, meeting space
25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001
Courtesy The Fifth Avenue Hotel.
The pomp evoked by its name is more than matched by the first impression of this beautifully restored Gilded Age mansion, a short stroll down Manhattan’s grandest avenue from The Empire State Building. What unfolds on walking through its doors, though, is a down-the-rabbit-hole experience that exceeds expectations – at once playfully whimsical and classically New York.
Though it only opened in 2024, it’s already established itself as one of New York’s hottest stays, as recognised by its One To Watch accolade on this year’s World’s 50 Best list. Designed by Martin Brudnizki – acclaimed for London’s Broadwick Soho and Paris’s Le Grand Mazarin – this isn’t the place for you if you’re after 50 shades of greige. Rooms evoke a Vreelandian opulence – fancy, but with a sense of fun, with darkwood chinoiserie drinks cabinets, mother-of-pearl bedside tables, hand-pleated silk wallpaper and jewel-toned Murano glass chandeliers galore. They’re also where you can indulge in an offering of daily rituals, from trolley-mixed martinis to a more well-behaved (though no less considered) tea service. Should you prefer to take your martini tableside, there’s the Portrait Bar – The Fifth’s sultry, candlelit watering hole. Head for a drink before (or after!) dinner at Café Carmellini. Take a perch on one of its plush sapphire velvet banquettes, order the risotto, and thank me later. –
Restaurants, bars, spa, fitness centre, local gym access, roving library, complimentary house cars
1 West 28th Street, New York, NY 10001
When my partner and I stepped through the doors of The New York Edition at 11pm on a Wednesday evening, the softly lit Lobby Bar was abuzz with date-nighters and suited and booted New Yorkers enjoying an after-dinner tipple. Only my own impending date with the New York marathon stopped me from sitting down with a cocktail right alongside them.
Located in the historic Clocktower building in the Flatiron district overlooking Madison Square Park, The New York Edition opened its doors in 2015, the first New York outpost for the brand. We stayed in the Loft Suite on the 25th floor – a clean-lined, capacious room featuring an extra-large double bed, small seating area, a desk (idea for remote working) and stunning views over the park and across the city’s towering skyscrapers. Le Labo toiletries in the bathroom, meanwhile, were the perfect finishing touch.
Two restaurants, bar, fitness centre, complimentary Wi-Fi
5 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States
Much like its London outpost, The Twenty Two feels like a home away from home – albeit a luxurious one. Mere minutes from the hectic Union Square, the hotel boasts 78 keys with 19 suites, including an impressive rooftop penthouse. There are playful details – note the portrait of a young Queen Elizabeth II in the entrance corridor, and in keeping with the mood of its Mayfair sister site across the pond, the interiors – overseen by Child Studio – are subtle and elegant. Walnut furniture – of the sort you might expect to find in an English country home – are interspersed with dark accents and brushed brass finishings, retaining the city’s slick spirit and the architectural heritage of the building, formerly a Gilded Age residence known as the Margaret Louisa Home.
On the ground floor, an all-day dining area and bar, Cafe Zaffri (Zaf’s to regulars) serves a modern Levantine menu, and comes to life at night. –
Restaurant, bar, fitness centre, private member’s club
16 E 16th St, New York, NY, 10003
Plenty of hotels are willing to refer to themselves as iconic, but few have earned the moniker. The Hotel Chelsea has. Behind its red brick façade – and that famous neon signage – Madonna shot her most provocative photographs, Lou Reed strummed his guitar, Andy Warhol snapped away with his camera, and Dylan Thomas took his final breath. In recent years it has undergone a lengthy refurbishment by the team behind The Bowery and The Jane – 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, along with some luxe additions: plush furnishings, monogrammed sheets, and Marshall speakers as a nod to its illustrious musical history. An eclectic array of artworks made by former guests line the walls. Dining options include the laid-back opulence of the low-lit Lobby Bar, with its vintage chandeliers and restored wood-panelled 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.
Restaurant, bar, fitness centre, complimentary Wi-Fi
222 West 23rd Street, Chelsea, New York, NY 10011
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 of Soho House has lost none of its charms over the years since.
The unfussy approach begins with the room selection (pick between cosy, 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 after a red-eye, or a lighter chopped salad or poké bowl for a room service night in. Two decades after 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.
Outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar, spa, complimentary Wi-Fi
29-35 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014
Courtesy The Bowery Hotel.
“Black car, pick me up from the airport, check my bags at the Bowery Hotel…” So go the lyrics to “New York”, Addison Rae’s ode to the Big Apple, cementing this spot’s reputation as one of Manhattan’s ultimate stays. And with good reason, too. Chock-full of nods to the historic tenement housing that surrounds its site, this hotel nods to the area’s industrial past while exuding rock ’n’ roll nonchalance.
The low-lit lobby – fitted out with dark wood panelling, crimson velvet and overlapping Persian rugs – feels like a living room, albeit one populated by A-listers and Downtown scenesters nursing Bloody Marys at any hour of the day. The top-tier people-watching continues at the adjoining trattoria, Gemma.
When morning comes around again, the floor-to-ceiling factory windows in guests rooms allow light to pour in, bouncing off whitewashed walls and creating a luxury loft feel. Think heavy-duty, Bowery-branded sconces, bathrooms brimming with C.O. Bigelow toiletries, and characterful furniture that could have been plucked from a neighbourhood antiques shop. If you land a north-facing room, enjoy the picture-perfect view of the Empire State Building from the bathtub. –
Restaurant, bar, fitness centre, complimentary Wi-Fi
: 335 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
After an extensive restoration, Nine Orchard opened in the former Jarmulowsky Bank Building on the corner of Canal and Orchard Streets in 2022. Guests check in where bank tellers once cashed their cheques, while vaulted ceilings soar above and rooms are filled with honest wood furniture and crisp linens.
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. Situated just off so-called Dimes Square, it’s also perfectly situated for an amble through the Lower East Side’s top-notch vintage stores – not to mention a spot of people watching at neighbouring cool-kid hangouts, Clandestino and Le Dive.
Restaurants, bars, terrace, complimentary Wi-Fi
9 Orchard Street, Chinatown, New York, NY 10002
Housed in a Romanesque Revival Building on (you guessed it) Mercer Street, The Mercer is in – and perhaps the heart of SoHo. When it opened in 1997, the hotel instantly became a hangout for the then up-and-coming neighbourhood’s It-crowd. 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). In April of this year, the property unveiled an extensive renovation, maintaining the late Christian Liaigre’s original minimalist interiors – which famously inspired Calvin Klein to go on to hire the designer for his own personal projects – while introducing a warmth to the rooms. Think: antique rugs and hardwood flooring in place of carpeting; veined marble bathrooms, and raw linen drapes that elegantly frame views of the neighbourhood.
If doing the rounds of the boutiques on your doorstep isn’t enough of a workout, you’ll find gym pod-style units on site. A real perk of a stay at The Mercer, though, is what it gains you beyond its four walls, with daily passes to Equinox and Lore (one of New York’s chicest bathing clubs) part of the deal, and both just minutes away.
Restaurants, bars, fitness centre, local gym access, local spa access, complimentary wifi
147 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012
The Robert De Niro-owned Greenwich Hotel is swanky yet secretive: there’s a no photos rule and many of its 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. Its excellent Italian restaurant, Locanda Verde, is beloved by visitors and locals alike.
Restaurant, spa, indoor swimming pool, drawing room, courtyard, fitness centre
377 Greenwich Street, Tribeca, New York, NY 10013
A sister property to the famed five-star hotel on Paris’s Champs-Élysées, the Tribeca outpost harmoniously combines downtown industrial design and Parisian flair thanks to inspired interiors by Martin Brudnizki – the city’s current hotel interiors kingpin, some might say. An example? Some guest rooms are adorned in custom Tribeca toile de jouy by Schumacher, a playful interpretation of the classic, pastoral French wallpaper print.
: Restaurants, bar, indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, lounge
456 Greenwich Street, Tribeca, New York, NY 10013
Tribeca is hardly short on covetable addresses, but tell anyone that you’re staying at Warren Street Hotel and see them turn green with envy. That’s with good reason. The third New York City opening by British luxury hoteliers Firmdale Hotels, you get a sense for its unrepentant sense of character upon glimpsing the teal blue facade, brightening the neighbourhood post-industrial cool – quite literally.
Designed by Kit Kemp, its home to over 700 artworks and custom design objects – some commissioned, some produced by Kemp’s own studio – making it the perfect place for the most satisfying game of I Spy you’ll ever play. A true destination of discovery, the eye flits from one exquisite piece of interior design to another: from a curved hanging basket sculpture to an embroidered quilt-upholstered pouffe; a kaleidoscopic wall-hanging to a decadent, floral embellished headboard. Marrying a uniquely British sensibility for quirk and clash with an intrinsically New York chic, it’s as much a home away from home as it is a design lover’s haven. And the fact that each of its 69 rooms are totally distinct just gives you more reasons to keep on coming back. –
: Restaurants, bar, library, local gym access, complimentary wifi
86 Warren Street, New York, NY 10007
Courtesy Four Seasons.
It’s by no means the scene-iest spot on this list, but the hotel group’s second New York outpost oozes cool. Rihanna is a frequent guest – which, frankly, should be enough to catapult it to the top of your list. Its cachet is only boosted by its setting, a slender skyscraper on the cusp of Tribeca, overlooking the neo-Gothic Woolworth Building and the Financial District. Complementing its Uptown relative’s more stately grandeur, there’s a crisp, C-suite chic to the place that extends across its 24 floors.
Just off the lobby – a cool, airy expanse punctuated by metallic sculptures by Hirotoshi Sawada and Marc Quinn – you’ll find the New York outpost of Wolfgang Puck’s legendary steakhouse, Cut. Whizz up to the rooms and you’ll step into effortlessly appointed spaces where subtle cosiness and textural play are tempered with just the right amount of tasteful severity – sofas in sumptuous salt-and-pepper bouclé; chocolate leather-panelled headboards; streaked grey mosaic tiling in spa-standard bathrooms. Oh, and then there’s the spa, widely touted as one of the city’s finest. If it’s good enough for RiRi… –
: Restaurants, fitness centre, spa, sauna, steam room, indoor pool, complimentary town cars
27 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007
The approach to Casa Ciprani is nothing short of breathtaking. Housed in the Battery Maritime Building – a Beaux-Arts ferry terminal originally designed in 1906 – its sheer scale is the first thing that hits you upon arrival.
The unassuming reception, nestled in the underbelly, is guests’ first taste of the decadent art-deco interiors by Thierry Despont; seen throughout 47 rooms and suites with private balconies overlooking the skyline and landmarks including the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty. With its dual-function as a private members’ club, guests also enjoy member privileges throughout their stay, including access to the club’s bar, lively jazz café, living room, terraces, spa and wellness centre. –
Multiple dining areas, bar, spa and wellness centre, ballroom, 24-hour concierge service, private member’s club
10 South St, New York, NY, 10004
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Reflective of Williamsburg’s industrial roots, Wythe Hotel 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 colourful contemporary art hangs in many of the common spaces. You’ll want to order room service: its restaurant, Le Crocodile is a particularly beloved French spot in this part of town.
Restaurant, bar, private dining room, complimentary Wi-Fi
80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Across the East River in downtown Brooklyn, The Roman and Williams-designed Ace Hotel has attracted the attention of aesthetes everywhere thanks to its façade by modernist artist Stan Bitters – featuring a hanging sculptural light installation that acts as an homage to Tokyo’s now-demolished Hotel Okura – and its hand-carved wooden lobby bar by Vedran 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 savouring at dinner.
Restaurant, bar, fitness centre, meeting rooms
252 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY, 11217