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MADE Hotel
Photograph: Courtesy Booking.com

The 24 best hotels in NYC, from Midtown to NoMad and the Upper East Side

From glam boutique hotels to dazzling luxury properties, these are the best hotels in NYC

Written by
Will Gleason
&
Céline Bossart
Contributor
Alex Floyd-Douglass
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Hospitality is something that New York prides itself on and that is pretty clearly evidenced by its best hotels. Every kind of traveler can find their perfect holiday haven in this glorious city, from sleek boutique hotels in the city’s trendiest neighborhoods to opulent luxury stays near the top NYC attractions.

You’ll even find some of the best spas and restaurants tucked inside their lobbies. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the Big Apple or a local craving an inner-city staycation, these properties take the cake when it comes to hospitality and hotel perks. Cue room service.

February 2024 update: We reviewed the excellent Kimpton Hotel Theta at the end of last year, and we absolutely thought it warranted a place in this list. So consider it added! 

RECOMMENDED:

🇺🇸 Click here to view our full guide to the best things to do in NYC
🏨 Discover the best cheap hotels in NYC
🌉 Explore the coolest Airbnbs in Brooklyn
💗 Book one of the best boutique hotels in NYC

Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities, and in-depth research 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

The Best NYC hotels

Casa Cipriani New York
Photograph: Courtesy Booking.com

1. Casa Cipriani New York

Italian glamour meets Manhattan luxury at this swoon-worthy five-star spot located in the Battery Maritime Building, one of the last Beaux-Arts style ferry terminals in the city. Each of the 47 guest rooms has been individually decorated with plush velvet furnishings and lacquered mahogany furnishings. Unwind at the on-site spa where a selection of hand-picked therapists provide state-of-the-art massages and facials. Or, make a beeline for the exclusive member’s club, which is a Gatsby-esque hedonistic paradise with a jazz cafe, restaurant, bars, and lounges. There are also chic rooftop areas to hit up including the terrace with stunning views over the East River, Statue of Liberty, and Brooklyn Bridge.

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Flatiron
  • price 3 of 4

Acclaimed drinks, dining, and decor combine in this stunning Flatiron hotel. Guests who like to push the envelope shouldn’t miss the nearby Museum of Sex, which boasts X-rated exhibits like The Sex Lives of Animals and a bounce house made out of breasts. Not sure you’re ready to go all the way? Grab a drink in the museum’s admission-free Disco Lounge bar lined with black and white portraits of the 70’s club scene.

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Flatiron
  • price 3 of 4

The decor of this hotel might be sleek and modern, but nearby landmarks such as the Empire State Building and Madison Square Park give it the flavor of old New York. The 271 unique guest rooms and suites ooze class with oak floors, spacious layouts, and breathtaking views of Manhattan. If you're dining in, check out the elevated British fare from Michelin-starred Chef Jason Atherton at The Clocktower. You've also got some of Park Avenue's best restaurants a stone's throw away.

  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Midtown West
  • Recommended

Having opened its doors in October 2023, Kimpton Hotel Theta offers a calm, relaxing space just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. The 364-room hotel is located on 8th Avenue and is walking distance from the Theater District, Times Square, Hell’s Kitchen and Central Park South—making it the perfect launch point for exploring all of midtown. Only a nine-minute walk from Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center, it’s a great place to stay if you’re visiting during the holiday season. 

Time Out tip: Plan your stay in the new year once Kimpton Hotel Theta opens its rooftop restaurant and bar which will be open all year long!

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Lower East Side
  • price 3 of 4

Make reservations at the Ludlow to experience sumptuous decor, impeccable views, and exquisite French dining in the heart of the Lower East Side. Wood paneling and decadent furniture in the lobby and throughout the hotel will make every step you take at this location feel glamorous as hell. As for nearby attractions? There's the Tenement Museum just 500 yards away, plus Essex Market and Tompkins Square Park. 

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • East Village
  • price 3 of 4

Sleek design meets chic irreverence at this cool crowd hotel in the East Village. The gorgeously put-together rooms range from standard-sized rooms, right through to studios with unparalleled views. Guests who visit during the colder months shouldn’t leave The Standard, East Village without dining in the Winter Garden. Reserve a heated yurt for a veritable alpine feast, complete with fondue, apple strudel, and warm winter cocktails.

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The Wallace Hotel
Courtesy: Booking.com

7. The Wallace Hotel

Looking for a luxury five-star hotel in the heart of New York City? The Wallace Hotel is the one for you. Featuring a well-equipped fitness center, a 24/7 front desk, and free Wi-FI throughout the hotel, it’s a great place to situate yourself for your endeavors around the Big Apple. The interiors are classy and its lounge has live music regularly, imaginative cocktails, small plates for sharing and more. Inside your room, there’s A/C, a flat-screen TV, and a private ensuite, complete with bathrobes and slippers. 

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Lenox Hill
  • price 4 of 4

This stalwart of the New York hotel scene is still as classic and elegant today as the day it first opened in 1930. The Rotunda on the ground level is the room that The Pierre is most well-known for. The curved walls and grandiose murals, painted by Edward Melcarth in 1976, make the room feel like it was plucked straight from a rococo fairytale setting. It was newly renovated by Daniel Romualdez to include a full bar and light snacks in the afternoon and evening.

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  • Hotels
  • Spa hotels
  • Midtown West
  • price 4 of 4

Modern amenities complement the opulent decor and old-world charm of this iconic hotel at the base of Central Park. Rooms and suites offer up ornate touches, oversized bathrooms, and 24-carat gold-plated fixtures. Though there is plenty to keep you busy within the Plaza's confines, cross 59th Street to find another New York landmark: Central Park. Explore the grounds, especially the nearby attractions of Wollman Rink for some ice skating and the Central Park Zoo.

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Tribeca
  • price 4 of 4

Natural wood furnishings, a secluded courtyard, and a luxurious Japanese spa bring a sense of serenity to this Tribeca hotel. This chic spot has 88 rooms and suites, and is proud that no two are alike. Expect plenty of comfy touches while you stay, ensuring that this New York boutique hotel really feels like a home away from home. If you do need a little extra comfort? Check out Shibui Spa, which offers a variety of massages and treatments to help you unwind.

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Williamsburg
  • price 3 of 4

A factory built in 1901 gets a second life as a 70-room hotel with a beautifully designed bar and restaurant, retail space, and lots of cool Brooklyn vibes. With rooms ranging from bright studios with high ceilings to lofts with private terraces, this hotel should please even the pickiest traveler. You'll even get views of the New York City skyline or a peek into the Brooklyn and Williamsburg threw in too. You're right by Hurricane Point, Brooklyn Bowl, and the quirky City Reliquary. 

Smyth Tribeca
Photograph: Courtesy Booking.com

12. Smyth Tribeca

Formerly AKA Tribeca, Smyth Tribeca is as modern and luxurious as the area in which it's situated. Guests can choose between rooms, apartments, and penthouse suites, which all come with Netflix and Hulu access, as well as other home comforts. If it's the modern vibes you're after, this is the spot. You're right in the thick of it, with Rockefeller Park on your doorstep along with City Hall and a plethora of trendy bars and restaurants. 

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Tribeca
  • price 3 of 4

Eclectic touches and top-notch entertainment draw tourists, celebrities and New Yorkers alike to this funky Tribeca hotel. This spot is influenced by Art Deco-realness and it shows as each of the 201 rooms are all about comfort, enjoyment and a splash of opulence. Downstairs, the Roxy Bars & Lounge serves up hearty American breakfasts, lunch and dinner. And by night, it'll keep you entertained with live DJs and performances.

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Long Island City
  • price 2 of 4

Sweeping views of Manhattan, an industrial design aesthetic, and lots of natural light help this Long Island City hotel stand out. All the studios, for example, feature deep soaking tubs - perfect for extreme relaxation after a day of taking in the sights. If you're looking for something channeling urban chic vibes, this is the spot for you. While it's not in the thick of the city, it is in one of NYC's coolest neighborhoods so expect to live like a local throughout your stay.

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Chelsea
  • price 3 of 4

Anchor’s away at this simple stationary vessel in bustling Manhattan that touts cozy decor, a nautical theme and a glitzy Italian trattoria, La Sirena. If you want to venture out from your cabin to the top decks, head to Gallow Green, the 1920s rooftop bar atop the McKittrick Hotel—which isn’t a hotel at all but the home of interactive mystery performance Sleep No More. Whether you just go for drinks or to partake in the show, you’ll get your breath of fresh air.

  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Flatiron
  • Recommended

The Ritz-Carlton NoMad is a towering, 50-story beacon of luxury in the rapidly changing neighborhood just north of Madison Square Park. It offers gorgeously appointed rooms with stunning views, excellent dining options and the above-and-beyond hospitality that’s associated with the brand. It’s also, it should be noted, an entirely different vibe than NYC’s other Ritz-Carlton located on Central Park. While that hotel conveys a sense of Old New York tradition, this newer offering strikes a lighter note with a heavy dose of contemporary glamor. Situated in the heart of Manhattan, it also has another big thing going for it: an unbeatable location not far from many downtown and midtown hot spots. It’s a great home base for travelers who want to experience the exciting cultural vibrancy of New York City.

 

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • East Village
  • price 3 of 4

Old-school sophistication meets punk rock in the Bowery Hotel—and nobody does it better. Think gorgeously crafted chandeliers, crackling fireplaces, and tastefully decorated rooms with a modern twist. Some of the neighborhood’s most exciting contemporary art isn’t at the New Museum (though that’s a good way to spend an afternoon, too), but at the Bowery Mural Wall. The outdoor gallery at the corner of Houston Street and Bowery features new artists constantly, so you never know what you’re going to find.

  • Hotels
  • Financial District
  • price 3 of 4

Sleek contemporary meets attention to historic detail in an 1881 building that was one of New York's first skyscrapers. Ask the concierge to help reserve you a table at the chic in-house brasserie-style restaurant Augustine. Run by London restaurateur Keith McNally, who also owns Balthazar (among many other joints in town), Augustine serves up a mean whisky burger.

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Chelsea
  • price 3 of 4

You'll feel the spirit of Chelsea's nightlife at this hip 12-story hotel complete with a rooftop lounge, craft cocktail bar, and two restaurants. And if the sun is out? There is an outdoor pool and private cabanas. This one is a celeb favorite, with well-known faces often choosing Dream as their, you know, dream destination. Portholes around the exterior of the hotel are its signature, with nautical themes found all around the modern haven.

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Soho
  • price 3 of 4

Hang out 18 stories above the city at this stylish Soho hotel’s indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge. Formerly known as The James, new life has been breathed into the glamourous building, with a modernist aesthetic paying tribute to its Bauhaus design. The line to go up to the Jimmy, the rooftop bar, and the pool at ModernHaus, can be disheartening – especially on a warm summer night. Thankfully, hotel guests don’t have to queue to check out the bar for themselves. Head up to the roof before 9pm for craft cocktails sans crowds.

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  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Hotels
  • Chain hotels
  • Midtown West
  • price 4 of 4
  • Recommended

Some hotels are defined by their architecture, others by the type of scene they attract. Sofitel New York is a vision in limestone and glass, and has a lovely on-site restaurant, Gaby Brasserie Française. But the main thing that defines a stay here, and will probably convince you to return for a second or third time, is the excellent service. The experience manages to achieve a sense of luxury without a hint of snobbishness or pretension.

 

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Chinatown
  • price 3 of 4

You'll find this boutique hotel in Chinatown with a 24-hour fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and an amazing rooftop terrace. Nestled in the heart of lower Manhattan, this tasteful spot beckons global explorers, digital nomads, creatives, and New York aficionados alike. You'll be able to get around easily as this hotel is right in the middle of the action. So expect plenty of really good eating throughout your stay.

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  • Hotels
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • price 2 of 4

Even put wellness front and center at their Times Square South hotel, so you can rejuvenate during a stay here. Take advantage of the fitness center or – and this would be our preference – the in-room workout gear, then tuck it into a nutrient-enriched meal in the restaurant/bar. If you're sightseeing, you've got Times Square right there, Macy's only a few hundred yards away and Madison Square Gardens on your doorstep if you want to catch a show.

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Battery Park City
  • price 3 of 4

Conrad New York is 15 stories of marble floors, plush suites, open views of the Hudson, and 2000 pieces of artwork on display. This Hilton offshoot makes for an ideal escape from the city, especially when you're up on the spectacular rooftop bar. You can chill up there for a cocktail or bite to eat and they even hand out complimentary selfie sticks to get that perfect pic with the view.

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