Virgin Hotels New York rooftop pool
Photograph: courtesy Virgin Hotels New York
Photograph: courtesy Virgin Hotels New York

The 13 best family-friendly hotels in New York City for 2026

Our guide on the top stays for a stress-free vacation in The Big Apple

Alex Sims
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No matter your age, New York is one magnetic city, and from the brilliant museums to kid-friendly Broadway shows, it’s primed for a family vacation—in fact, we’ve compiled a list of all the best things to do with kids in New York. As for where to stay, everything you need to know is right here: our revamped list of the Big Apple’s most family-friendly hotels includes everything from affordable Midtown stays to luxury resorts with tons of amenities. Scroll on to find your ideal hotel. 

Which area is best to stay in New York?

With the whole family in tow, opting to stay somewhere well-connected which is a step back from the busy NYC streets is a must—that’s why this list is peppered with stays in neighborhoods like Midtown West, Murray Hill, the Upper West Side and Hell’s Kitchen. Check out our guides to all NYC’s neighborhoods, to help you decide. 

New York’s best family-friendly hotels, at a glance:

📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City

How we curate our hotel lists

Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, 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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The best family hotels in NYC

  • Hotels
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

The clue is in the name, but voco Times Square South hits that elusive Manhattan bullseye: it’s perched just six blocks from the neon chaos of the world’s most famous junction, offering families a peaceful retreat without sacrificing proximity to the action. You’re within a 15-minute stroll of Broadway, the Empire State Building, and the High Line, making it ideal for sightseeing. The vibe is laid-back and contemporary, trading over-the-top flash for a leafy outdoor courtyard and a theater-inspired lobby. 

For parents, the practical perks are the real stars of the show. Upon check-in, the staff doles out complimentary welcome cookies—a small but effective win for restless kids—and the 24/7 grab and go station is a lifesaver for early risers needing snacks before the rest of the city wakes up. If you’re traveling with a crew, the “Double Premium” rooms provide necessary space, while the serene neutral tones and plush bedding ensure the city’s pulsing energy stays firmly outside. There’s also a handy abundance of charging points. 

When it’s time to eat, the on-site Finches Den serves up reliable modern American fare, including a Pat La Frieda cheeseburger and a massive New York cheesecake that’s perfectly sized for sharing. The $10 dining credit included in the resort fee takes the sting out of a family dinner, and the location near the Moynihan Train Hall offers endless quick-service variety for picky eaters. 

Time Out tip: This hotel has a ‘kids eat free’ policy for kids under the age of 7.

Address: 343 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Price per night: from $180, though rates vary seasonally
Closest transport: Via subway, A,C,E at 34th St.-Penn Station stop. Via MTA bus, M20 and M34A-SBS stops at 8th Avenue and W 37th Street or M11 at 9th Avenue and W 35 Street. 

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

Turning the corner onto W. 30th Street from Broadway, Virgin Hotels New York makes a dramatic appearance. Among NoMad’s tightly crammed hustle and bustle, the sidewalk expands and a wide red carpet appears with Virgin’s signature red neon signage above the entrance to a 39-story modern glass tower with a double-height lobby.

Part of Sir Richard Branson’s foray into hospitality, Virgin Hotels debuted in Chicago in 2015 with a cheeky ethos featuring Chamber room designs, which have flexible space for sleeping and living, plus minibars with street value pricing. There’s also an emphasis on social spaces for gathering and interior design that reflects each location. Virgin Hotels New York debuted in 2023. Here, Big Apple style is filtered through a sprawling social space on the third and fourth floors with a stylish indoor-outdoor cocktail bar, restaurant and pool club. It’s also home to an outpost of Exhale Spa with signature treatments, barre and yoga classes and a spacious fitness center.

There are 460 suites and “chambers”. The latter rooms have sliding doors, which separate the sleeping and living area, as well as lounge beds with moveable headboards and are available in one king and two double bed layouts. The design is modern with a Scandi appeal in a neutral color palette featuring blonde wood, tufted upholstered head boards, soft throw blankets and black veined marble side tables, plus bathrooms in creamy porcelain. 

On the third floor, Everdene encompasses a sit-down restaurant with a plush dining room and a buzzy bar. It’s not unusual for a live DJ to be spinning near the bar and a crowd of both locals and hotel guests congregating. Service is friendly, professional and capable.

Time Out tip: Request a Chamber with a sliding barn door to create a makeshift nursery.

Address: 1227 Broadway, New York, NY 10001 
Price: From approximately $345 per night.
Closest transport: 34th Street subway, 6 minute walk 

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  • Hotels
  • Murray Hill
  • price 3 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
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With spacious rooms, well-preserved history, a good location, incredible dining, and top-notch service, the Shelburne Sonesta New York is as well-rounded a hotel as you can get.

Located just steps from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building, this hotel is close enough to be a visitor’s playground, but has dining options where you’ll be seated side-by-side with locals. The 1929-built building has plenty of apartment-style rooms, giving you the chance to step back in time and live in old New York, and is especially ideal for families seeking more space.

There’s a traditional USPS mailbox located in the lobby, which, despite being nearly a century old, is still functioning. You’ll find plenty of comfortable space to catch up on work, and if you forgot your laptop, there are two computers available with printers. The hotel is dog-friendly with specific dog-friendly menus, and there’s a 24-hour gym on the second floor.

The 325 rooms provide a plethora of options, from traditional hotel rooms to apartment-style suites. There are guest suites, guest rooms, studio apartments, one-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom apartments. Around a fifth of the rooms have a kitchenette, which is also a nod to the hotel’s history since, prior to being a hotel, it was strictly residential.

Throughout the hotel, service is warm and welcoming, and the facilities are some of the most unique and strangely comprehensive we’ve ever seen at a New York hotel, with plenty of spots for working, lounging, or even playing at the ping-pong table and a medical center.

Time Out tip: Be sure to utilise the hotel’s new 2026 “Grocery Stocking Service” to have kid-friendly snacks waiting upon arrival, avoiding the hanger. 

Address: 303 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016
Price: Guest rooms start from $298 per night, apartments from $220 per night
Closest transport: Grand Central Terminal is less than a 10-minute walk away

📍 Have a read of our collection of hotels with amazing views in NYC

Kaitlyn Rosati
Kaitlyn Rosati
USA contributor
  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Upper West Side
  • price 3 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Cutting a grand silhouette on a prominent corner of Manhattan’s Upper West Side, The Lucerne is a landmark 12-story Beaux Arts hotel built in 1904. It stands out in the neighborhood for its striking, highly sculpted façade in red-plum brick and terra cotta. Ringed by the sidewalk terrace for onsite restaurant Nice Matin, a French café and neighborhood staple, doormen stand in waiting at the hotel’s grand entrance. 

Just two blocks to Central Park (and equidistant to Riverside Park overlooking the Hudson River, to the west), it offers guests an idyllic slice of classic New York. The Lucerne is emblematic of the best of the Upper West Side; at once breezily chic and classic. 

The Lucerne is ideal for those who want a little distance from the bustle of Manhattan, while still experiencing a quintessential aspect of New York City life. It’s set in a classic, family-friendly residential neighborhood close to Central Park and just a block from the American Museum of Natural History. This is the New York City that Nora Ephron immortalized in movies like You’ve Got Mail and When Harry Met Sally

The traditional décor is a color palette of dark wood finishes, creams, browns and yellows. It’s clean and comfortable. Where it has an edge is in room size. So many trendy Manhattan hotel rooms are the size of postage stamps, but the Lucerne’s rooms are spacious, featuring full desks. Suites offer even more room with a separate sitting area. Rooms are outfitted with Keurig coffeemakers and flatscreen LCD TVs, while suites also feature a mini bar and fridge.

Time Out tip: This hotel is only one block from the American Museum of Natural History, an absolute must for all family vacation visitors. 

Address: 201 W. 79th Street, New York, NY 10024
Price: Starting from approximately $185 per night
Closest transport: 79th Street subway station (1; 81st St, B, C), 1 minute walk 

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

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 Southmaking 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.

Its warmly lit lobby is filled with comfortable furniture, beautiful decor, lush plants and curtains that keep you separated from the business of 8th Avenue. It includes a marketplace with snacks, drinks and hotel merchandise—like comfortable robes and reusable bottles, as well as a coffee window that serves freshly brewed coffee and breakfast pastries.

It’s a great example of a hotel that looks far, far too swish to be ‘family friendly’. But the Kimpton in New Yorklike many of its sister branchesis a mega star on the family amenities front. They offer a welcome gift, family-friendly dining, kid-approved sleeping arrangements, advice on babysitters and a massive amount of practical kit for ensuring child safety and entertainment. And, perhaps best of all, they also subscribe to a programme that provides mini fridges to store breast milk in your room. A hotel that truly lovely families.

Not only do the rooms offer ample space for luggage, shoes and winter coats, but the King Rooms are also big enough for a couch and table to fit near the window. 

Time Out tip: They’ll loan you strollers, bouncy seats and a whole host of ‘Forget it? We’ve got it!’ items, plus tell you which car rental services have child safety seats available. 

Address: 790 8th Avenue, New York, 10019
Price: Rooms from $225 per night 
Closest transport: 50th St subway, one minute walk

Sarah Iandoli
Social Media Editor
  • Hotels
  • Chain hotels
  • Lenox Hill
  • price 4 of 4

You’ll have the five-star experience in the charming Loews Regency hotel, which has been hosting guests since it opened way back in 1963. While it’s recently been renovated, the old-timey details bleed through: hallways of all 21 floors are adorned with framed black and white photos of old New York, and strolling along them does evoke the sense that you’ve slipped back into a different era. 

As for the contemporary touches, those are most present in the facilities, such as the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa or the adjacent Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar, which serves desserts you've probably never heard of but need to try. 

The smallest rooms are the 250-square-foot Superior King, while the larger suites are on the higher floors and go up to an enormous 1,400 square feet. All of the 379 rooms are pet-friendly, and some have terraces and balconies, and the most unique feature is the television screen in the bathroom mirror, which allows you to watch local TV from the comfort of your bathtub. 

Each room is stacked with dozens of books and Nespresso machines come in the more luxurious rooms, but no matter where you’re staying, don’t be afraid to request one from the front desk. 

Meanwhile, the Loews Loves Families program has everyone covered. From kid-friendly dining options catering to all tastes to partnerships with top-quality brands like Little Spoon and Hello Bello, it’s the ultimate family-friendly resort in NYC. Forgot something? No worries. The hotel has you covered with complimentary cribs, night lights, and activity guides, easing the stress of packing for children.

Time Out tip: The best part? Kids under 18 stay for free- that’s pretty impressive for a New York hotel.

Address: 540 Park Ave, New York, NY
Price: Superior King rooms from $459; Park Avenue Two-Bedroom Suite from $915
Closest transport: Lexington Av/63 St subway, four minute walk 

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  • Hotels
  • Midtown East
  • price 4 of 4
  • Recommended

The historic building was originally opened as the Gotham Hotel in 1905 with a striking limestone and granite facade, and after going through a few different incarnations, it opened as The Peninsula New York in 1988. You can sense those layers of history as you move through the hotel, especially when you encounter the grand, marble double-staircase that brings you to check-in and the hotel’s restaurants and bars. There are also spacious suites, refined dining options, rooftop bar with jaw-dropping city views and fantastic on-site spa.

The 219 rooms here feel like an upscale Manhattan apartment. It’s got a sleek and contemporary aesthetic with a light color palette, cool tones and thoughtfully placed art and objects that speak to its central location. As part of the recent renovation, all rooms now come complete with a touchscreen tablet providing access to a digital concierge as well as room controls. Luxurious Quagliotti bed linens round out the picture.

Visit the venue’s newly refreshed rooftop Pen Topm which has both indoor and outdoor areas and provides a unique view of midtown, or sit down for seasonal American fare at signature restaurant, Clement, and craft cocktails at the Bar at Clement.

The hotel is on Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s most famous shopping districts, and it’s just around the corner from the Museum of Modern Art. It’s a place for travelers looking for an elevated experience in the center of NYC.

Time Out tip: Sign up for “Camp Peninsula” 48 hours ahead of arrival and for $200 you’ll get a hotel scavenger hunt, special in-room campfire set up and more welcome amenities for the little ones.

Address: 700 Fifth Ave, New York, 10019
Price: Rooms from approximately $1,400 per night 
Closest transport: 
5th Ave subway, 10 minute walk 

  • Hotels
  • Chain hotels
  • Midtown West
  • price 3 of 4

Check into Thompson Central Park New York for so many unique facilities, you hardly have to walk outside into midtown Manhattan. The rooms are supremely lovely. Many of them in the sky-high tower portion of the hotel overlook Central Park, a view which will likely take your breath away and earn the jealousy of all your Instagram followers.

For more stellar views, this time from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the park, head to the covered rooftop pool, which also features an outdoor sundeck, entry is free for hotel guests. 

Look out for the easy-to-miss neon burger sign that’s cheekily half-hidden behind a floor-to-ceiling curtain near to the concierge counter. Follow it and you’ll find yourself transported from the swanky and modern Le Parker Meridien lobby into a wood-paneled dive from yesteryear: the Burger Joint, which serves single or double cheeseburgers with “the works” of toppings, fries, shakes, beer, wine—perfect for small and big kids alike. In the morning tuck into brunch at the iconic Norma’s. Here, quantity doesn’t compromise quality, as a huge portion of the crunchy French toast—accented by warm caramel sauce—or the almost-too-pretty-to-eat egg-white shrimp frittata is likely to join the ranks of your all-time favorite meals.

There’s also a spa offering facials and massages; Tenoverten is the on-site destination for manicures and pedicures; Drybar serves up blowouts; Blushington does professional makeup application in addition to brow and lash services; and Skin Laundry specializes in laser and light skin treatments. Back up on the main lobby floor, there’s an old-school barbershop experience at Sharps.

Time Out tip: The Burger Joint opens at 11am. Arrive early before the famously-long queue forms. 

Address: 119 W 56th St, New York, 10019
Price: Rooms average around $620 per night
Easiest transport: 
57th St subway, four minute walk

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  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • price 3 of 4

The Kimpton Hotel group coined the term “boutique hotel”. They believe personalization and getting to know each of their guests is the key to making a spectacular stay, and at Ink48, the brand’s Hell’s Kitchen outpost, they pride themselves on catering to the bleisure (business + leisure) crowd.

Rooms and conference spaces have recently been renovated, allowing you to connect and socialize with ease. Guest rooms have been stylized with a New York runway apartment in mind, with large windows that allow you to take in Midtown Manhattan views from the comfort of your King size bed (which you will be melting into). Rooms are designed with a simplistic elegance, all white washed walls and earthy tones with pops of color.

When you get the motivation to leave your room, head down to Ink48’s restaurant PRINT. This farm-to-table spot has delectable bites that will leave you wanting more. We recommend starting off with the grilled quail (with fig truffle sauce and sauteed romaine), and the red snapper served with a butternut squash puree, swiss chard, and toasted pumpkin seeds, all bathed in a citrus sauce. If you still have room, end with the house favorite: butterscotch custard.

Ink48 has style, sophistication and elegance; all a must for a Hell’s Kitchen hotel. But, what really makes this hotel a cut above the rest is the care for their guests. Whether you’re there for a night or a two-week vacation, Ink48 will make sure you’re part of the experience and hotel family.

Time Out tip: Ink 48 Hotel’s amenity fee of $40 plus tax per night, per room includes a 10 percent discount at local food spots when you show your room key, including at Jolly Goat Coffee Bar, Fresh From Hell, and Bar Dough.

Address: 653 11th Ave, New York, 10036
Price: Rooms from approximately $185 per night 
Closest transport: 50th St subway, 20 minute walk 

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

The true test of whether a New York hotel is cool? Whether actual New Yorkers want to go there! The Roxy easily passes that test. Beyond being a place to stay in Tribeca—one that manages to be swanky but not pretentious or intimidating—it’s a place to go in Tribeca. At any given time, there are honest-to-goodness New Yorkers hanging in the lobby (or at least chic tourists who pass for them). And speaking of chic: super-stylish celebs with rock-star cred stay there, too.

Upon check-in, you’ll get a glass of sparkling rosé (yes, please!) and a questionnaire that asks for your choice of morning paper and pillow type. Comfy eclectic couches dot the lounge, a pool table sits invitingly off to the side. Everything is brown and gold and white—nothing screams, everything calms. And most important, when you retire to your room and collapse into one of the most comfortable beds you’ve ever had the pleasure to sleep in, the windows and doors are amazingly soundproof, crucial because of the all-hours hubbub outside on the street and downstairs in the hotel.

The entertainment is the main draw of this place. Bands play in the Roxy Lounge and Cuban music pumps downstairs at the speakeasy-ish Django. There’s also a movie theater showing indies, classics and foreign films for those looking for more introverted fun, and an outpost of the East Village hair salon Blackstones, so you can look spiffy for your night out. There’s also no shortage of entertainment for the little ones. You can even borrow iPads and iPods for free on request. And yes, your furry friends are welcome toothey’ll receive their own pet-friendly amenities, as well as access to a private park to burn off any leftover energy at the end of the day.

Time Out tip: This place has a babysitting service available to all guests. 

Address: 2 Ave of the Americas, New York, 10013
Price: Rooms from approximately $350 per night
Easiest transport: Canal St subway, six minute walk 

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  • Midtown East
  • price 3 of 4

Just three blocks from Rockefeller Center, this luxury hotel is designed to feel like you’re staying in an Upper East Side residence, whether it’s for business or pleasure. Its 398 guestrooms are refined with Italian marble bathrooms, fine linens, and English Sycamore furnishings. There’s also a modern-day perk—a bedside table with accessible outlets and a pullout laptop extension. 

Eight rooms and suites also are graced with balconies and terraces. They also have various sizes and features, ranging from deluxe guest rooms to the Rodgers & Hammerstein Suite, where the legendary composers collaborated on “Oklahoma!” In-room dining is available from morning to late-night. 

As for dining, Bob’s Steak & Chop House serves prime cuts of beef, including the prestigious prime filet, while also offering breakfast, lunch, Sunday brunch, and dinner with a full bar. On the second floor, there’s a self-service business center.

At the Omni Hotel, the red carpet is rolled out for even its littlest guests. Thanks to the Omni Junior Chefs program, kids are welcomed with their very own healthy menu and a handy tote that doubles as a lunch bag. Packed with a juice box, to-go cup, crayons, and an engaging activity book, it's a special treat just for them. Don’t worry, adults get their fair share of perks too with top-notch amenities like an on-site gym with views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, in-room massages, and 49-inch flat-screen TVs equipped with streaming services.

Time Out tip: kids aged 12 and under can stay for free, making it perfect for families.

Address: 21 E 52nd St, New York, 10022
Price: rooms from approximately $406 per night 
Easiest transport: 5 Av/53 St subway, two minute walk 

  • Hotels
  • Boutique hotels
  • Midtown West

The Luma Hotel is conveniently located for a New York City stay. It’s in midtown very near Times Square and Bryant Park, yet it’s on one of the quietest, low foot-traffic streets in the area. It's near about a dozen subway lines. It’s clean, the staff are friendly and there’s a delicious in-house Basque Country tapas resturant, Ortzi, that likely won’t have a wait whenever you’re ready to mosey downstairs to eat. (Get the four-course, $75 tasting tasting menu for a bit of a splurge, or try something baked in the wood-fired oven.) There’s an individual coffee maker in your room and your bed is comfortable. To make you extra comfy, you’ll also find Frette Linens and bathrobes, slippers and Co Bigelow Bath products in the rooms. Your bases are covered. 

As well as an unbeatable location, the four-star hotel has super unique in-house amenities for families. This includes a robot butler (yes, a robot butler) called Alina, which can deliver exciting goodies straight to your room, including games, tickets for Le Carrousel at nearby Bryant Park, and a list of local child-friendly activities and attractions. For the big kids (we’re looking at you grown-ups), there’s an onsite bar that serves oysters and cocktails. 

If simplicity and a good meal are what you need during your stay, this central hotel with some affordable rooms is an excellent pick. Besides, all the adventure you’ll need is just around the blockyou’re just a ten-minute walk to Macy’s, and just twelve minutes away from the iconic Empire State Building.

Time Out tip: Alina even knows the lyrics to Happy Birthday. 

Address: 120 W. 41st Street, New York, 10036
Price: Rooms start at approximately $290 per night
Easiest transport: Times Sq subway, two minute walk away 

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  • Hell's Kitchen
  • price 2 of 4

For a cozy home away from home, TRYP is the place to be. The urban retreat is the first Tryp outpost opened by Wyndham in the U.S. and it beckons the hotel chain’s Spanish origins with an excellent tapas restaurant and Mediterranean-inspired minimalistic décor.

Though housed on a nondescript, somewhat bland, New York City street, the property’s convenient location is within walking distance to Madison Square Garden and Times Square. The large rooms feature high ceilings, lovely reclaimed wood floors and cool wallpaper.

The hotel offers a variety of different room genres for every type of traveler, with digs outfitted with amenities such as bunkbeds, 3D television and even exercise equipment and workout clothes. Their condo-style family suites can comfortably sleep up to eight people, featuring a mix of king and queen beds, sleeper sofas, and bunk beds. Some of these spacious suites even feature two bathrooms and separate living areas where the kids can unwind with HD televisions, a Nintendo Wii, and coloring books. An expansive lobby hang-out space, Plaza Central, is cleverly designed as a work and relaxation haven for guests, featuring high-speed Wi-Fi and televisions.

And, after a day of city adventures, you can make the most of the hotel's numerous amenities, including a rooftop terrace offering breathtaking city views and The Gastro Bar at 35th serves a full European breakfast each morning.

Time Out tip: You’re within just a 15-minute walk from Madame Tussauds, which is an awesome spot for a family day out.

Address: 345 W 35 St, New York, 10001
Price: Rooms from approximately $160 per night
Easiest transport: 34 St-Penn Station, two minute walk

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