The 14 best luxury hotels in NYC

Sitting squarely in one of the city’s most popular areas to visit, this classic hotel entered a new area of excellence after a renovation in 2015. Indulgence comes in all forms: from the opulent lobby to the spectacular in-room views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Catching a show on Broadway? Ask the concierge to arrange a private driver so you can arrive on the Great White Way in style.

If you're looking for a bit of peace – and space – in Manhattan, look no further. The Conrad offers 15 floors of beautifully designed rooms and suites, with views spanning the Hudson and a lobby that looks like something out of Star Trek. From the moment you walk inside, the chaos of the NYC streets is long forgotten. Take some time to stroll through its vast art collection – some 2,000 pieces – in the atrium, before settling down with a glass of cab sauv at the wine bar. Dinner plans fell through? No worries. Join the on-site restaurant for a cozy evening of tasty delights. Cheers.

The futuristic W Times Square literally puts luxury at your fingertips with its signature Whatever/Whenever button. One push on your phone is all it takes to be granted anything from late-night food orders (Blue Fin and Dos Caminos are right downstairs) to sunset helicopter rides. And if that wasn't enough, the decor is very rock 'n' roll, with decadent colors and fabrics all over the place, like purple velvet and shiny black leather.

Despite being sat right in the middle of bustling Midtown West, the Iroquois feels a world away from the manic, flustered outside. Enter its marble lobby and you’ll be transported into the swish 1930s, surrounded by antique grandfather clocks, luxurious dark wood observatories, and piles of leather-bound literary classics. It’s a perfect retreat for recuperation following an exhausting day out in the city – an intimate and plush boutique classic.

The views from the Mandarin Oriental are, put simply, without equal. The best rooms offer sights out over NYC’s most iconic central attractions, from Central Park and Columbus Circle to the Hudson River and, of course, the skyline itself. The rooms make full use of those views with huge floor-to-ceiling windows – and the inside is pretty swanky, too. Smartly and tastefully decorated, the Mandarin has its own selection of top-tier lounges, restaurants, and bars.

The Baccarat gets its influence from Paris rather than Manhattan. As soon as you step inside the opulent lobby, you're struck by the extraordinary art collections, Baccarat-crystal decor, pleated silk walls, and overall sophistication. The extravagance continues in the suites: guests can order bottles of Champagne at the press of a button, revel in soft Italian robes, and make use of the exquisite Baccarat crystal stemware. Top off your stay with a visit to Spa De La Mer for a 90-minute 'Miracle Broth' facial to officially enter a state of nirvana.

Tucked away on a cozy, tree-lined street in the swanky Upper East Side, The Lowell embraces comfort and relaxation like no other. The 74 guest rooms and suites are reminiscent of apartments, outfitted with cushy sofas, fireplaces, stocked bookshelves, and private terraces. During the fall and winter, take advantage of the fireside package that allows couples to snuggle by a wood-burning fire with a bottle of wine. 

Modern amenities complement the opulent decor and old-world charm of this iconic hotel at the base of Central Park. Here, all that glitters is gold – literally. From chair legs and mirror frames to the bathrooms of each guest room and suite, the details are gilded with 24-carat gold plating. Sip a welcome cocktail at the Rose Club lounge, lobby-adjacent Champagne Bar, or Palm Court for an even more luxurious experience.

Opened in 1930 on Central Park’s eastern border, this elegant parkside hotel has been a luxury landmark for nearly a century. Even after its $100 million overhaul, which updated the guest rooms with Turkish marble bathrooms and brought South Asian art to the lobby, the old New York charm remains undeniable.

As one of the few buildings in Manhattan covered in plants, this eco-friendly hotel is the definition of natural elegance. Each of the 229 guest rooms offsets its rustic decor of reclaimed wood ceilings, potted plants, and English ivy with modern accents like wrought iron and wood chairs, glass showers, and leather headboards. Chef Jonathan Waxman plates authentic farm-to-table fare – what else!? – at on-site Jams restaurant.

In 2019 the Viceroy on West 57th had a somewhat European makeover and came out strutting as Le Méridien New York. The decor compliments the building's midcentury architecture, with a nod to the 1960s glamour of the French Riviera. Each of the 240 rooms is decked out in splashes of gold, warm wood paneling and marble bathrooms. There are smart TVs and coffee machines too, but you won't want to spend too much time holed up in your room when the rooftop terrace provides such stellar views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

The 235 guestrooms in this grand hotel just south of Central Park feature plenty of modern amenities, including an electronic system that allows visitors to control the temperature, lighting, television, and more. Ascend to the spa on the 21st floor to enter a zen-like state: the Himalayan Salt Scrub or aromatherapy massage will wash all your worries away. The earth tones, wooden accents, and lush overall feel don't hurt, either. 

Built in 1881, the Beekman was one of the city's first skyscrapers. After a thorough renovation in 2016, the building reopened as a high-end hotel. The breathtaking nine-story Victorian atrium in the Temple Court is nothing short of an architectural treasure – it's worth staying for this reason alone. Although every corner of the property is chock full of historic details and antiques, the addition of contemporary art and surreal motifs keeps the hotel from feeling like a museum. 

The Ritz-Carlton, New York 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.

All of the loft-style guest rooms at this Hyatt subsidiary hotel feature 12-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, while many also include landscaped terraces and private outdoor spaces. And after a long day exploring nearby attractions – including the New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue, and Bryant Park – call up NOMI Beauty’s team of massage therapists, who will give you a Swedish, deep tissue, or targeted massage from the comfort of your room. You can follow that up with a trip to The Bar Downstairs, which serves hand-crafted cocktails and a delectable food menu.