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Pierre Hotel
Photograph: Courtesy of the Pierre

The 12 coolest hotels in NYC to book right now

Check out the coolest hotels in NYC for a sweet stay in the hottest city

Written by
Brooke Sager
&
Paula Akpan
Contributors
Danielle Goldstein
,
Georgia Evans
&
Alex Floyd-Douglass
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While hotels could just be a place to rest when you're visiting somewhere, we know they can be so much more than that. From high-end amenities and cutting-edge technology to stunning attention to detail and fashion-forward design, these incredibly cool hotels in NYC are where it's at. Of course, you could opt for a simple base for your stay, but where's the fun in that? Whether you're coming into New York City from out of town or you're a seasoned New Yorker looking for an ice-cool staycation, we've got you covered. 

And it will probably come as no surprise that as well as some of the coolest hotels in the business, New York has some of the best restaurants, bars, museums, and attractions in the world, too. Make sure you check them out to really make your stay as good as it can be. But first? Make sure you take a proper look at our dreamy selection of the hippest places to lay your head. Because from the luxurious and uber-fashionable to the budget-friendly and brilliantly accessible, our experts have hand-picked the very coolest hotels in NYC to book now. Happy travels!

RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best hotels in NYC
RECOMMENDED: The coolest Airbnbs in New York City
RECOMMENDED: The best hotels with breathtaking views 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

Coolest NYC hotels

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

There’s always something new popping up in NYC – and that’s what makes this iconic hotel that much more alluring. For over a century, The Plaza has remained New York’s premier destination for overnight stays. Found just off Fifth Avenue, this is an internationally-renowned Manhattan stalwart with luxurious rooms that are sure to make an impression. From in-room iPads to gold-plated fixtures, this place oozes old-school glamour. When you're not admiring your room? Check out afternoon tea at The Palm Court, exclusive boutiques, and premium wellness facilities.

Mood? Rich glamour.
Location perks? Conveniently located at the crossroads between Fifth Avenue and Central Park.
Budget range? Pricey.

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

This former hat factory and Prohibition-era tearoom-turned-luxury hotel, is dripping with fashionable history. Head here for chic décor and artistic flair from the ground floor all the way up to the rooftop. It's here that you'll find an impressive list of innovative handcrafted cocktails, which come with a lively crowd and breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and the Empire State Building. This is the perfect place to stay all year round, with Times Square just a 10-minute walk away and Bryant Park right on your doorstep. Cheers to that!

Mood? Contemporary chic.
Location perks? In the heart of Manhattan, an easy 10 minutes walk to Times Square.
Budget range? An absolute steal for NYC.

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The Moxy Hotel in Downtown
Courtesy: Booking.com

3. The Moxy Hotel in Downtown

Live your best Wolf of Wall Street life with a stay at the Moxy in the heart of NYC's financial district. Featuring a 5,000-square-foot bar and lounge, a basketball court, and an old-school arcade, this modern hotel is ideal for a weekend of mischief. Every room is kitted out with automated lighting, shade, and temperature controls, along with a 50" SmartTV, bathrobes, and complimentary toiletries in the private ensuite. What's that? Oh, your bachelor/ette party's calling? Let's go!

Mood? Modern vibes.
Location perks? Nestled in NYC's Financial District.
Budget range? Well priced.

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

Touted as a ‘designer luxury’ hotel, the Bryant Park Hotel is a total favorite among the fashion and film industries, so it’s no surprise the venue’s stylishly sexy vibe infiltrates its on-premise nightlife. The hotel's Célon Bar & Lounge is a swanky, plush, Moroccan-inspired lounge and nightclub with cocktails and DJs.

Mood? Next-level design.
Location perks? Across the street from Bryant Park, with views over NYC from your room.
Budget range? A fantastic deal. 

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

SoHo is a buzzing place to visit while you're staying in New York, so of course, you'll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Rooms come decked out in colorful furnishings, with high ceilings and full-length windows that emulate the artsy vibe of the neighborhood. It's here that you'll get plenty of R and R after long days of exploring the city. The hotel itself also boasts a sun-soaked courtyard and terrace restaurant, serving mouthwatering breakfast plates that are sure to start the day right. Mulberry Street offers everything from Italian restaurants to trendy boutiques, all ready for you to pay them a visit. 

Mood? Classic charm. 
Location perks? In the heart of Soho.
Budget range? Spennnny.

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

First off, Dream is in a fab location: just around the corner from Chelsea Market, a block from the High Line, and a stone’s throw from the Meatpacking District. Basically, this hotel is everywhere you want to be when staying in NYC. The modern theme extends beyond its swish rooms all the way to the beautiful rooftop pool, which is a hot destination in the summer months (and anyone is able to visit). When you want to be cozy, you've got Egyptian cotton bedding and courtesy plush bathrobes in each of the rooms. The nearby neighborhoods include Greenwich Village and Hudson River Park, with the Empire State Building just a short walk away. Talk about a dream destination...

Mood? Stunning interiors.
Location perks? In downtown Manhattan, with the West Village down the road.
Budget range? The price is as dreamy as it sounds.

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

The Bowery’s namesake hotel embodies the ethos of the neighborhood: classic, stylish, and pretty damn cool. It’s a gorgeous-looking place, with industrial design mingling with rich velvets, crisp white linens and moody, atmospheric rooms featuring hardwood flooring and Oushak rugs. It’s in a killer location, too – right at the intersection of the East Village and the Lower East Side. That means you’re right on top of places like Momofuku Ko, Bar Primi, The Wren, Prune and all those other hangouts favored by the hip downtown crowd. One more tip from us? Check out the Bowery Mural Wall. This outdoor gallery at the corner of Houston Street and Bowery features new artists constantly, and the quality is remarkable.

Mood? Utopian delights.
Location perks? Located at the intersection between the East Village and the Lower East Side.
Budget range? Mid-range.

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

Prepare yourself for simply lovely Scandi style in the heart of Manhattan. Soak up the unbelievable views from the floor-to-ceiling windows while chilling out in bed, enjoying room service breakfasts as the city begins to wake up. Behind the hotel's unassuming wood-paneled exterior is Good Behavior, the eighteenth-floor bar that serves up Tiki-inspired cocktails (and craft beer) with panoramas of NYC. There are seats indoors and out, with lush plants everywhere, so it really doesn't matter where you choose to sit because the good vibes abound.

Mood? Boutique.
Location perks? It's 650 yards from Empire State Building. Seriously.
Budget range? Spenny.

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  • Hotels
  • Chain hotels
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • price 4 of 4

This internationally-acclaimed paradise has five stars for a reason: the scene, the service, and the spa. Enjoy the vacation of a lifetime in the city that never sleeps, as this hotel is positioned minutes away from both Fifth Avenue and Central Park. When you've eaten, shopped, and soaked up all the sights in the city, chill out at the utterly serene award-winning spa. Relaxing doesn’t come all that easy in New York, but you shouldn't struggle here. Spread over two luxurious floors, this place has panoramic (silent) views of the city, offering a calming respite in the midst of this concrete jungle. Fluffy robes, on.

Mood? Glitzy glam.
Location perks? Central Park's on your doorstep. Literally.
Budget range? As pricey as you'd expect for the location.

  • Hotels
  • Chain hotels
  • Meatpacking District
  • price 3 of 4

Floating above the iconic High Line, The Standard’s 338 rooms all boast a modern-minimalist vibe with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows and rain showers (they're even pet-friendly if you want to bring a four-legged friend). Nearby, you'll find the ever-buzzing Meatpacking District, which is filled with trendy restaurants, bars, clubs, and designer shops. In the center, The Standard is anything but. You can play ping-pong in the lively German Biergarten, peruse the outdoor art, or head up to Le Bain and its adjoining 35-foot rooftop bar – complete with a 'grass' surface, DJ, and plunge pool. How fancy.

Mood? Late-night vibes.
Location perks? Panoramic views over the Hudson.
Budget range? An awesome deal.

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

Make reservations here to experience sumptuous decor, impeccable views, and exquisite dining in the heart of the Lower East Side. This place has the kind of vintage glamour of old New York, with elegant golden touches, four-poster beds, and luxurious bathrooms. The Ludlow's restaurant, Dirty French, has a decisively friendly but firm NYC vibe and serves up buttery meals of substance. Gorgeously plated tuna tartare, tender pork chops, and delicious sea bass and wine pairings followed by the Opera peanut butter and chocolate cake – topped with dreamy banana ice cream – should satisfy any foodie worth their weight in 'sel'.

Mood? Majestic AF.
Location perks? On the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Budget range? A decent range of options.

  • 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 Pierre will have you living your best life, channeling the rich and famous while strutting down its iconic hallways. And oh-so fittingly, the hotel is literally seconds away from Bergdorf Goodman. The Rotunda on the ground level is the room that The Pierre is most well-known for; the curved walls and grandiose murals make it feel like it was plucked straight from a fairytale. Plus, it was newly renovated to include a full bar for all your nightcap needs.

Mood? Top-notch glam.
Location perks? Just off Fifth Ave, and across from Central Park. Dreamy indeed.
Budget range? Unsurprisingly expensive.

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