The 16 best luxury hotels in New York City for 2026
Nowhere in the world does luxury quite like New York City, and from sleek, glassy, towering stays which overlook Columbus Circle and Central Park to tiny little boutique hotels which feel more like ridiculously fancy private homes, luxury comes in all grandiose shapes and glitzy sizes here.
But we aren’t just talking about cloud-like bedding and pretty decor—luxury also means gorging on dishes crafted by world-class chefs, being in prime New York locations, and enjoying polished, attentive service. So, looking to splash out on an ultra-luxe stay in NYC? Here’s where we would recommend, with new reviews of The Fifth Avenue Hotel, The Knickerbocker, and obviously, The Plaza.
Which area is best to stay in New York?
For proper, over-the-top luxury, blockbuster New York hotels live on Fifth Avenue, in FiDi, or on the Upper East and West sides. You can browse our comprehensive guide to all of New York City’s best neighborhoods—it will help you figure out which is the best for your trip.
New York’s most luxurious hotels at a glance:
🤩 Most iconic: The Plaza
💎 Most luxurious: The Lowell Hotel
👛 Best budget: The Wallace Hotel
🌃 Best view: Mandarin Oriental
👙 Best pool: The Peninsula New York
📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York
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 re