New York: it’s a helluva great hotel town. Choose from art deco gems, designer eco-oases, modern skyscrapers, and beachfront resorts (yes, really). Location matters more than thread count, so make time to research the neighborhood that best suits your NYC vibe.
Loews Regency New York
Perfect for: Upper East Side location, residential neighborhood, well-heeled families
Starting from $US699 per night (excluding taxes). 540 Park Ave & 61st Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 759 4100.
loewshotels.com
Wythe Hotel
Perfect for: Hipsters, trendsetters, aspiring Brooklynites
From $US309 a night (excluding taxes). 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 718 460 8000.
wythehotel.com
TWA Hotel
Perfect for: Aviation geeks, stylish stopovers, social media creators—The golden age of flying lives on at TWA Hotel, the only on-site airport hotel at JFK International. The original TWA Flight Center building, designed by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, was completed in 1962. For almost 20 years, it sat empty, until a visionary developer turned it into a fabulously kitsch, retro hotel with vintage furniture, a Mad Men-reminiscent cocktail bar, and a rooftop pool overlooking one of JFK’s runways. The hotel is connected to Terminal 5, which serves low-cost airline JetBlue. It’s well worth an overnight check-in, particularly if you’re arriving late or departing early from JFK Airport, but you probably won’t want to base yourself there for long stays. The AirTrain and subway ride to Manhattan can take more than an hour. Blade, the on-demand helicopter service, is faster.
From $US279 a night (excluding taxes). John F Kennedy International Airport, One Idlewild Drive, Queens. Phone: +1 212 806 9000.
twahotel.com
Four Seasons Hotel New York
Perfect for: Supreme luxury, Four Seasons loyalists, central Midtown locationThe Four Seasons Hotel New York is an Art Deco masterpiece and a Midtown Manhattan landmark on the stretch of East 57th Street known as Billionaire’s Row. Reopened at the end of 2024 after undergoing property-wide enhancements during an almost five-year closure, the ultra-luxury hotel was designed by celebrated architect I.M. Pei. Soaring 52 stories, it’s the second-tallest hotel in the city, offering spectacular park and skyline views. Just steps from Central Park, Fifth Avenue shopping, and Rockefeller Plaza, there are 219 accommodations, ranging in size from 500 square feet (46 square meters) to 4,300 square feet (400 square meters). The grand lobby, popular dining venues, and the see-and-be-seen TY Bar are worth visiting (cameras at the ready), even if you’re not checking in.
From $1795 a night (excluding taxes). 57 East 57th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 758 5700.
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Graduate by Hilton New York
Perfect for: Affordable stays, curious explorers, extraordinary viewsA stay at Graduate by Hilton New York gives visitors a taste of locals’ neighborhood Roosevelt Island, located in the East River between Manhattan and mainland Queens. Part of a chain that offers affordable, cleverly designed accommodations in university towns (Cornell Tech is nearby), the hotel is within easy reach of Manhattan’s Midtown East via the F subway, the Roosevelt Island Tramway and ferry services. There’s also plenty to do on the island, with a range of dining options on Main Street and public parks that are home to beautiful cherry blossom trees. Don’t miss Panorama Room, an elegant bar on the 18th floor with some of the most extraordinary sunset views in the city. The lobby-level restaurant, Anything At All, is an all-day venue serving tasty burgers, salads and breakfast classics.
From $US261 a night (excluding taxes). 22 North Loop Road, Roosevelt Island, Queens. Phone: +1 929 447 4700.
hilton.com
The Plaza
Perfect for: Bucket-list NYC stays, cinema set-seeing, history buffs
Starting from $US995 per night (excluding taxes). 768 Fifth Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 759 3000.
theplazany.com
Baccarat Hotel New York
Perfect for: Glamour and bling, sophisticated decor, upscale bar and spa. Twinkle, shine and sparkle is the captivating design brief at Baccarat Hotel New York, a glamorous Midtown hotel conceptualised by the French crystal house Baccarat. From afternoon tea in the Grand Salon, blooming with red roses and crystal chandeliers, to the sexy bar and Parisian-esque accommodations, it’s a dreamy homage to beauty and luxury. The signature Spa De La Mer is the first dedicated spa in the US by premium skincare brand La Mer. Treatments promise the fountain of youth, in an opulent setting. Ideally located on West 53rd Street, the hotel is mere steps from MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. Subway connections are plentiful, though you might prefer to stroll to nearby restaurants, shops and Central Park.
From $US973 a night (excluding taxes). 28 West 53rd Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 790 8800.
baccarathotels.com
The William Vale
Perfect for: Manhattan views, Brooklyn buzz, affordable staysIn the heart of hip Williamsburg, The William Vale is a convenient base for exploring Brooklyn and beyond. Every room has a balcony with stellar Manhattan views, and the rooftop pool is one of the largest and most popular in the city (splash out on a summer day pass if you’re not staying on-property). Decor and design is welcoming and unstuffy, creating an ambience more residential than standard hotel room. Locals, guests and tourists alike frequent the hotel’s buzzy bars and restaurants, including Leuca, where James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini does wonderful things with Southern Italian dishes, and Westlight, an indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge that’s perfect on a warm, spring afternoon. You won’t miss the 22-storey building on approach; the concrete-and-glass structure makes a big statement in the primarily low-rise neighborhood.
From $US255 a night (excluding taxes). 111 North 12th Street, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 718 631 8400.
thewilliamvale.com
The Carlyle
Perfect for: Celebrity sightings, luxury indulgences, the spirit of old New York—That a film has been made about this hotel— Always at The Carlyle — featuring luminaries such as George Clooney, Anthony Bourdain, Roger Federer, and Fran Lebowitz sharing fond memories of martinis at Bemelmans Bar and spicy assignations — is a testament to its storied reputation. Opened in 1930, the Upper East Side landmark is a celebrity favorite, as beloved for the discretion of its staff as for the lavishness of its decor. The 35-story, 192-room hotel offers glorious views of Central Park and is within easy reach of The Met, The Frick, and The Guggenheim museums. At Café Carlyle, book ahead for shows by A-list singers and cabaret performers.
From $US799 a night. 35 East 76th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 744 1600.
rosewoodhotels.com
The Ritz-Carlton, NoMad
Perfect for: Modern luxury and glamour, superior service, fab bar and restaurant. With all the flawless details one would expect from The Ritz-Carlton brand – and in a newly built property – this hotel is a shining example of NYC’s modern luxury class, with a nightly room rate to match. An enticing food and beverage collection so far includes Zaytinya, a Mediterranean restaurant by celebrated chef José Andrés, and Nubeluz, a cocktail bar on the 50th floor with spectacular views. At The Bazaar by José Andrés, avant-garde dining celebrates Spanish and Japanese flavors and techniques. The skyscraper hotel’s 250 rooms and suites have a soft and elegant palette, and the 632-square-metre spa and fitness centre offers treatments using luxe products from Augustinus Bader.
From $US900 a night. 25 West 28th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 404 8400.
ritzcarlton.com
The Langham
Perfect for: Couples, families, VIPs, corporate news. With some of the most spacious suites in the city and a prime midtown location on Fifth Avenue, The Langham is a favored address of visiting dignitaries, NBA teams (in town to play at nearby Madison Square Garden), and those who enjoy luxury paired with convenience. Many of the room configurations have features that will appeal to longer-stay guests, including furnished terraces, kitchenettes, washer/dryers, and Empire State Building views. Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant features chef Michael White’s French and Italian cuisine, with various prix fixe menus representing good value. Just one block away you\’ll find Macy’s and many other shops in the 34th Street-Herald Square area. Also within easy walking distance: Times Square, Bryant Park, the main New York Public Library branch, and Grand Central Station.
Starting from $US600 per night (excluding taxes). 400 5th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 695 4005.
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Park Lane
Perfect for: Couples, Central Park views, nightlife
From $US450 a night (excluding taxes). 36 Central Park South, New York. Phone: +1 212 371 4000.
parklanenewyork.com
Moxy New York Times Square
Perfect for: Young and young at heart, mid-range budgets, central location. If you’re going to stay in the busy Times Square precinct, embrace the fun factor. Moxy Times Square is part of Marriott’s millennial-friendly brand, with Instagram-ready neon signs, provocative sculptures, and a very popular rooftop bar, Magic Hour. The 600-plus rooms are playful, colorful, and cool, using clever design to maximize small spaces. Common areas include the lobby bar, co-working spaces, and a brasserie, Legasea, which has good happy hour deals. Located at the southern end of Times Square, the hotel is close to Macy’s on 34th Street and lots of subway connections. (There are five other Moxy hotels throughout the city.)
From $US234 a night (excluding taxes). 485 7th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 967 6699.
marriott.com
Under Brooklyn
Perfect for: Bargain hunters, singles, social types — In hotel parlance, the rooms are “compact,” which is to say they’re small, but who goes to New York to spend time in their room anyway? Ultramodern, functional, and located in trendy Williamsburg, Pod Brooklyn is also very affordable, a rarity in the city. Surrounded by cafes, bars, and shops, the hotel’s 249 rooms are based on Japanese pod hotel design. We suspect there was also some IKEA inspiration. The lobby is playful (note the giant Jenga sculpture), while the mezzanine lounge is a comfy space to work or wait for check-in time. If there’s no availability at this property, try the Pod hotels in three other NYC locations.
From $US135 a night. 247 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 844 763 7666.
thepodhotel.com
The Rockaway Hotel
Perfect for: Beach lovers, surfers, return visitors to NYC
From $US290 a night. 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens. Phone: +1 718 474 1216.
therockawayhotel.com
The Gansevoort
Perfect for: LGBTQI Zap News, art and design enthusiasts, party people. The Gansevoort first opened in 2004, when Sex and the City was helping rebrand the formerly rough-and-tumble Meatpacking District into somewhere as cool as a Cosmopolitan, and it’s recently had a multi-million-dollar renovation. The new-look 186 guestrooms are modern and stylish, with ombre wallpaper, subway tile in the bathrooms, Google Nest Hubs, and Mirror gyms. Many overlook the Hudson River. The neighborhood is now one of the most sophisticated in the city, home to attractions like the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Little Island, and Chelsea Market. Bars, restaurants, and nightlife at the hotel and in the surrounding area reflect the energy of visitors and locals who know how to have fun.
From $US465 a night (excluding taxes). 18 9th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 877 426 7386.
gansevoorthotelgroup.com
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Perfect for: Eco-conscious Zap News, trendsetters, Brooklyn based Sustainability meets chic design at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, where eco-conscious decor has been created by local artists with native greenery and reclaimed objects. There’s not a plastic bottle in sight. Guests enjoy a prime DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge waterfront base, with spectacular views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. (A sister hotel is located near Central Park.) With so much of New York’s action now taking place in Brooklyn, it’s a smart choice to stay in the borough for at least part of your visit. Make the most of the hotel’s cinema room, plunge pool, rooftop bar and all-natural Bamford Spa before venturing out.
From $US375 a night (excluding taxes). 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 347 696 2500.
1hotels.com
Hotel Indigo, Lower East Side
Perfect for: Hipsters, nightlife, lower Manhattan accessThe Lower East Side is lit, as the kids say. One of the coolest and edgiest neighborhoods in Manhattan, it’s a bustling jumble of nightlife, boutiques, restaurants, bars and century-old tenement buildings. On Ludlow Street is Hotel Indigo, an IHG property with a focus on modern design, street art and local characters. In fact, the 14th-floor lobby is decorated with outsized snapshots of LES history.
From $US 239 a night (excluding taxes). 171 Ludlow Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 237 1776.
ihg.com
Ace Hotel
Perfect for: Young and young-at-heart, creative types, pet-friendly
From $US
285 a
night (excluding taxes). 20 West 29th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 679 2222. See
acehotel.com
Boro Hotel
Perfect for: Urban explorers, mid-range budgets, Manhattan views
From $US 278 a night (excluding taxes). 38-34 27th Street, Queens. Phone: +1 718 433 1375.
borohotel.com