The 19 Best Hotels in New York City

1. The Plaza

768 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

First off for the best hotels in New York City is a hotel you’ll likely recognize. Located on Fifth Avenue, the Plaza Hotel is near-synonymous with New York City; after all, it’s one of the most famous hotels within the city. It’s been featured in films such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Eloise at the Plaza, Eloise at Christmastime, Bride Wars, North by Northwest, and more!

The Plaza offers accommodations for all needs, including accessible rooms, suites, and “legacy suites,” which can reach sizes of up to 1,000 square feet. You’ll find ornately furnished rooms and options to “enhance” your visit by booking breakfast service, a spa appointment, or even makeup application services!

Be warned, though—while this hotel is without equal, you get what you pay for. Even the lowest-priced rooms come with nightly price tags of $1,500+. Still, if you’ve got the budget and you’re looking for the royal treatment, the Plaza is worth every single penny.

2. The Carlyle

35 East 76th St. New York, NY

Number two on my best hotels in New York City rankings, The Carlyle is located in the Upper East Side, and it makes a fantastic location for more than just resting your head in between city expeditions—it’s an enviable wedding venue, as well. Its beauty makes for the perfect stage for your nuptial celebrations, and they even offer “a complimentary two-night honeymoon getaway that includes a romantic private dinner and a very special welcome” in one of the hotels run by Rosewood if you book certain wedding packages with them.

Not feeling the romance, but wanting to stay regardless? The Carlyle is perfect for any adventure or occasion in the Big Apple; they even have kid-friendly activities and spaces, and they’re pet-friendly, as well.

Their rooms are smaller than the plaza, but it still makes the list of best hotels in New York City because of its unbeatable location, slightly (and I really do mean slightly) less expensive prices, and incredible views.

3. The St. Regis

Two East 55th Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

Next on the list of best hotels in New York City is the St. Regis! This Manhattan hotel offers butler service, direct access to Fifth Ave, and even a rooftop ballroom!

If you want to stay limber in between your time in the city, you can also book time one-on-one with a yoga or Pilates instructor during your stay. There are exquisite dining options, including the hotel bar and a signature restaurant.

The price for the “basic” rooms—if anything in New York can be referred to as basic—is a bit lower than the prior best hotels in New York City, but you’re not losing any finery by saving a bit of money. However, the fancier suites are comparable in price to the others.

4. The Ritz-Carlton

50 Central Park South New York, NY

The Ritz-Carlton makes the list of best hotels in New York City thanks to its brilliant location; you can find this hotel in the southern area of Central Park!

This hotel shows a bit less history in its décor thanks to a recent renovation to reflect more modern styles, but you can still expect all the same top-tier service and accommodations!

If you’re looking to hold meetings in the Ritz-Carlton, I have great news for you—they offer truly unique meeting spaces that are suite-styled rather than your classic conference room, allowing for more relaxed and comfortable environments for problem solving, presentations, and creative thinking!

5. Baccarat Hotel

28 West 53rd Street New York, NY

If you’re looking for the best New York City hotels with incredible dining options, look no further than the Baccarat Hotel! The culinary director of this establishment has two Michelin stars to his name, so you’re sure not to be disappointed with the offerings to be found here.

Not only that, but if you don’t feel like trying to catch a cab, good news—you don’t have to! The Baccarat Hotel offers chauffeur service around the city in a luxury car…so long as your destination is within 15 blocks.

This hotel leans deep into French influence, and you can see this reflected in the décor. It’s sharper, cleaner, and more simple in its modernity, but it’s still a beautiful place to stay.

6. Crosby Street Hotel

79 Crosby Street, New York, NY

Ice cream lovers rejoice! Next up on the list of best hotels in New York City is Crosby Street Hotel, which is located right near the Museum of Ice Cream, which would definitely be my dream destination in New York!

That aside, though, Crosby Street Hotel is a truly delightful place to stay. The décor is colorful and lively, and it offers access to a sculpture garden, a rooftop kitchen garden, and even an opportunity to take part in afternoon tea!

7. Soho House New York

29-35 9th Avenue New York, NY

The next hotel on my list of best hotels in New York City is a bit more exclusive…you have to be a member in order to book at a considerably lower rate.

With membership, you can book a “Cozy Room” for as low as $445, with the price increasing as the sizes of the rooms do…if you’re not a member, the price for a room jumps to twice as much. Still, Soho House is certainly worth the extra effort…or the extra money, whatever the case may be!

Soho House offers a rooftop pool, easygoing event spaces, and incredible dining options, including brunch!

8. The Mercer

147 Mercer St New York, NY

Also located in Soho, this next member of the best hotels in New York City club is considered “Soho’s foremost luxury hotel,” according to their website.

The Mercer is elegant and sleek in its design, including its gym area—this room is available by appointment, so you’re able to have your privacy while ensuring you stick to your routine even while traveling. The prices here are middling, but the experience is not.

9. The Lowell

28 East Sixty Third Street, New York, NY

The Lowell truly sings with elegance and finery; really, it’s just plain pretty. With plenty of floral details, inspired art pieces, and delicate colors, the Lowell is absolutely pleasing to the eye.

The rooms reflect this same style, every option for your stay no less fine than the next. They even offer some specialty suites with actual terraces, which feels unbearably beautiful. If you’re a hopeless romantic at heart, the Lowell is the best pick for you.

10. The Langham

400 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY

The Langham Hotel sits solidly on the luxury end of the best hotels in New York City, but the price is considerably less than some of the other hotels on our list…looking at you, Plaza.

This hotel offers a Michelin-starred restaurant on the premises, so you’re sure to be dining in style here. You can also visit Bar Fiori, which offers the same menu as well as smaller options if you’re not wanting a full meal.

11. Hyatt Grand Central

109 East 42nd Street at Grand Central Terminal, New York, NY

Next up on the list of best hotels in New York City, Hyatt Grand Central is truly a unique stayover experience—it’s connected directly to Grand Central Terminal, which puts you in a sightseeing destination by default!

Each room offers a luxury bathtub, ergonomic chairs to go with their convenient workstations, accessible options for disabled guests, and more incredible features.

While you’re close to many incredible dining options in the city, you can also grab something to eat from the Market inside the hotel.

12. Times Square EDITION

20 Times Square and 701 7th Avenue, New York, NY

While the Times Square EDITION’s room décor may seem plainer than most other hotels on this list, it makes up for it with utterly jaw-dropping views. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to peek out at the city whenever you please.

You can also find Michelin-starred-chef-inspired offerings in this hotel, and the décor in the dining and other common areas of the hotel make up for the simpler look to its rooms.

13. The Beekman

123 Nassau Street New York, NY

If you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast, you simply have to make arrangements to stay at The Beekman. The theater housed within this hotel saw Hamlet’s first venture into New York.

The décor here is anything but plain. The interior of the Beekman is thick with history and marvelous accoutrements throughout the hotel.

Though all of the best hotels in New York City are incredible, personally, this is my top favorite. Its elegance, historical significance, and breathtaking beauty is simply too much to ignore. Not to mention, the price is vastly more affordable than previous hotels listed. But we’re not done yet…

14. ModernHaus Soho

27 Grand Street, New York, NY

Located in Soho, as the name suggests, ModernHaus Soho is a great compromise if you don’t want to be right in the heart of all the hustle and bustle, but still want to stay in New York City proper.

Here you do receive a complimentary breakfast, but there are other offers you can book that are utterly unique to this hotel…including the Aire Ancient Baths!

This bathhouse is a great destination for those who need to soak away the tension of the day…or, y’know, the past couple years. If you book this experience, you’ll even receive an aloe vera shot, body scrub, and face mask!

15. Margaritaville Resort

560 Seventh Avenue New York, NY

Back to Times Square we go for the next hotel on the list of best hotels in New York City! Margaritaville Resort brings some tropical flair to the city atmosphere with island-themed décor, dining experiences, and more.

This hotel is the perfect choice if you’re a beach bum at heart who doesn’t want to totally leave the ocean behind while dipping a toe in city life. It even offers a tiki bar!

16. The Draper

4-6 West 37th Street, New York, NY

The Draper may not seem too different form my other choices for the best hotels in New York City, but its wide array of amenities is the reason it got picked!

You can expect access to shoe-shining services, a lounge and bar area, a coffee shop, and even 24 hour first aid staffing!

The Draper is a great choice if you’re in town to see a Broadway show, as it’s located conveniently close to the Theater District.

17. Pod Times Square

400 West 42nd Street, New York, NY

The Pod is the best choice if you’re really just in need of basic accommodations. Basic Pod rooms will run you far less than most hotel rooms in New York, but they’re still incredibly nice, comfortable, and even come equipped with soundproof windows!

This option makes the list of best hotels in New York City because of its combination of quality rooms and affordability. It’s also located conveniently near Times Square.

18. Hard Rock Hotel

159 West 48th Street, New York, NY

Familiar with the Hard Rock Café? Well, now you can add the Hard Rock Hotel to your list! It certainly made the list of best hotels in New York City for a reason; between the RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge, NYY Steak, Sessions Restaurant, you won’t have any lack of great food to pick from.

Not only that, but this hotel is gorgeous. It offers a musical-themed retail store called “Rock Shop,” as well as many options to integrate your favorite music into your visit.

19. Kimberly Hotel

145 E 50th St, New York, NY

The first thing you’ll notice upon entering the Kimberly Hotel is its unique water feature in the lobby—a saltwater aquarium! Kids will love getting to watch the fish swim about, and adults will love…well, just about everything else, which is why this hotel makes the list of best hotels in New York City!

Despite the good size of the rooms and convenient location in Midtown, the rates for the Kimberly are incredibly affordable, which is certainly a win in my book. This is a good compromise between utter extravagance and something too far out from the city to be convenient.