The 8 Best New York City Hotels of 2018

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the four-star Library Hotel has it all: a prime location that's just a 10-minute walk from the Empire State Building and a hot-spot eatery and swank accommodations. Inspired by the Dewey Decimal system, this boutique concept hotel is a bibliophile’s paradise. There are 60 luxury guest rooms, each one containing a treasure trove of rare books and art. The Reading Room provides a literary setting for a free breakfast buffet each morning, and for a complimentary wine and cheese reception every evening.

Accommodation choices range from cozy single-occupancy bedrooms to spacious suites with elevated views of the New York Public Library. All rooms include luxury bath amenities, cable TV and a minibar stocked with gourmet refreshments. On-site bistro Madison & Vine pairs classic American cuisine with an impeccable wine list, while the 14th floor terrace transforms into a rooftop cocktail bar after dark. The hotel has a selection of intimate...MORE meeting and event spaces. Rates include unlimited WiFi and access to Manhattan’s New York Sports Clubs. 

Channeling the creative energy of bustling SoHo, Crosby Street Hotel is surrounded by the neighborhood’s independent shops and art galleries. The hotel has 86 cozy, contemporary guest rooms and suites. Each one has its own unique design, tied together by ornate floral headboards and jaw-dropping floor-to-ceiling views. From the marble bathroom to the oversized TV, the emphasis here is on comfort.

Despite its small size, Crosby Street Hotel has all the amenities of a much larger venue - including a private gym and a 99-seat theater. There’s an honor bar in the elegant drawing room, and the sculpture garden is a veritable oasis. At The Crosby Street Bar, indulge in afternoon tea and evening cocktails, as well as meals made with ingredients grown in the rooftop kitchen garden. Original artworks can be found throughout, making this the perfect choice for design connoisseurs, too. 

The Harlem Flophouse provides an enclave of quiet for travelers with a limited budget and an appreciation for old-world charm. Located just north of Central Park, this historic hotel is a short walk from Harlem landmarks such as the Apollo Theater and the legendary Paris Blues jazz dive bar. The Victorian townhouse was originally built as a family home. It opened its doors to lodgers in 1917, and the intervening decades have done little to alter its homey atmosphere.

With only five guest rooms, this budget-friendly hotel is both personal and peaceful. Original fixtures adorn its spacious interiors. From claw-foot bathtubs to time-worn hardwood floors, the style and creativity of the Harlem Renaissance is always evident. Amenities at The Harlem Flophouse are basic: four of the rooms have shared bathroom facilities, and there’s no restaurant on-site. However, modern comforts such as air-conditioning and TV are a small price to pay for authenticity. 

As befits its location in New York’s nightlife epicenter, this Chelsea/Meatpacking District hotel shines a spotlight on after-hours fun. Dream Downtown resembles a ship with its port-hole shaped windows and inside, it’s all aboard for a good time. Two sleek restaurants serve Mexican and Japanese cuisine, while outside deck The Beach features imported sand, a glass-bottom swimming pool and a DJ booth.

After dark, PHD Rooftop Lounge is the place to be. Attracting the city’s hippest crowd, the bar is a fantasyland of cocktails, DJ decks and Empire State Building views. Downstairs, basement nightclub The Electric Room keeps the music playing until 4 a.m. From HD TVs to landscaped terraces, Dream Downtown’s rooms and suites offer a wide choice of amenities - for when you eventually go to bed. 

With a prime location on Times Square, DoubleTree Suites provides the perfect introduction to the glitz and glamor of New York. Major tourist attractions including the Rockefeller Center and the Broadway theaters are within easy walking distance - even for little legs. The hotel is known for its friendly service, and for a warm cookie welcome treat guaranteed to win young hearts over from the start.

Despite its thrilling location, DoubleTree Suites is well soundproofed. Affordable suites are designed for families with a master bedroom, a bathroom and a living room complete with a pull-out sofa bed. With two TVs per suite, keeping little ones entertained is easy. Broadway-themed Gingers Restaurant offers high chairs and a children’s menu, while AdLib Lounge gives parents the chance to enjoy a well-earned drink after the kids have gone to bed. 

Located a block from Central Park on the exclusive Upper East Side, The Carlyle is a landmark in its own right. Built in 1930, it is no stranger to elite society - including American presidents and British royals. Romantic experiences abound - in the Sisley-Paris Spa, or in The Carlyle Restaurant, where you can enjoy caviar and champagne by candlelight. In Bemelmans Bar, share signature cocktails beneath the 24-carat gold leaf ceiling.

The hotel offers 190 rooms and suites. In the rooms, classic prints and elegant fabrics create an atmosphere of golden era sophistication. Modern amenities including a full minibar and a luxurious bath help set the scene for romance, while room service is available around the clock. For honeymoons and anniversaries, choose a suite with personalized butler service and an art collection curated by The Met Museum. 

Five-star Baccarat Hotel creates a world of shimmering crystal in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Located a short stroll from the Museum of Modern Art, the hotel is a showcase for masterpieces by the famous French brand. White-toned rooms and suites offer crystal fixtures, King beds, marble bathrooms and oversized TVs. Book a night in the opulent Baccarat Suite and take a piece of crystal home with you.

The silk-covered walls and stunning chandelier of the Grand Salon set the stage for evening champagne receptions. Gourmet French classics are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while in the bar, fine wines and liquors are poured into Baccarat crystal glasses. From a heated indoor pool to an endless menu of spa treatments and massages, this decadent hotel attends to your every whim. 

This four-star Hell’s Kitchen hotel is conveniently located a 15-minute walk from the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. There is also 6,000 square feet of meeting space on-site, including the Heaven Over Hell Penthouse Suite. Here, breathtaking Hudson River views are sure to impress your colleagues. After meetings, unwind with a massage in the spa; or with a glass of wine at rooftop bar The Press Lounge. Seasonal restaurant PRINT. is open seven days a week, while luxury ensuite rooms and suites ensure a good night’s sleep. WiFi, valet parking and a complimentary fitness center all combine to make life on the road a little bit easier. 

A hybrid between a boutique guesthouse and a youth hostel, City Rooms is an affordable retreat in an expensive city for those traveling on a shoe-string budget. Located between Chelsea and Midtown West, City Rooms is around the corner from Penn Station and just a few blocks from the High Line. Rooms have hardwood floors and funky, yet chic New York City-themed décor, with a mix of King, Queen or bunk-style beds. Although the rooms are private at this hostel, the bathrooms are shared among the guests. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning throughout, and tea, water and coffee in the reception area. A number of bars and restaurants are located around the hostel.