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From heritage institutions to quirky hostels, New York City offers a hotel for every type of traveler. A quick search, whether it's to find uptown glamour, downtown energy, or family-friendly luxury, will yield endless options in every category of accommodations. So it's no surprise that finding the perfect place to rest your head in the city that never sleeps can prove to be a daunting task.
When choosing a hotel in New York City, consider the property’s location before making any other decisions. New York is a walking city through and through, so it’s wise to book a hotel with proximity to the sites you plan to visit. Next, weigh the importance of different amenities, room and suite rates, and the distinct vibe of the hotel and its respective neighborhood. Here, we narrow down the options to category-topping properties that you can call home as you explore the hustle and bustle of this iconic east coast metropolis. Read on for our expert list of the best New York City hotels.
The Rundown
Best Overall: The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Best Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Best Budget: Harlem Flophouse
Best for Families: The Peninsula New York
Best Historical Property: The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel
Best Brooklyn Property: The William Vale
Best Scene: The Bowery Hotel
Best Views: The Standard, High Line
Best Overall: The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
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The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Why We Chose It
This uptown institution offers a taste of New York elegance at its best, plus can’t-beat proximity to the park.
Upper East Side location, a block from Central Park
Impeccable service with a staff of 400
High price tag, especially in peak seasons
Guests will be in good company staying at the Carlyle Hotel, an iconic property that has been favored by presidents, royalty, and celebrities since its opening in 1931. With its prime location on Madison Avenue, the hotel is a landmark of New York City glamour, counting white glove-clad bellhops, Art Deco interiors, and a dimly-lit piano bar on its list of allures.
The hotel does not sacrifice contemporary comforts, however, with luxurious bed linens and Kiehl's bathroom amenities complementing the rooms’ romantic decor. Through the famed black and white marble lobby, guests have access to a few of the neighborhoods best restaurants and bars right within the hotel, including Bemelmans Bar, featuring live music beneath a 24-carat gold-leaf ceiling.
Notable Amenities
- Sisley-Paris spa and salon
- Afternoon tea available at The Gallery
Best Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
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Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Why We Chose It
From its contemporary design to its streamlined check-in process, every element of the Four Seasons Downtown is a nod to understated, effortless luxury.
Entry-level rooms start at 400 square feet (larger than average for NYC)
Multilingual concierge arranges reservations and tours
Room decor lacks character
Opened in 2016, the Four Seasons downtown is all about white-glove service blending with modern ease. The hotel is smack-dab in the middle of New York’s bustling downtown and enjoys up-close views of attractions like the Oculus. But the serene rooftop pool and discreet atmosphere make it a real oasis in the city.
Guests are treated to plush rooms with all the expected luxuries, including soaking tubs, espresso machines, and fine linens. While not indulging in treatments at the top-notch spa, guests will be enticed by the aromas of CUT by Wolfgang Puck, the swanky steakhouse right off the hotel lobby.
Notable Amenities
- 75-foot rooftop indoor pool
- State-of-the-art fitness center
Best Budget: Harlem Flophouse
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Harlem Flophouse
Why We Chose It
Located in a historic Victorian townhouse, this property proves that European charm does not have to be expensive.
Distinctive character and period details
Quiet location
Rooms are bare-bones and several share bathroom facilities
No on-site restaurant
The Harlem Flophouse is a true relic of the Harlem Renaissance, when the term “flophouse” was invented to describe an inexpensive hotel where jazz musicians and artists could rest their heads. Today, the historic townhouse-turned-hotel welcomes travelers who don’t mind sacrificing a few modern comforts for homeyness and character.
Just several blocks north of Central Park, the hotel is filled with nods to its past, including jazz-age tchotchkes, antique maps, and vintage wallpaper. And while the four rooms (named after Harlem icons such as Thelonius Monk) lack amenities like air conditioning, the nightly rates are unbeatable.
Notable Amenities
- Claw-foot tubs
- Desk in every room
Best for Families: The Peninsula New York
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The Peninsula New York
Why We Chose It
Children and parents both receive the five-star New York experience at this historic Midtown hotel.
Proximity to the Theater District, museums, and shopping
A variety of room categories, including residence-style suites
Midtown location can be hectic and noisy
Some lower-tier rooms lack views and elegant decor
With its gilded, flag-flanked entrance on Fifth Avenue, the Peninsula is considered by many to be New York’s ultimate Grande Dame. Glamorous elements abound at the hotel, including an intimate rooftop lounge, an indulgent spa, BMW airport transfers, and marble bathrooms.
The hotel sets itself apart from other luxury mainstays thanks to its noted family offerings—and we’re not talking just babysitting services and pint-sized bathrobes (though guests can certainly enjoy those amenities). The Camp Peninsula package, for instance, includes a hotel scavenger hunt, in-room tent set-up, and personalized gifts like s’mores. Peninsula Academy offers highly curated experiences for both children and adults, such as a Broadway show with cast member meet-and-greet, and off-hours tours of the nearby MoMA.
Notable Amenities
- Glass-enclosed rooftop pool
- Terrace restaurant with bird’s-eye city views
- Fitness classes
Best Historical Property: The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel
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The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel
Why We Chose It
Located in a masterfully restored 19th-century building, the Beekman Hotel epitomizes New York history.
Decor is more unique than comparable luxury properties
Dog-friendly (up to 35 pounds)
Old building comes with its kinks
No on-site spa
If these walls could talk, they would most certainly brag. Throughout the Beekman building’s 150-year history, it has been recognized many times over, including as one of Manhattan’s original skyscrapers (at nine floors) and as the location of New York City’s debut of "Hamlet."
Located in the financial district, the Beekman Hotel is a true feast for the eyes. Surrounding a striking nine-story atrium with a skylight, the hotel is adorned with mosaic marble floors, Persian rugs, and vintage chandeliers. Guest rooms are equally stylish, but with creature comforts like Carrara marble-tiled bathrooms and D.S. & Durga toiletries.
Notable Amenities
- On-site Temple Court restaurant helmed by chef Tom Colicchio
- Fitness center occupying two floors
- Impressive art collection
Best Brooklyn Property: The William Vale
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The William Vale
Why We Chose It
The William Vale defined “Brooklyn cool” when it opened in 2016, and it’s still the best choice in the borough for a cosmopolitan experience with unbeatable amenities, an award-winning restaurant, and 360-degree views.
All accommodations feature private balconies with views of Manhattan
Glamorous rooftop with 60-foot outdoor swimming pool
Restaurants often require reservations days in advance, even for hotel guests
No on-site spa
The unmistakable zig-zag facade of the William Vale jumps out of the Brooklyn skyline and is a favorite for its trend-setting rooftop and laid-back luxury. A stone’s throw from Williamsburg’s top attractions like Smorgasburg and McCarren Park, the hotel has 183 light-filled rooms, each with a Lavazza coffee machine and bath products by Le Labo.
Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini ensures the hotel’s culinary offerings are some of the best across the bridge, including Westlight, with its elevated street food and 360-degree city views. Thanks to the hotel’s creative identity, there is always something new happening, whether it’s a pop-up skating rink, rooftop yoga series, or lawn games on the summer turf.
Notable Amenities
- Vale Park: 15,000 square feet of landscaped green space on the hotel's second garden level
- Modern art-filled lobby
Best Scene: Bowery Hotel
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Bowery Hotel
Why We Chose It
With its storied lobby bar and chic atmosphere, the Bowery Hotel is the ultimate spot for a dose of downtown cool.
Occupies prime real estate between the East Village and NoHo
Smart room technology, including HD televisions with movies on demand
Neighborhood can be noisy at night
Small fitness center
“Meet me at the Bowery” is a key phrase for every stylish New Yorker, and for good reason. Travelers may come for the dimly-lit lobby bar filled with velvet curtains, leather armchairs, and crackling fireplaces (at which hotel guests are offered priority seating). But they will stay for the expertly appointed rooms, complete with marble soaking tubs, plush draperies, and plenty of natural light. Higher room categories offer spacious terraces and unobstructed bird's-eye views of the city. And while there is no pool or spa, scene-seekers can’t go wrong with the Bowery.
Notable Amenities
- Complimentary bicycles
- Local-approved Italian trattoria, Gemma
Best Views: The Standard, High Line
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The Standard, High Line
Why We Chose It
Guests can eat, drink, and sleep in the clouds at the Standard High Line, where spectacular views are the raison d’être.
Waterside location surrounded by green space
24-hour room service and concierge
Entry-level rooms are small at 250 square feet
No child-friendly amenities
Located above the elevated train-line-turned-public-park known as the High Line, the Standard Hotel offers a swanky and vista-filled downtown experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows are found nearly everywhere at the hotel, including in all guest rooms (which are outfitted with Italian sheets and Bluetooth audio) and in the gym, with its unique lookout over the Hudson River. Waterfront location and ample nearby greenspace are a rarity in NYC, making the Standard a knock-out in its category.
Thanks to the Standard’s buzzy eateries, guests need not leave the hotel for a taste of the New York food scene. Coveted on-site restaurants include the beer garden and the Standard Grill, which offers excellent streetside people-watching.
Notable Amenities
- Fitness center with Peloton bikes
- Full calendar of events (movie screenings, art installations, seasonal pop-ups)
Final Verdict
Determining where to stay in New York City comes down to what brings you to the Big Apple in the first place. Looking to experience uptown in all its glory? You can’t go wrong with the Carlyle. Planning a lively downtown weekend? The Bowery Hotel won’t disappoint. And for a place to rest both your head and your wallet, the Harlem Flophouse is an outstanding option. However, all of these tried-and-true hotels guarantee a top-notch stay in New York City—whether it’s your first or fiftieth visit.
Compare Best New York City Hotels
Property | Resort Fee | Rates | Rooms | WiFi |
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Best Overall |
None | $$$$ | 190 | Free |
Four Seasons Downtown
Best Luxury |
None | $$$$ | 189 | Free |
Harlem Flophouse
Best Budget |
None | $ | 4 | Free |
The Peninsula New York
Best for Families |
None | $$$$ | 235 | Free |
The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel
Best Historical Property |
$40.16 | $$ | 287 | Free |
The William Vale
Best Brooklyn Property |
None | $$ | 183 | Free |
The Bowery Hotel
Best Scene |
None | $$$$ | 135 | Free |
The Standard High Line
Best Views |
$34.43 | $$ | 338 | Free |
Methodology
We evaluated dozens of hotels in New York City’s five boroughs. To determine the best of the best for the chosen categories, we considered such factors as the hotel’s reputation and quality of service, proximity to major attractions, and crowd-pleasing amenities (e.g., rooftops, swimming pools, and views). We also considered the property’s dining venues and unique experiences (like exclusive tours and fitness classes) available to guests. In addition to customer reviews, we noted each of the hotel’s sanitation and cleanliness measures.