What Are the Best Hotels in New York City?

25

Picking from the best hotels in New York City is less about finding one perfect room and more about matching the hotel to the trip you want. A first-timer seeing Broadway shows and Central Park will be happiest in Midtown, a couple chasing restaurants will love Tribeca or the Lower East Side, and anyone who wants the postcard skyline from a rooftop pool should look across the river in Brooklyn. This guide covers 15 of the best hotels in New York City across every price level, with the area, the price band, what each one does well, and the honest downsides in a simple pros and cons table.

What are the best hotels in New York City?

• How we picked: each of these best hotels in New York City has a clear reason to book it, whether that is location, design, service, or value.
• Price key (per night, before tax): $ = under $250, $$ = $250 to $400, $$$ = $400 to $700, $$$$ = $700 and up. Rates swing a lot by season.
• Order: the list runs from top luxury down to smart budget picks, so skip ahead to the price band that fits you.

1. The Plaza

• Area and price: Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, Midtown. $$$$.
• Why stay: open since 1907, it is the most famous name among the best hotels in New York City, with Edwardian-style suites and afternoon tea in the Palm Court.
• Best for: milestone trips, honeymoons, and anyone who wants Central Park across the street.

Pros	Cons
Unbeatable Central Park location	Among the priciest rooms in the city
Historic rooms and the Palm Court	Lobby is busy with sightseers

2. Aman New York

• Area and price: Crown Building, Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. $$$$.
• Why stay: rooms start at about 750 square feet, which is huge for Manhattan, and the hotel has a three-floor spa and a garden terrace.
• Best for: travelers who want calm, space, and serious privacy in the middle of Midtown.

Pros	Cons
Some of the largest rooms in Manhattan	Rates often run well into four figures
Excellent spa across three floors	Quiet mood will not suit party trips

3. The Fifth Avenue Hotel

• Area and price: Fifth Avenue and West 28th Street, NoMad. $$$$.
• Why stay: a restored Gilded Age mansion joined to a new tower, with Café Carmellini and the Portrait Bar. It placed No. 78 on the 2026 World’s 50 Best Hotels extended list.
• Best for: design lovers who want a newer hotel with old New York character.

Pros	Cons
Rich, maximalist interiors	Books up fast since the awards
Strong restaurant and bar on site	NoMad is less scenic than the park area

4. The Greenwich Hotel

Pros	Cons
Every room looks different	Far from Times Square and Central Park
Quiet, residential Tribeca streets	Small property sells out early

• Area and price: Greenwich Street, Tribeca. $$$$.
• Why stay: backed by Robert De Niro, it has 88 individually designed rooms, the Shibui Spa, and Locanda Verde, one of the best Italian spots downtown.
• Best for: couples who want one of the best hotels in New York City without the Midtown crowds.

5. The Pierre, A Taj Hotel

• Area and price: Fifth Avenue at East 61st Street, on the edge of Central Park. $$$$.
• Why stay: the 1930 building keeps its painted Rotunda mural, and Two E Bar and Lounge has live jazz. Park-view rooms are the reason to book.
• Best for: travelers who want old-school, white-glove service and a classic Upper East Side address.

Pros	Cons
Polished, attentive service	Some rooms feel traditional, not modern
Wide Central Park views	Park-view rooms cost a lot more

6. Baccarat Hotel New York

• Area and price: West 53rd Street, opposite MoMA, Midtown. $$$$.
• Why stay: crystal everywhere, a famous cocktail bar, plus a pool and spa, which are rare among the best hotels in New York City.
• Best for: a glamorous city break with museums and Fifth Avenue shopping on foot.

Pros	Cons
Indoor pool and full spa	Bar fills up with non-guests at night
Steps from MoMA and Fifth Avenue	Decor may feel too formal for some

7. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

• Area and price: Broadway and 28th Street, NoMad. $$$$.
• Why stay: a sleek 38-floor tower with a rooftop bar looking downtown and restaurants from chef José Andrés.
• Best for: food lovers and travelers who like a modern, high-floor room with a view.

Pros	Cons
Big views from the upper floors	Area is busy and noisy at street level
José Andrés dining in the building	Lacks the history of older grand hotels

8. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

• Area and price: Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO, Brooklyn. $$$$.
• Why stay: the Manhattan skyline view from Harriet’s rooftop and the pool is the best of any hotel in the city, and the eco-focused design feels fresh.
• Best for: skyline photos, sunset drinks, and a slower Brooklyn base.

Pros	Cons
Postcard views of Manhattan	Subway ride to most Midtown sights
Rooftop pool and park on the doorstep	Rooftop gets crowded on weekends

9. Warren Street Hotel

• Area and price: Warren Street, Tribeca. $$$$.
• Why stay: Kit Kemp’s bright, pattern-heavy interiors, roomy suites, and a cozy lounge make it one of the most cheerful of the best hotels in New York City.
• Best for: families and longer stays that need extra space.

Pros	Cons
Spacious suites for families	Bold colors are not for everyone
Walkable to the 9/11 Memorial	Few big attractions in Tribeca itself

10. Kimpton Hotel Theta

• Area and price: West 47th Street, Theatre District. $$$.
• Why stay: calm, well-designed rooms a short walk from Broadway, with the Bar Sprezzatura rooftop and a coffee window in the lobby. It is one of the best hotels in New York City for theater trips.
• Best for: show-goers who want style without top luxury prices.

Pros	Cons
Walk to most Broadway theaters	Rooms are on the compact side
Quiet rooms in a loud area	Times Square crowds outside the door

11. The Martinique New York

• Area and price: Broadway near Herald Square, Midtown. $$$.
• Why stay: a 1910 landmark with 531 rooms, close to the Empire State Building, Macy’s, and major subway lines. It is a solid mid-range pick among the best hotels in New York City.
• Best for: first-timers who want a central, historic base at a mid-range price.

Pros	Cons
Great subway access	Large hotel, so service is less personal
Historic building and lobby	Herald Square is hectic all day

12. TWA Hotel

• Area and price: inside JFK Airport, Queens. $$$.
• Why stay: a 1960s flight center turned hotel, with a cocktail lounge inside a vintage plane and a heated rooftop pool facing the runways. No other airport stay comes close.
• Best for: early flights, late arrivals, and travelers who love retro design.

Pros	Cons
Walk straight to your terminal	About an hour from Manhattan
Fun, one-of-a-kind design	Not practical as a sightseeing base

13. Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square

• Area and price: Seventh Avenue, Times Square. $$.
• Why stay: a wellness-focused hotel with Peloton bikes, a whisky bar with a terrace, and some rooms that look down on the New Year’s Eve ball drop.
• Best for: value seekers who want to be in the middle of everything.

Pros	Cons
Prime location for the price	Times Square noise and crowds
Hilton points and perks	Standard rooms are small

14. Civilian Hotel

• Area and price: West 48th Street, Hell’s Kitchen. $$.
• Why stay: a Broadway-themed hotel with the Starchild rooftop bar and Emmy Squared Pizza downstairs, close to the theaters and Hell’s Kitchen restaurants. It is a fun, affordable choice on any list of the best hotels in New York City.
• Best for: theater fans on a mid-range budget.

Pros	Cons
Fun theater-inspired design	Rooms are tight for big luggage
Easy walk to Broadway and Ninth Avenue	Rooftop can be loud on weekend nights

15. Untitled at 3 Freeman Alley

• Area and price: Freeman Alley, Lower East Side. $$.
• Why stay: small but cleverly designed rooms, some with balconies, plus a co-working space and some of the city’s best bars and food nearby.
• Best for: solo travelers and couples who care more about the neighborhood than room size.

Pros	Cons
Low price for downtown Manhattan	Very small standard rooms
Great nightlife and food on foot	Street noise late at night

Best hotels in New York City at a glance

• Use this table to shortlist the best hotels in New York City by area, price, and travel style.
• Prices are typical nightly bands before tax, not fixed rates.

Hotel	Area	Price	Best for
The Plaza	Midtown / Central Park	$$$$	Classic luxury
Aman New York	Midtown	$$$$	Space and spa
The Fifth Avenue Hotel	NoMad	$$$$	Boutique design
The Greenwich Hotel	Tribeca	$$$$	Couples
The Pierre	Upper East Side	$$$$	Park views
Baccarat Hotel	Midtown	$$$$	Pool and glamour
Ritz-Carlton NoMad	NoMad	$$$$	Food lovers
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge	DUMBO	$$$$	Skyline views
Warren Street Hotel	Tribeca	$$$$	Families
Kimpton Hotel Theta	Theatre District	$$$	Broadway
The Martinique	Herald Square	$$$	First-timers
TWA Hotel	JFK Airport	$$$	Early flights
Tempo by Hilton	Times Square	$$	Central value
Civilian Hotel	Hell’s Kitchen	$$	Theater on a budget
Untitled at 3 Freeman Alley	Lower East Side	$$	Solo travelers

Which area has the best hotels in New York City?

Midtown and the Theatre District

• Best for first trips, Broadway, Central Park, and Fifth Avenue shopping, and home to many of the best hotels in New York City.
• Has the widest range, from The Plaza to Tempo by Hilton.
• Downside: crowds and noise, especially around Times Square.

Tribeca, SoHo, and the Lower East Side

• Best for food, nightlife, boutiques, and a more local feel.
• Home to The Greenwich Hotel, Warren Street Hotel, and Untitled.
• Downside: a subway ride to Midtown sights and Central Park.

Brooklyn

• Best for skyline views, parks, and slightly calmer streets.
• DUMBO and Williamsburg are the two easiest bases.
• Downside: longer trips to Midtown, especially late at night.

Near the airports

• Best for very early flights or late-night arrivals.
• The TWA Hotel at JFK is the standout option.
• Downside: about an hour from Manhattan, so skip it for sightseeing.

How much do the best hotels in New York City cost?

• Luxury: the top best hotels in New York City usually start around $700 a night and climb past $1,500 in busy months.
• Mid-range: stylish boutique and Midtown hotels often sit between $300 and $600.
• Budget: good, safe rooms under $250 exist, mostly in winter and in compact-room hotels.
• Taxes: add about 14.75% plus roughly $3.50 per room per night. The NYC Department of Finance hotel tax page explains the rules.
• Extra fees: many hotels add a nightly “destination” or facility fee, so check the final total before you pay.

When is the best time to book hotels in New York City?

• Cheapest: January through early March, when rates at the best hotels in New York City drop the most.
• Most expensive: September through December, with peaks around the UN General Assembly, Thanksgiving, and the holidays.
• Booking window: reserve 6 to 10 weeks ahead for spring and fall, and earlier for December.
• Weekday trick: Sunday to Thursday nights are often cheaper at business-heavy Midtown hotels.

How can you save money at the best hotels in New York City?

• Compare the hotel’s own site with booking sites. Not sure which apps are safe? Read our guide on whether Booking.com is legit.
• Check app-only deals too, and see our breakdown of whether Trip.com is legit before you pay.
• Choose refundable rates, then rebook if prices drop closer to your dates.
• Stay one subway stop outside the hot spot, such as Hell’s Kitchen instead of Times Square.
• Use hotel loyalty points at chains like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG.

Conclusion

The best hotels in New York City are the ones that fit your plans, not just the ones with the biggest names. Book The Plaza, Aman, or The Pierre for a once-in-a-lifetime stay, Tribeca’s Greenwich or Warren Street for a quieter downtown base, and Kimpton Hotel Theta, Civilian, or Tempo by Hilton for Broadway on a sensible budget. Travel in winter or on weeknights, add taxes to every quote, and compare rates before you pay. For more travel ideas, see our guide to the best things to do in Sedona or browse the rest of My Travelling Guide.