The best places to stay in New York

Sydney Morning Herald

2 days ago

Four Seasons Hotel New York
Perfect for: Supreme luxury, Four Seasons loyalists, central midtown location
Four Seasons Hotel New York is an art deco masterpiece and 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 is designed by celebrated architect IM Pei. Soaring 52 storeys, it's the second-tallest hotel in the city, and offers 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 metres) to 4,300 square feet (400 square metres). The grand lobby, popular dining venues and see-and-be-seen TY Bar are worth visiting (cameras at the ready), even if you're not checking in.
From $US1795 a night (excluding taxes). 57 East 57th Street, New York. Phone: [phone]. See fourseasons.com
Graduate by Hilton New York
Perfect for: Affordable stays, curious explorers, extraordinary views
A stay at Graduate New York gives visitors a taste of locals' neighbourhood 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: [phone]. See hilton.com
The Plaza
Perfect for: Bucket-list NYC stays, cinema set-seeing, history buffs
Classic New York nostalgia, grand Beaux-Arts architecture and palatial digs await guests at The Plaza, a landmark hotel you might recognise from its star turn in many films. Located on the edge of Central Park, close to fashionable Fifth Avenue shopping, the hotel is as quintessentially New York City now as it was a hundred years ago when F Scott Fitzgerald made it a popular haunt of his characters in The Great Gatsby. If you're a fan of the book, ask about The Gatsby Suite Experience. Stunning floral displays in the grand lobby reflect the season, while gilded ceilings and oversized chandeliers recall a more genteel age. Spacious guestrooms are lavishly decorated with 24-carat gold-plated fixtures and premium bedding. Younger guests might like to stay in the Eloise Suite, a whimsical space dedicated to the fictional little girl who lived at The Plaza.
From $US995 a night (excluding taxes). 768 Fifth Avenue, New York. Phone: [phone]. See 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: [phone]. See baccarathotels.com
The William Vale
Perfect for: Manhattan views, Brooklyn buzz, affordable stays
In 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 neighbourhood.
From $US255 a night (excluding taxes). 111 North 12th Street, Brooklyn. Phone: [phone]. See thewilliamvale.com
The Carlyle
Perfect for: Celebrity spotting, luxury splurges, the spirit of old New York
That a film has been made about this hotel — Always at The Carlyle — in which such luminaries such as George Clooney, Anthony Bourdain, Roger Federer and Fran Lebowitz share 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 favourite, as beloved for the discretion of its staff as for the lavishness of its decor. The 35-story, 192-room hotel has glorious views of Central Park, and is within easy reach of The Met, The Frick and 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: [phone]. See 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 André, avant-garde dining celebrates Spanish and Japanese flavours 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: [phone]. See ritzcarlton.com
The Langham
Perfect for: Couples, families, VIPs, corporate travellers
With some of the most spacious suites in the city and a prime midtown location on Fifth Avenue, The Langham is a favoured 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 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.
From $US600 a night (excluding taxes). 400 5th Avenue, New York. Phone: [phone]. See langhamhotels.com
Park Lane
Perfect for: Couples, Central Park views, nightlife
Park Lane New York on Central Park South (aka Billionaires' Row) was completely reimagined during the pandemic pause, with a thoughtful renovation that respects and integrates the building's 1960s architectural heritage. Take the rooftop lounge and cocktail bar, Darling, with its 'pinch-me' views of Central Park: once the penthouse apartment of developers Harry and Leona Helmsley, it's now a luxe watering hole with weekend DJs and decor that hints at chic mid-century Miami. The 47-storey property, run by Highgate, has 610 rooms. It's across the street from Central Park and a short walk to Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center and Fifth Avenue stores.
From $US450 a night (excluding taxes). 36 Central Park South, New York. Phone: [phone]. See parklanenewyork.com
Moxy NYC 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, colourful and cool, using clever design to maximise 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: [phone]. See marriott.com
Pod 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 inspo. 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: [phone]. See thepodhotel.com
The Rockaway Hotel
Perfect for: Beach lovers, surfers, return visitors to NYC
The rumours are true: New York City has some decent beaches and an emerging surf culture. The beaches like those found in the Rockaways, Queens, can't compete with Aussie sand and surf – and they're freezing for most of the year – but can be a fun getaway from the concrete jungle.
If you go, stay somewhere nice: The Rockaway Hotel is the first upscale accommodation to be built in the Rockaways in over a century. It's quickly gained traction as a stylish retro clubhouse for the community's surf, art and music scene. There's a deluxe spa, a popular rooftop bar and seaside fare in Margie's, the signature restaurant. Rooms are bright and fresh, with windows that open to let in the sea breeze.
From $US290 a night. 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens. Phone: [phone]. See therockawayhotel.com
The Gansevoort
Perfect for: LGBTQI travellers, 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 neighbourhood is now one of the most sophisticated in the city, home to drawcards 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: [phone]. See gansevoorthotelgroup.com
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Perfect for: Eco-conscious travellers, trendsetters, Brooklyn base
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: [phone]. See 1hotels.com
Hotel Indigo, Lower East Side
Perfect for: Hipsters, nightlife, lower Manhattan access
The Lower East Side is lit, as the kids say. One of the coolest and edgiest neighbourhoods 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.
The aesthetic could be described as warm industrial. Yes, there's a lot of concrete and steel, but there's also exposed red brick, reclaimed wood and premium Frette sheets. The hotel's rooftop bar and restaurant, Mr Purple, is well worth a look. A sister property in Williamsburg boasts one of the city's best rooftop pools (day passes can be purchased), and excellent modern African cuisine at Continent Brooklyn.
From $US 239 a night (excluding taxes). 171 Ludlow Street, New York. Phone: [phone]. See ihg.com
Ace Hotel
Perfect for: Young and young-at-heart, creative types, pet-friendly
At this hip midtown hotel, housed in a turn-of-the-century landmark building, the lobby is the social gathering hub. A rotating roster of events for guests and visitors are held there in the evenings – art exhibitions, DJ nights, LGBTQI mixers – while during the day, it's a productive space for working or networking.
Rooms range from small bunk accommodations to spacious lofts that feel more like apartments, all decked out in signature monochrome hues with retro accessories. Call it an upscale flea-market aesthetic, courtesy of the vintage record turntables, acoustic guitars and trunks-as-coffee-tables.
Boro Hotel
Perfect for: Urban explorers, mid-range budgets, Manhattan views
If you're a repeat visitor to NYC and feel confident navigating the subway, you might want to consider accommodation beyond Manhattan. Long Island City in Queens is just two subway stops from midtown and has one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. It's where you'll find Boro Hotel, a stylish boutique property with 108 spacious loft-like rooms (thanks to 10-foot ceilings) featuring big bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Most rooms have balconies or terraces, with views that usually cost a lot more than the nightly rate you'll pay here. The on-site restaurant, Beebe's, serves satisfying pizza, pasta and small plates.