Our favourite hotels in New York City

A large New York City hotel room is a paradox. In the city that reportedly never sleeps, quarters are often cramped, but to take full advantage of the city’s cultural offerings – from world-class museums and galleries to an epic restaurant scene – it’s necessary to find a base to recharge.

While London tries to claim it, New York is the original home of the modern boutique hotel: the Morgans Hotel by Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell (of Studio 54 fame) was the first to be officially recognised as ‘boutique’ when it opened in 1984, and once employed Bradley Cooper. These hotels have only improved in charm and scale since then, with many now housing some of New York’s best bars, and sleek lobby spaces for remote working.

Brooklyn boasts a burgeoning and lively hotel scene all of its own, with trendy lodgings in Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Dumbo. The following is a list of leading hotels in New York City, which balance creative energy, character and comfort.

Uptown

Arthouse Hotel

Best for: A peaceful neighbourhood vibe, steps away from Central Park
Address: 2178 Broadway at W 77th Street, New York, NY 10024
Price: 177-229 USD per night

Despite its proximity to Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and Lincoln Center, the Upper West Side is not the first neighbourhood a visitor might gravitate towards. Set in a historic building, Arthouse Hotel was thoughtfully renovated to preserve its Art Deco features, with a touch of industrial cool. Its speakeasy-inspired lobby bar, Locl, cutely framed with rolling garage doors, and its rooftop bar with views of Central Park and surrounding brownstones, make this a real hidden gem. The dim sum at Red Farm, located inside the hotel, is also not to be missed.

Midtown

Hotel Chelsea

Best for: A New York icon-turned luxury hotel 
Address: 222 West 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011
Price: 239 USD per night

A decade-long renovation ended with less fanfare than it merited when Hotel Chelsea finally reopened in March 2023. The property famously housed the likes of Patti Smith, Robert Mapplethorpe, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol during the 1960s and 70s, some paying as little as 55 USD per week and staying for months at a time. Rooms now cost decidedly more but retain a louche charm, ranging from cosy doubles to generous quarters with kitchenettes suited to longer stays. Restaurant El Quijote is also steeped in heritage, regarded as the city’s oldest Spanish restaurant. Order the pan con tomate and don’t forget to make a reservation well in advance. In the underbelly of the hotel lies Teruko, a gleaming Japanese restaurant and sushi bar.

Arlo NoMad

Best for: Upscale atmosphere without emptying your wallet
Address: 11 E 31st Street, New York, NY 10016
Price: 160-500 USD per night

Visitors and residents alike are always in pursuit of the best view of Manhattan’s iconic skyline. While you can fork out some cash to ascend the Empire State Building, the best place to view the building itself is from the rooftop bar A.R.T. at Arlo NoMad hotel. This stylish and reasonably priced hotel bustles with New York energy, and is often used as a co-working or networking spot. Rooms are compact, but the Sky Room affords far-reaching city views. Some excellent nosh can be had at Massoni, helmed by celebrity chef Dale Talde, or venture to Hortus NYC around the corner for inventive Asian fusion, and Cafe M Studio for one of the best croissants in Midtown. Arlo also has a sister hotel in SoHo.

Downtown

The Bowery

Best for: Timeless hip lodging with velvet rope chic
Address: 335 Bowery, New York, NY 10003
Price: 445 USD per night

Bohemian spirit and old world charm define The Bowery Hotel. While many reviews cite its convenient location near SoHo, St. Mark’s Place and Union Square, its proximity to tourist hotspots is last on the long list of why The Bowery is worth shelling out for. This one continues to be a celebrity magnet, with sun-drenched rooms and antique tapestries. It’s the timeless brainchild of Sean MacPherson (the Jane Hotel, and Waverly Inn) and nightlife impresario Eric Goode (who, fun fact, produced the Netflix series Tiger King). Come for the deliriously cosy rooms, stay for the seasonal cuisine at its rustic ground floor trattoria, Gemma.

The Marlton Hotel

Best for: A snug getaway steeped in artistic history
Address: 5 W 8th Street, New York, NY 10011
Price: 295 USD

Often overlooked in favour of the city’s flashier newcomers, The Marlton Hotel is a historic bolthole in the heart of Greenwich Village. It is directly across the street from the famed Electric Lady Studios, where artists as diverse as David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, the Soulquarians collective and Lady Gaga have recorded. Its 112 storied rooms, while cosy, are elegantly appointed for a peaceful slumber. The hotel’s artistic heritage runs deep, having once housed students for The New School and, before that, hosting Jack Kerouac as he wrote The Subterraneans and Tristessa.

Revamped in 2013 by hotelier Sean MacPherson, this hotel is a real ‘if you know, you know’ haunt for those looking for a classy cocktail by a crackling wood-burning fire. It is also a popular co-working spot for roving freelancers. Nearby, visitors can sample Magnolia Bakery’s delish banana pudding, or visit Marc Jacobs’ book shop, Bookmarc.

Public Hotel

Best for: A Manhattan meeting spot for creative types
Address: 215 Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002
Price: 195-500 USD per night

Ian Schrager might be best known for launching the infamous Studio 54 in 1977, followed by a string of forward-thinking hotel ventures. When he opened Public Hotel in 2017, artists and creative types flocked to fête a comeback of the downtown scene. Janelle Monáe, Mark Ronson and Christian Siriano are among those who have hosted parties on the glassed-in rooftop (since scrapped) and it has played host to countless fashion week afterparties and glitzy affairs. The straightforward yet beautifully designed rooms blot out the city after a bleary-eyed night out, but as it’s a pitstop for party animals, don’t count on a particularly restful sleep.

Nine Orchard

Best for: Swilling about with downtown scenesters
Address: 9 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002
Price: 525 USD plus tax per night

This Lower Manhattan luxury hotel occupies a neoclassical building in Dimes Square – a freshly christened neighbourhood near the Metrograph arthouse cinema and Chinatown. The landmark building was once home to the grandiose Jarmulowsky Bank and its 113 rooms have been meticulously reimagined with upscale elegance, with commissioned works by local artists. Feeling fancy? Try the steak au poivre Corner Bar, the hotel’s all-day restaurant with pavement seating for people watching. Steps away is Dimes, the new American restaurant after which the neighbourhood has been renamed, as well as popular wine bars Le Dive and Parcelle.

The Manner

Best for: A suave hideaway in SoHo
Address: 58 Thompson St, New York, NY 10012
Price: From 899 USD per night

The Manner is a distinct hotel concept from Standard International. Set amongst SoHo’s wine bars, coffee shops and neighbourhood restaurants, it is designed to feel like “your coolest friend’s living room”. And you’re most discerning – show-stopping interiors mix marble, ceramic, cement and leather to seductive effect, drawing on the style of Italian architect Gio Ponti. Rooms feature jewel-toned velvet and gleaming ochre hues, while a duplex penthouse is modelled on Halston’s 1970s office. There is an intimate seafood restaurant, a rooftop bar and a guest-only lounge called The Apartment. There are no kids, no TVs and a seriously suave crowd, all drawn to the hotel’s impeccable design and cinematic allure.

11 Howard

Best for: A sleek luxury hotel in SoHo 
Address: 11 Howard Street, SoHo, New York, NY 10013
Price: 193-314 USD 

Tucked away on an unassuming street on the edge of SoHo sits 11 Howard, a discreet, modern and spacious destination for those who want to feel the buzz of Canal Street’s edgy shops without having to elbow past throngs of tourists. Little wonder notorious scammer Anna Delvey bunked down here for so long. All 207 guest rooms and suites are kitted out with ergonomic Scandinavian furniture, a collaborative effort between Anda Andrei design and Danish firm Space Copenhagen. The trendier among us may enjoy a night out at The Blond, a bar and lounge with low lighting and seductive crowds. For a current-day scam, find a bedlam of knockoff luxury Prada hats and Louis Vuitton bags for sale a block south on Canal Street.

Brooklyn

Wythe Hotel

Best for: A trendy base in the heart of Williamsburg
Address: 80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Price: 201-400 USD

Williamsburg in Brooklyn continues to outdo itself with new restaurant, bar and hotel openings attracting locals and visitors alike. Wythe Hotel, one of the area’s first boutique properties when it opened in 2012, remains one of the best, with a stellar art curation that supports local talent. Its other calling card is the ground floor French restaurant, Le Crocodile, where gorgeous complement an equally decadent menu. Reserve a table to get ahead of the snaking queues that wait outside for busy Sunday brunch. Rooms bring together high ceilings, exposed brick and sweeping panoramas of the Manhattan skyline.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Best for: Eco-conscious luxury in Dumbo
Location: 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Price: From 499 USD per night

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge sits away from the action in Dumbo (so called for its setting, Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass). The 1 Hotels group has built a reputation for building luxury hotels in unlikely locations, which places sustainability at the core. A serene, earthy palette of locally sourced, reclaimed wood and stone permeates the hotel, met by ample greenery and waterfront views of the Manhattan skyline. There is a Bamford spa in the basement and a plant-lined rooftop, where you’ll find a bar, restaurant and swimming pool. Explore neighbouring Brooklyn Bridge Park and the brownstone-lined streets of Brooklyn Heights.

If you book via a link on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission.