These 40 Best NYC Hotels Are the Epitome of Luxury and Elegance
The ultimate accommodations for a chic New York City vacation.
New York City is awash in choice—and sometimes, the sheer number of appealing options can be downright overwhelming. With hundreds of hotels across Manhattan's many neighborhoods and the boroughs, it can be challenging to find that perfect gem of a hotel for your visit, especially for out-of-town-travelers.
We're making it easy for you with our tightly curated list of the best hotels in New York City that you'll want to bookmark for your next trip. Here, we've rounded up the best luxury and boutique accommodations, from the Upper East Side to the Financial District—with extra options for those willing to venture across the Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn's chicest spots.
Our list includes something for every personality type, from the traditionalist (The Plaza, The Peninsula, The St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton) to the hotspot seeker (think The Mark, the Ace Hotel, and the brand-new Aman—a.k.a. the city's new most expensive lodging option). All are in walkable locations and offer top-end service, dreamy décor, and luxe amenities.
Read on for our list of the chicest and best hotels in New York City.
The Plaza Hotel
Since opening in 1907, The Plaza has been an iconic presence in Central Park South, hosting boldface names from every category—and starring in movies, like Home Alone. Come for afternoon tea in The Palm Court, or stay in one of the 282 unique guest rooms, including 102 suites, in which guests are treated to 24-hour butler service.
The Peninsula New York
The Peninsula New York drips with luxury and is ideally situated within walking distance of Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, restaurants, museums, and exciting Broadway theaters. The intimate, impeccable spa has 10 treatment rooms, and dining options include Salon De Ning, a chic rooftop terrace. Even the entry-level rooms start at a generous (especially by NYC standards) 370 square feet.
Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York
Newly opened in 2022, this Tribeca hotel with Parisian flair is a joint venture between the iconic French brand Groupe Barrière and Caspi Development. There are 97 guest rooms and suites, including 29 corner and terrace suites and the sprawling duplex penthouse suite, Le Grand Appartement Terrasse. Accommodations feature Art Deco-inspired furniture, European-style chandeliers, and the property's own toile de jouy wallpaper. On site, you'll find Brasserie Fouquet's (don't miss the dessert trolley) and Spa Diane Barrière, which features a sauna, steam room, indoor pool, and more.
Aman New York
Among the newest luxury hotels in the city, Midtown's Aman is also the most expensive—with an ultra-posh and exclusive experience to match. It offers a year-round garden terrace, the 25,000-square-foot Aman Spa with hammam and banya saunas, and suites among the largest in Manhattan.
Pendry Manhattan West
The ultra-walkable Pendry Manhattan West has 164 guest rooms, including 30 suites, all with a neutral color palette for a calming vibe amid the city's hustle and bustle. Four on-site food and beverage destinations include the signature restaurant, Zou Zou's, and the Chez Zou cocktail lounge. There's also a round-the-clock fitness center featuring new Technogym equipment and Peloton bikes.
The Lowell
A short walk from Central Park on the Upper East Side, this hotel is home to 74 rooms and suites with a distinctly boutique-like, residential vibe (think in-suite gourmet kitchens, fireplaces, and a pet-friendly policy). On-site dining includes the sophisticated Majorelle and swanky Jacques Bar.
The Wall Street Hotel
In the heart of the Financial District, the newly opened Wall Street Hotel has 180 rooms and suites and interiors inspired by NYC residences. Amenities include a top-end fitness center, curated libraries, and original artworks. Plus, it's home to Chef John Fraser's take on a French brasserie, La Marchande, and the lobby lounge, Lounge on Pearl.
Conrad New York Midtown
Sprawling over a gleaming 54 floors are the Conrad's 562 luxurious accommodations, offering sweeping city views and suites up to 2,700 square feet. Also on the property are a 1,500-square-foot fitness center and an impressive art collection that nods to the hotel's proximity to world-class museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
The New York EDITION
At the sleek New York EDITION in the Flatiron District—steps away Eataly and not a far walk from Union Square—guest rooms and suites are dressed in dark oak for a cozy, residential feel, and expansive windows showcase city views, from Madison Square Park to the Empire State Building. In a clocktower building that served as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company's headquarters in 1909, this hotel is also home to a spa and fine dining restaurant.
The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
Located between Bryant Park and the iconic Empire State Building, The Langham is marked by a calm, muted color palette, alongside art by American artist Alex Katz. At the Langham Club, Champagne flows freely and food offerings rotate throughout the day. Another dining option is Ai Fiori, with fare inspired by the French and Italian Riviera.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
A timeless capsule of classic New York, The Carlyle oozes 1930s glamour and elegance from the moment you step into the black-and-white marbled lobby. Guests are treated to the utmost in amenities and services, including in-house boutiques for everything from florists and art galleries to nearby designer shopping. The rooms are impeccably appointed with posh décor, and the luxe bathrooms come fully stocked with a generous range of Kiehl's bath products.
Mandarin Oriental
Perched high above Columbus Circle, this sleek and modern hotel boasts incredible bird's-eye views of Central Park from its spectacular, Asian-inspired rooms. Plus, the world-class spa here is one of the best in the city.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
This Brooklyn Bridge Park hotel—alongside the East River (so, yes, with dreamy views of Manhattan)—aims to bring the outdoors inside for a natural, yet luxurious, feel in the heart of a major city. Expect organic touches in every room, but don't anticipate glamping vibes or rusticity of any sort—this property is more about thoughtful décor and sustainability. 1 Hotel (which has another location near Central Park) is all about laid-back luxury and responsibly and thoughtfully sourced food and décor.
Four Seasons New York Downtown
It doesn't get more five-star than the Four Seasons. In the heart of Tribeca, guests can make themselves at home in sprawling suites as large as 2,400 square feet that take up half of the top floor (complete with a dining room fit for 10 people), enjoy steak meals at CUT by Chef Wolfgang Puck, and take a swim in a 75-foot lap pool. For an extra-special experience, inquire about car service and helicopter tours.
The Mark Hotel
The spot where many a celebrity gets ready before the Met Gala each year, The Mark is flawlessly elegant in its Jacques Grange-designed interiors and Upper East Side luxury. Grab one of the hotel's custom bikes or hop in a black-and-white striped pedicab to hit up the nearby Fifth Avenue boutiques—though you don't have to leave the hotel for the finest in high-end shopping, pampering and dining. The Mark offers room service prepared by renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, sweet treats by Ladurée, a Frédéric Fekkai salon, and 24/7 access to Bergdorf Goodman for penthouse guests.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
Opening up directly to Central Park, the Ritz-Carlton New York offers visitors the royal treatment and maintains a sense of privacy and sanctuary beyond its big glass doors. Guests have the opportunity to arrange for a personal trainer or a beautiful picnic in Central Park, along with having access to the hotel's premiere La Prairie Spa. In the rooms, Asprey bath products abound, along with seven pillow options and sateen or terry robes.
The St. Regis New York
This iconic New York landmark right off of Fifth Avenue epitomizes NYC fashion and glamour, from the opulent gold and marble lobby to the specialty themed suites inspired by Dior, Tiffany & Co., and Bentley. The amenities at the St. Regis are also first-rate: Guests can make use of the Bentley "House Car" and enjoy attentive hospitality from the hotel's hallmark butler service. Pro tip: Try to snag a reservation at the ever-popular, celeb-loved Polo Bar across the street while you're visiting.
Park Hyatt New York
Expect top-tier service, sleek furnishings, and a prime location on the periphery of Central Park—and across the street from Carnegie Hall—at this luxury Midtown hotel. Head here for the fantastic restaurant, minimalistic feel, and stellar spa.
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
A hip hotel in the trendy Meatpacking District, the Gansevoort is a hotspot at all hours of the day. Hit the rooftop pool to day drink and cool off from the city's summer heat. Then, come evening, soak up the illuminated city vistas from the terrace, or head to one of the hotel's nightlife destinations.
Wythe Hotel
This industrial-chic gem is across the bridge in Williamsburg, which might scare off some diehard Manhattanites, but rest assured that the city skyline views from your loft-style room will more than make up for the extra travel time to Brooklyn.
Sarah Lindig is the senior digital editor, overseeing special projects for Harper's Bazaar.
Carrie Goldberg is HarpersBAZAAR.com’s Weddings & Travel Director. She oversees the site’s BAZAAR Bride channel, travel & dining content, and styles fashion and bridal editorials for BAZAAR.com. When she’s not traveling, she spends her free time in her hometown–New York City–where there is no shortage of new places to shop, eat, drink, see and explore.
Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY, and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.
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