Searching for the best hotels in New York to play like Carrie in the city that never sleeps? At first glance, you’d think you might have your work cut out. After all, according to the trusty travel experts at booking.com, there are more than 500 hotels in the bustling American city. Pretty impressive, for a destination that claims to never fancy resting its head.
Add that to the fact that the New York hotel scene is a burgeoning and ever-changing one, and you’ve got yourself a bit of a task. Sparkly new hotels in New York pop up at an alarming rate – each promising the best views of the Manhattan skyline, wellness centres, afternoon tea, decadent cocktail bars and impeccable design – while old ones are in a constant state of flux to keep up with travel trends. It’s all a tad overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve got our ear to the ground and a few insiders scoping out the New York five-star hotel scene, so our guide to the best New York hotels is a good place to start your research.
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Best hotels in New York City at a glance
- Best hotel in New York for solo travellers: Hotel Freehand New York
- Best hotel in New York Times Square: MOXY NYC Times Square
- Best affordable hotel in New York: Hotel The Hoxton, Williamsburg
- Best boutique hotel in New York: Lowell Hotel
- Best hotel in New York for sustainable luxury: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Which part of New York is best to stay?
From its spilling of art-world icons (think: The Met, the Guggenheim and the MoMA) to its legendary Broadway theatre scene, epic shopping opps (Macy’s Herald Square / Saks Fifth Avenue et al.), Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and a whopping 75 (!) Michelin-starred restaurants, there’s a lot to see in New York. So, where best to set up camp?
Gone are the days when a tourist’s options were limited to Times Square and little else. Of course, virtually every luxury hotel brand on the planet still has a premises located in New York’s Midtown or Financial District – and we would recommend it for a first-timer or a whistle-stop tour – but there’s also an increasing number of boutique hotels and chic apartments to rent in suburbs like Williamsburg and Dumbo – or Soho and Chelsea. All of which offer an entirely different view of the city. We love the Lower East Side, Upper East Side, Brooklyn and Long Island City.
Is it a good idea to stay in Times Square?
Playing into our advice above: New York City locals will advise you to avoid it like the Plague, but truthfully, if you don’t mind a bit of hustle and bustle and want everything on your doorstep, then first-time tourists should absolutely recommend it.