The Big Apple is a superlative destination in all its ways, from Broadway shows and Yankee Stadium to coveted boutique shopping and iconic architecture. But it can also be super pricey, particularly when it comes to accommodations. Luckily, the city has an impressive collection of hotel options that don’t skimp on location or style for an eye-watering nightly fee.
From boutique hotels to historic grande dames, here are the best options in New York City.
This chic boutique is a slick midtown spot for a night out or a staycation, thanks to its smart, contemporary rooms and suites with high ceilings and large windows. Rooms are decked out with plush furnishings, monogrammed sheets and Marshall speakers in a nod to the property’s illustrious musical history, but there’s also an eclectic array of artworks created by former guests that line the walls. And if you’re hungry, the property has two onsite eateries to choose from.
The 69-room, NoMad-based hotel was built inside Brooklyn Bridge Park and takes its green credentials seriously, from reclaimed timbers on the lobby floors to living walls and even a rainwater collection tank that contributes to the park’s irrigation system. But it’s the views of Manhattan skyscrapers and Brooklyn Bridge from the rooms that will have you swooning. Rooms offer a mix of king and queen-size beds, and some suites have dual-sided fireplaces and freestanding tubs.
A favorite of celebrities and style influencers (Kylie Jenner, Kaia Gerber and Jay Z have all stayed here), the Mercer is an icon of SoHo cool. Its second-floor salon is a model of glam design, with a lofty chandeliered ceiling, dramatic drapes and a mix of velvet and leather club chairs and low couches. And while it may not be the Ritz, you can still expect impeccable service here led by a team of butlers and bathrooms that are outfitted in a sleek black-and-white palette with tile and shiplap.
A cherished art deco icon, the Carlyle has welcomed generations of travelers since 1930 and continues to do so in its current incarnation as part of the Rosewood collection. Red tasselled keys imply luxury from the get-go, but there’s more to this storied hotel than just its glamorous past: The legendary Cafe Carlyle still dishes up classic American fare, and the opulent white-and-gold Valmont spa is a local treasure.
The slick boutique opened last year in the neoclassical Crown Building on Fifth Avenue, and its 83 spacious, spa-like suites feel worlds away from the frenetic neighborhood around them. All of the accommodations feature custom, freestanding soaking tubs with rice paper panels that provide privacy and an Asian nod to the hotel’s roots; ink-on-paper murals adorn the walls, and dual-sided fireplaces warm each suite. There’s a deluxe onsite restaurant, as well as the coveted second-floor Library Bar, which has a loungey vibe and features a rotating art exhibition. Plus, the onsite Carlyle Spa has the city’s best treatments.
