Counting just how many hotels there are scattered across New York City would be an impressive undertaking. New properties are popping up from some of the world’s best hotel companies almost every month.
I spent a decent amount of time travelling around New York City in mid-2024 so I bring AU Review’s readers a comprehensive round-up of our favourite hotels in NYC right now. And we’ve stretched is to suite all budgets, whether you’re a cashed-up artist looking for somewhere to stay or a budget-conscious hipster trying to find cheap hotels in Manhattan.
So here you have it, you’re guide to the best hotels in New York, from luxury to budget.
Luxury Hotels in New York City
Editor’s Pick: Warren Street Hotel | REVIEW
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Best bits: Design, service, food and drink, comfort, location
I’d only heard about Kit Kemp-designed hotels before. Firmdale Hotels keeps its footprint small and focused. But I’m sure I’m far from alone in being one of those travellers who stays at one and now has an indulgent mission to stay at them all.
What an incredible interior designer Kit Kemp is. Her technicolour storytelling style is unparalleled. I can say this because I busily thumbed through the several coffee table books dedicated to her, some placed neatly in guest suites and others in the Victorian-style common lounge. The latter, I feel, now joins The Pierre’s famous Rotunda as one of the most pleasant surprises in all of Manhattan.
Every item and placement serves its purpose for Kit Kemp, and her many beloved motifs can be found throughout the hotel. From oversized statement headboards making each bed look like it’s been flipped out of a British storybook, to elegant headless mannequins. The conceptual approach also has her playing with depth and dimension to maximise rooms, making them out to be grand, palatial patchworks of colour.
My guest suite was massive, supremely comfortable and I’ve never been that excited to take a bath in years. The beautiful clawfoot tub looks dreamy against the floral tiles. Though the lounge room was the most impressive of all, thoroughly British and in its storybook-esque, transportive way, but also perfectly aligned with Tribeca’s history as Manhattan’s heart of the textile and cotton trade.
This hotel is destined for legendary status.
Address: 86 Warren St, New York, NY 10007
Contact:+1 212-255-8686
The Plaza, Midtown
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Best bits: Service, comfort, location, history
When I talk about travel, I tend to talk most about a “sense of place.” A vague concept, sure. But I think at least being aware of it is useful if you have a short time in a city. To get the most out of your travels, you want to do “local things.” Sure. That’s a given. But you should also think about what hotel you stay at, what museums you visit, what tours you take, and even what music you listen to.
Doing everything you can to build a mental connection to where you are will help your travel memories form much stronger bonds because your emotional understanding of that city – your ability to empathise with it – will have more context.
I write that to write this. You haven’t stayed in Manhattan until you’ve spent a night at The Plaza. I know how snooty and privileged that sounds, but it’s true. A hotel with this kind of history is a flex. Doubly so if you can justify paying the price for one of those poetic, exceptionally stylish Edwardian Suites.
There are a few iconic things to do in The Plaza. Admire the display that hits you as soon as you tumble out of those revolving doors. Have high tea at the famed Palm Court, whether at a table or sitting under the sightly purple dome that hangs over the circular bar. If Oak Room is open, go ahead and take a peel. The bar never seems to be operating when I’m there but the gentlemanly timber design makes this one of the most attractive spaces in The Plaza.
Address: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Contact: +1 212-759-3000
The Prince Kitano | REVIEW
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Best bits: Service, food and drink, location
A bastion of stately Japanese-standard service is always to go down well in the heart of Manhattan. Located on the arterial Park Avenue, The Price Kitano is a nice juxtaposition to New York’s exhausting hustle. Japanese culture is known widely for its notably warm and soulful service so that’s the biggest tick towards this historic five-star.
The rooms are large (there’s even tatami flooring in the signature suite) and you’re only a short walk from Manhattan’s major touchpoints. The Prince Kitano is halfway between the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, plus you’re a very short walk from Central Station.
The other factor propping this The Prince Kitano as one of New York’s most valuable hotels is its food. While the breakfast buffet could use a lot of improvement, the basement sushi restaurant, Hakubi is a show-stopper.
I recommend sitting at the sushi counter and watching as the chefs slice, sprinkle and sauce their way to a very satisfied palate. The busy restaurant adds colour and life to the space, compared with the more neutral lobby. Expect to eat dishes like A5 wagyu with spring vegetables, fried abalone, Nagoya-style grilled eel on kama-cooked rice (a highlight) and an unexpected souffle-like strawberry shortcake topped with a single, massive Oiishi strawberry.
Address: 66 Park Ave, E 38th St, New York, NY 10016
Contact: +1 212-885-7000
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, Midtown
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Best bits: Comfort, location
I’d never heard about The Pierre before I stayed. I heard plenty above The Plaza, which is just metres away, but the other historic hotel edging this corner of Central Park was foreign to me.
The building, which dates back to 1930, isn’t as showy or prominent as The Plaza but that translates to a more conspicuous stay. Perhaps that’s why just about every big name in the fashion and film industry has been to a soiree here, with The Pierre unafraid of gloating about its status in high society.
Entry-level rooms are on the small side but exceptionally comfortable with oversized beds and a manor-style aesthetic.
Nothing needs to be said about the location. It’s perfect. But plenty can be written about the common spaces, including the hidden museum underneath the reception which tells the story of The Pierre and its importance to New York City.
The most impressive space, however, is the Rotunda dining room. Connected to The Pierre’s signature restaurant, Perinne. It’s defined by Edward Melcarth’s breathtaking trompe loci mural, playing with both depth and colour to present a hyper-bright, Romanesque scene. You can also see live late-night jazz in the hotel’s swanky Two E Bar & Lounge, which is shouldered by some of the finest bartenders in the city.
Address: 2 E 61st St, New York, NY 10065
Contact: +1 212-838-8000
Ritz-Carlton NoMad, Midtown
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Best bits: Service, comfort, location, views
You’ll never forget the view from Nublez’s terrace. The rooftop bar that crowns this new build benefits beautifully from the building’s size. Soaring 38 floors above Manhattan, with a great location on Broadway, gives you unobstructed views of Downtown Manhattan (which are becoming increasingly rare and highly prized).
Guest rooms have that high polish you’d expect from such a lauded luxury brand, also with the beds facing a singular wall-to-wall window to further bring Manhattan’s Lego-like skyline inside. Watching the city’s lights dance at night just before you head off to sleep is a swift reminder that splurging on a nice hotel in New York City is always going to be worth it.
Romance aside, The Ritz-Carlton NoMad is petite in all the right places and keeps most of its biggest plays for the rooftop bar, propped up by award-winning chef José Andrés who also handles the Turkish-leaning Zaytinya, a transplant from Washington D.C.
Address: 25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001, United States
Contact: +1 212-404-8400
The Baccarat Hotel, Midtown | REVIEW
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Best bits: Service, comfort, food and drink, location, design
The illustrious Baccarat Hotel sits almost directly opposite MoMa so I don’t need to mention much about the location. You’re smack bang in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, with all the endless connections to the rest of New York that come with the many subway stations you’ll find scattered nearby.
The bar is the best bit. It’s become one of my favourites in the entire country with high-concept cocktails that put some of New York’s more well-known bars to shame. The food is also a cut above average, featuring a gorgeous Maine-style lobster roll and a crustless grilled cheese sandwich that doesn’t feel like a throwaway order.
Rooms are, as you’d expect, perfect. Highly polished Baccarat crystal touches everything from the door handles to – obviously – the glassware. Even the bathroom amenities are incredible, riffing off the brand’s famous Baccarat Rouge perfume.
Head to the basement and you’ll find a heated indoor swimming pool, a nicely sized gym and the only spa in the USA by the high-end French skincare brand La Mar.
Address: 28 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Contact: +1 212-790-8800
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO | REVIEW
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Best bits: Comfort, food and drink, location, design
The unforgettable 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge dominates the lifestyle in the highly-prized DUMBO neighbourhood that sits under the famed bridge. The brand is hinged on genuine sustainability that goes far beyond the greenwashing you’d usually see from hotel brands.
Want an example? Those edges sticking out from the side of the building have been carefully designed based on research to tell birds not to fly any further. The hotel has been commended for minimising incidences of birds flying into windows. The complex catchment system also catches rainwater and feeds it back into Brooklyn Bridge Park. The authenticity is part of the appeal.
Despite the focus on its unquestionably strong eco-credentials, 1 Hotel Brooklyn fires on all cylinders. Head down to The Osprey for healthy, delicious food taking cues from modern Australian, or head upstairs to Harriet’s, the angular rooftop bar that affords a jaw-dropping view of Manhattan.
The most valuable spot here is the pool. Again, you’ve got that billion-dollar view sitting in front of you so having a glass of wine and a dip is mandatory.
Address: 60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Contact: +1 347-696-2500
Modernhaus SoHo, Lower Manhattan
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SoHo’s defining blend of upmarket trends and casual cool (random pop-up street parties are common), as well as its appeal for “influencers” and models alike, has made it the most cosmopolitan enclave in Lower Manhattan.
Modernhaus Hotel symbolises what SoHo is all about. Sitting on the edge of the district, it’s full of designer-forward art with dozens of paintings and sculptures from the likes of Kaws, Nicholas Party, Hofmann and George Condo. This slick, well-executed style fully separates Modernhaus from its former life as The James Hotel.
But one remnant remains from the building’s history. JIMMY is this perfectly sized rooftop bar that has lounge seating framing a plunge pool. Many fashion events have been held here, making it one of the most popular spaces in Lower Manhattan. Queues are given on a weekend.
The beloved Veranda restaurant was recently switched out for the atmospheric Twenty Three Grand where food is delicious, plates are almost too big, and prices are reasonable. You can also head on up to a relaxing coffee bar (slash cocktail bar), one of the most private spaces in the hotel, and sit in a secret garden overlooking the edge of Soho and West Village.
In fact, with almost 11,000 square feet of outdoor space, there are many peaceful nooks and crannies to discover around the facade. But privacy is a given, seeing as the large, comfortable and minimally designed rooms value both space and isolation. The windows that run around the bed and add a bit of cinematic appeal to the room are well insulated from the noise above (and below).
Address: 27 Grand St, New York, NY 10013
Contact: +1 212-465-2000
1 Hotel Central Park, Midtown | REVIEW
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If Hollywood ever needed, for whatever reason, to feature a hotel in a Jumanji remake, they wouldn’t need to do too much work to make this gorgeous property primed for the big screen. 1 Hotel strikes again in New York, this time just a traffic light away from Central Park. Its facade hosts a verticle garden that’s instantly recognisable on the corner of 6th Avenue and W 58th Street, expressing the biophilic design that the 1 Hotel brand is hinged upon.
The brand’s plant life grows differently from the behemoth over in DUMBO. This is a smaller operation, but an equally fantastic showcase of how you can be authentically eco-conscious without compromising luxury. Suites are mid-sized, but the depth and dimensions seem much bigger when driven by smart design.
Head down to the lobby’s adjoining restaurant, Jams, to start the day. The farm-fresh breakfast options contrast with the unhealthy American fare you’ll find around this area. And just in case you weren’t sold out this hotel’s authentic, clean living initiatives, there’s a tray of freshly picked apples guests can take with them each morning.
Address: 1414 6th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Contact: +1 212 703 2001
Premium Hotels in New York City
Kimpton Hotel Theta, Theatre District | REVIEW
$$$
Best bits: Comfort, service, location
The most restful sleep comes with Theta waves. An interesting concept for Kimpton’s newest hotel was planted just a few blocks up from Times Square in the bustling Theatre District. Rest has informed much of the gentle design language in the generously sized rooms and common spaces, with the tranquil, cloud-like lobby already picking up a design award.
There’s a trendy rooftop restaurant and bar, Bar Sprezzatura, with a transportive design influenced by the Italian Riviera, and there’s also a well-stocked grab-and-go section near the reception with essentials (as well as a few oft-forgotten items).
The lobby-level coffee window is, surprisingly, one of the more memorable amenities. Good coffee is still quite hard to come across in Manhattan so note that you can pop in and quickly grab something from the highly practical, literal hold-in-the-wall.
Address: 790 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Contact: +1 212-581-7000
TWA Hotel, JFK Airport
$$$
Best bits: Design, amenities, location
I’ve seen some great airport hotels in my career, but TWA Hotel trumps them all with its impeccable concept and playfulness. Walk into the Jetsons-like lobby and you’ll immediately think of era-defining shows like Mad Men and just about any Wes Anderson movie.
The visual element alone is enough to draw out the overexcited child within. If you’re arriving after a gruelling coast-to-coast flight, it’s the kind of necessary pick-me-up that only comes with a fascinating, perfectly themed design. And they’ve nailed the brief.
A story of the now-defunct TWA Airline is threaded throughout the design, which doesn’t take itself too seriously (there’s an entire storefront designed as a Twister board for family fun). Head to the restaurant, where chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has refined the kind of premium airline food served during the Golden Age of flying.
The two most memorable amenities, however, are the one-of-one cocktail lounge converted from a once-functioning 1958 Lockhead Constellation aeroplane named “Connie”, and the unforgettable (heated) rooftop pool bar, which looks over the tarmac so you can watch flights take off and land while floating around.
Address: 1 Idlewild Dr, Queens, NY 11430
Contact: +1 212-806-9000
The Martinique, Midtown | REVIEW
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As I mentioned for The Plaza, staying in a historic hotel deeply rooted in the history of New York City can be infinitely more valuable than a new build. It helps immerse you in the city’s stories, which can build strong memories and give you more in a short time. Historic hotels are pretty much a travel hack if you want to absorb a destination quicker in a shorter amount of time.
But The Plaza can fetch a pretty penny. Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton is another one of those buildings that come with a valuable patina, at a much more accessible price point.
The building dates back to 1910, but its dramatic build comes from its staged development. Between 1897 and 1911, the hotel was built in three sections with an overarching French Renaissance style. And so don’t be surprised when you see a golden placard at the entrance, indicating that this 531-room hotel is part of the Historic Hotels of America. Much like the Palmer House in Chicago or Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston.
Rooms are oversized and while they’re notably dated, Hilton has ensured all the modern business travel requirements are included. More interesting is the lobby itself, beautifully preserved with plenty of gilded detailing. Head through one entrance and you’ll find yourself wrapped in the 1960s swagger of The Press Club, the hotel’s main casual dining option and an ode to the neighbourhood’s journalistic history.
The hotel’s best-kept secret is located down the stairs at the Subway Station that sits directly in front of the hotel. Korean fine diner Noksu. Hidden behind a big black door, before you reach the ticket gates, this reservation-only restaurant requires you to enter a code and then flirt through double curtains before sitting down to a dynamic 9-course set by Chef Dae Kim. The Michelin-starred restaurant only has enough space for 15 diners at a time, so book ahead if you know you’ll be staying at The Martinique.
Address: 49 W 32nd St, New York, NY 10001
Contact: +1 212-736-3800
Tempo by Hilton, Times Square | REVIEW
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One of the biggest – and most pleasant – surprises I’ve had hopping around New York’s hotels is the still-fresh Tempo by Hilton. It’s a new brand for the iconic company, and it seems to be anchored by the clean design, restful ambience and wellness features of accommodation that bring everything back to sleep and health.
What better way to test that concept than in the middle of Times Square?
Tempo by Hilton is just inches from the divisive tourist attraction’s symbolic red stairs, which means you’re smack bang in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Yet location aside, it’s a fantastic hotel, following the building’s sinuous curves to offer incredible views of Times Square. This also means many of the hotel’s 661 rooms are designated “ball drop rooms”. No explanation is needed, and I’d imagine these fetch a pretty penny on New Year’s Eve.
You have the option of installing a Peleton Bike in your room so you can work out to the backdrop of New York’s busiest billboards, there’s also a whisky bar that opens up onto a large, breezy terrace that’s every bit as good as the best rooftop bar in Times Square. I didn’t expect it to become one of my favourite hotels in New York City.
Address: 1568 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Contact: +1 212-262-8100
The Penny, Williamsburg | REVIEW
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One of the most delightful surprises I’ve had exploring New York’s hotel scene is The Penny in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s the kind of hotel that doesn’t try too hard—because it doesn’t have to. And it’s tucked away from the non-stop action of Bedford Avenue.
The Penny embodies the neighbourhood’s creative spirit with an aesthetic that’s equal parts art school loft and minimalist sanctuary.
What makes it stand out? For starters, the rooms are cosy and narrow, artsy with the bed creating a little alcove with the TV opposite you. Large square windows frame Williamsburg’s gritty-chic skyline. The design leans into simplicity—think polished concrete floors, custom wood furnishings, and playful pops of colour that feel curated rather than staged.
There are many hotels in Williamsburg now and I’ve only stayed at this time. But its casual charm, pet-friendly appeal and a short distance from Maccaren Park make this a winner. More so when you step into the bright, vibrant Mexican restaurant, ElNico, on the rooftop. Everything from the oversized technicolour rug to artwork behind the bar helps those contemporary Mexican plates and signature cocktails go down much smoother.
Address: 288 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211,
Contact: +1 929-594-2020
Affordable Hotels in New York City
StayPineapple, an Artful Hotel, Midtown
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Best bits: Location, price, comfort
I have been put up in a StayPineapple before (in San Francisco) so knew exactly what to expect when I showed up at this eccentric, colourful hotel. It’s one of the very few hotels in New York City that still offers comfortable, private rooms and a great location for a reasonable price. If you’re staying in one of the shoulder seasons, expect to pay under $300 per night. For Midtown, that’s budget-conscious.
The hotel is officially designated a Midtown property but it edges much closer to Hell’s Kitchen and the Theatre District. It doesn’t take much effort to walk over to Times Square, hence Midtown is at your fingertips. But you’re also an easy walk from Chelsea and the higher-numbered converted piers of one of New York’s most impressive sustainability initiatives, and pretty much a deconstructed park, Hudson River Park. You’re talking distance from the valuable Intrepid Museum and just a few blocks from Madison Square Garden. It is a fantastic location for both New York regulars and first-timers.
To keep prices low, there’s no real food and drink option. You’ll find free pineapple biscuits, local coffee and pineapple-flavoured water in the cutesy lobby area from 3:30pm to 6:30pm. And there’s a premium-ish coffee machine in your room. That’s about it. But that’s all that’s needed for a hotel like this, which is surrounded by great hotel restaurants.
If you stay here and you want somewhere stylish to drink, take the short walk up to Kimpton Hotel Theta and its lush Bar Sprezzatura. Or hit up the nearby Civilian Hotel, which has a whimsical, theatre-inspired rooftop bar, a stylish hidden whisky lounge and an underrated pizza restaurant.
Address: 337 W 36th St., New York, NY 10018
Contact: +1 866-866-7977
Civilian, Hell’s Kitchen | REVIEW
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Best bits: Design, location, food & drink, price
The still-fresh Civilian Hotel gets its style from the Theatre District. Well-located, the budget-friendly hotel doesn’t skimp on luxury where it comes, making it one of the better New York hotels if you want to balance a reasonable price point with comfort, location and food. In shoulder season, you can get a room for around $300 AUD.
Rooms are comfortable but mid-sized. Interestingly, a sole lounge chair built into the bed heads separates two plus double beds, both facing large windows looking out the Lower Manhattan skyline.
Much like StayPineapple, this is pretty much a Midtown Hotel that skews towards the Theatre District. That means you’re a short walk from Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and the fascinating piers of Hudson River Park.
The food scene is another reason Civilian is a great choice if you’re looking for affordable hotels in Manhattan. The Starchild rooftop bar is one of the most visually interesting in the city, drawing much of its whimsical design from legendary Manhattan architect David Rockwell. This is the same man who designed New York’s swanky Edition hotel, as well as Noby at the transformative Shed at Hudson Yards.
Here, he perfectly displays the ostentatious splashes of colour and high energy of Broadway, his design furthered by the various food and drink spaces across the hotel. This includes a subterranean Detroit-style pizza joint called Emmy Squared Pizza.
Address: 305 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Contact: +1 646-692-8012
Untitled at 3 Freeman Alley | REVIEW
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Best bits: Location, style, design
If there ever was a hipster hotel on the Lower East Side, then it’s Untitled at 3 Freeman Alley. The design language is similar to New York’s popular Moxy hotels, in that these small rooms maximise space with clever modular design, colourful hanging pegs, and a compartmentalised bed base.
The more expensive rooms come with a balcony as well, so even if the large, comfortable king-sized bed mostly takes up your living space, you’ve got some space to breathe in the fresh air. Starting your day on a private balcony overlooking the L.E.S. makes up a great deal of the value.
Smart design hacks make this tiny room seem much larger than it is, which is essential if you’re staying a couple of nights.
The graffiti-laden Freeman Alley is exciting to wake up to any time of the day, helping make the hotel splice some of that Lower East Side grit. Common areas are also beautifully executed, from the angular rooftop bar – a local favourite – to the ground floor cafe and co-working space. Here, you’ll notice many different glass cabinets displaying items to inspire creativity. They can be rented by guests, with objects including a Polaroid camera, guitars, a music production pad, a Podcast mic and more. There’s even a tattoo studio should the inspiration hit.
Address: 3 Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002
Contact: +1 516-200-3045
The author flew to New York City on Delta Air Lines and explored the city as a guest of NYC Tourism.
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