Friends and family often ask me to recommend the best hotels in New York, but it’s never a straightforward answer in a city with so much choice. As a regular visitor — and the NYC hotel expert for UK newspaper The Independent — I’ve spent years researching the city’s ever-evolving hotel scene, where it feels like stylish new openings appear almost as quickly as old favourites are reimagined.

Best hotels in New York

From luxury landmark stays and stylish boutique properties to charming, inexpensive gems, this list of my favourite New York hotels features those I genuinely recommend depending on your budget, travel style and the kind of trip you want to have.

It goes without saying, I’ve tried and tested each one personally, in some cases a several times over. I’ll also be updating this list regularly to keep it fresh.

At a glance: my all-time favourite hotels in New York

Best luxury hotels in Manhattan

New York City has some of the finest luxury hotels in the world, from historic Manhattan grande dames to bold design-led stays downtown. These are the luxury hotels I’d genuinely splurge on depending on the mood, neighbourhood and type of trip.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel, NoMad

Best for: Theatrical luxury

A stay at the Fifth Avenue Hotel is a thrill – theatrical Wes Anderson-vibes décor, personal butlers, cocktails at turndown, to name a few frills. The location is great, too, close to the greenery of Madison Square Park. Centerpiece rooms, lavish $2000-plus-per-night king suites, have opulent marble bathrooms and the restaurant, Café Carmellini, is a magnet for foodies. You can book a room at The Fifth Avenue Hotel here.

The Peninsula New York, Midtown

Best for: Classic elegance, impeccable service

I’m not a Midtown fan – too dreary, too busy, too loud – but I’ll make an exception for the Peninsula New York on Fifth Avenue. It’s my top luxury pick for classic elegance, faultless service – they go out of their way to be friendly – and flexible check in and out times. There’s also a lovely rooftop terrace, indoor rooftop pool, and decadent spa. A hotel worth splurging on. You can book a room at the Peninsula New York here.

1 Hotel Central Park

Best for: Stylish eco-luxury

1 Hotel Central Park is a stylish plant-filled oasis that makes you feel calm. The small lobby is scattered with comfy sofas where you can work on your computer, have a coffee or just relax. Earth-toned rooms are compact but feel luxurious. King-size options have little window seats for peering down at the buzz on the street below. The hotel restaurant, Jams, does great cocktails and light farm-to-table dishes, like grilled chicken with tarragon butter. You can book a room at 1 Hotel Central Park here.

Recocommended guides

These guides help you go deeper depending on how you want to structure your trip:

• My guide to the luxury hotels in Manhattan – curated high-end stays across Midtown and Uptown
• My guide to the best areas to stay in New York – full neighbourhood breakdown if you’re still deciding where to base yourself
• Where to stay near Central Park – ideal if you’re considering Upper West or Upper East Side stays
• The perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors – how your hotel choice fits into a full trip plan

My favourite mid-range hotels in Manhattan

In New York, mid-range hotels are often the sweet spot — stylish stays in good locations without the eye-watering price tags of Manhattan luxury hotels. These are the ones I think strike the best balance between design, comfort and value.

Arlo NoMad

Best for: Good-value style

A stone’s throw from the Empire State Building, this stylish no-frills hotel has smart but compact rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, crisp white linens and dreamy Manhattan skyline views. The restaurant is a neighbourhood favourite and the buzzy rooftop bar a nice spot for sipping cocktails surrounded by glittery New York skyscrapers. You can book a room at the Arlo NoMad here.

11 Howard, SoHo

Best for: Minimalist boutique luxury

On the border with Tribeca, my favourite thing about 11 Howard are the minimalist Scandinavian-inspired interiors and high-ceiling rooms. Together with its prime SoHo location, it undercuts many luxury hotels in NYC on price, making it a stylish yet savvy choice for travellers.  You can book a room at 11 Howard here.

Hotel Belleclaire, Upper West Side

Best for: Upper West calm

Hotel Belleclaire offers a quieter Manhattan stay without losing easy subway access. The surrounding neighbourhood is calm, and close to Central Park. The decor is a little dated, but it still feels charming and has a boutique atmosphere. You can book a room at Hotel Belleclaire here.

Related guides

• Best hotels in Midtown Manhattan
• Best boutique hotels in NYC
• NYC subway guide for beginners

My favourite cheap, nice hotels in Manhattan

Budget hotels in Manhattan almost always involve compromise, whether that’s room size, facilities or location. These are the affordable New York stays I’d actually book — places with good subway access, safe surroundings and at least a little character.

The Edison, Midtown

Best for: Old-school Midtown

Another Midtown option I’d check into, this time for its a Jazz Age atmosphere. Rooms and suites – some with small outdoor terraces – are super spacious and sleep up to six. Times Square’s a block away and a basic breakfast in one of several nearby eateries is thrown in, too. You can book a room at The Edison here.

Romer Hell’s Kitchen

Best for: Trendy neighbourhood stay

This new hotel is a clue that Hell’s Kitchen is a neigbourhood on the rise. Rooms here are a playful take on mid-century modern, with splashes of pea green, velvet chaises, and artwork from local makers. The all-day Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Cafe serves locally made sticky buns. Plans are in place for a piano bar with live performances. You can book a room at Romer Hell’s Kitchen here.

HI NYC Hostel, Upper West Side

Best for: Solo travellers

HI NYC Hostel is one of the safest and most popular budget accommodation options in Manhattan. It has a more social atmosphere than traditional hotels and works especially well for solo travellers and younger visitors. The Upper West Side location also feels calmer and more residential than many budget areas around Midtown. You can book a room at HI NYC Hostel here.

Related guides (coming soon)

• Best budget hotels in Manhattan
• Is New York expensive?
• JFK to Manhattan transfer guide

My favourite boutique hotels in Manhattan

New York does boutique hotels exceptionally well. To me, these are the stays with the most personality — curated interiors, a strong sense of place in trendy, historic and culturally-rich neighbourhoods that feel distinctly New York.

Warren Street Hotel, Tribeca

Best for: Bold artistic interiors

English country garden style, bold colours, and a curated collection of art, design and sculpture are hallmarks of this Tribeca hotel. The 69 rooms range in size and colour scheme, have plush furnishings and deep soaking tubs. Terrace Suites feature landscaped balconies with a small lawn, flower beds and potted trees. You can book a room at the Warren Street Hotel here.

Hotel Chelsea

Best for: Bohemian New York

Hotel Chelsea is one of the most famous in all of New York, that needs no introduction, a one-time storied hangout for artists and writers and later a hotel. Plush rooms – some with balconies overlooking 23^rd Street – have marble bathrooms, velvet curtains and feel bohemian, yet opulent. You can book a room at the Hotel Chelsea here.

The Ludlow, Lower East Side

Best for: Cool, creative surroundings

If you’re a hipster, you’ll love the 175-room boutique hotel and restaurant that leans into a moody Lower East Side aesthetic – dark woods, brass accents, oversized windows, and marble bathrooms – with select rooms offering soaking tubs and skyline views. You can book a room at The Ludlow hotel here.

Related guides 

• Best boutique hotels in NYC
• Things to do in Uptown Manhattan
• My favourite restaurants in NYC

My favourite family-friendly hotels in New York

Although I don’t have children myself, whenever I visit the city with my niece and nephew, I tend to prioritise quieter neighbourhoods, larger rooms and easy subway access. These are the Manhattan hotels I’ll return to again and again.

The Carlyle, Upper East Side

Best for: Classic UES luxe

If money’s no object, New York’s most glorified historic hotel is surprisingly one of its most child friendly – kids are treated like royalty, lavished with in-room welcome gifts on arrivals like sweets and games. There are 92 suites in the portfolio, even the biggest of families is catered for space wise – some even come with a grand piano so your young budding musician can keep up with their practice. You can book a room at The Carlyle here.

Freehand, Gramercy

Best for: Stylish budget stays

Cross a hostel with a boutique hotel and you get this stylish family-friendly bolt hole, near the Flatiron building in Gramercy, one of New York’s most popular locations for travellers. Communal areas aplenty are filled with plants and simple, stylish art-filled bedrooms – including family options with bunks. You can book a room at Freehand here.

The Beacon Hotel, Upper West Side

Best for: Spacious suites and rooms

This family favourite stands out for its spacious suites and studios that come with small kitchens, kitted out with cookers, microwaves, coffee makers and fridges. Its location is great too, a short hop to the area of Central Park home to the boating lake and not far from the dinosaur-filled American Museum of Natural History. You can book a room at The Beacon Hotel here.

Related guides (coming soon)

• Best family hotels in New York City
• NYC 5-day itinerary
• Best things to do in New York for first-time visitors

How to choose a hotel in New York

The best Manhattan hotel depends less on star rating and more on matching the hotel to your travel style. First-time visitors usually benefit from staying in Midtown while families often prefer the Upper West Side. Couples and boutique hotel lovers typically enjoy SoHo and luxury travellers often prefer the Upper East Side. Budget-conscious visitors may find better value Downtown.

If you’re still deciding where to stay, it’s worth reading: Best areas to stay in New York

Final recommendation – which Manhattan hotel should you book?

If you want the best all-round balance of location, comfort, and atmosphere, I cannot recommend 1 Hotel Central Park enough. It’s one of the best luxury choices in Manhattan, and sustainable, too. For a stylish but more affordable stay, Arlo Midtown offers excellent value. And if your priority is simply finding a practical and affordable base in Manhattan, Pod Times Square remains one of the best budget-friendly options.

Next NYC Planning Guides

• Choosing the best areas to stay in New York
• NYC 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors
• My favourite things to do in New York
• Best luxury hotels in Manhattan