11 Great New York City Hotels

Panoramic views of Manhattan’s skyline never fail to remind me of a terrific quote from the film Gladiator. It’s the moment a war captive first beholds the Colosseum and marvels: “I did not know men could build such things.” New York City, like Eternal Rome, is one of humankind’s most impressive achievements.

The Big Apple, with its world-class museums, fabled restaurants, and pulsing nightlife, is a feast of mind, spirit, and senses. The siren call of Gotham—that manic metropolis of everything, everywhere, all at once—beckons restless hearts from every far-flung corner of the globe. The Alpha City par excellence. 

New York City’s hotels are as varied as the city’s cuisines, architecture, and accents. From graffiti-festooned guest houses hidden in the alleys of the Lower East Side, to majestic skyscrapers in Times Square and ultra-hip auberges in Brooklyn, we’ve rounded up fantastic NYC lodging for every type of traveler. When your nerves weary from relentless sensory overload, these hotels will refresh you as thoroughly as a morning stroll through Central Park.

Thompson Central Park – Midtown

Thompson Central Park is an elegant tower overlooking Central Park and surrounded by the amiable bustle of Midtown. The regal skyscraper, formerly the Great Northern Hotel, has been graced by a Pleiad of jazz legends over its long history. Thompson Central Park pays homage to its storied musical past with in-room record players, portraits of jazz giants, and live shows in the lobby.

Behind a thick satin curtain at the back of Thompson Central Park’s marble lobby lies Burger Joint—a hidden restaurant akin to a pilgrimage site for New York City burger geeks. With wooden benches, walls covered in stickers and signatures, and cheeseburgers delicious enough to inspire Jimmy Buffet songs, Burger Joint is like a Heartland roadhouse worm-holed into a chic Manhattan hotel. 

The bar at Parker’s serves rocket-fuel martinis and whimsical cocktails named in honor of New York City jazz immortals. The dinner menu riffs on the city’s deli and street-cart classics with an epicurean twist. Try the chopped cheese—New York’s version of a cheesesteak—stuffed with marbled wagyu or the hot dog dressed up with truffle sauce and artisanal relish.

The Ned – NoMad

NoMad, the neighborhood between the Empire State Building and the Flatiron, pulses with street performers, al fresco dining, and lively parks. Situated in the heart of Lower Manhattan, NoMad is an excellent launching point for exploring both Manhattan and the outer boroughs.

The Ned, housed in the Beaux Arts masterpiece of the Johnston Building, embodies all the joie-de-vivre and glamor of the celebrity-studded neighborhood. The Ned spares no expense in beautifying guest accommodations: rooms feature vintage clawfoot bathtubs, thoughtfully curated artwork, and luxurious bedding. Minibars boast a selection of Napa Valley wines and New York City craft spirits.

Relish plates of pasta, charcuterie, and Italian wines at Cecconi’s, a trattoria embellished with floor-to-ceiling windows, sparkling terrazzo floors, and a marble bar. After dinner, wander over to Little Ned to rub shoulders with the rich, the famous, and the beautiful. If you seek a nightcap paired with live music, head to The Elephant Bar, where bartender George serves exquisite cocktails and insider tips on Manhattan’s best dining and nightlife.

Kimpton Hotel Eventi – Chelsea

Chelsea, Manhattan’s most famous gayborhood, buzzes with nightlife, youthful energy, and culinary verve. The gourmet offerings of Chelsea Market and Little Spain make Chelsea one of New York’s most celebrated foodie nabes.

Kimpton Hotel Eventi is a favorite among visiting glitterati and professional athletes. Rooms check every box for a great New York City hotel: marble bathrooms, deep bathtubs, and to-die-for skyline views. The hanging gardens of Little Island and the music venues and restaurants of Hudson Yards are just a short walk from the hotel’s entrance.

Kimpton Hotel Eventi is home to a clutch of excellent restaurants and bars. L’Amico’s wood-fired oven, illuminating the dining room from an open kitchen, chars pizzas and meats with the precision of microchip engineering. Skirt Steak periodically breaks the internet with TikTok videos of sliced skirt steak cloaked in velvety béarnaise sauce. Hidden Bar, behind a nondescript door in a service corridor, is Hotel Eventi’s not-so-secret speakeasy. Hidden Bar partners with legendary bars from Tokyo to Barcelona (Two Schmucks from Barcelona was a recent pop-up) to replicate their menus and ambiance in the cozy, wood-paneled salon.

Hilton New York Times Square – Times Square

Times Square, that wilderness of neon lights, street performers, and Halal carts, generates polarizing opinions, but this historic neighborhood remains the beating, tachycardiac heart of New York—where the city’s spirit is distilled as potently as the martinis at nearby Carmine’s.

Hilton New York Times Square is a stone’s throw from Broadway’s most iconic theaters, the invigorating chaos of 42nd Street, and Jimmy’s Corner—the best dive bar in all five boroughs. Rooms at Hilton Times Square are comfy and quiet, with sublime views of Midtown and the Hudson River. If you’re itching to see a memorable show, talk to the concierge about theater tickets—guests often score discounts.

In partnership with Disney, Times Square Hilton recently opened an Aladdin-themed suite, complete with vivid wall tapestries, a riot of gilded decor, and even the play’s original magic lamp. In the corridor leading to the suite, you’ll find original studio sketches of the costumes for Aladdin.

Tempo by Hilton – Times Square

Just a few blocks from the Hilton Times Square, Tempo by Hilton is as sleek as the bespoke suits and cocktail dresses of the hotel’s posh clientele. Suites feature spacious desks, dreamy soft beds, and rain showers. The bedside views of Midtown—an Amazon rainforest of soaring steel and glass—are even more invigorating than a double shot pulled from the in-room espresso machine. Enjoy a workout with skyline views framed by floor-to-ceiling windows at Tempo’s 18th-floor gym.

Highball, Tempo’s bar on the 11th floor, is a mainstay for pre-theater small bites and libations. After a big night on the town, Highball’s strong coffee and breakfast burritos will have you right as rain again for another day of Big Apple adventures.