They may call New York the city that never sleeps but, unless you’re seriously hardcore, we’re willing to wager you’ll want somewhere to lay your head after a day exploring the Big Apple. And, whether you’re visiting for work or play, you won’t be short on chic options when it comes to the best hotels in New York. From traditional Upper East Side haunts to hip downtown joints, here are the finest high-end retreats for when you need a break from the bright lights and big city.
The Mark, Upper East Side
A favourite with old-timers as well as the hipster crowd, The Mark ticks every box when it comes to style – and status. Indeed, it’s the place to be seen for those who ‘don’t want to be seen’. Combining avant-garde design and old-world comfort, the décor is perfection, while its central Manhattan location puts you just steps away from Central Park and some of the world’s finest museums, galleries, boutiques, and big-name brands.
Boasting the largest hotel penthouse suite in North America, the hotel has garnered numerous accolades throughout the years, and is a favourite among locals thanks to its famed restaurant by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the timelessly elegant Mark Bar, and new (and first) Caviar Kaspia restaurant and boutique in the city.
Rooms from $1,145 per night, visit themarkhotel.com
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, TriBeCa
There are two Four Seasons hotels in NYC. The first is a Manhattan stalwart: a luxurious but expansive high-rise perfectly positioned to enjoy all the Upper East Side has to offer. But if you’re looking for something with a bit more grit, then head downtown to TriBeCa, where art meets architecture in one of the city’s most authentic neighbourhoods.
Urban chic is the buzzword here, with major plus points including the glorious and spacious spa with a heated indoor pool, as well as destination restaurant Cut by renowned celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Choose the Gotham Terrace Suite for private sky-high views of the city and your very own al fresco space – and bring the party to you.
Rooms from $1,031 per night, visit fourseasons.com
Mandarin Oriental New York, Columbus Circle
An international brand known for its fusion of modern design with stylish Far Eastern flair, you can’t go wrong with Mandarin Oriental – and its New York outpost is no exception. Just steps away from some of the city’s best dining, shopping, and entertainment, including the Broadway theatres, Lincoln Centre, and the shops at Columbus Circle, guestrooms and suites all boast views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.
Don’t miss the expansive spa or the state-of-the-art fitness centre, with its 75-foot lap pool, if you want to escape the hustle and bustle for a moment of inner calm. If you’re feeling flush, Suite 5000 spans 3,300 square feet and is a vast, awe-inspiring residence designed to be an enriching cultural experience.
Rooms from $980 per night, visit mandarinoriental.com
New York Edition, Flatiron
Image: Nikolas Koenig
Overlooking Madison Square Park, the New York Edition’s surrounding Flatiron neighbourhood is bounded by Union Square and Greenwich Village to the south, Chelsea to the west, NoMad to the north and Gramercy Park to the east. Housed in the former headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance company, the modern hotel has been designed by Ian Shrager to imbue serenity and sophistication.
Image: Nikolas Koenig
Image: Nikolas Koenig
The destination Clocktower restaurant and bar is a landmark in its own right for those in the know: its fibreglass globe chandelier, 24k gold leaf bar and ‘nailed it’ cityscape views making it social media catnip. The Urban Spa, meanwhile, is a mid-town mecca for travellers and locals looking for a moment’s calm in the city that never sleeps.
Rooms from $916 per night, visit editionhotels.com
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
The look at the Ritz-Carlton New York is all about emulating the refined townhouses of its long-time neighbours, complemented by interesting works from local city artists. The suites here are stylish and seriously spacious, starting at 74 square metres, while the largest Presidential and Royal suites are like having your very own NYC apartment – with the added benefit of a personal butler.
Following a recent revamp, you’ll find exquisite day-to-night dining options at Contour, a new gastro lounge celebrating luxury cocktails, a revamped La Prairie Spa and redesigned Movement Studio, as well as a new residential-inspired club lounge. Don’t miss the hotel’s roster of scheduled events and tours from picnics in Central Park (just the local green here) to chauffeur-driven shopping tours.
Rooms from $876 per night, visit ritzcarlton.com
Crosby Street Hotel, SoHo
Stationed on a quiet cobbled street in the heart of vibrant SoHo, right in the centre of the area’s bustling shopping, eating and everything else district, the Crosby Street Hotel is easy to spot after one too many lunchtime proseccos thanks to the 12ft bronze cat that sits outside the entrance. The first overseas outpost of the London-based Firmdale Hotels, think British eccentricity meets NYC grandeur.
The décor is bold, fun, and eclectic – much like at its London sister property Ham Yard – with the sculpture garden and Crosby terrace offering secluded spaces to step away from it all. It’s all about the art at this hotel (you can watch a short film on the hotel’s website) while the in-house screening room attracts bright young things from the local cultural crowd.
Rooms from $825 per night, visit firmdalehotels.com
The Lowell, Lenox Hill
Image: Nico Schinco
Just steps from Fifth Avenue, The Lowell is a Manhattan institution, famed as much for its prize location – Hermes, Chanel and Oscar de la Renta are right around the corner, as well as Bergdorf Goodman and Bloomingdale’s – as for its five-star standards. Having first opened its doors in 1927, ‘history has given The Lowell a pedigree, but it’s the service that defines its legacy’, proclaims the hotel’s website.
Majorelle and Jacques Bar continue to attract the well-heeled and wealthy, while European-inspired salon, The Pembroke Room, is a throwback to the Golden Age of hospitality. Step outside and stroll along Museum Mile’s prestigious cultural institutions from The Met and Guggenheim to the MoMA and Frick Collection.
Rooms from $1,035 per night, visit thelowellhotel.com
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, Upper East Side
Another Manhattan must, The Carlyle was built in 1930 and for generations was a home away from home for world leaders and celebrities – and continues as such following its Rosewood takeover. Get a taste of the hotel’s new era by booking a table at Dowling’s at The Carlyle, where the menu features executive chef Sylvain Delpique’s interpretations of timeless New York favourites and throwback dishes.
What’s more, you can also bring along your pampered pooch for the ride – dogs under 25lbs are welcomed with customised dog beds and bowls plus tasty pet treats, with dog-walking services also available. We suggest you make good use of the Valmont spa while someone else takes care of man’s best friend.
Rooms from $850 per night, visit rosewoodhotels.com
The Standard, High Line
A Meatpacking District landmark, the Standard High Line rises above a former elevated train track that has become downtown’s favourite public park, giving each of the 338 hotel rooms a full wall of floor-to-ceiling views spanning Manhattan and the Hudson River. The perfect backdrop to the hotel’s signature brand of vintage-inspired furnishing and colour interiors accents.
The German beer garden, rooftop disco Le Bain & The Rooftop, Living Room cocktail bar and outdoor public plaza, with its rotating art installations and activations attract the city’s coolest crowds, while The Standard Grill is famed for the best NY classics in town. Check ahead for events and guest appearances to get the most out of your stay.
Rooms from $263 per night, visit standardhotels.com
Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s, TriBeCa
For a touch of French fancy in the heart of TriBeCa, Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s brings family-run hospitality to NYC with one of the Champs-Élysées’ most notable exports. The epitome of French excess, the facilities here are second-to-none. Savour French classics in the brasserie, sip cocktails in the soigné bar, and indulge in vegetarian dining at Par Ici Café. Afterward, pull up a chair in the glamorous private cinema or unwind in the tranquil Spa Diane Barrière.
Designed by Martin Brudnizki, smart, residential-style rooms and suites are decked out in tones of plush pink and rich cream. With an unmistakably French je ne sais quoi, this Meatpacking District mademoiselle is sure to leave the old boys hot under the collar.
From $800 per night, visit hotelsbarriere.com
Read more: The best five-star hotels in London
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