Manhattan‘s magic lies in the fact that a small island — only 13 miles long — can contain so many worlds that are, in some cases, but a brisk walk from each other. As you do your best to keep up with the borough’s pace, don’t be surprised if you need a break, ideally, one with a place to recharge (you and your cellphone), a plush bed and a stiff drink. Luckily, the area’s most luxurious hotels understand that while the city might never sleep, people certainly do.
Manhattan has mastered the art of the posh property. Where else do locals consider a hotel bar a destination? Visitors have their pick of the best, and we’re confident that somewhere in this illustrious list, you’ll find your perfect bite of the Big Apple.
You can trust our list. Forbes Travel Guide has been rating hotels since 1958 using an objective, independent and data-driven process. To find the best hotels in New York City, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and checked in at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. The remaining 30 percent comes from the quality and condition of the facilities.
Five-Star Hotels in New York City
Every element at Mandarin Oriental, New York — from the ginkgo metal design finishes on the revolving doors to the framed kimonos hanging in the hallways to the Chinese gold throw pillows on the beds in the notably large rooms — reflects a sophisticated Asian aesthetic that recognizes the brand’s heritage while simultaneously capturing the individuality of New York.
The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel’s Columbus Circle location puts you steps from Central Park, Broadway theaters and top-notch museums. But if you need a break from the bustle, don’t miss the Five-Star spa. See more.
Famed crystal company Baccarat dazzled even the most jaded travelers when it opened its first hotel in New York City in 2015. With its unflinchingly glamorous public spaces, subtly luxurious guest rooms, splashy bars and an ultra-luxe spa, Baccarat Hotel is pure opulence.
Across the street from the Museum of Modern Art on East 53rd Street, the French-inspired hotel is flooded with millions of dollars of prismatic Baccarat crystals. See more.
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Standing 82 stories tall just a block from the World Trade Center, Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown helps usher the rebirth of Lower Manhattan. All of the windows have breathtaking views of city attractions, including the nearby Santiago Calatrava-designed Oculus, a $4 billion art structure in the World Trade Center Transportation Hub.
The area is also heavy with shopping options, such as the Westfield World Trade Center, Brookfield Place and trendy Soho boutiques. See more.
Escape the busy streets of Midtown Manhattan when you enter Park Hyatt New York’s oversized custom-made bronze double doors.
Occupying the first 25 floors of the 90-story One57 skyscraper, the hotel mesmerizes with breathtaking vistas and beautiful touches such as architectural screens and hand-woven custom carpeting. Common spaces have names like the Study and the Living Rooms and make you feel as if you are at home. See more.
Traditional New York style and understated elegance surround you at The Peninsula. Expect dramatic, oversized crystal chandeliers, marble floors and staircases, Corinthian columns and soaring high ceilings in the Beaux-Arts-inspired building.
Simplicity is another key at this graceful hotel. But clean lines and subdued colors are countered with splashes of color found in the lovely flower arrangements and contemporary artwork strategically placed throughout public spaces. See more.
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
A New York classic, The Pierre continues to impress after a long, glamorous history. The 1930s, Georgian-style building mixes old and new. The first floor accommodates a stylish lounge, Two E Bar, which serves afternoon tea by day, classic cocktails until midnight and light bites with both.
Gorgeous hand-painted murals from the hotel’s early-20th-century beginnings are laced throughout the hotel, sharing space with Indian artwork, some of which hails from the Taj flagship in Mumbai. See more.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park offers some of the city’s most elegant accommodations. The Emery Roth-designed building features 253 rooms and a majestic art-filled lobby. Expect a sleek look with hints of old New York scattered throughout — neutral color palettes with dark wood molding, plush chairs and marble tables.
The luxurious amenities (including a house Maybach) set this Five-Star stunner apart while its recently refreshed guest rooms and Four-Star La Prairie Spa provide serenity. See more.
This designated New York landmark dates back to 1904. Today, you’ll find that the newly renovated treasure still offers original brass detailing and marble staircases throughout, evoking the grand old days when the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Salvador Dalí stayed here.
Every guest is assigned a butler, who arrives impeccably dressed in black tails and white gloves to attend to your every need, from unpacking your luggage to serving morning tea. See more.
The Towers at Lotte New York Palace
Sitting behind grand iron gates on Madison Avenue, Lotte New York Palace has served as the backdrop for shows like Gossip Girl, but the real star is the mansion’s exclusive hotel-within-a-hotel, The Towers.
Using the private 50th Street lobby like a Hollywood star ducking from paparazzi, waltz into the concierge area, before heading up to your exquisite room. The Towers occupy the top 14 floors of the Palace and feature 176 rooms boasting vistas of Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building. See more.
Trump International Hotel & Tower New York
The 52-story Trump International Hotel & Tower New York occupies a gleaming black glass tower at Columbus Circle and Central Park, smack in the middle of Manhattan.
The hotel’s 176 rooms are tastefully appointed, with many offering striking views of the park’s treetops from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Still, it’s the hotel’s discretion, commitment to excellent service and fine amenities that make it stand out. See more.
Four-Star Hotels in New York City
You’ll be at the center of the action during your visit to NYC at Andaz 5th Avenue. A couple of blocks from Grand Central Station, the Four-Star hotel is surrounded by the New York Public Library, Bryant Park and some of the city’s best shopping.
Inside the hotel, you’ll find another attraction: The Bar Downstairs & Kitchen, a restaurant that serves locally sourced dishes (like meats from Katz’s Delicatessen) and transforms into a cozy speakeasy after nightfall. See more.
Many of New York’s landmark 1930s hotels have lost some of their grandeur. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, in all of its Upper East Side glory, has managed to maintain the glamour and luxury of days past.
Just one block from Central Park, The Carlyle remains a mix of hotel rooms, suites and residences. Every American president since Truman has called the hotel his unofficial New York home. It was also a favorite of the late Princess Diana of Wales and many heads of state. See more.
Conrad New York Downtown leaves a memorable first impression. The atrium lobby is a showstopper with its 13-story, blue-and-purple Sol LeWitt mural — the respected artist’s largest work — reflecting azure hues onto a two-tiered, cable-and-aluminum sculpture by Monica Ponce de Leon.
While most of the 463 suites take a more understated but still elegant tone, select spacious accommodations have a priceless visual element: views of the Hudson River, Battery Park and the Statute of Liberty. See more.
On a cobblestone street in Soho, Crosby Street Hotel feels more residential than most properties. The stateside outpost of U.K.-based Tim and Kit Kemp’s Firmdale hotel group boasts the same eclectic, English-country-meets-modernist design as its London sisters. Thick layers of fabrics, textures and colors shine brightest in the guest rooms, where no two spaces are alike.
Crosby Bar is a colorful spot for a meal, and the adjacent sculpture garden is a great place for a drink. See more.
The Dominick is a welcome addition to the downtown hotel scene with its dramatic, two-story lobby outfitted in columns of brown and metallic blue Venetian plaster and a second-floor library complete with a fireplace.
Terrace on 7 is a seasonal indoor-outdoor bar that overflows onto the Pool Deck’s blue Italian mosaic-lined pool with a cascading waterfall. The 11,000-square-foot Sisley Spa includes separate luxury hammams for men and women, offering total relaxation. See more.
Before Equinox Hotel, it would have been hard to imagine that the area now known as Hudson Yards on Manhattan’s far west side would be a magnet for trendsetting urbanites. But this spot has emerged not only as one of the largest mixed-use mega neighborhoods in the world but a destination of its own.
This lifestyle-meets-luxury hybrid is the Equinox fitness brand’s first hotel. The ethos here skews more posh than sporty, with sleek interiors, a Four-Star spa and, of course, a state-of-the-art gym. See more.
The Greenwich Hotel commands the cobbled corner of Greenwich and North Monroe streets in charming Tribeca. Just one block from the Hudson River Greenway, its red brick facade rests among buzzing restaurants and boutiques.
A trove of top-notch talent — like Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt, who has a penchant for refashioning castles — melded wayfaring styles with lofty common areas, transporting you from modern Manhattan to somewhere refined and away from the ruckus. See more.
For those inclined to brave the wild refuge that is Times Square, check into The Knickerbocker Hotel. Here, you can revel in every delight the NYC attraction has to offer before slinking into the arms of this Manhattan marvel.
Built by business titan John Jacob Astor IV, the 330-room hotel reigned as a testament to early-20th-century opulence. It’s also rumored to be the birthplace of the martini. See more.
The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue
Upon entering The Langham, you’re greeted with the brand’s signature pink roses and ginger flower aroma, a reminder that details are not overlooked at this Midtown spot. Its Fifth Avenue address (near the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center) makes it popular with leisure and business travelers.
Thoughtful amenities and attentive service are trademarks of The Langham. “Service stylists” gather your preferences pre-arrival and make it their duty to anticipate your needs. See more.
Located in a landmark 1920s building on the Upper East Side, The Lowell captures the essence of an elegant country house with a blend of English prints, floral fabrics and Chinese porcelains that surprisingly works. While the rooms are individually decorated, many suites boast wood-burning fireplaces, a rarity in Manhattan.
The English influences extend to the Pembroke Room, where Anglophiles can enjoy teatime. But for something uniquely American, visit the clubby Post House, a steakhouse with terrific chops. See more.
The Mark, decorated by French designer Jacques Grange, is one of the city’s chicest retreats. In the heart of the Upper East Side and steps from Madison Avenue shopping and The Whitney, the hotel offers an ideal base for discovering Uptown.
The property radiates a boutique vibe, perfect for the fashion-forward set. The stylish ways extend to the cuisine (the Jean-Georges Vongerichten-led The Mark Restaurant), the cocktails (the ’60s-inspired Mark Bar) and even an onsite coiffurist (the esteemed Frédéric Fekkai salon). See more.
Residing in a historic clock tower, The EDITION epitomizes understated elegance. Hospitality impresario Ian Schrager teamed with Marriott to open this Flatiron District hotel in 2015, and it’s been stunning guests ever since.
Adjacent to Madison Square Park, the hotel gives you direct access to trendy neighborhoods (Greenwich Village, Chelsea, NoMad, Gramercy Park) and sites (Eataly is across the park). But with the hotel’s understated beauty and 360-degree views of NYC, there’s a chance you’ll be content going nowhere. See more.
Pendry brings a laid-back West Coast vibe to the East Coast. The newly built hotel is a Midtown monument of gorgeous architecture with a rippled-wave glass exterior and calming, contemporary interiors.
When you’re hungry, head to the stylish Zou Zou’s for shareable Mediterranean plates or Garden Room, an all-day restaurant filled with natural light and plants. Grab a drink at the dimly lit Bar Pendry or Chez Zou, a gem where you can sip at an inviting alcove bar. See more.
Steeped in pomp and pageantry, The Plaza bridges Old World enchantment and contemporary comfort. Guest rooms are thoughtfully detailed in Beaux Arts-inspired décor, while bathrooms have 24-karat gold-plated Sherle Wagner faucets, handcrafted marble vanities and inlaid mosaic tiles.
Make your way to Guerlain Spa, where you can bask in the renowned facial massages. Keep the indulgences going at the storied Palm Court with a sumptuous afternoon tea or bubbles at The Champagne Bar. See more.
In Midtown’s fast-paced world, The Whitby Hotel is an oasis. Its airy, bright halls have delightful textures, ranging from the extensive array of original artwork to the padded fabric wallpaper that lines many guest rooms.
The 86-room property exudes a creative spirit — a far cry from the cookie-cutter experience found elsewhere in this corner of Manhattan. A prime location, within walking distance of offices and tourist attractions, makes it attractive to business and leisure travelers. See more.
Recommended Hotels in New York City
Archer Hotel mixes the Garment District’s innovative air with Midtown’s incessant energy. Designer Glen Coben gave this space an elegant, industrial twist that honors the area’s past (see: chesterfield sofas and subway-tiled bathrooms).
Upon entry, it might surprise you that Archer is a hotel. The lobby opens to a head-turning central bar. But look to the left and you will find a blue leather-tufted counter staffed with smiling hosts eager to check you in. See more.
In the heart of the Financial District sits The Beekman, a Victorian-era building with architectural elegance, innovative cuisine and lavish guest rooms and suites with impossibly high ceilings. Making amazing use of the former Temple Court site, the hotel takes you through a rich period of history.
Before the 1883 structure was built, this site was home to several buildings. In fact, at its height, the building housed more than 200 businesses. See more.
Occupying a coveted corner at West 54th Street and Seventh Avenue, Conrad New York Midtown is a prime base for Big Apple adventures. Easily walk to attractions like the Museum of Modern Art and Radio City Music Hall, or just admire the views from your room — the property boasts 562 spacious accommodations.
Don’t miss a chance to explore the property’s vibrant art from more than 40 artists, ranging from Warhol’s Pop art to snaps by London-based photographer Amy Judd. See more.
In an area known for towering skyscrapers and stiffly suited business types, Gild Hall provides New York City denizens and visitors alike with a cozy retreat.
This Financial District hotel sports a men’s club aesthetic, from the cowhide throw rug and leather couch in the lobby to the white-washed brick and wood walls. Keeping with the warm, comforting theme, the guest rooms have Sferra linens, D.S & Durga toiletries and well-stocked mini-bars. See more.
Upon entering the Hard Rock Hotel, you might mistake it for a museum. The lobby is filled with that much New York City music memorabilia. The Jeffrey Beers-designed hotel weaves a musical motif throughout its 446 rooms, two-floor entertainment space and four restaurants.
With live tunes playing most nights of the week, a full calendar of scheduled concerts and thoughtful touches — the hotel will deliver a Fender guitar to your door during your stay — the Hard Rock feels alive. See more.
InterContinental New York Barclay
Step back into the 1920s at InterContinental New York Barclay. The East Midtown hotel oozes Old World charm. The luxe lobby’s seating areas make you want to sit down for coffee, cocktails or a private conversation and feel removed from the Big Apple’s busy streets.
Grand diamond-patterned marble floors complement a blend of traditional and contemporary furnishings, and artwork, such as the 19th-century Hudson River School landscapes, reflects New York’s proud history. See more.
On first approach, The Kimberly appears to be a standard apartment building, but upon entering the marble-covered lobby, you’ll see why this place is a perennial favorite — the refined crimson and gold antique furnishings exude an enduring warmth and charm.
The central location — within walking distance of Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Times Square, Grand Central Station and Radio City Music Hall — makes this boutique spot an even smarter stay, whether you’re visiting for business or a break. See more.
Aiming to provide a feeling of privacy, exclusivity and unassuming glamour, the Loews Regency doesn’t want you to just stay at the hotel — it wants you to move in.
Awash with muted tones of purple, taupe and swirls of black and white marble, the property has a contemporary beauty. With oversized workspaces, personalized temperature controls and more, rooms evoke the feeling of an apartment that leisure visitors, business travelers and even locals can appreciate. See more.
Lotte New York Palace’s motto —”Old world elegance, new world opulence”— clicks into place when you step through the gates and descend the grand staircase. First built as a luxury apartment building in 1882, the structure was transformed into a hotel in 1980.
If you’re in the mood to splurge, Triplex Suites run up to 5,000 square feet and boast art deco décor and unforgettable views from 18-foot windows and private rooftop terraces. See more.
Claiming a desirable Central Park South location, Park Lane is nestled among some of the world’s most exclusive buildings. The revamped 47-story hotel is one of the city’s newest landmarks, offering park panoramas, three popular three restaurants and bars and 611 richly adorned rooms.
Manhattan’s defining highlights inspire the décor. Central Park, Grand Central Station and the iconic Bemelmans Bar guide its motifs while many of the classic architectural details from the historic building were carefully restored. See more.
Since opening in 1927, The Sherry-Netherland has been a Fifth Avenue staple thanks to its staggering architecture, signature sidewalk clock marking the entrance and intimate marble lobby’s 18-foot vaulted ceilings.
The European elegance also seeps into the hotel’s restaurant, Harry Cipriani. From the same family behind the famous Harry’s Bar in Venice, the classic restaurant is popular among guests and Upper East Side neighbors with a hankering for superb risotto and sea bass. See more.
Smyth Tribeca’s wood-paneled lobby lounge invites you to set your bags down, take a seat and warm up by the fireplace. Or opt to linger at a table at one of the dark inviting nooks.
To add a libation to the cozy scene, head to the glowing bar. Order a classic cocktail and soak up the vibe — you’ve arrived. See more.
This French-influenced hotel’s Midtown location makes it a perfect spot for those in town for meetings or me time.
The Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel features an art deco lobby with plush seating in front of the fireplace and photographs of Paris and New York. Elegant guest rooms have feather bedding, glass-enclosed rain showers and deep-soaking tubs. As a bonus, so many of the staff members speak with French accents that you’ll confuse Manhattan for Marseille. See more.
The EDITION hides in plain sight amid Times Square’s billboards. The 42-story hotel brings a dose of modern luxury to the touristy neighborhood. Where Times Square is bright and loud, this hotel is serene, with all-white rooms and two terraces bursting with greenery.
The hotel has restaurants from lauded chef John Fraser, a 1,200-square-foot bar and a gym with a terrace. Don’t miss Paradise Club, a dinner theater/nightclub in partnership with avant-garde performance space House of Yes. See more.
Flee from Manhattan’s swarming streets at The William Vale. The Williamsburg hotel pays tribute to its hipster-cool location with a modern exterior, art-filled interiors, impressive city views and a laid-back nature felt in almost every corner.
Vale Park, the hotel’s elevated, 15,000-square-foot public green space, invites you to linger on small hills with picnic blankets and savor stunning skyline views — this is Brooklyn, after all. See more.
Stay tuned for our 2024 Star Awards announcement on February 7, 2024.
