The best places to stay in New York

The Carlyle on the Upper East Side embodies the spirit of old New York.

New York, New York: it’s a helluva great hotel town. Choose from art deco gems, designer eco-oases, modern skyscrapers and beachfront resorts (yes, really). Location matters more than thread count, so make time to research the neighbourhood that best suits your NYC vibe.

The Carlyle

Credit: Rosewood Hotels

Perfect for: Celebrity spotting, luxury splurges, the spirit of old New York
That a film has been made about this hotel — Always at The Carlyle — in which such luminaries such as George Clooney, Anthony Bourdain, Roger Federer and Fran Lebowitz share fond memories of martinis at Bemelmans Bar and spicy assignations, is a testament to its storied reputation.
Opened in 1930, the Upper East Side landmark is a celebrity favourite, as beloved for the discretion of its staff as for the lavishness of its decor. The 35-story, 192-room hotel has glorious views of Central Park, and is within easy reach of The Met, The Frick and Guggenheim museums. At Café Carlyle, book ahead for shows by A-list singers and cabaret performers.
35 East 76th Street, New York. Phone: [phone]. rosewoodhotels.com. From $US795 per night.

The Ritz-Carlton, NoMad

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton, NoMad: not a bad spot for a soak.

Perfect for: Modern luxury and glamour, superior service, bragging rights
Since welcoming guests for the first time in July 2022, The Ritz-Carlton in NoMad has created the kind of excited buzz hoteliers dream of. The skyscraper hotel’s 250 rooms and suites have a soft and elegant palette, and the 632-square-metre spa and fitness centre is one of the first to offer treatments using luxe products from Augustinus Bader.
With all the flawless details one would expect from The Ritz-Carlton brand – and in a newly built property – this hotel tops NYC’s modern luxury class, with a nightly room rate to match. An enticing food and beverage collection so far includes Zaytinya, a Mediterranean restaurant by celebrated chef José Andrés, and Nubeluz, a cocktail bar on the 50th floor with spectacular views.
25 West 28th Street, New York. Phone: [phone]. ritzcarlton.com. From $US1000 per night.

The Langham

Credit: The Langham

Perfect for: Couples, families, VIPs, corporate travellers
With some of the most spacious suites in the city and a prime midtown location on Fifth Avenue, The Langham is a favoured address of visiting dignitaries, NBA teams (in town to play at nearby Madison Square Garden), and those who enjoy luxury paired with convenience.
Many of the room configurations have features that will appeal to longer-stay guests, including furnished terraces, kitchenettes, washer/dryers and Empire State Building views.
Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant features chef Michael White’s French and Italian cuisine, with various prix fixe menus representing good value.
Just one block away you’ll find Macy’s and many other shops in 34th Street-Herald Square area. Also within easy walking distance: Times Square, Bryant Park, the main New York Public Library branch and Grand Central Station.
400 5th Avenue, New York. Phone: [phone]. langhamhotels.com. From $US695 per night.

Park Lane

Credit: Park Lane New York

Perfect for: Couples, Central Park views, nightlife
Park Lane New York on Central Park South (aka Billionaires’ Row) was completely reimagined during the pandemic pause, with a thoughtful renovation that respects and integrates the building’s 1960s architectural heritage. Take the rooftop lounge and cocktail bar, Darling, with its ‘pinch-me’ views of Central Park: once the penthouse apartment of developers Harry and Leona Helmsley, it’s now a luxe watering hole with weekend DJs and decor that hints at chic mid-century Miami.
The 47-storey property, run by Highgate, has 610 rooms. It’s across the street from Central Park and a short walk to Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center and Fifth Avenue stores.
36 Central Park South, New York. Phone: [phone]. parklanenewyork.com. From $US395 per night.

Moxy NYC Times Square

Credit: Moxy

Perfect for: Young and young at heart, mid-range budgets, central location
If you’re going to stay in the busy Times Square precinct, embrace the fun factor. Moxy Times Square is part of Marriott’s millennial-friendly brand, with Instagram-ready neon signs, provocative sculptures and a very popular rooftop bar, Magic Hour. The 600-plus rooms are playful, colourful and cool, using clever design to maximise small spaces. Common areas include the lobby bar, co-working spaces and seafood brasserie, Legasea, which has a good prix fixe lunch and happy hour deals. Located at the southern end of Times Square, the hotel is close to Macy’s on 34th Street and lots of subway connections. (There are five other Moxy hotels throughout the city.)
485 7th Avenue, New York. Phone: [phone]. marriott.com. From $US199 per night.

Pod Brooklyn

Credit: Pod Brooklyn

Perfect for: Bargain hunters, singles, social types
In hotel parlance the rooms are ‘compact’, which is to say they’re small, but who goes to New York to spend time in their room anyway? Ultramodern, functional and located in trendy Williamsburg, Pod Brooklyn is also very affordable, a rarity in the city. Surrounded by cafes, bars and shops, the hotel’s 249 rooms are based on Japanese pod hotel design. We suspect there was also some IKEA inspo. The lobby is playful (note the giant Jenga sculpture), while the mezzanine lounge is a comfy space to work or wait for check-in time. If there’s no availability at this property, try the Pod hotels in three other NYC locations.
247 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn. Phone: [phone]. thepodhotel.com. From $US78 per night.

The Rockaway Hotel

Credit: The Rockaway Hotel

Perfect for: Beach lovers, surfers, return visitors to NYC
The rumours are true: New York City has some decent beaches and an emerging surf culture. The beaches like those found in the Rockaways, Queens, can’t compete with Aussie sand and surf – and they’re freezing for most of the year – but can be a fun getaway from the concrete jungle.
If you go, stay somewhere nice: The Rockaway Hotel is the first upscale accommodation to be built in the Rockaways in over a century. It’s quickly gained traction as a stylish retro clubhouse for the community’s surf, art and music scene. There’s a deluxe spa, a popular rooftop bar and seaside fare in Margie’s, the signature restaurant. Rooms are bright and fresh, with windows that open to let in the sea breeze.
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens. Phone: [phone]. therockawayhotel.com. From $US250 per night.

The Gansevoort

Credit: Gansevoort/David Mitchell

Perfect for: LGBTQI travellers, art and design enthusiasts, party people
The Gansevoort first opened in 2004, when Sex and the City was helping rebrand the formerly rough-and-tumble Meatpacking District into somewhere as cool as a Cosmopolitan, and it’s recently had a multi-million-dollar renovation. The new-look 186 guestrooms are modern and stylish, with ombre wallpaper, subway tile in the bathrooms, Google Nest Hubs and Mirror gyms. Many overlook the Hudson River.
The neighbourhood is now one of the most sophisticated in the city, home to drawcards like the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Little Island and Chelsea Market. Bars, restaurants and nightlife at the hotel and in the surrounding area reflect the energy of visitors and locals who know how to have fun.
18 9th Avenue, New York. Phone: [phone]. gansevoorthotelgroup.com. From $US525 per night.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Credit: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Perfect for: Eco-conscious travellers, trendsetters, Brooklyn base
Sustainability meets chic design at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, where eco-conscious decor has been created by local artists with native greenery and reclaimed objects. There’s not a plastic bottle in sight.
Guests enjoy a prime DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge waterfront base, with spectacular views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. (A sister hotel is located near Central Park.) With so much of New York’s action now taking place in Brooklyn, it’s a smart choice to stay in the borough for at least part of your visit. Make the most of the hotel’s cinema room, plunge pool, rooftop bar and all-natural Bamford Spa before venturing out.
60 Furman Street, Brooklyn . Phone: [phone]hotels.com. From $US549 per night.

Hotel Indigo, Lower East Side

Credit: IHG Hotels ~amp~ Resorts

Perfect for: Hipsters, nightlife, lower Manhattan access
The Lower East Side is lit, as the kids say. One of the coolest and edgiest neighbourhoods in Manhattan, it’s a bustling jumble of nightlife, boutiques, restaurants, bars and century-old tenement buildings. On Ludlow Street is Hotel Indigo, an IHG property with a focus on modern design, street art and local characters. In fact, the 14th-floor lobby is decorated with outsized snapshots of LES history.
The aesthetic could be described as warm industrial. Yes, there’s a lot of concrete and steel, but there’s also exposed red brick, reclaimed wood and premium Frette sheets. The hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, Mr Purple, is well worth a look.
171 Ludlow Street, New York. Phone: [phone]. ihg.com. From $US209 per night.

Ace Hotel

Credit: Ace Hotels

Perfect for: Young and young-at-heart, creative types, pet-friendly
At this hip midtown hotel, housed in a turn-of-the-century landmark building, the lobby is the social gathering hub. A rotating roster of events for guests and visitors are held there in the evenings – art exhibitions, DJ nights, LGBTQI mixers – while during the day, it’s a productive space for working or networking.
Rooms range from small bunk accommodations to spacious lofts that feel more like apartments, all decked out in signature monochrome hues with retro accessories. Call it an upscale flea-market aesthetic, courtesy of the vintage record turntables, acoustic guitars and trunks-as-coffee-tables.
20 West 29th Street, New York. Phone: [phone]. acehotel.com. From $US349 per night.

Boro Hotel

Credit: Boro Hotel

Perfect for: Urban explorers, mid-range budgets, Manhattan views
If you’re a repeat visitor to NYC and feel confident navigating the subway, you might want to consider accommodation beyond Manhattan. Long Island City in Queens is just two subway stops from midtown and has one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. It’s where you’ll find Boro Hotel, a stylish boutique property with 108 spacious loft-like rooms (thanks to 10-foot ceilings) featuring big bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Most rooms have balconies or terraces, with views that usually cost a lot more than the nightly rate you’ll pay here. The on-site restaurant, Beebe’s, serves satisfying pizza, pasta and small plates.
38-34 27th Street, Queens. Phone: [phone]. borohotel.com. From $US229 per night.