Top 10 best luxury hotels in New York City

Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.

Today (December 28, 2020): Top 10 best 5-star hotels in New York City.

New York, New York! If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. The Big Apple, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is the ultimate cosmopolitan travel destination and defines the urban lifestyle. In the “city that never sleeps,” you can visit some of the world’s best museum collections, shop till you drop, attend world-class performances, enjoy world-class free attractions, and find yourself having to make tough choices when it comes to dining out. Here’s my selection of the 10 best luxury hotels in New York City, with the world’s most luxurious hotel brands being well represented.

There is more information (with reviews and YouTube videos) below the slide show. Think I missed one? Share your favorite New York City hotel in the comments section, or take my poll below!

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10. THE STANDARD, HIGH LINE

Rising above a former elevated train line that has become downtown’s favorite public park, The Standard, High Line is located in New York City’s Meatpacking District. Every one of the 338 rooms feature a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of Manhattan and/or the mighty Hudson River. The hotel’s inviting and scintillating public spaces include a bustling German beer garden at ground level, the rooftop discothèque Le Bain, the legendary Top of The Standard, and an outdoor public plaza with rotating art installations and a winter ice rink. A neighborhood staple, The Standard Grill is classic New York steakhouse blending traditional food with New American cuisine.

Hotel website: The Standard, High Line
Other accolades: The Standard, High Line, features in my top 10 list of the world’s most spectacular hotel rooftops.

9. 1 HOTEL BROOKLYN BRIDGE

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a waterfront sanctuary, located right beside the East River and 5 blocks west of the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Set in a 10-story building with spectacular views of the Downtown Manhattan skyline, the hotel features 194 guest rooms and suites, communal spaces for working or relaxing, a spectacular rooftop space, 24-hour Fieldhouse fitness center , 50-person screening room, and a grab-and-go café with a menu of locally sourced and fresh fare, among additional features. The property follows a seriously sustainable ethos: its upcycled materials and artwork tell a story of the borough’s past, while its green design makes a commitment to its future.

Hotel website: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Classic Travel (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, and late check-out).
Review: read my review of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge here.

8. PARK HYATT NEW YORK

Across the street from Carnegie Hall, one block from Central Park, and near MoMA and Lincoln Center, Park Hyatt New York is the global flagship of the Park Hyatt brand. The property features 211 luxurious guest rooms including 93 premier suites nestled within the first 25 floors of the 90-story One57 skyscraper designed by designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc. Striking interior architectural design and a rotating art collection set the backdrop for bespoke events. A beautiful spa on the 25th floors offers an indoor saltwater swimming pool, eucalyptus steam room, oversize hot tub, and 24-hour gym overlooking the Manhattan skyline.

Hotel website: Park Hyatt New York
Other accolades: Park Hyatt New York also features in my top 10 list of the world’s most stunning indoor hotel pools
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD hotel credit).
Review: read my review of the Park Hyatt New York here.

7. THE CARLYLE, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has been a timeless classic since its debut in 1930. The hotel features 190 rooms, including 73 suites, with views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Romantic dining awaits guests in The Carlyle Restaurant, while legendary entertainers create the quintessential New York cabaret experience at Café Carlyle. Additionally, Bemelmans Bar is a favorite hideaway for both locals and visitors. The Carlyle is surrounded by galleries and designer boutiques on Madison Avenue. Blocks from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Frick, the hotel also is within easy reach of the world-famous Museum Mile.

Hotel website: The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, welcome amenity, and $100 USD spa credit).

6. THE MARK HOTEL

The Mark is housed in a 1927 landmark building reimagined by legendary designer Jacques Grange. The hotel combines old-world comfort and avant-garde design with unprecedented service. Rooms and suites are havens of understated opulence. The Mark is at the epicenter of Manhattan’s social and cultural riches, on one of the Upper East Side’s finest blocks, surrounded by museums, shops, restaurants, and Central Park. With a blooming flower cart, the Jean-Georges hot dog stand, a 70ft (21 m) sailboat, and complimentary bicycles and pedicab rides, The Mark extends beyond its iconic bricks and mortar to provide immersive New York experiences.

Hotel website: The Mark Hotel
Other accolades: The Mark Hotel also features in my top 10 list of the world’s most expensive hotel rooms.
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and a complimentary round of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres platter at Mark’s Bar or Lounge at Mark’s Restaurant by Jean-Georges, or “Picnic in the Park by Jean-Georges” – a picnic basket featuring a selection of delectable foods and refreshments for 2, prepared by The Mark Restaurant’s kitchen).

5. THE LANGHAM NEW YORK, FIFTH AVENUE

Centrally located in Midtown Manhattan on Fifth Avenue, The Langham, New York is luxury hotel close to Madison Square Garden, the Theater District, shopping, restaurants, museums, and more. With some of the largest guest rooms in the city, averaging 750 square feet, and a variety of suites, guests have ample space to spread out in a contemporary setting. Many rooms and suites boast spectacular views across the city’s skyline and to the neighboring Empire State Building. The hotel offers culinary delights at Michelin-starred restaurant Ai Fiori, and handcrafted cocktails at Bar Fiori.

Hotel website: The Langham New York, Fifth Avenue
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD hotel credit).
Review: read my review of the The Langham New York, Fifth Avenue here.

4. THE GREENWICH HOTEL

As unassuming as its owner, Robert De Niro, The Greenwich Hotel provides a high-end pied-à-terre in the trendy Tribeca neighborhood. No two of its 88 rooms and suites – mixing Tibetan rugs, English settees, and Moroccan tiles with vintage books and flea market antiques – are alike. The design pays particular homage to fine craftsmanship, and much of the woodwork is reclaimed. The intimate, lantern-lit swimming pool, for instance, is housed in a 250-year-old pine farmhouse transported from Kyoto. Locanda Verde, the airy, open-kitchen restaurant, offers a whimsical take on traditional Italian.

Hotel website: The Greenwich Hotel
Other accolades: The Greenwich Hotel also features in my top 10 list of luxury hotels owned by celebrities.
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD spa credit).

3. THE ST REGIS NEW YORK

Since its founding by John Jacob Astor over a century ago, The St. Regis New York has established itself as one of Manhattan’s most alluring luxury hotels. The historic 5-star hotel has evolved to reflect the rich heritage of St. Regis, while infusing the timeless elegance that has come to define it. Every element of the hotel is carefully considered, from the richly decorated rooms and designer suites to the graceful public spaces, highlighted by a regal rooftop ballroom with sweeping Manhattan views. Exceptional dining at Astor Court and the world-class King Cole Bar – home to the nation’s first Bloody Mary – further enhance the experience.

Hotel website: The St Regis New York
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

2. FOUR SEASONS NEW YORK

The stunning, I.M. Pei-designed Four Seasons Hotel New York is superbly set between Park and Madison avenues and steps from Carnegie Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, and Central Park. With 368 suites decorated in tranquil colors – some featuring private, furnished terraces – the hotel offers guests a quiet sanctuary in Midtown Manhattan. When reserving a suite with terrace, opt to indulge in a private, five-course dining experience, served as high as 500 ft (150m ) above Manhattan. Alternatively, overlooking the hotel’s towering grand lobby, The Garden features “Eat Drink Local” dining menus using ingredients from nearby farms.

Hotel website: Four Seasons New York
Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD food & beverage credit).

1. MANDARIN ORIENTAL NEW YORK

With its breathtaking views Central Park and the city skyline, Mandarin Oriental, New York is a prized address among discerning travelers. Enjoying a prime location on top of the Time Warner Center and within easy reach of all of the New York’s legendary sites, shops and attractions, this luxury hotel houses 244 sumptuous rooms and suites, all featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that boast gorgeous views of the Hudson River, Central Park or Manhattan’s glittering skyline. The property has direct access to The Shops at Columbus Circle, which is home to world-class shopping and dining, including acclaimed restaurants Per Se and Masa.