The Ten Best Hotels in New York

The legendary ‘Big Apple’ is as vibrant as it is famous.

From the skyscrapers on Wall Street to the pulsating energy of Times Square, NYC is at the epicentre of entertainment, fashion, media, and business. It also has world-class museums, iconic attractions, a trend-setting gastronomic scene, and possibly the world’s best shopping.  

With so much to offer across its five boroughs (Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, The Bronx, and Staten Island), it can be somewhat intimidating when it comes to planning your transatlantic trip.

Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of the city’s very finest 5-star hotels from where you can be perfectly positioned to experience the best New York City has to offer.

An intimate property, located within a storied 1926 building in the elegant heart of the Upper East Side of Manhattan, The Surrey is conveniently situated less than a block from Central Park and a short walk from the city’s top museums and art galleries, such as the Met and the Guggenheim.

This timeless hotel has provided a residential haven to a number of New York’s most high-profile names, including JFK, Bette Davis, and Claudette Colbert. And it with good reason; the 5-star hotel exudes classic luxury, with impeccable, discreet service, and some of the city’s most fancy rooms and suites. Be sure to sample the exquisite French cuisine at Michelin-starred Café Boulud - an elegant bow to New York’s café society.

Seamlessly combining the old and the new, Lotte New York Palace has recently undergone a thorough renovation, bringing it up to date with contemporary luxury while making a point to honour its illustrious past. The building dates from 1882 and was constructed in the neo-Italian Renaissance tradition, inspired by the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome.

Its ambitious leap into modernity has been a success. The legendary New York City luxury hotel now features 909 spacious rooms and suites, a number of unique dining venues - including a sleek cocktail lounge under the famed Grand Staircase and a classic New York City bakery - as well as a luxury spa and fitness centre. Stay in one of the hotel’s 176 accommodations in the 55-story tower and enjoy dramatic views over the city.

Overlooking the Hudson River in Battery Park City, the all-suite Conrad New York is the epitome of New York luxury. Contemporary art is showcased throughout the hotel, giving it the feel of a modern art gallery, while its plush suites, high-end amenities and unparalleled service make it one of the most comfortable and sophisticated hotels in the city.

Check in to a Hudson River View Suite to experience marvellous river views, dine in style at the Mediterranean ATRIO Wine Bar & Restaurant, or relax high above the bustling city with a bespoke cocktail at Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar. The hotel also has its own barbershop, allowing you to spruce up before an evening in one of the world’s most exciting cities.

 Rumoured to be the birthplace of the martini, iconic New York City landmark The Knickerbocker hotel has an eventful history, playing host to a number of famous (and infamous) political bigwigs, celebrities, and oil tycoons. The red-bricked, Beaux-Arts style luxury hotel overlooks the bright lights of Times Square.

Its 330 glamourous guestrooms and suites offer incredible views, bespoke furnishing, and 12-foot ceilings. Dine like a real New Yorker at in-house restaurant The Knick, led by Master Chef Charlie Palmer, with its a unique take on American cuisine, or grab a freshly brewed coffee at Jake’s Cafe, a relaxed artisanal cafe on the ground floor. There is also the magnificent St. Cloud rooftop bar, a great spot for a handcrafted cocktail whilst looking out over the concrete jungle.

For more than a century, The St Regis New York has been an emblem of style and sophistication in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Located on busy Fifth Avenue - in the heart of one of the city’s best shopping, entertainment and cultural district - this historic hotel fuses timeless class with the fashionable chic style that New York is renowned for.

The grandeur of the property is evident from the outset. Pass through its Fifth Avenue entrance into the expansive marble lobby, where dazzling chandeliers hang from the ceiling and impressive New York-inspired artwork makes you feel like you are stepping into a royal residence. The St Regis New York is an ultra-luxe property with a timeless allure.

Another Fifth Avenue 5-star hotel, Langham Place New York is housed within a limestone tower that reaches 57 storeys into the sky. The hotel embodies a sleek metropolitan style, reflecting the dynamic vibrancy of the city.

Rooms and suites at the sophisticated property feature indulgent Swedish Duxiana beds, large marble bathrooms with rainfall showers, and an understated, fresh design. Many also boast views of the iconic Manhattan skyline through large windows. Be sure to make a visit to the hotel’s Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant, serving Mediterranean cuisine with an elegant setting. Langham Place New York also has a world-class luxury spa - perfect respite from from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Ideally located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, the glamourous Peninsula New York hotel is fronted by two imposing Chinese Guardian Lions - said to protect the hotel from evil spirits, according to Chinese tradition. But fear not, the good type of spirits are plentiful, with a number of bars, restaurants, and lounges offering comfortable spaces in which to wine, dine, and relax.

Experience New York luxury by checking into the hotel’s newly-unveiled

, featuring a 10-seat dining room, large living room with stunning views of Fifth Avenue, and a gourmet kitchen - all in the style of a grand New York apartment. The hotel also offers five modern and stylish function rooms, each named after New York City neighbourhoods - Gramercy, Sutton, Tribeca, Chelsea and Greenwich.

Since opening in 1930, this 5-star luxury New York hotel has been characterised by its simplicity and refinement. Located on Fifth Avenue, overlooking Central Park, The Pierre, a Taj Hotel is full of New York charm.

This 5-star Manhattan hotel is located on 44th Street, a stone’s throw from the theatres of Broadway and a short walk from Times Square. A luxurious hotel with an exquisite 1930s Art Deco style, The Chatwal offers 76 meticulously designed rooms and suites, a refined bar, and an indulgent spa.

Formerly home to the original Lamb's Club - New York's first theatre club - the hotel today features the Lamb's Club Bar and Restaurant, where guests can get a taste of the property’s famed history along with a menu of high-class cuisine. The hotel's intimate Red Door Spa is an oasis in the city, boasting three treatment rooms, steam showers, and a salt-water lap pool.