Aman New York at dusk, the Crown Building at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street
Top 20 · New York · 2026

Top 20 Hotels in New York City 2026

Eleven miles of city, 25,000 hotel rooms, and the twenty addresses editors return to. Ranked by room product, service tenure, and the kind of New York each one captures.

New York hotels operate at the upper limit of what a city hotel can be. The room product is small by international standards, the central Manhattan palace rooms run 28 to 35 square meters where Paris and London hotels run 35 to 50, but the service tenure, the food and beverage program, and the location density make the trade-off work. The twenty hotels below are the addresses editors return to, the addresses where loyalty stays and milestone trips both land.

The list is ranked on three dimensions: room and design, service depth, location. Each axis is scored out of ten by editorial inspection, then averaged into a composite. The methodology block below the intro explains the inspection model. The list refreshes annually; the most recent refresh is dated at the top of the page.

The intentional exclusions: hotels under two years of operation (Aman New York and The Ritz-Carlton NoMad both clear the two-year threshold and qualify); hotels currently under major renovation (Four Seasons New York reopened in 2024 after a two-year closure and qualifies again); and hotels that operate primarily as residences. The list is for travelers, not for owners.

#1 in New York City

Aman New York

Fifth Avenue, Midtown  ·  Ultra-luxury · ★★★★★  ·  from $2,150/night
Aman New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"The Crown Building's residential floors reimagined as 83 suites, the only New York hotel where silence is the principal luxury."

9.7Room & Design
9.6Service
9.4Location

Why this rank, Aman New York occupies the top floors of the 1921 Crown Building at 57th and Fifth, 83 suites only, none under 850 square feet, all engineered for guests for whom privacy is the principal luxury. There is no lobby in the conventional sense; check-in happens in a private side room. The Aman Spa occupies three full floors of the building, with a 25-meter swimming pool that runs longer than most New York hotel restaurants. Restaurant program: Arva for Italian, Nama for Japanese, and the members-only Penthouse. Suites are designed by Jean-Michel Gathy in restrained limestone and walnut; the average rate exceeds $2,000 per night. Best for anniversary stays, milestone birthdays, and business travelers who need full privacy. Not the choice for first-time New York visitors who want the postcard skyline view, the suites face inward. Booking lead time for the Aman Suite runs 90 days at standard rates and 180+ days during peak Manhattan event weeks.

Best room: Aman Suite, 1,650 sq ft, the building's southern terrace, fireplace.

#2 in New York City

The Mark Hotel

Upper East Side, 77th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $766/night
The Mark Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"The only New York hotel on the World's 50 Best Hotels list, and the rooms earn it, twice over."

9.3Room & Design
9.2Service
9.4Location

Why this rank, The Mark Hotel is the most-decorated New York property by recent industry awards, the World's 50 Best Hotels list (2023 and 2024), Forbes Five-Star, multiple Travel + Leisure Top Hotels rankings. It holds 152 rooms across the restored 1927 Madison Avenue building between 77th and 78th Streets, three blocks from the Metropolitan Museum. Restaurant: The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges, which operates as both the hotel's destination dining room and an Upper East Side institution. The Mark Bar runs late; the rooftop terrace at suite level is private to guests. Most suites carry distinctive Jacques Grange interior design, the Penthouse Suite has its own rooftop terrace and runs $75,000+ per night. Best for anniversary, family, and Upper East Side stays where the museum corridor matters. Not the choice for downtown-energy or transit-anchored trips. Booking the Mark Restaurant for non-guests requires 2-3 weeks lead time for weekend dinner; guest-stay bookings clear same-day.

Best room: Mark Suite, 1,200 sq ft with private terrace facing Madison Avenue.

#3 in New York City

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

Upper East Side, 76th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $945/night
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"The room program is old New York; Bemelmans Bar downstairs is the city's most-photographed cocktail room."

9.2Room & Design
9.4Service
9.4Location

Why this rank, The Carlyle has held the Madison and 76th Street corner since 1930, 188 rooms in a building where 60% of long-tenured staff have worked the property for fifteen years or more. The Carlyle is the de-facto Upper East Side hotel address for visiting heads of state, returning artists, and the senior-counsel travel that Manhattan still produces. The Café Carlyle continues its 50-year jazz program. Bemelmans Bar, the lobby cocktail room with the Ludwig Bemelmans murals, is the most-photographed hotel bar in New York. Rosewood Hotels acquired the property in 1995 and operates it with characteristic restraint. The Carlyle Suite is the flagship; the Empire Suite is the historic favorite. Best for anniversary, business stays where the address matters, and any guest who values quiet over postcard newness. The Carlyle does not accept walk-in reservations at Bemelmans Bar, the queue forms on Madison Avenue from 6 PM weekends, and hotel residents bypass the line through the lobby entrance.

Best room: Carlyle Suite, full-floor private suite with views across Central Park.

#4 in New York City

The St. Regis New York

Fifth Avenue, 55th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $895/night
The St. Regis New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"The original St. Regis, where the brand's butler service was invented in 1904 and where it is still done best."

9.3Room & Design
9.5Service
9.5Location

Why this rank, The St. Regis New York is the founding property of the St. Regis brand, built by John Jacob Astor IV in 1904, where the brand's signature butler service was first standardized. The Beaux-Arts building at 55th and Fifth holds 238 rooms and 65 suites, all with the brand's heritage butler program (full unpacking, garment pressing, beverage service on schedule) included regardless of rate category. The King Cole Bar, with Maxfield Parrish's 1906 mural, is one of New York's most-historically-significant hotel bars; the Bloody Mary was popularized here as the Red Snapper. Restaurants: Astor Court for afternoon tea, Caviar Russe by partnership for dinner. The Presidential Suite occupies the entire fifteenth floor. Best for anniversary, business stays where butler service compounds, and travelers wanting the deepest New York hotel heritage. The Astor Court afternoon tea is one of the few formal hotel teas in New York and books 30 days out for Saturday seatings.

Best room: Royal Suite, heritage corner suite with butler-staffed library.

#5 in New York City

Four Seasons Hotel New York

Midtown East, 57th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,050/night
Four Seasons Hotel New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"The largest standard rooms in Manhattan and the I.M. Pei tower, reopened 2024 after a two-year renovation."

9.5Room & Design
9.4Service
9.3Location

Why this rank, Four Seasons Hotel New York reopened in 2024 after a closure that ran from 2020 through the renovation cycle, returning the I.M. Pei-designed 1993 tower at 57 East 57th Street to active service. The standard room product is the largest in Manhattan among palace-tier properties, 600 sq ft minimum vs. 280-400 sq ft at most competitors, and the rebuilt service program runs at full Four Seasons brand standards. The Garden, the property's central lobby, remains the working business-meeting space of Midtown East. The Ty Bar, the property's cocktail bar, returned with the reopening. The Royal Suite occupies a corner of the top floor at 4,300 sq ft. Rates start at $1,050; the most-requested suites cross $25,000. Best for business stays where Midtown East proximity matters, for honeymoons that prioritize room space, and for re-bookers returning to the renovated product. The L.Raphael spa returned with the reopening at expanded square footage; the indoor pool deck is available to suite-category guests only.

Best room: Ty Warner Penthouse, 4,300 sq ft, top floor, private elevator.

#6 in New York City

The Peninsula New York

Fifth Avenue, 55th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $995/night
The Peninsula New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"The 1905 Beaux-Arts building at 55th and Fifth, the most-corporate of the Fifth Avenue palace hotels."

9.3Room & Design
9.4Service
9.5Location

Why this rank, The Peninsula New York holds the southwest corner of 55th and Fifth, the 1905 Gotham Hotel building, renovated by Peninsula in 1988 and recently again in 2023. 235 rooms across the 23-floor building, with Salon de Ning on the rooftop as one of New York's longer-tenured hotel rooftop bars. Peninsula's Hong Kong-headquartered service standards apply throughout. The Peninsula Spa occupies 12,000 square feet across three floors with a swimming pool that runs the length of the building. Restaurant program: Clement (American), the Gotham Lounge for afternoon tea, Salon de Ning for cocktails. The Peninsula Suite is the flagship, 2,800 sq ft on the top corner. The Peninsula Academy concierge program is among the strongest in New York. Best for business stays from the Asia-Pacific corridor and for anniversary stays that prefer Fifth Avenue address density. The Peninsula's Suite Stories program for extended stays of 14+ nights produces 15-20% rate reductions for confirmed bookings.

Best room: Peninsula Suite, top-floor corner with two-bedroom configuration.

#7 in New York City

Baccarat Hotel New York

Midtown, 53rd Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,100/night
Baccarat Hotel New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"The Baccarat brand's only hotel, across from MoMA, with 17,000 Baccarat crystal pieces on display."

9.4Room & Design
9.2Service
9.4Location

Why this rank, Baccarat Hotel New York is the only hotel in the world operated by the Baccarat crystal house, 114 rooms across 12 floors directly across from the Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street. The hotel opened in 2015 and was acquired by SH Hotels & Resorts (Barry Sternlicht) in 2018. The lobby is hung with the 17,000-piece Baccarat crystal chandelier, the largest single Baccarat installation outside a museum. The Bar, designed as a residential drawing room, runs one of New York's better cocktail programs. The Grand Salon serves afternoon tea on Baccarat crystal. Bar Le Patio (rooftop) operates seasonally. The Royal Suite is the flagship at 1,850 sq ft. The Spa de la Mer occupies the second floor; the swimming pool runs through stone-clad alcoves. Best for proposal stays where the room is the staging, for anniversary trips, and for guests staying around MoMA. The Salon de Chatelet is the secondary ballroom; private dinners for 12-40 guests book the room with full Baccarat crystal table service.

Best room: Royal Suite, 1,850 sq ft with private dining room.

#8 in New York City

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel

Fifth Avenue, 61st Street, Central Park  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $825/night
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"The 1930 Beaux-Arts on Central Park, Indian Taj management, the deepest residential-suite inventory in Manhattan."

9.1Room & Design
9.4Service
9.6Location

Why this rank, The Pierre, built in 1930 as a residential hotel by financier Walter Pierre, sits at 2 East 61st Street directly on Central Park. Taj Hotels & Resorts has operated The Pierre since 2005, applying Indian heritage service standards (the khidmatgar tradition adapted to Manhattan) to a property whose service-tenure averages 18 years per head-of-department. The Pierre holds 189 rooms and 51 suites, the deepest residential-suite inventory among Manhattan's Five-Star hotels. Perrine, the Mediterranean restaurant under Sylvain Delpique, anchors the dining program. Two E Bar & Lounge is the cocktail room. Afternoon tea in the Rotunda is the property's most-photographed setting. The Presidential Suite occupies the 41st floor; the Tata Suite (named for the Taj parent family) at 2,500 sq ft is the historic Pierre flagship. Best for family stays where multi-bedroom suites matter, and for guests preferring quiet over street-level energy. The Pierre operates a residential entrance on 61st Street separate from the main 5th Avenue arrival; suite guests are routed through this entrance by request.

Best room: Tata Suite, 2,500 sq ft, three-bedroom Central Park view.

#9 in New York City

Mandarin Oriental New York

Columbus Circle, 60th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,150/night
Mandarin Oriental New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"Floors 35 to 54 of the Time Warner Center, the most expansive Central Park views in New York hotels."

9.4Room & Design
9.3Service
9.2Location

Why this rank, Mandarin Oriental, New York occupies floors 35 through 54 of the Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle, the southwest corner of Central Park. 244 rooms and 54 suites, every one of them above the 35th floor, with the Park-facing rooms commanding the most expansive Central Park views in any New York hotel. The lobby sits on the 35th floor; check-in starts at 800 feet of elevation. Asiate, the property's signature restaurant on the 35th floor, runs a Park-view-driven Asian fusion program. The Aviary NYC (cocktails) is the rooftop-lounge equivalent at hotel scale. The Spa at Mandarin Oriental occupies two floors and operates a 75-foot lap pool. The Presidential Suite at 3,500 sq ft is the flagship, Park-facing balcony, formal dining room. Best for business stays in the Columbus Circle corridor, for family trips where Central Park access matters, and for visitors who want the view. The 36th-floor Lobby Lounge serves afternoon tea and sunset cocktails; window seats book 2 weeks ahead for prime Saturdays.

Best room: Presidential Suite, 3,500 sq ft, two-bedroom, Central Park balcony.

#10 in New York City

Park Hyatt New York

Midtown, 57th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,250/night
Park Hyatt New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"The quietest of the 57th Street palace hotels, and the strongest single product among Park Hyatt's global portfolio."

9.5Room & Design
9.4Service
9.3Location

Why this rank, Park Hyatt New York opened in 2014 at 153 West 57th Street, the One57 tower, as the brand's North American flagship. 210 rooms across floors 25 through 38, with all rooms looking either north over Central Park or south over the Midtown skyline. The Park Hyatt format (smaller, quieter, more residential than its larger Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency siblings) is at its most-refined here. The Back Room (cocktails) and Living Room (lobby bar) anchor the F&B program; The Modern by chef Abram Bissell runs the seasonal restaurant. The Spa Nalai (top-floor) holds a 65-foot indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling Central Park views, the most-photographed hotel pool in New York. The Manhattan Sky Suite at 2,500 sq ft is the flagship. Best for business stays where discretion matters, for couples preferring quiet over the trophy palace addresses, and for the pool. The lobby art collection of rotating exhibitions curated through the MoMA-adjacent program refreshes quarterly; the property maintains a small dedicated curator role.

Best room: Manhattan Sky Suite, 2,500 sq ft, full-floor Park view.

#11 in New York City

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

Midtown South, 50 Central Park South  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,395/night
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, luxury hotel in New York City

"The 50 Central Park South address, direct park frontage and the Ritz-Carlton Club Level on the upper floors."

9.3Room & Design
9.4Service
9.5Location

Why this rank, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park holds the 50 Central Park South address, one of the few hotels in Manhattan with direct park frontage rather than view-from-elevation. 259 rooms across the 33-floor building, with the Ritz-Carlton Club Level occupying floors 30-32 and including the brand's signature five-presentation-per-day food and beverage program (working breakfast, mid-day refreshments, afternoon tea, evening cocktails, late-night cordials). Auden Bistro & Bar (under chef Justin Smillie) runs the restaurant program with a New American focus. The Ritz-Carlton Spa is full-service with a swimming pool. The Royal Suite at 3,000 sq ft commands two-bedroom Park-facing accommodation. The property received Forbes Five-Star recognition in 2024 after Marriott's broader Ritz-Carlton renovation cycle. Best for anniversary, for visiting executives who use the Club Level as a working space, and for any guest who values the Park view over the trophy address. The 50 Central Park South address means north-facing rooms look directly into the park canopy without intervening buildings, the cleanest park sightline in the city.

Best room: Royal Suite, 3,000 sq ft, two bedrooms, Central Park.

#12 in New York City

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

NoMad, 28th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,200/night
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, luxury hotel in New York City

"The 2022-opened Rafael Viñoly tower, the newest full Ritz-Carlton in Manhattan and the property's downtown answer."

9.4Room & Design
9.3Service
9.1Location

Why this rank, The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad opened in 2022 in the Rafael Viñoly-designed tower at Broadway and 28th Street, the brand's second Manhattan property after Central Park, and the first new full Ritz-Carlton in New York since 2002. 250 rooms across 50 floors, designed by Martin Brudnizki, with the Ritz-Carlton Club Level on the top floors. The location anchors NoMad's transition from publishing district to luxury hotel corridor. Restaurant: Zaytinya, the José Andrés-led Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, occupies the second floor with the city's largest single-room dining footprint. NYY Steak runs the steakhouse program. The rooftop bar, Nubeluz, the José Andrés cocktail-bar concept, is among the highest in the building. The Presidential Suite occupies the 49th floor at 4,000 sq ft. Best for travelers wanting downtown-adjacent stays with full Ritz-Carlton infrastructure, for business in the Flatiron-NoMad corridor. The Madison Square Park view from the south-facing rooms covers the Flatiron Building, the Empire State Building, and the Met Life Tower in a single window.

Best room: Presidential Suite, 49th floor, 4,000 sq ft, Hudson view.

#13 in New York City

The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel

Upper East Side, 76th Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $850/night
The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"Reopened 2024 under Corinthia, Martin Brudnizki interiors, Casa Tua restaurant, the Madison Avenue alternative."

9.2Room & Design
9.3Service
9.4Location

Why this rank, The Surrey New York reopened in November 2024 as The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, the Maltese hotel group's first North American property, following a two-year top-to-bottom renovation by Martin Brudnizki. The 1926 limestone building at 20 East 76th Street between Madison and Fifth was acquired by Corinthia from Denihan Hospitality in 2021; the renovation preserved the heritage façade and key public rooms while rebuilding all 100 guest-room interiors. Casa Tua, the New York outpost of Miguel Carvajal's Miami-born Italian fine-dining brand, occupies the ground floor as the property's signature restaurant, with the membership-only Casa Tua Cucina library bar upstairs. Bar Pleiades returns in smaller form as the daytime tea room. The Cole Porter Suite (the composer's actual 1953-1964 residence) is the historic flagship, fully restored. Best for honeymoon, for couples wanting Upper East Side residential quiet, and for re-bookers returning for the Corinthia-era product. The Cole Porter Suite includes the composer's original Bechstein grand piano, restored as part of the 2024 reopening.

Best room: Cole Porter Suite, full-floor historic suite.

#14 in New York City

The Lowell New York

Upper East Side, 63rd Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,250/night
The Lowell New York, luxury hotel in New York City

"74 rooms only, the most-private of the Upper East Side palace hotels, with 33 working fireplaces."

9.4Room & Design
9.5Service
9.3Location

Why this rank, The Lowell New York is the smallest of the Upper East Side palace hotels, 74 rooms across the 1926 building at 28 East 63rd Street, two blocks east of Central Park. Built originally as a residential hotel, The Lowell preserves the suite-heavy room mix (47 of the 74 keys are suites, more than half) and the most working fireplaces of any New York hotel, 33 fireplaces across the property, including in standard rooms. Majorelle, the property's signature French-Mediterranean restaurant, operates as both hotel restaurant and an Upper East Side dining-room institution; the Garden Room is the most-photographed setting. The Pembroke Room runs afternoon tea on weekends. Major Food Group operates the bar program. The Garden Suite, with a private wraparound terrace and gas fireplace, is the property's signature. Best for honeymoon, anniversary, and any couple wanting the smallest-scale Upper East Side address. The Lowell's discreet pre-registered check-in has been the property's defining quality since the 1980s.

Best room: Garden Suite, wraparound terrace, fireplace, kitchen.

#15 in New York City

The Greenwich Hotel

Tribeca, North Moore Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $1,150/night
The Greenwich Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"Robert De Niro's hotel, designed by Grayson Goodman, 88 rooms, no two alike, the downtown alternative to the Madison palaces."

9.5Room & Design
9.3Service
9.0Location

Why this rank, The Greenwich Hotel opened in 2008 at 377 Greenwich Street in Tribeca, co-owned by Robert De Niro through his Greenwich Hotel Group, and designed by Grayson Goodman with each of the 88 rooms individually furnished. The building is a converted 19th-century warehouse, restored over a five-year renovation cycle. The Greenwich is the downtown counter-program to the Upper East Side and Midtown palace addresses. The Drawing Room, the hotel's lobby, operates as both check-in lounge and members-only club for hotel guests and Tribeca residents. Locanda Verde, chef Andrew Carmellini's restaurant on the ground floor, runs one of the longer-tenured Italian programs in the neighborhood. The Shibui Spa (Japanese-influenced, with a lantern-lit indoor lap pool) is the standout property amenity. The Tribeca Penthouse on the eighth floor is the flagship, 6,800 sq ft with private rooftop garden. Best for any guest who wants Manhattan without Midtown energy. The Tribeca Penthouse's rooftop garden is the most-photographed private outdoor space among New York hotels.

Best room: Tribeca Penthouse, 6,800 sq ft, rooftop garden, three bedrooms.

#16 in New York City

Crosby Street Hotel

SoHo, Crosby Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $895/night
Crosby Street Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"Firmdale Hotels' New York flagship, Kit Kemp interiors, SoHo's most-decorated hotel for design."

9.3Room & Design
9.2Service
9.4Location

Why this rank, Crosby Street Hotel is Firmdale Hotels' first New York property, opened 2009 on Crosby Street between Prince and Spring, the SoHo block where the neighborhood's gallery and design infrastructure cluster. 86 rooms across 11 floors, each individually designed by Firmdale's Kit Kemp in the characteristic English-eclectic style, bold patterns, original art, custom furniture in every room. No two rooms have the same color palette. The Crosby Bar (the lobby restaurant and cocktail program) runs an all-day operation that draws non-residents as well as guests. The Crosby Screening Room (the property's private cinema, available for guest screenings) is one of the better hotel amenities in New York. The Loft Suite at the top of the building has a private terrace looking up Crosby Street. Firmdale's signature attention to detail, fresh flowers daily, butler hooks built into every room, runs through the property. Best for SoHo stays, for design-led guests, and for the screening-room evenings.

Best room: Loft Suite, top-floor terrace, custom Kit Kemp interiors.

#17 in New York City

The Mercer Hotel

SoHo, Mercer Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $920/night
The Mercer Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"The Romeo Soho of SoHo hotels, 75 rooms, the most-private check-in in New York, André Balazs's New York opening."

9.4Room & Design
9.2Service
9.3Location

Why this rank, The Mercer Hotel opened in 1997 at 147 Mercer Street as André Balazs's New York debut, 75 rooms in the 1890 Astor Building converted by architect Christian Liaigre. The Mercer was the original prototype for the design-led discreet luxury hotel format in New York, and remains the SoHo address that visiting fashion-industry guests and discreet celebrities still return to. The lobby check-in operates without a desk; guests are met at the elevator. Mercer Kitchen, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant in the basement of the building, has been operating since the hotel opened, one of the longer-tenured restaurants in SoHo. The Mercer Hotel does not maintain a public bar; the lobby reading room serves residents only. The Mercer Penthouse at the top of the building includes a private rooftop terrace overlooking lower Manhattan. The Mercer remains a Forbes Recommended property without seeking Five-Star inspection. Best for fashion-industry travel, for discreet luxury preference, and for SoHo-specific stays.

Best room: Mercer Penthouse, private rooftop terrace, downtown views.

#18 in New York City

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Brooklyn, Brooklyn Bridge Park  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $700/night
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, luxury hotel in New York City

"The Brooklyn waterfront's defining hotel, sustainability-led architecture, direct East River frontage, the Manhattan skyline view."

9.2Room & Design
9.0Service
9.4Location

Why this rank, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opened in 2017 at 60 Furman Street in DUMBO, the SH Hotels & Resorts sustainability-led brand's New York flagship. The building was designed by Marvel Architects with reclaimed New York wood, locally sourced stone, and a green roof that runs above the property. 195 rooms across 10 floors, with the upper floors commanding the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan skyline, the most-photographed hotel view of the Manhattan skyline. The Osprey, the property's restaurant, runs a farm-to-table program with sourcing from the Hudson Valley network of producers. Harriet's Rooftop (the bar on the 11th floor) is one of New York's defining rooftop bars, with Manhattan skyline views across the East River. Bamford Wellness Spa operates on the property. The Riverhouse Suite at 1,000 sq ft is the flagship, corner of the building, both river and bridge views. Best for the Manhattan view from across the river, for sustainability-led travelers, and for guests wanting Brooklyn over Manhattan.

Best room: Riverhouse Suite, corner suite with East River and Brooklyn Bridge views.

#19 in New York City

The Bowery Hotel

Lower East Side, Bowery & 3rd Street  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $625/night
The Bowery Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"The original downtown Manhattan luxury hotel, 17 floors of brick, Gemma restaurant, the Bowery skyline."

9.1Room & Design
9.1Service
9.2Location

Why this rank, The Bowery Hotel opened in 2007 at 335 Bowery, Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson's first major hotel after the original Maritime Hotel. The 17-floor brick tower is one of the few new-build luxury hotels in lower Manhattan, with 135 rooms across the building. The design language is downtown-Manhattan-residential, exposed-brick interiors, Persian rugs, four-poster beds, wood-burning fireplaces in the suite categories. Gemma, the property's Italian restaurant, runs from breakfast through dinner and is one of the longer-tenured restaurants in the Bowery. The lobby reading room operates with a working fireplace year-round. The Bowery Hotel doesn't maintain a destination cocktail bar, the lobby serves guests directly. The Penthouse Loft on the 17th floor has private outdoor space facing west toward downtown. Sean MacPherson properties (The Marlton, Hotel Chelsea, The Maritime) continue the same downtown register. Best for downtown-specific travel, for the East Village positioning, and for guests preferring character over palace formality.

Best room: Penthouse Loft, top-floor suite with private outdoor space.

#20 in New York City

The Plaza Hotel

Fifth Avenue, Central Park South  ·  Five-Star · ★★★★★  ·  from $895/night
The Plaza Hotel, luxury hotel in New York City

"The 1907 Beaux-Arts at the southeast corner of Central Park, historic provenance, post-condo renovation, the Eloise address."

9.0Room & Design
9.0Service
9.7Location

Why this rank, The Plaza Hotel, the 1907 Beaux-Arts building at 768 Fifth Avenue, southeast corner of Central Park, operates today as a hybrid hotel-and-condo, with 282 hotel rooms remaining after the 2008 condo conversion reduced the original 800+ room count. Ownership has changed multiple times (Trump, El Ad Group, Sahara India, Katara Holding/Qatar) but the public spaces, the Palm Court, the Oak Bar, and the Persian Room remain restored to early-twentieth-century specification. The Champagne Bar runs the cocktail program; the Palm Court restaurant operates with the classic Plaza afternoon tea. The Plaza Food Hall in the basement (Todd English Food Hall) operates as both guest amenity and tourist destination. The Royal Plaza Suite at 4,490 sq ft is the flagship, a full-floor suite with Central Park view. The Plaza remains the Eloise address for multi-generational families returning for the heritage. Best for first-time New York visitors, for guests prioritizing address over current room product, and for family heritage stays.

Best room: Royal Plaza Suite, 4,490 sq ft, Central Park-facing.

Top 20 New York Hotels, at a glance

Rank, neighborhood, tier, and from-rate. Click any name for the full review.

# Hotel Neighborhood Tier From / night
1Aman New YorkFifth Avenue, MidtownUltra-luxury · ★★★★★from $2,150/night
2The Mark HotelUpper East Side, 77th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $766/night
3The Carlyle, A Rosewood HotelUpper East Side, 76th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $945/night
4The St. Regis New YorkFifth Avenue, 55th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $895/night
5Four Seasons Hotel New YorkMidtown East, 57th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,050/night
6The Peninsula New YorkFifth Avenue, 55th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $995/night
7Baccarat Hotel New YorkMidtown, 53rd StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,100/night
8The Pierre, A Taj HotelFifth Avenue, 61st Street, Central ParkFive-Star · ★★★★★from $825/night
9Mandarin Oriental New YorkColumbus Circle, 60th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,150/night
10Park Hyatt New YorkMidtown, 57th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,250/night
11The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central ParkMidtown South, 50 Central Park SouthFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,395/night
12The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMadNoMad, 28th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,200/night
13The Surrey, A Corinthia HotelUpper East Side, 76th StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $850/night
14The Lowell New YorkUpper East Side, 63rd StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,250/night
15The Greenwich HotelTribeca, North Moore StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $1,150/night
16Crosby Street HotelSoHo, Crosby StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $895/night
17The Mercer HotelSoHo, Mercer StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $920/night
181 Hotel Brooklyn BridgeBrooklyn, Brooklyn Bridge ParkFive-Star · ★★★★★from $700/night
19The Bowery HotelLower East Side, Bowery & 3rd StreetFive-Star · ★★★★★from $625/night
20The Plaza HotelFifth Avenue, Central Park SouthFive-Star · ★★★★★from $895/night

Just below the line

Five hotels that nearly made the list, briefly. Loews Regency New York, the Park Avenue family option with strong meeting infrastructure, edged off the list by the smaller Lowell. Park Lane New York, Times Equities' 47-floor renovation of Central Park South, due to complete in 2026. The Greenwich Village Hotel by Sean MacPherson, opened 2024 in the renovated original Marlton-and-adjacent building, still bedding in. Hotel Chelsea, fully reopened post-renovation 2022, the heritage value is real but the operational consistency hasn't yet caught up. 1 Hotel Central Park, the 1 Hotels brand's Midtown sister to the Brooklyn flagship, smaller and quieter than the Brooklyn property.

Top 20 New York hotels, your questions, answered

Last updated May 16, 2026

What are the top hotels in New York City in 2026?
Aman New York leads the city in 2026 for the third year, defined by 83 suites across the top floors of the Crown Building on Fifth Avenue and the most private check-in operation in Manhattan. The Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side is the most-decorated New York hotel by recent awards, Forbes Five-Star plus the World's 50 Best Hotels list. The Carlyle, The St. Regis, Four Seasons New York (reopened 2024), and The Peninsula round out the consensus top tier. The Surrey reopened in late 2024 under Corinthia management as the year's strongest new entry.
Which neighborhood is best for a luxury New York hotel stay?
Upper East Side (Madison Avenue, 60s, 80s streets) for residential quiet, Central Park access, and museum proximity, The Mark, The Carlyle, The Lowell, The Pierre, The Surrey cluster here. Fifth Avenue / Midtown (55th, 60th streets) for the trophy addresses and Fifth Avenue corridor, Aman, St. Regis, Peninsula, Plaza, Baccarat. Columbus Circle for Central Park views from elevation, Mandarin Oriental, Park Hyatt. SoHo and Tribeca for downtown boutique, Crosby Street, The Mercer, The Greenwich, The Bowery. Brooklyn for the Manhattan-view alternative, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.
How much do top New York hotels cost in 2026?
Standard rooms at the top tier run $750, $1,500 per night. Aman New York opens at $2,150 and the Ritz-Carlton NoMad and Baccarat both start above $1,000. Suites at Palace-tier properties (Aman, Mark, Carlyle, St. Regis) range $3,500, $15,000. Off-peak windows (mid-January, mid-July through mid-August) the cost floor drops 20, 30%. Peak weeks (US Open in September, Fashion Week February and September, US holidays in late November, December) add 30, 60% to the rack.
Which New York hotel is best for a honeymoon?
Aman New York for the most-private, most-exclusive experience, the Crown Building setting, oversized suites, full Aman service standards. The Mark Hotel for couples wanting the Madison Avenue, Central Park-walking-distance, restaurant-led version. The Carlyle for old-New-York romance with Bemelmans Bar downstairs. The Lowell for a smaller, more discreet alternative. The Surrey for the contemporary 2024-reopened option with Casa Tua dinner. For couples extending the trip with a Hamptons or Hudson Valley leg, the Ritz-Carlton NoMad is a strong base for both city and onward travel.
Which New York hotel is best for business meetings?
Four Seasons New York for board-table-grade meeting rooms (reopened 2024 with renovated meeting infrastructure). Park Hyatt New York for the most discreet executive setting on 57th Street. The Peninsula New York for the Fifth Avenue address that carries client weight. Mandarin Oriental for the Columbus Circle position adjacent to Time Warner Center. The St. Regis for traditional power-lunch infrastructure and butler service. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad for the downtown business corridor.
Which New York hotel has the best Central Park views?
Mandarin Oriental, New York holds the most expansive Central Park views in the city, every room sits above the 35th floor of the Time Warner Center, with the Park-facing rooms commanding floor-to-ceiling sight lines across the entire park. Park Hyatt's Spa Nalai pool has been the most-photographed Central Park view from a New York hotel. The Pierre, The Plaza, and the two Ritz-Carltons (Central Park and NoMad) all offer Park-facing rooms at lower elevations.
Which New York hotel is best for families?
The Pierre, The Mark, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, and Loews Regency are the strongest family-friendly Palace and Five-Star properties, connecting rooms in standard inventory, family suites in the higher tiers, child-specific concierge programs, and curated Manhattan family-day itineraries. The Plaza has the Eloise heritage. SoHo and Tribeca boutique hotels (Crosby Street excepted, with its Children's Library) are typically adult-leaning.
When should you book a New York hotel?
For peak dates (US Open in early September, Fashion Week February and September, Thanksgiving through New Year), book 4, 6 months ahead. For shoulder windows (April, June, mid-September after the Open, late October, early November), 30, 60 days hits the sweet spot. The lowest rates of the year fall in mid-January through early March and mid-July through mid-August, soft demand windows where Palace hotels open with 30%+ discounts off rack.

The list, the limits, and what we left out

The list is calibrated for travelers, not for residents. New York hotels have a parallel residence industry, The Mark, The Carlyle, The Pierre, and The Plaza all maintain residential floors at multi-million-dollar pricing, and the hotel-room experience is structured around the visiting traveler, not the long-term occupant. Visiting traveler is the right frame for this list.

The intentional exclusions are worth naming. The St. Regis Aspen and the Mandarin Oriental Boston are excellent within their brand portfolios; they are not on this list because this list is New York City. The Maybourne New York (acquired 2024, renovation in progress 2025-2026) is not yet on this list because the renovation is not complete. The Renaissance and W brands are not on this list because they sit below the Five-Star floor that defines the New York palace and luxury categories.

The list refreshes annually. The next refresh is scheduled for the first week of January 2027 when the Forbes Travel Guide 2027 list, Conde Nast Gold List 2027, and World's 50 Best Hotels 2026 awards have all been published.

The next New York update lands in January 2027.

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