The 42 best hotels in New York City
By CNT Editors , John Wogan , Sandra Ramani , and Nicole Schnitzler
Even in the city that never sleeps, we appreciate our shut-eye — all the better if that rest can be cushioned by great eats, expert insider guidance and gorgeous spaces. Thankfully, New York has a plethora of options, situated all across town and ranging from the over-the-top lush to the low-key cool. From historic Midtown hideaways to NoMad’s brand-new digs, here are the Big Apple’s best hotels to check out — and into — now.
Aman New York Arrow
In the 35 years since Aman was founded and its first property opened its doors in Phuket, the brand has come to represent a certain kind of experience for a certain kind of traveler: discreet, expansive, and intimate, with a full-bodied approach to wellness and an almost chameleon-like ability to adapt to the surrounding landscape. So it goes with Aman New York, the latest jewel in its crown — the brand’s very first urban outpost in the United States, and only its second urban property in the world after Aman Tokyo . And what a crown it is: Taking up residence in Midtown Manhattan’s iconic Crown Building, a Beaux-Arts landmark carefully renovated with Belgian designer Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, the space dazzles with a 7,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, a spa and wellness centre spread over three floors, and serene, high-ceilinged guest suites (each with its own fireplace). Rooms from $1,950. —Betsy Blumenthal
Fouquet's New York Arrow
The French hotel line known for its Paris and St. Barth’s properties has arrived in the US by way of New York. At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France. Fouquet’s New York’s pastel-coloured luxury includes three French dining options, an indulgent underground spa (complete with a sauna, hammam, and hydrotherapy pool), and a Cannes-inspired cinema space true to Tribeca’s popular annual film festival. The theatre will host programming like screenings and film premieres, and will be reservable for corporate and artistic events. The street-level outpost of the famed Champs d’Elysee bistro, Fouquet’s restaurant is a destination in itself, with signature red and black bar mirroring its Paris (and Louvre Abu Dhabi ) counterpart. A French lavender, mint green, and cream colour scheme includes custom-made wallpapers with France-linked illustrations of New York City scenes like Lady Liberty, pizza-eating Central Park goers, and cartoon pigeons with croissants in their beaks.
The Ned NoMad Arrow
A short walk from the Empire State Building and flanked by landmark buildings, the location of The Ned positions it perfectly in relation to downtown Manhattan and Midtown’s business district. The NoMad neighbourhood itself, which has seen tremendous transformation while also retaining its wholesale commerce underpinnings, is also worth discovering. Located in the Johnston building, a limestone-fronted 1908 Beaux-Arts landmark, it draws its character from the architecture of the building it's housed in. Once inside, spaces reveal themselves one after another like nesting Matryoshka dolls, and are served with a heap of Art Deco glam, including jewel-toned upholstery, marble floors, and mahogany wood — and plenty of moody corners to slink into.
ModernHaus Soho Arrow
If you’re looking for someplace close to all the action of New York’s buzzy, see-and-be-seen SoHo neighbourhood — but that at once feels coolly removed from it all (and has its own rooftop pool, to boot) — this is the place for you. Formerly The James New York - SoHo, the hotel reopened on May 1 after a nearly year-and-a-half-long renovation. There are 114 rooms spread across 14 floors — 10 different room categories, all generous in size (by Manhattan standards, anyway; Modern Queen rooms start at about 280 square feet.) Its Veranda restaurant touts a modern American menu, albeit with global nods to the cuisines of India, Mexico, South America, the Middle East, and Portugal, the ancestral country of Michelin-starred head chef George Mendes (most notably of Aldea). There isn’t a spa, but there are other wellness perks on offer, including a 400-square-foot gym on the 17th floor, equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment like a Peloton bike and Technogym elliptical.
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC Arrow
At the corner of Ninth Avenue and 13th Street, the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC is a short stroll away from the art galleries of Chelsea, the brasserie-style restaurants of the West Village, and the smart boutiques of the Meatpacking District. Highlights include the 45-foot-long, heated rooftop swimming pool with underwater lights; the Duplex Penthouse Suite with a wall of windows looking out towards the Hudson River; on-site restaurant The Chester; and the service, which is remarkable for a boutique hotel. Up on the rooftop, savour classics and shareable dishes crafted with Union Square Greenmarket produce in the lounge, or head to the tucked-away Saishin by Kissaki at the Gansevoort Rooftop for excellent a la carte and omakase sushi with a view of the downtown skyline.
The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue Arrow
Three blocks north of the Empire State Building on Fifth Avenue, this polished hotel has spacious rooms starting at 420 square feet— generous for New York. All units have walnut furnishings, wondrously comfortable Duxiana beds, and deep soaking tubs, while the apartment suites each have a full stainless steel kitchen. The hotel is also home to several original paintings by New York City artist Alex Katz — the lobby is a great place to start learning about his work. Tired and don't want to go too far for a good meal? You're in luck; Ai Fiori is downstairs as part of the hotel, serving everything from top-tier pasta dishes to classic Italian negronis made with vintage Campari.
Soho House New York Arrow
Those already familiar with Soho House will feel instantly at home here, where a few of the company's signature design elements are in place, like distressed wood floors and beamed ceilings, velvet chairs and sofas, exposed brick, and flattering lighting. As befits a members' club, it feels intimate, though not exclusive (the hotel portion is open to anyone). Not only are the rooms charming, but the supremely comfortable common spaces are places you'll want to spend a lot of time in — especially if you need to get some work done or just sit and read. When you book a room here, you're welcomed into the world of Soho House like a member, which is a nice feeling in this big, busy city. Plus, the location is prime, within a short distance of the High Line.
The Wall Street Hotel Arrow
In a part of the city often overlooked by travellers — at least when it comes to choosing a home-base — The Wall Street Hotel is a unique boutique stay in downtown Manhattan whose interiors nod to the area’s history and beaux-arts buildings. The Wall Street Hotel is not only an exciting addition to the landscape, but it also provides a great reason to reconsider Wall Street as your landing pad for a trip to the city. Nearly every train runs through the nearby Fulton centre, meaning easy access to just about anywhere in Manhattan (Brooklyn is just a couple stops away, as is Jersey). The neighbourhood is jam-packed with history dating back to the 17th century, and a little Googling or a great tour guide can help pull stories out of the landmark buildings in the neighborhood (George Washington hung out at nearby Fraunces Tavern, to give you an idea).
The Carlyle Arrow
Since it opened in 1930, The Carlyle has become something more than the sum of its extremely alluring parts, a living legend that embodies, if not the spirit of New York City, at least one of her spirits: her brightest, most sparkling, most elegant self; witty, worldly and nostalgic. An entire movie has been made about this property — Always at The Carlyle — in which present-day tribal elders such as George Clooney, Sophia Coppola , Wes Anderson, and Naomi Campbell discuss their fondness for the joint. Broadly speaking, the rooms get better the higher the floor. Plus, you get to spend more time in the elevators — not an activity to enjoy in everyday life, but this is not everyday life. The ones at The Carlyle are the stuff of legend, as much admired as the astounding Dorothy Draper lobby or Bemelmans Bar . Imagine if you had been there when Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, and Steve Jobs all piled in (true story). You would have been in awe. Not of them, of course, but of the real superstar — the unflappable, icy-calm, white-gloved Carlyle elevator operator.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad Arrow
During New York Fashion Week, this already-iconic hotel’s rooftop bar Nubeluz by José Andrés hosted a runway show for Bronx and Banco, complete with a downtown cool vibe and guest list to match — think actress Natasha Lyonne and rapper Coi Leray. Nubeluz (and The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad as a whole) was immediately cemented as an overnight New York City hot spot —just one example of how this legacy brand is reshaping its image. But how did a hotel conglomerate that is thought of as a bit stuffy create a hotel that is familiar to its existing clientele while becoming alluring to a new generation? The answers are found within the lobby which takes its inspiration and pays homage to its location in the floral district, the reservation-impossible Mediterranean restaurant Zaytinya (another José Andrés), view-laden rooms, and skin-tightening subterranean spa. Each space mixes current design trends, like hand-blown Randy Zieber floral petal-inspired chandeliers in the lobby and black Italian-marble walls, with the exceptional, discreet service that Ritz-Carlton is known for. We can’t imagine a more perfect place to shake things up than the capital of reinvention: New York. Rooms from $895. — Scott Bay
Crosby Street Hotel Arrow
Pattern, colour, whimsy — walking into Crosby Street Hotel is like entering a world representing the best of modern English design, as dreamed up by Brit founder and designer Kit Kemp. Everywhere you look, there's a special artwork or piece of furniture you'd want to stare at for awhile. It's all a big visual treat in the middle of SoHo. There's nothing better than making it through a hectic day out and about and coming back to perhaps the city's most perfectly designed (yet supremely comfortable) guest rooms. Aside from being a visual treat, the location is nearly perfect — a quiet block in the heart of SoHo, next to public transportation, but also in the most pleasingly walkable neighbourhood you could find, with endless amounts of great restaurants, bars, bookstores, cafés, and shops.
The Hoxton, Williamsburg Arrow
When the Hoxton plunked itself down on Williamsburg’s Wythe Avenue — the neighbourhood’s unofficial hotel strip — it was as much for New Yorkers as for visitors. Cases in point: a quirky, retro lobby that’s perfect for long, lazy Sunday afternoons; an events space that has hosted, among other things, a pop-up tattoo studio; a rooftop bar that doesn’t have a line (yet). The UK-based Ennismore designed the hotel to feel extremely Brooklyn, dotting it with locally sourced vintage furniture and bookshelves displaying hefty tomes on contemporary art, and ’70-style chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. The three on-site restaurants — seasonal Summerly and Backyard and the year-round favourite Klein’s — are overseen by Jud Mongell and Zeb Stewart, the names behind Williamsburg’s beloved Five Leaves, Union Pool, and Hotel Delmano. The cocktails are a delight (order the mezcal-infused Fire Island), and the food spans everything from New American comfort at Klein’s to New England –style lobster rolls at Summerly. Upstairs, the 175 rooms, like the ones at the Hoxton in Paris , are not massive but fit king-size beds and have views of either the Manhattan or Brooklyn skyline.
PUBLIC Hotel Arrow
As the name might imply, the public spaces are a big factor here, and once you walk through the ground-level garden and take the glowing, futuristic elevators up to the lobby, an entire community awaits — one with big white sofas, work spaces, and plenty of locals who come to get some work done in a setting that's a bit more exciting than their neighbourhood cafe.
The Greenwich Arrow
In an era of the ever-more-exclusive members’ club luring the black-card-carrying wolf pack, Robert De Niro’s hotel makes privacy feel refreshingly effortless. Built more than a decade ago in a cobblestone quarter of Lower Manhattan, it creates the sensation of stepping into the actor’s own salon. The lobby is hung with abstract paintings by De Niro’s late father, and beyond it more inner sanctums await: A book-filled drawing room merges into a pocket garden, where topiaries cast an Italianate charm. Each of the 88 rooms is idiosyncratically arranged with antique silk rugs, the odd vintage table, and marble bathtubs, while the Tribeca Penthouse is earthy and minimalist. But the enduring revelation is the Shibui Spa, where the lantern-lit pool glimmers under the beams of a 250-year-old Japanese farmhouse. A festive din still kicks up at Locanda Verde , which serves rustic plates of duck orecchiette, and New York fixtures such as Yoko Ono and Jay-Z go pretty much incognito, but things settle down early. The wolf pack can go elsewhere.
The Mercer Arrow
The Mercer is practically synonymous with SoHo. The Romanesque revival building itself, built in 1890, is an icon of the neighbourhood, and once inside, it's pretty much what you'd expect from a cool-yet-sophisticated downtown luxury hotel: muted colours and modern furniture; a wall of coffee table books; and guest rooms that seem outfitted by the ultra-cool furniture showrooms that inhabit the area. It all adds up to a quintessential downtown Manhattan experience. The staff at the Mercer will go to the ends of the earth to take care of any request for their guests. It's a big reason people keep coming back for repeat visits.
The William Vale Arrow
Its distinctive white criss-crossing exterior can be seen from lower Manhattan, but The William Vale, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, also makes an impression when seen up close. Each of the hotel’s 183 guest rooms has balconies, most with views looking over the East River and at the Manhattan skyline. The decor is light, airy, and of-the-moment with hardwood floors, glass-enclosed showers, patterned rugs, and succulents on the nightstand. The hotel also has its own elevated public park and retail shops, as well as a 60-foot rooftop pool, a restaurant from famed chef Andrew Carmellini, and a retrofitted Airstream trailer that serves burgers, fries, and ice cream in the warmer months. As for the hotel name, it’s an homage to William Vail, the original Brooklyn hipster, er, property owner in the 1800s.
Mandarin Oriental, New York Arrow
A cornerstone of the city’s five-star hotel scene, Mandarin Oriental’s New York City outpost is known for elite service, a fantastic spa, and impressive vistas — the 75-foot lap pool overlooks the Hudson, the high-end MO Lounge boasts the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, and the best rooms have bird’s eye views of Central Park. The rooms feel equal parts timeless in their definition of luxury — think heaping, decadent curtains for privacy, heavy black stained wooden desks, rich shades of the brand’s go-to purple — and contemporary, with modern artworks hung on the walls, shimmering structural light fixtures, and reflective metal details accenting every room. And the Mandarin Oriental’s spa is a destination in its own right. It offers standards like detox wraps and aroma stone massages, plus beauty treatments like hydradermabrasion and sculpting facials.
The New York EDITION Arrow
Understated, elegant, and reminiscent of a private club, the Edition isn't really a hipster hangout, nor is it an opulent, tricked-out palace. It expertly straddles the line of cool and sophisticated, with a predominately whitewashed interior accented with hits of warm mahogany and creams. The effect is a feeling of exclusivity.
The Ludlow Arrow
Fitting into its Lower East Side location, the Ludlow feels just cool and just hip enough without overdoing it. There are brick walls, low leather sofas, a roaring fireplace, and plenty of good-looking people sipping wine or working away on their laptops. In other words? It perfectly represents its neighbourhood. Although not as buzzy as it was when it opened in 2014, the restaurant, Dirty French, is still a hopping place during dinner and weekend brunch.
The Peninsula New York Arrow
Opulence greets you the minute you walk through the doors set just off of Fifth Avenue, where flower arrangements and a grand staircase serve as the lobby's centrepiece. It's a formal atmosphere, but not an unwelcoming one. Huge, luxurious guest rooms, a top-notch spa, swimming pool, an excellent restaurant (Clement), and one of the best service staffs in NYC make for an exceptional experience. While the rooms and facilities are grand, it's the staff's warmth that encourages repeat visits .
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Arrow
Few things are as classically New York as the 1 Hotel's location at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. Aside from the prime real estate, it's a thoughtfully designed, supremely attractive place to call home for as long you're a guest here. Plus, it has one of the prettiest farm-to-table restaurants in all of Brooklyn: the Osprey. You can feel even better staying here knowing that the entire hotel is sustainable and eco-friendly, using recycled materials for all furniture, LED lighting, and a gray water irrigation system. The rooftop pool has amazing views out over Manhattan and is where you'll want to be on warm days.
Park Hyatt New York Arrow
If James Bond had an apartment in New York, it would probably look a lot like one of the guest rooms here. It's all crisp, cool minimalism with contemporary furniture, stone floors, and dark wood. And even entry-level rooms clock in at 530 square feet, making them some of the biggest in the city. An entire day can be spent at the hotel's 25th-floor Spa Nalai or Rossano Ferretti Hairspa. After a treatment, you can try the eucalyptus steam room, whirlpool, and saltwater lap pool, which has to be the most beautiful in Manhattan. This is a chance to stay in one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan at the cross-section of the city; Central Park is just a block away. This is a chance to stay in one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan at the cross-section of the city; Central Park is just two blocks away.
The St. Regis New York Arrow
Even the most unaffected New Yorkers can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia when passing through the gilded revolving doors of the St. Regis, promptly greeted by a gentleman with white gloves and a smile. The sense of the city’s golden era lingers in that lobby, where shining chandeliers warm the pale walls to create a necessary calming counter to the crush of cabs and suits in Midtown Manhattan. It’s precisely the atmosphere John Jacob Astor IV sought to capture when he opened this 18-storey, Beaux-Arts landmark at the turn of last century. Today, there’s more Michael Kors than mink in the King Cole Bar, though the order hasn’t changed: Ignore the lengthy cocktail list and go for a note-perfect dry Martini or a Bloody Mary, the house speciality, and fall into conversation with the bankers in from Boston sitting at the bar. It may be done up in lipstick-ruby wallpaper or blue velvet curtains and striped white walls, with classic pieces such as silk-stitched love seats and oil paintings to resemble that glamorous pied à terre everyone fantasises about. This is a New York institution that channels the city’s glamorous past like no other, steps from the Fifth Avenue buzz.
The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel Arrow
When a hotel opens in New York, it’s not uncommon for locals to barely bat an eye. This is, after all, a city crawling with them — big, small, modern, classic. It takes an exceptional property to capture the collective consciousness, which is exactly what happened in 2016, when The Beekman opened. The landmark was built in the 1880s with a nine-story, glass-ceiling atrium, but throughout the past century, the atrium had been covered up as the building functioned as just another office. Now the glass skylight soars once again above the lobby’s Art Deco bar where New Yorkers flock to — come 6pm it’s nearly impossible to find a free bar stool. The rooms all have vintage furnishings, with dark wood floors and distressed leather headboards: comfortable but not so much so that you don’t want to leave and miss out on everything happening around you. So many hotels like to say they’ve made the neighbourhood, but in the case of the Beekman it’s actually true.
33 Seaport Arrow
Old World meets New York at this downtown hotel, where modern European hospitality and refined Italian fare are served in a setting that’s unmistakably NYC — complete with views of the Brooklyn Bridge. The overall look here is modern Italian elegance, and you’ll find plenty of that in the 66 well-sized rooms, from the gleaming polished teak accents and sedate colour palette to the La Bottega bath products and made-in-Italy linens and furniture. All also have 55-inch 4K HD TVs with Chromecast, so you can continue your latest binge watch, and many have views of the Brooklyn Bridge, East River or Financial District skyscrapers. For some private outdoor space, book one of the Premier Peck Slip King Terrace or Premier Front Street King Terrace rooms, which are located on the sixth and seventh floors and have furnished verandas.
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel Arrow
Stately and imposing, The Pierre lives up to its prime location across from Central Park on the Upper East Side. Think black-and-white marble floors, gilded moldings, and big, fresh flower arrangements. You can't help but feel important when you're here. The hotel’s Les Clefs d’Or Concierge team can create crafted itineraries with insider’s access to New York’s most sought-after attractions, and back onsite, a meal at Perrine restaurant showcases elegant, seasonally-inspired dining. Royal vibes continue in the rotunda — with its iconic murals, it’s one of the city’s most romantic rooms.
The Whitby Hotel Arrow
NYC’s second import by British brand Firmdale Hotels, is designer Kit Kemp at her playful best. She has created a place that's the antithesis of the staid, neutral-heavy luxury options in the area. It's like an English summer garden come to life in hotel form. A welcome addition to Midtown, it’s that rare find that is both family-friendly and sophisticated. A gorgeous hotel two blocks from Central Park with an excellent restaurant and afternoon tea, the Whitby is worth every cent.
The Lowell Arrow
The Lowell, on the Upper East Side, reopened in 2017 after a three-year renovation. Its 74 rooms got a refresh, but the important touches stayed the same: wood-burning fireplaces, grisaille wallpaper in the lobby, tasseled key fobs. Nowhere in the city feels quite as refined. Every room has fresh flowers, while huge marble bathrooms have separate tub and shower areas, Frette bath robes, and custom-made products from the high-end line DDC28. Unlike big luxury chains, there's a small-scale, quiet, and personalised feeling here that's worth the lack of extras (like a swimming pool or spa).
The Bowery Hotel Arrow
Walking into the lobby at The Bowery feels like stepping back into a Gothic version of the nineteenth century — or at least, a movie set from someone with a gothic vision. Dimly lit and oozing atmosphere, it's a world of crimson velvet, dark leather and wood, threadbare Oriental rugs and oil paintings. The effect is transportive to another time, but somehow still rooted in downtown NYC. The view from one of the upper floors is something you'll never get tired of, and is worth the splurge. The Bowery's in-house restaurant, Gemma, is a solid choice on warm evenings — grab an outdoor table and get ready for some of the best people-watching in NYC. After dinner, few places are better for a glass of red than the lobby lounge (its fireplace makes the atmosphere even better).
The Mark Arrow
The polished black-and-white floor that greets you in the lobby is the first sign that the Mark is no ordinary hotel experience. Contemporary light fixtures, furniture, and modern art combined effortlessly by designer Jacques Grange give the hotel a sense of cool elegance. The restaurant, by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is high-end New York all the way. The classic Upper East Side location combined with the contemporary, Art Deco–inspired design make for an unforgettable stay.
Casa Cipriani Arrow
This New York hotel is a Cipriani property, so it’s luxury to the max, but in that effortlessly chic Italian sort of way. Picture it: presidential suites featuring cashmere-covered walls by Loro Piana Interiors – that’s the sort of luxurious detail you’ll find in every nook and cranny of the guest rooms at Casa Cipriani. The sheets on the bed are from the 150-year-old luxury linen house Rivolta Carmignani based in Macherio, just outside of Milan. Prior to check-in guests can choose between Italian cotton or Italian linen. It’s hard not to fall completely under the spell of the hotel from the minute you step into your room or suite. Maybe it’s the Art Deco light fixtures or artwork on the wall. Maybe it’s the jazz playing softly in the background, or the way the setting sun hit the lacquer furniture and the shiny brass knobs. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the guest rooms at Casa Cipriani are the private terraces. The spacious private terraces. Be sure to request a river-facing room because there’s really nothing like this view anywhere in town: Next to the hotel, you’ve got the Staten Island Ferry pulling in and out of Whitehall Terminal; that’s Governor’s Island straight ahead, and beyond that, Brooklyn. To your right, you’ve got the Statue of Liberty. But there’s also so much going on inside Casa Cipriani that no one would blame you if you spent your entire stay on the premises: the Club restaurant, the Jazz Café, the Pickering Room, the Promenade Bar and the Living Room. On top of all that, the hotel service is attentive but not at all intrusive. They truly make you feel like you’re the most important person in the room, and who doesn’t want to feel like that for a few nights? From $800. — Lauren DeCarlo
Wythe Hotel Arrow
The Wythe Hotel defines Williamsburg style for many — a former industrial building given a hipster makeover with exposed-brick walls, factory windows, concrete floors, and plenty of reclaimed wood. The 6th floor Bar Blondeau, which serves French plates and natural wines, offers killer river views of Manhattan. The restaurant, Le Crocodile, has earned raves for its bold brasserie fare. If you're choosing to stay in Williamsburg, you probably want an industrial-chic vibe, and Wythe Hotel delivers.
Baccarat Hotel New York Arrow
No one knew what to expect when a 258-year-old French luxury brand opened its first property, Baccarat Hotel, on West 53rd—except that there had better be at least one over-the-top chandelier. The hotel did not disappoint, but what was surprising was how wonderful its opulence felt, after all that industrial, bare-bulb, and rough-hewn everything. Unabashed opulence is what you get as soon as you step into the lobby, where there are about 15,000 pieces of the brand's crystal throughout, including glassware and chandeliers. Arrangements of fresh red roses everywhere add a touch of colour. But even though the hotel is a singular vision, it may be the little touches — like Baccarat tumblers in the bathroom — that make a stay special.
AKA Central Park Arrow
Designed for stays of a week or more, this upscale long-stay property blends the atmosphere (and some of the services) of a hotel with contemporary, condominium-style suites larger than many Manhattan pads. Your home base choices range from one-room, 300-square-foot Studios to suites with furnished outdoor space and Penthouses with useful extras like DVR-equipped TVs and a dining table that seats six; the largest options run close to 1,500-square feet. Most popular are the one- and two-bedroom suites, which have full kitchens stocked with fridges, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, cookware, tableware, and even dishwashing supplies, plus large living rooms with space to work and comfortable beds. (Studios have smaller kitchenettes, but they also come with most everything you might need.)
Freehand New York Arrow
It’s a given that young visitors to New York don’t want to blow the budget on a fancy hotel room. Better to book something that’s at least clean, comfortable, and strategically located, and spend the extra cash on that restaurant everyone has been posting about. Freehand takes this compromise and somehow manages to make it feel sexy and stylish. Rooms, including queens, kings, and bunk rooms for four, are basic — verging on dorm-like — but brightened up with artworks that sometimes snake across the walls and ceilings. Like the model that Ian Schrager engineered with Morgans Hotel in the 1980s, here it’s all about the public spaces, which the design studio Roman and Williams filled with glossy tiles, dark woods, and walls in deep turquoise, with quirky touches such as sheepskin rugs and plants in mismatched ceramic pots. Most importantly, there’s a feast of food and drink options: an outpost of award-grabbing cocktail joint Broken Shaker on the roof; a to-go counter off the lobby, an offshoot of downtown favourite breakfast spot the Smile; and two restaurants and another bar from Gabriel Stulman, of the West Village’s Bar Sardine. Freehand captures everything travellers come to New York for, under one well-designed, well-priced roof.
Andaz 5th Avenue Arrow
Serene rooms, a central location, and complimentary touches (like mini-bars) make this Andaz an easy choice in Midtown. The 184 rooms are decently sized — particularly for this part of town — and have a simple décor free of clutter. All come with a desk, walk-in showers stocked with NYC-based Fellow Barber bath products, and a fluffy all-white bed, as well as high ceilings and tall windows. Complimentary soft mini-bar items like chips and locally-sourced chocolate get replenished daily. Not all rooms have notable views, but some of those that do also have step-out balconies or furnished terraces from which to look at the park or the Empire State Building.
The Marlton Hotel Arrow
Walking into the Marlton feels like being transported to the 19th century, where there's little evidence of modern technology, and where guests and locals hang out in the dimly lit, fireplace-warmed lobby, which features lots of dark wood and antique rugs. The beauty of being here is forgetting what era you're in. Rooms are small, but beautiful, and if you feel too cramped, you're right in the middle of Greenwhich Village and all it has to offer. Hotel guests move to the top of the list at the in-house restaurant, Margaux. That's a good thing, as you'll want to try the Amish rotisserie chicken with smashed sweet potato and burnt lemon. Sitting down by the fireplace in the gorgeous lobby is the perfect thing to do on chilly evenings. As is being able to take the elevator right upstairs to the room afterwards.
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Arrow
This Four Seasons hotel occupies 24 floors of an 84-floor building (with condos making up the rest of the space). There is also a pool, spa, steam room, and 189 total rooms, including 28 suites designed by Yabu Pushelberg, who also handled interiors for the NYC hotel debut from the Equinox fitness brand. The two crown jewels are the Tribeca Suite and Royal Suite — the latter, at 2,400 square feet, has space for a dinner party and sweeping views of downtown New York. The Four Seasons Downtown's ground floor is home to the only New York City outpost of Wolfgang Puck's Cut, serving fresh fruit and upscale takes on egg sandwiches by day, and steaks by night.
Hotel Chelsea Arrow
Hotel Chelsea may not be filled with famous musicians anymore, but the rock-and-roll vibe remains. Long-term residents who have been grandfathered into their apartments in the building still float around, and most guests — usually drawn by the hotel’s history — have a knowingness to them, whether they’re in their 30s or 60s. The 158 guest rooms and suites have wood floors with the Hotel Chelsea monogram now inlaid; the sun dapples through ivory eyelet fabric on the windows; and the bathrooms are classically done with light and dark grey marble accentuated by bronze details. Animal-print chairs maintain a bit of spunk in the now bright, airy rooms, as do ornate dark wood bedside tables. Massive closets, their interiors a riot of wallpaper, make it even easier to imagine unpacking and sticking around for a while. If you visited the Chelsea back in the day, you’ll recognise the original fireplaces, stained glass windows, and those iconic wrought-iron balconies leaning over West 23rd Street, which have been restored. Rooms from $199. —Megan Spurrell
Pendry Manhattan West Arrow
Pendry Manhattan West aims to bring a West Coast vibe to Midtown Manhattan, with 30 sprawling suites (all with floor-to-ceiling windows) and 164 guest rooms, modern furnishings, abundant greenery, and warm recessed lighting in both the rooms and common areas. The resulting crowd is mostly cool creatives looking for a place to hole up, whom you’ll spot posted up on laptops in the lounges during the day, and beelining to the ground-floor Bar Pendry for an innovative cocktail with friends in the evenings. Arrive with plenty of busy days planned out in the Manhattan West development, knowing you’ll have a calm space to recharge at night — complete with soft slippers and bedside macarons via turndown. Rooms from $695. —Shannon McMahon
Nine Orchard Arrow
Ask any in-the-know New Yorker for their favourite neighbourhood, and chances are the Lower East Side will be it. The place teems with urban cool. Tattoo parlors on every corner. Low-key restaurants where the plates rival those in SoHo, but the crowd is a blend of skaters, designers, and musicians. When Nine Orchard opened June 2022 on a historic corner in the neighbourhood, it brought with it a degree of sophistication seldom celebrated here. There are the historical bones, for one, located inside an old, grand bank, with an airy lobby bar humming under old vaulted ceilings that rival those up at Grand Central. A superstar food pairing in the way of Ignacio Mattos, one of the city’s hottest chefs, means classic dishes like steak au poivre and frites are exceptional at the attached Corner Bar (the tables are lovely with their minimal settings but the pick of seats is one of the 40 stools at the wraparound bar). With a full belly, you’ll happily plunk down into one of the property’s 113 guest rooms with simple wood bed tables and hand-carved chairs that feel like a groovy space to tune into the custom radio stations created for the hotel by DJ Stretch Armstrong and Devon Turnbull, New York-based DJ and producer who focus on New York inspired music on all four of the in-hotel stations. Whatever station you choose, this landmark hotel offers locals and visitors alike a sense of being grounded in a place, and pays homage to the neighbourhood and its city as one of the very best in the world. Rooms from $525. —Lara Kramer
Ace Hotel Brooklyn Arrow
The lobby in any Ace hotel is the place to be, and its Brooklyn outpost is no different. There are public workspaces galore —including a library-style table, a plant-filled garden, and a moody bar area with cozy seating — and plenty of guests, locals, and staff making use of them all. Many of the hallmarks of Ace decor are present in the 287 rooms: plywood furniture that offers both form and function, local art, and pops of colour (in this case, a deep green). But the room design also leans into the industrial building’s architecture, with exposed concrete and warehouse windows. Rooms from $249. — Meredith Carey
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Best New York hotels that you need to visit right now
Whether you’re going on a short trip or staying the duration, these are the New York hotels you need to get acquainted with
Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s
If you're after a hotel that has more than just good views and a New York City lifestyle, then head to Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s in Tribeca. Part of the Groupe Barrière, it is the firm's début property in the United States. The fourth-generation, family-run group was founded in 1912 and operates various luxury properties worldwide, including Le Carl Gustaf in St. Barth's, Le Majestic in Cannes, Fouquet's Paris on the Champs-Elysées, and the Palace Les Neiges in Courchevel. Fouquet's New York features 97 residential-style rooms and suites designed by world-renowned Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, and each one is like a little slice of Paris in the heart of the Big Apple.
What's more, Hotel Barrière houses the historic French brasserie Fouquet’s (here you'll find lobster fricassée and the famous Fouquet's Cheeseburger crafted under the guidance of Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire) and amenities ranging from a Spa Diane Barrière with a pool and a fitness centre by luxury training gym Dogpound. Up top there's a sprawling open-air rooftop, inspired by the French gardens of Vaux-Le-Vicomte and Versailles, which lends views across the Hudson, towards the World Trade Centre and as far-reaching as Midtown.
Rooms from £900. hotelsbarriere.com
The Mark Hotel
The upper echelon of New York City hotels, The Mark sits on the upper West Side, a stone's throw away from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (and Vera Wang, The Row etc). Originally constructed in 1927 in the Renaissance Revival style, it is a momentous building with oodles of Old World The rooms are spacious, whether you're in a suite or regular room (although there's nothing regular about them!), the service is excellent and there's a reason why the rich and famous stay there. No, seriously – The Mark is the unofficial official outpost of every major celebrity ahead of the Met Gala, New York City's biggest night out.
Food-wise there's The Mark Restaurant, a Jean-Georges Vongerichten restaurant, which brings the best of both American and French cuisine. While around the corner, and affiliated with the hotel, is Caviar Kaspia, where you'll find the finest seafood in, well, the whole of America. No lie!
What's more, there's a swanky Frédéric Fekkai Salon, where you can get anything you may desire from haircuts to pedicures.
themarkhotel.com
Moxy Lower East Side
If you are after a stay in New York that is both fun and unique then look no further that the MOXY LES . From the moment you step into the hotel, quirky artwork can be seen in every direction. Chandeliers with burlesque figurines hang from the ceiling while bespoke wallpaper caresses the walls and off beat artwork fills the foyer with a kooky-ness that can't be ignored.
All 303 Bedrooms are expertly designed so the New York city skylines fill the rooms and walk-in showers come as standard (of course). The queen size bed is finished with statement headboards that make it perfect for relaxing after a busy day exploring and we can’t not mention the porcelain sink that adds a timeless charm to complete the room with style.
What makes The MOXY LES stand out is what it has on offer for its guests, all under one roof. Hungry? Head down to Sake No Hana for expertly made, modern Japanese food. Fancy a cheeky drink? The Highlight room on the 16th floor boasts some of the best views of New York, complete with indoor and outdoor seating. Want to unwind? Silver Lining is the dream like piano room complete with velvet chairs and dim lighting. Or have a work meeting? The foyer has working sections with foldable walls and curtains making them multi functional and modular. Whatever you want the MOXY LES has you covered.
Rooms from £300. moxy-hotels.marriott.com
Nine Orchard
Its not often you come across hotels like Nine Orchard . Built in the shell of the iconic Jarmulowsky bank, this century old building has been redesigned all whilst keeping its original charm intact. Working from blueprint drawings dating back to 1912 the lobby features a grand arched window, an ornamental ceiling and Tennessee marble floors; even the clocks have been replicated to pay homage to the original designs.
The hotel itself is 12 floors of pure luxury. Textured fabrics, soft furnishings and vintage inspired interiors fill the rooms with charm, completed with locally commissioned art on display. Large windows flood the rooms with light and display breathtaking views across the New York city skyline, complimented by custom made Ojas speakers and amplifiers programmed with four New York-inspired stations (curated by Devon Turnbull and DJ Stretch Armstrong).
It's rare a hotel can perfectly balance a timeless aesthetic with a modern vibe and it be executed so well, Nine Orchard are one of the fair few.
Rooms from £450. nineorchard.com
MOXY Williamsburg
The 11 storey, 216 room MOXY Williamsburg has been designed to feel and look like part of the neighbourhood. The building is clean, with an industrial-inspired vibe that harks back to the neighbourhood’s warehouse lofts; this aesthetic continues when walking into the lobby with the 20-foot exposed ceilings and plants that greet you.
If you continue to explore the lobby you will uncover an impressive bar and three meeting studios and breakaway spaces designed to be used for private events and co-working. The modular sofas and foldable tables mean it can be designed to fit all sorts of meets and cater to everyone's needs.
The bedrooms are where the hotel really sings, rooms range from 165–210 square feet and include Kings, Executive Kings, Double Queens, and Quad Bunks. The rooms are understated and functional, all completed with a large walk in shower. Organic materials add texture while large windows allow the room to flood with light and views across Manhattan. Wall-mounted pegs, foldable desks and underbed storage mean every corner is made to be functional and maximise the space in the room.
We can't finish this review without discussing the hotel entrance artwork. An entire floor to ceiling new york city skyline entirely made of multicoloured crayons by Rare Culture is behind the steel reception desks making check-in (and even check-out) a pure delight.
Ace Brooklyn
In any definitive history of the hipster , Brooklyn surely looms large. And in the hipster’s little black book of travel tips, the Ace Hotel group is not just first alphabetically. Therefore one might have expected New York City’s “Borough of Churches” to have made the brand’s property list much earlier than July 2021. In fact, and to further illustrate our point, it had previously posted up in the now sadly shuttered Ace Shoreditch . Nevertheless, the wait was worth it and the newest Ace, in downtown Brooklyn, maturely strides the line between achingly hip and just plain cool.
The nods to locality begin before you even enter, with “The Stoop”, a streetside gathering spot that sets the tone with a Stan Bitters mural and the hotel’s first key calling card, a sculptural dodecahedral light installation that leads you in as you emerge from the nearby subway station.
Past the entrance into the lobby, a very clever trick has been played with the concrete and plywood interior decor. Far from cold and hard, this is a warm, inviting den that opens up in several directions once you’ve checked in. To the right, you’ll find the lobby bar in a state of perma-buzz, whether getting in at midnight after taking the borough’s taproom tour or rousing with the brunch crowd for broken brown rice porridge, griddled banana bread foster or the excellent pastries from chef Danny Alvarez at onsite bakery/restaurant/bar As You Are. Left of the front desk is a reading-room co-working space and attractive courtyard garden.
As on the ground floor, so up above, in the 287 rooms that occupy the 13-storey raw-concrete construction, which Ace stalwart designers Roman and Williams have dressed with custom fittings and furniture, featuring more patinated concrete and exposed woodgrain. Curated art is also a common feature, as are views through the floor-to-ceiling windows, in rooms with the right aspect, across to Manhattan, Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Final note: that record player in the photo? There’s one in most rooms. Like we said, hip. Aaron Callow
Rooms from £225 per night. acehotel.com/brooklyn
Equinox Hotels Hudson Yards
When it comes to brand commitment, Equinox’s hotel debut couldn’t be more on the money. The high-profile, high-octane gym group’s first foray away from pure workout territory has, as yet, done nothing but cement its reputation. Since opening at the Hudson Yards development in New York last summer, the property is doing a stellar job or luring gym members and well-heeled hotel guests alike to the far west of Manhattan, an area not traditionally known for luxury.
Apart from the sleek, simple design, the sweet potato breakfast bowls and access to the property’s exceptional 60,000 square foot gym, there is another benefit to booking a room on the perimeter edge of a city as bustling and built up as New York – the views. With vistas out over the Hudson River over to New Jersey, not being surrounded entirely by skyscrapers gives Equinox more than its fair share of New York’s natural light and a real sense of space – apt for a hotel so focused on wellness and recovery.
All that light is optional, though, as each of the 212 rooms is billed as a "dark, quiet, cool" space – fully soundproofed and fitted with blackout blinds to promote optimal sleep. The wellness theme continues throughout the property into the recovery spa and on-site SoulCycle studio. Then there is the Electric Lemon restaurant – a true gem. The food here tastes so good it is mercifully easy to forget that most of the dishes have been carefully balanced to ensure guests are eating well without having the "plant-forward" concept shoved down their metaphorical throats. And while the in-room vitamin drips might not be for everyone, Equinox offers plenty of other pedestrian-yet-impressive homages to feel good. From the yoga studio to the rooftop pool where guests can swim alongside the copper-hued lattice of Thomas Heatherwick’s Vessel installation, there is much to be applauded.
The gym itself is excellent and the facilities second to none but hotel guests would do well to be aware that there is an occasional brusqueness to the service in this part of the property given it is not for hotel use only and is first and foremost a member-filled gym. But for those looking for a corner of calm in New York where they can check-out feeling better, fitter and more rested than when they checked in, you could do a lot worse than Equinox. Emily Wright
Rooms from £538. equinox-hotels.com
By Adam Cheung
By Oliver Franklin-Wallis
By Jack King
Moxy East Village
Moxy East Village is the place to stay in New York if you are looking for a hotel that really embraces the local community. It's situated in the heart of the East Village, which is renowned for society-shifting movements and where the local area is bustling with character and history. Moxy East Village has been designed to be more than just a hotel, but also a place where guests and local residents can go to work, rest and play.
The design of the hotel means it effortlessly blends in with the surrounding neighbourhood. The flat front of the building and dark brickwork perfectly complements the famous Webster Hall located opposite and all the neighbouring boutiques, restaurants and shops.
Walking through the revolving doors and being met by a bespoke chandelier, it’s clear to see that much thought has gone into every detail of the hotel. In the lobby, books have been curated by one of the city’s quintessential stores, The Strand. The artwork has been commissioned by local artists and the lounge has been designed to replicate an original 1980s living room, complete with a TV and Robocop on VHS. The mood is eclectic and fun and each area has subtle nods to every generation.
The hotel itself has a total of 286 rooms, each individually designed to maximise space while maintaining that all-important luxury New York loft feeling. The main focal point in each room are the oversized, industrial windows that overlook the neighbourhood. The bathroom features a spectacular walk-in rain shower that will not disappoint.
Like many American hotels, Moxy East Village has a choice of places to eat, drink and unwind. Little Sister is the main attraction, the French- and Mediterranean-themed restaurant situated in the basement of the hotel, run by world-famous chef Jason Hall. The Alphabet bar and café offer everything from coffee to go, bespoke cocktails and delicious snacks. The rooftop is set to open in the spring and boasts some of the best views in New York.
Moxy East Village has been designed to be a home away from home; it’s both affordable, stylish and comfortable. And did we forget to mention that it’s also dog friendly?
Rooms from £140 a night. moxyeastvillage.com
The William Vale
For the real cool kids, Brooklyn is the place to spend all your time in New York, with panoramic views of Manhattan proving to be far more popular than staying on the island itself. One hotel in particular is at the apex of Brooklyn cool right now: the ultra-modern William Vale, situated on the periphery of ultra-trendy neighbourhood Williamsburg. The surrounding area is a veritable hipster heaven: nearby Wythe Avenue is one of the buzziest, graffiti-splashed streets in the borough, lined with stylish boutiques and chic cafés. Both the popular venue Brooklyn Bowl and the Brooklyn Brewery are only a stone’s throw away, as is the Williamsburg Music Hall. Designed by New York architects Albo Liberis, the luxe, 23-floor property is by far the most spectacular building in the area, towering above the rest of the relatively low-slung neighbourhood. The interiors are super slick, with an impressive attention to detail, from the custom metalwork in the guest rooms to the striking art by Brooklyn-based artist Marela Zacarías in the lobby.
The rooms also feature artwork by local artists, adding pops of colour to the otherwise calming white walls and neutral tones. All the rooms have impossibly comfortable beds (thanks to the Bellino linens and 12-inch mattresses), balconies and a thoroughly futuristic feel: modern, angular furniture, floor-to-wall windows and expansive city-scape vistas make The William Vale feel as cutting edge inside as its architecture suggests. Most spectacular of all are the corner rooms, which boast wrap-around terraces offering a 360 degree look of the Manhattan skyline, as well as the sprawling expanse of Brooklyn itself. Even the spa-style bathrooms, fitted with an all-glass outside wall, have those same epic views – there’s nothing quite like a morning shower backdropped by the Brooklyn Bridge, or a nighttime bath lit by the twinkling lights of the modern world’s most iconic buildings.
If you can drag yourself away from your terrace, however, The William Vale has also got the longest outdoor hotel pool in Brooklyn (60 feet), not to mention a brilliant Italian restaurant. Leuca, where breakfast is served each day (don’t miss the baked eggs with mozzarella) is a buzzy local spot, so be sure to make a reservation if you plan on stopping by for dinner. For those who want to grab something on the go, there’s also Mister Dips, where proper NYC burgers are served from a retrofitted 1974 Airstream on the hotel’s elevated outdoor promenade. Best of all, however, has to be the utterly dazzling Westlight – a restaurant and bar located on the 22nd floor that is hands down the entire city’s No1 rooftop spot. Kathleen Johnston
Rooms from £176 per night. thewilliamvale.com
Manhattan may be full of history, but few hotels have such a storied heritage as the St Regis, which was founded by John Jacob Astor IV (who died in the sinking of the Titanic) in 1904 and has welcomed guests from Salvador Dalí to John Lennon. It was one of the very first luxury hotels in the world, and now, more than 100 years on, it still has a reputation as one of the absolute best. Located on East 55th between 5th and Madison Avenues, the handsome Beaux-Arts building – which, at 18 storeys, was also one of the tallest in Manhattan when it opened – houses 238 rooms and the St Regis Residences, as well as a restaurant and the legendary King Cole Bar.
Named after the Maxfield Parrish mural that many now consider to be a must-see New York attraction, it’s the bar where James Bond drinks in Fleming’s Live And Let Die , but is best known as the birthplace of the Bloody Mary (first mixed in 1934). Stop by for a nightcap before retiring to your room; so spectacular are the interiors, so blissfully comfortable the beds, that you’ll want to spend as much time as possible in there throughout your stay. Even the most modest of rooms have more space than you’d think possible in New York and all are lavishly decorated with top-tier amenities, from Bose speakers to 300 thread-count bed linen. The Italian marble bathrooms are a thing of true beauty – ornate detailing, a truly extraordinary, wet room-style shower and, to top it all off, a mirror that also contains a TV (visible only when you turn it on) situated in perfect viewing proximity from the bath.
Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about the St Regis, however, has to be the famous butler service. A treasured hallmark of the hotel for over a century, every room comes with a personal butler on hand to meet your every whim. From unpacking to pressing, your wish is their command, but GQ ’s favourite has to be the complimentary beverage service: each morning, your butler will arrive to draw your shades and deliver coffee or tea, as well as the day’s newspaper. Afterwards, potter downstairs through the elaborately decorated, marble-floored, classic lobby to the regal Astor Court restaurant for breakfast. Fancy popping out for pancakes? The hotel’s chauffeur-driven Bentley is on call for local use at no extra cost. For true old-world grandeur paired with a modern approach to luxury, no other New York hotel can compare. Kathleen Johnston
Rooms from £525 per night. marriott.com
While the majority of five-star hotels now amplify a home-from-home approach, the only way to experience the city like a true New Yorker is by staying in an actual apartment. Enter Plum Guide: essentially a platinum-standard Airbnb where expert critics are deployed to find the most incredible homes available for short-term rental (as well as New York, the London-born company operates in 12 cities across Europe and the US). The criteria is quite something: everything from outside noise to Wi-Fi strength are rigorously tested, with Plum Guide only accepting one in 100 of every property put forward. There are currently 824 homes available in the Big Apple, spanning modern Brooklyn studios to epic Wall Street penthouses.
GQ ’s choice? Conga: one hell of a bachelor pad in the most sought-after area in town. Set inside a stunning townhouse and spanning two floors, if James Bond circa the Daniel Craig 2003 edition had a boujee, Upper East Side apartment, this would be it. Upstairs, in the huge living room, bold artwork lines the walls above the grand sofa, while the floor-to-ceiling shelves next to the window-encased spiral staircase are stacked with slick coffee table books, perfect for leafing through lazily while you sip your morning brew. The bedroom is just as majestic, with a mammoth bed, a huge, gorgeous black-and-white nude photograph (much of the art in the house celebrates, ahem, the female form), a mounted flatscreen TV and three windows that look out onto the quintessentially Manhattan tree-lined residential street.
Most impressive of all, however, given that outside space of any size is practically unheard of in Manhattan, is the large garden. What at first might appear as a mirage is indeed guests’ own private space to enjoy, accessible from the thoroughly chic, postbox-red and sleek white kitchen. And the location? For those who don’t know, the Upper East Side is like the Mayfair of Manhattan; plus, this apartment is literally a stone’s throw away from Central Park and Madison Avenue. Should you want to stay off the tourist track and get to know the neighbourhood better, however, one of Plum Guide’s exceptional hosts will be on hand with scores of recommendations and, if you’re lucky, they’ll also bring you fresh bagels and Champagne for your first breakfast. Kathleen Johnston
plumguide.com
Moxy Chelsea
Bright, colourful and lively, it’s fitting that the brains behind Moxy Chelsea chose to plant it in New York’s flower district. From its “botanical library” (with flora suspended from a 15-foot wall) to its street-facing conservatory (which opens like an aircraft hangar to make you feel like you’re in the flower market outside), this place has green fingers all over it.
There’s real flower power atop the 37-floor purpose-built skyscraper too. The Fleur Room, a rooftop cocktail bar, has attracted a swathe of early accolades and has already become one of the hottest hangouts in Chelsea. The gigantic windows and 360-degree views up here – of the Hudson River, the Empire State Building and the Statue Of Liberty – will have you feeling as though you’re hovering in the clouds.
That’s a theme that continues in the bedrooms, with enormous floor-to-ceiling windows and nimbus-like mattresses combining to similar effect. The rooms are compact – the Moxy’s millennial-friendly mission statement is great design at affordable prices – but the important boxes are all ticked, including super-fast Wi-Fi and super-strong rainwater showers.
Add no less than four in-house dining options (including the phenomenal Feroce on the ground floor, an intimate dining room that feels like it has been transported straight from the backstreets of Rome) and you have what is inarguably another budding success for Manhattan. Jonathan Thompson
Rooms from £122 per night. moxy-hotels.marriott.com
Husband-and-wife team Kit and Tim Kemp, owners of Firmdale Hotels, are masters at creating the perfect boutique stay, and last year they tightened their grip on New York with The Whitby. Retaining Kit’s colourful style in what could have been a grand if muted midtown environment, the public areas reflect the Kemps’ taste for art, with the bar-brasserie and lobby areas alive with Carla Kranendonk’s Afro-influenced art. The 86 rooms are no less startling, with fabric-lined walls, slipper-soft furnishings and marble bathrooms. The Whitby also sports a well-equipped gym and 130-seat theatre, but this is first and foremost an ideal retreat for anyone wishing to be close to Moma, the theatre district or the super-brand souks lining Fifth Avenue.
Rooms from £529 per night. firmdalehotels.com
The Standard High Line
The Standard High Line has some of the best views in New York, east over the Hudson (spectacular at dawn or sunset) and north towards the glittering skyline. The minimalist white interiors and comfortable beds, baths, showers and desks are all positioned to let the floor-to-ceiling glass fourth wall do the talking. The higher up the 18 floors you go, the more extraordinary the scene: you can stand in the window and watch the taxis beetling below your toes. Unless you suffer from vertigo, for a Village base, this is very hard to beat.
Although you can’t hear any of it in the extremely comfortable beds, this being a Balazs creation, the hotel is party central – whatever time you make it home, the Boom Boom rooms mean that’s there’s usually some kind of after-hours activity in progress.
Back on the ground floor, come morning, you can blow away the cobwebs with a walk or run along the High Line park , above which the building perches, and the hotel does a buzzing business as a breakfast and brunch spot. (The High Line, now stretching all the way to 34th Street, is a great reason to revisit.) As you wander out into the Meatpacking District and into the West Village, in the true test of an urban hotel, you’ll feel like you belong in the neighbourhood, instead of just passing through. Olivia Cole
vhiphotels.co.uk
Consider The Lowell Hotel your new home from home. Actually scrap that, it's way nicer than your actual home. Just live in The Lowell instead. With its unrivaled luxury: plush lounge areas, roaring fire places and exceptionally accommodating service, we guarantee you won't want to go home. Check yourself and the family, friends and general loved ones into the two bedroom suite which has some of the best views of Manhattan. The suite comfortably fits four adults, with a king and twin beds, everything about it is pure luxury. Go to The Majorelle, the hotel's restaurant, for a sublime three-course lunch. Charles Masson and his creative culinary team, under the leadership of chef Richard Brower, have put together a menu of stand-out classics. After, make sure you go for their afternoon tea in the Pembroke Room.
lowellhotel.com
Viceroy New York
Viceroy New York is on the doorstep of Central Park, so in terms of location it's unrivaled. Although there isn't much of an entrance to the hotel, the rooms are wonderfully stylish and minimal and the staff are exceptionally accommodating. Get yourself checked into a suite, the rooms are cleverly designed and exceptionally functional. The beds and pillows are potentially the most comfy you'll sleep on during your time in the Big Apple. The bathrooms are also beautiful and marbled, with a power shower strong enough to make you want to run that park on your doorstep.
viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
The Williamsburg Hotel
The Williamsburg Hotel is an outstanding choice if you're in Brooklyn. The lively, spacious bar downstairs ensures there's atmosphere at all times. The food is excellent and in keeping with everything you've seen on Broad City . The Queen Room comfortably accommodates two or three people, and the views are outstanding. There's even a pillow menu for you to choose the ideal comfort and a sound machine for you to zone out to.
thewilliamsburghotel.com
The latest opening from Studio 54 founder Ian Schrager; Public launched in the summer of 2017 with the promise of reimagining and democratising the luxury hospitality experience.
As with Schrager’s previous hospitality openings (which include The Edition hotels) the design is impeccable. Exposed poured-concrete columns punctuate the public spaces, with Douglas fir plywood panels and beautifully designed lighting softening the aesthetic.
In place of a traditional lobby is a buzzy deli/shop/café hangout, cut through with an Instagram-friendly, LED-lit escalator whisking guests to the first floor. It’s here that it becomes evident how Schrager has rethought the service experience at the hotel. Guests self-check in using static iPads in the lobby ("Public advisors" are on hand to help out) and there is no room service – guests can preorder for collection from ground-floor eatery Louis. The rooms are small, but sophisticatedly simple. Imposing floor-to-ceiling triple-glazed windows frame the New York skyline (and include automatic blackout blinds in you’re in need of a lie-in after partying too hard at the rooftop bar)
With rates starting from $200 a night, The Public certainly lives up to the promise of affordable luxury and is a welcome addition to the Lower East Side.
publichotels.com
Citizen M Bowery
Situated in Midtown Manhattan, Citizen M Bowery occupies the perfect location if you think you will be exploring each end of the island. What Citizen M hotels do well is offer fuss-free, affordable and comfortable luxury in some of the best spots across the world and this hotel is no different. With function at its heart, you won't be disappointed by what's on offer. You also won't be disappointed by the view from the top of the building, where you'll find the rooftop bar with views across the Hudson of the World Trade Center and Empire State Building. If you aren't looking to splash out, but want to experience NYC living at its best, we recommend you stay here.
citizenm.com
Located in Williamsburg, this is undoubtedly one of the hippest and most happening hotels in the city. With views across to Manhattan, the hotel is as Brooklyn as you could possibly get, with exposed brick and industrial interiors defining it. But don't let that make you think it won't be luxurious, because, boy, is it! Located in a 117-year-old factory building that has been meticulously converted into a 70-room hotel, it oozes contemporary opulence with just the right amount of edge.
wythehotel.com
Undoubtedly the most luxurious hotel in Manhattan, this is a favourite of the likes of Kim Kardashian. Situated mere metres from Times Square, this hotel is a sanctuary of silence and calm. Walk into the lobby and you're met with a deliciously fragrant space. Up one flight of stairs (or lift) and you find the opulent lounges, reception and dining rooms, which act a sanctuary to the madness outside. The bedrooms offer private Parisian pied-à-terre living in the heart of New York City – what more do you need?
baccarathotels.com
1 Brooklyn Bridge
The name says it all really. When you stay at this hotel, you may as well be sleeping on the Brooklyn Bridge itself. With the most spectacular views of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge itself, this is a hotel that is worth a visit, even if you just go to have a swim in the rooftop pool. Rooms here are a retreat from the contemporary designs you usually get in new hotels, like taking Yosemite national park's famous cabins and planting them on the waterfront opposite Manhattan. Simply stunning.
1hotels.com
If you’re looking for somewhere a little less manic to stay in the city then we recommend The Ludlow Hotel. It is located down in the quieter Lower East Side of town with beautiful views of the rest of the village neighbourhood. Rooms are designed with dark hardwood floors with handmade silk rugs and Moroccan-style lamps are featured in every bedroom to match the brass detailing in the bathrooms - each provided with a pair of Maison Margiela dressing gowns, by the way. On the corner of Ludlow Street just 50 yards from the hotel is the famous Katz's Delicatessen known for where Harry says, "I'll have what she's having" in When Harry Met Sally. Here you can order the biggest pastrami on rye and to make you feel less guilty, The Ludlow Hotel has one of the coolest 24-hour rooftop gyms with views all the way across the Williamsburg Bridge (pretty convenient). Guests can also grab a drink or relax for a brunch in the hotel’s restaurant next to the lobby called Dirty French and the name says it all.
ludlowhotel.com
The New York Edition
Originally constructed in 1909 as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company’s headquarters, this clocktower is an iconic piece of the architecture that makes up the Manhattan skyline. Now, with the help of Ian Schrager, the clocktower has been transformed into what can only be described as one of the best hotels in New York City. With 360 degree views and a Michelin-starred restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Jason Atherton, you'd be silly not to stay here.
editionhotels.com
By Owen Gough
By Mike Christensen
By Olivia Adams
By Lucy Ford
By Josiah Gogarty
Robb Report
The 15 Best Hotels in New York City
Posted: August 8, 2023 | Last updated: August 17, 2023
Hotel-Exterior-2
You can’t throw a mustard-covered pretzel in New York City without hitting a hotel. There are about 700 of them in the city, but only a few are truly luxurious.
“Cookie cutter hotels are out,” said Daniel Lesser, cofounder, president, and CEO of LW Hospitality Advisors. “Plus, guests also want to know they’re getting a quality product as soon as they walk through the door.”
Designer details, out-of-the-box amenities, Michelin-starred chefs, sumptuous suites, tony locations, and unique, personalized experience are all de rigueur. And while most of NYC’s best inns are century-old institutions, very prominent newcomers are testing the old standbys’ ability to stay fresh.
In short: It’s a race to up the ante that has resulted in “six, even seven star hotels,” said Lesser, although there isn’t any regulated definition of what those stars mean.
So is it Gilded Age splendor or contemporary glitz? We did the math and whittled the city’s top offerings to just 15 five-star (or better!) hotels. Here’s a look inside.
1. The Mark
Award : Best Crowd
Housed in a 1927 landmark building renovated in 2009, the Mark oozes Upper East Side. With 106 rooms, 46 suites, and a penthouse, designer Jacques Grange has created modern French flair within its walls. But above and beyond that, a stay here gives guests unparalleled perks. There’s special access to Bergdorf Goodman goods via concierge, should you suddenly feel the urge for the perfect pair of Louboutins. Or live like a Kennedy and hire the Mark sailboat, a luxe 70-foot vessel. Sightseeing, anyone? Borrow from a fleet of chic, Mark-branded bikes, or, for the more sedentary, jump in one of their pedicabs. Michelin three-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is at the helm of the Mark Restaurant, open super late for post-theater munchies. For the pampered pooch, amenities include chef curated room service. Bonus: You’re just a few paw prints from Central Park.
Best Amenity : Parents rejoice, the hotel keeps a fleet of custom Maclaren strollers to loan out to guests. Plus, in season and for the inner child in us all, there’s a fabulous hot dog cart.
Can’t miss experience: It’s got to be whizzing up Madison Avenue on one of their signature N+ Mercedes-Benz Formula E Team e-bikes. Pack a top notch picnic from Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten for the perfect day in the park.
Who should stay here: It’s for the fun (and affluent) who expect finesse, panache, fine dining and elegance without stuffiness. No wonder they get so many famous faces ( Hi, Drake! ). It’s also a great pick for families.
Prices from $1,200
2. Aman New York
Award : Most Exclusive
If sanctuary is what you seek, look no further than the eastern-inspired Aman New York . Housed on floors seven through 14 in the 1921 Crown Building, with its signature green and gold embellished turret, the Aman has quickly established itself as an oasis of calm. The hotel opened to acclaim in 2022 after an overhaul by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, drawing inspiration from the company’s southeast Asian properties. The 83 all-suite property features abodes that are among the biggest in the city—up to 2,800 square feet—and feature highlights such as fireplaces, soaking tubs, and steam showers. You’ll feel transported out of the city with a visit to Nama, a restaurant exclusive to hotel guests, which serves up Japanese washoku cuisine—dine in either the indoor karesansui rock garden, or on the outdoor terrace. Or take a personal wellness journey in a Spa House, with Hammam or Banya that has its own treatment room, living area, and terrace, complete with hot bath and cold-plunge pool. Canopies allow for year round use, should you wish to brave the New York winter chill.
Best Amenity: Nestled at the foot of the building, the Jazz Club is hard to find, hip, buzzing with big names, and driping with artisanal cocktails.
Can’t miss experience : Arva’s executive chef will take you on an early morning tour of Union Square’s market, explaining how to select the best fresh produce and cheeses. Your picks will be served up in a bespoke dining experience that evening, using all the sourced ingredients. It’s a chef’s kiss.
Who should stay here : Go if you want exceptional calm in the center of the city, with spacious and harmonious surroundings, or for a physical — and spiritual — refresh. It’s perfect for staycations.
Prices from $1,750
3. The Lowell
Award: Best Indie
On the Upper East Side, the Art Deco Lowell was purpose-built as a hotel in 1927. Designed by Henry Stern Churchill, it likes to boast that “within these walls, novels have been penned, plays have been scrawled, and scripts have been studied.” It’s certainly a rarity in that it’s privately owned, by Dina De Luca Chartouni and her husband Fouad, who headed up a $25 million renovation in 2017 in collaboration with interior designer Michael S. Smith (highlight reel includes the Obama White House) and architect Mark Pinney (think Harrods, Armani, and Burberry). Its 74 rooms and suites include two-bedroom suites and a penthouse, which rocks three terraces and a Poggenpohl kitchen. Original wood-burning fireplaces throughout the property help make it feel as if you’re in your own stunning city abode. Particularly enchanting: Marjorelle restaurant, which features an outside terrace inspired by the Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Marrakech, evoked by palm fronds and pops of cobalt blue.
Best Amenity : Dedicated staff that go above and beyond. The concierge and personalization services begin before you even get there — a rep will reach out for your wants and wishes prior to arrival.
Can’t miss experience : Pretending you’re with Jacques Majorelle in Marrakech at his eponymous bar, drinking a White Negroni.
Who should stay here : Those looking for an oasis in the city, and “A” listers — the prominent guests who have walked through the doors include Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford, and a troop of supermodels in Cindy Crawford, Christie Brinkley and Naomi Campbell.
Prices from $1,110
4. The St. Regis New York
Award: Old-School Cool
If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to dramatically lop off a Champagne cork using a sword (and who hasn’t?) head to midtown and check into the St. Regis , where private “art of sabrage” master classes can be arranged. And that’s just the start. Founded more than a century ago by John Jacob Astor, everything throughout the landmark Beaux Arts property oozes class, with rich purple drapes and gold accents to fulfill any inner royal dreams. A private butler is available for every whim (naturally), while the stunning ballroom with painted sky ceiling evokes chateaus and castles. Choose from the 238 rooms and suites with chandeliers, dark wood floors, and marble bathtubs. Dining is at the regal Astor Court, or head to the famed King Cole Bar where, in 1934, bartender Fernand Petiot became the patron saint of the hungover by inventing the Bloody Mary.
Best Amenity : The butler service here is legendary, and ingrained into the very fabric of the hotel.
Can’t miss experience: The Evening Ritual was invented by Mrs. Astor in the 1900s, marking the transition from day to evening by the aforementioned slicing of champagne bottles. It still takes place every weekend.
Who should stay here: The Gilded Age heritage of the Astors reigns supreme here, so when provenance matters and the address means everything, pick the St Regis.
Prices from $1,495
5. The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Award : Best Bar
Built in 1930, the Carlyle has imprinted itself into the zeitgeist of the city. Now a Rosewood hotel, it has the proud boast that it’s hosted every president since Truman, and says its 192 rooms offer its guests “discretion.” Expect lots of Art Deco black and white, with recent updates from names such as Thierry Despont. Some of the 92 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic vistas, and the Presidential Suite boasts 360 degree views of the city. The classic dining room was renamed and reopened in 2021 and is now Dowling’s at the Carlyle. There’s 200 pieces of art adorning its walls, and food curated by chef Sylvain Delpique is widely lauded. And while the Plaza has Eloise, the Carlyle has Madeline—Bemelmans Bar, complete with a 24-karat-gold leaf-covered ceiling, features work from artist and author Ludwig Bemelmans, who created the beloved books. Featuring live music every night, it’s a hideaway haunt that will make you feel like a local.
Best Amenity : You can pick up some pretty awesome wallpaper at The Carlyle Wallshoppe. It’s based on the hotel’s whimsical decor (one roll has little martini glasses and olives on a pink background). Accent wall, anyone?
Can’t miss experience : Speaking of martinis, the master class at the Bemelmans Bar will turn you into expert shakers and stirrers.
Who should stay here : Classy out of towners who want to feel like Manhattan insiders. No wonder royals like Princess Diana, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Harry and Meghan Markle have all checked in.
Prices from $750
6. The Dominick
Award: Best Transformation
If you want to stay in a glass castle in the sky, head here. The $450 million, 46-story, 391-unit condominium SoHo hotel is a Five Diamond winner that soars over the Hudson Square district. Built in 2008 as Trump SoHo, it went through all sorts of trauma (uncovering piles of human remains!) before being renamed in 2017, after which business boomed. As you might expect, it features rooms with lots of windows, light, and phenomenal city views. Highlights include a new Sisley-Paris spa and an outdoor heated pool. Lounge in one of the cabanas and indulge in Asian-Hawaiian food from El Ta’Koy. Art lovers, rejoice: The hotel has a collaboration with New York street artist Paul Richard, from its lobby art to the Street Art Suite, a two-bedroom penthouse displaying signature “art drips” of NYC landmarks. A stay here (priced from $10,000) includes the option to commission a portrait from the artist, as well as purchase Richard’s artwork. The hotel has also launched a Street Art Search, a curated scavenger hunt that comes with clues to find Richard’s art throughout downtown Manhattan. (Free!)
Best Amenity : The Terrace on 7 pool offers panoramic city vistas, and has a bar offering hand crafted cocktails.
Can’t miss experience : Guests can avail themselves of a special four-course tasting menu at Vestry, offering seasonal seafood in a quintessential Soho restaurant on a cobbled city street, among the art galleries.
Who should stay here : Art loving urbanites who can’t resist a room with a cracking view.
Prices from $595
7. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Award : Best View
The best Manhattan views are from outside the city, and that’s what guests of this waterfront hotel in Dumbo can enjoy. Like its sister hotel, 1 Central Park, the brand is “mission driven,” and the name of the game is serene, upscale eco-consciousness. The tread-lightly traveler will appreciate that almost half of the hotel was built with reclaimed materials, including heart pine beams from the Domino Factory, making for sweet suites. The 195 rooms, including 29 suites, brings nature in, with bleached wood and native greenery, and the cloudlike mattresses are organic cotton. Head to Harriet’s Rooftop for some farm to table bites, local beers, sustainable wines, and even a plunge pool, as you take in those sweeping views. A complimentary Audi e-tron is available and electric car charging is free. Bought too many clothes to take home? Leave behind any excess threads to go to a local housing charity, and feel even better about your stay.
Best Amenity : Waste not, want not. The lobby has a farm stand stocked with imperfect-looking fruit that is just as tasty, but would otherwise be discarded.
Can’t miss experience : At the weekend, Harriet’s runs a Night Shift, with local DJs spinning the tunes. In the lobby, you can catch local Brooklyn musicians. Pair with a glass of vino from wineries with BIPOC and women owners.
Who should stay here : Mindful earth angels looking to sample Brooklyn’s buzz.
Prices from $449
8. Lotte New York Palace
Award : Best Architecture
In the heart of midtown and within the Villard Houses estate, a U-shaped landmark built in 1884 for railroad magnate Henry Villard, you’ll find this stately oasis . WIth a sweeping lobby staircase that evokes the gilded age in all its glory, the 733 guest rooms sit atop in a modern 55 story tower, last renovated in 2015. The Towers is a hotel-within-a-hotel, offering 176 ultra luxe rooms and suites on the top 14 floors. Want a truly elite, personalized dining experience? Head to the Rarities salon, which seats 25 and offers curated wine and pre-prohibition spirits. New to the menu is the Bowmore 1969, a rare 50-year-old single malt Scotch, available for $42,000 a bottle, or $5,000 for a wee dram.
Best Amenity : The penthouse suites here are tricked out like private residences. Entertain a small gathering in one, with white-glove service and a custom menu.
Can’t miss experience : The Palace historian can take you on a guided tour of the Villard Mansion which dates from 1884, and is one of the few remaining Gilded Age mansionss.
Who should stay here : Connoisseurs and collectors of fine spirits, old wines, art and gemstones.
Prices from $450; Tower suites from $820
9. Baccarat Hotel
Award : Best Interior Design
True luxury: phones at the Baccarat have a button marked “Champagne.” Press it (and you will) and your favorite vintage will arrive served in namesake flutes. The whole 114-room hotel, which takes the first 12 floors of the midtown building, is draped in French flair, thanks to Paris-based interior design firm Gilles & Boissier, with calm grays and lots of sparkle—there are 17 custom chandeliers, and a 125-foot-wide, crystal-like curtain veils the lower levels. Their art collection spans 250 years, and if that’s not enough, MoMa is just across the street. You can peek at it from Le Bar (featuring a 60 foot bar) and Le Jardin terrace. Other highlights are an indoor pool and a Spa de la Mer. If you want some Baccarat crystal to take home (who doesn’t?) the hotel’s new 53rd Street Boutique has you covered.
Best Amenity : The hotel’s art is museum quality, and spans the 250 years since Baccarat was founded in 1764.
Can’t miss experience : The Spa de la Mer actually has sounds of the sea piped in as you luxuriate in their exquisite eponymous products.
Who should stay here : The guests here are like a cut-crystal goblet: multifaceted, bling, sparkling and full of champagne.
Prices from $895
10. The Plaza
Award : Most Iconic
Arguably the most iconic of New York’s hotels, the Plaza has graced the southeast corner of Central Park since 1907. It’s as New York as you can get—you’ll recognise the 21-story, château-style building from myriad films including, in a major starring role, Home Alone 2 . As such, you can order the Home Alone 2 package, with limo, pizza, and a giant Kevin-sized ice cream sundae delivered to your room. Choose from 282 rooms—maybe the pink Eloise suite designed by Betsey Johnson named in honor of the 1950s book character who lived here. Enjoy a Plaza picnic in Central Park, or in a new elevated option, take a helicopter to the Hamptons, where you can have your hamper, with locally sourced seafood and caviar blinis, on the beach. Plus, your pampered pet here will have a matching bathrobe and a tier of pup-friendly macarons.
Best Amenity : If you want to throw a bash, go to the ornate Grand Ballroom, which once hosted Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball, said to be the best party ever. Otherwise, don’t miss caviar and fizz at the Champagne Bar.
Can’t miss experience : It has to be the Palm Court afternoon tea, which is world renowned. Got kids? Treat them to the Eloise tea experience, with PB&J to die for.
Who should stay here : Those seeking the quintessential New York experience, and anyone who enjoys a hotel that’s also a movie star in its own right.
Prices from $805
11. Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Award : Best of Uptown, Downtown
For complicated reasons the midtown Four Seasons remains temporarily shuttered, but the downtown branch , built in 2016 in a classical style, is keeping the flag flying in Tribeca. The 161 rooms and 28 suites are roomy, unfussy midcentury modern, while dining features Cut restaurant, the first in the city from Wolfgang Puck. At the Spa, there’s a new innovation called the Collective, bringing together an expert physical and spiritual wellness team for your complete overhaul, including celebrity facial masseuse Gavin McLeod-Valentine, astrologer Rebecca Gordon, and Michelle Pirret, an “international sonic alchemist.” (Perhaps it’s a bid to host “White Lotus” season 3 .) And if you’re hungry after all that, a rotation of top city chefs under the helm of executive chef Maria Tampakis can provide curated in-room dining.
Best Amenity: For those who want to stay in touch, the in-room iPad offers 100 international newspapers. Believe it or not, they’ve also got a notary in-house, making it the spot for deal closers.
Can’t miss experience : For guests only: A three-hour walking tour of Lower Manhattan street art with NYC photographer Joe Thomas, exploring urban murals and more, in little-known corners of the city.
Who should stay here : Financiers and wheelers and dealers who want to be in the financial center of the universe, as well as the legions loyal to the brand.
Prices from $1,025
12. Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York
Award : Most Creative
The new kid on the block, having opened last fall, is the latest in this storied French brand of upscale hotels. The 19th-century building spans three blocks, and the refurb is designed to blend “Parisian panache with Tribeca cool.” Designer Martin Brudnizki has done just that. The 97 rooms and suites feature lavender tones for a calm retreat, with tall windows and plush furnishings. The Grand Appartment Terrasse is spread over two floors and has antiqued furniture, lacquered walls, and multiple terraces. But, as you might expect from a French endeavor, food is at the forefront. Michelin three-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire (owner of six Michelin starred restaurants around the world including in Paris and St Barts) oversees the Fouquet’s New York restaurant menu, offering a French brasserie with a new world twist. Newly opened: La Vaux, a stunning rooftop bar exclusive to guests. It echoes an Art Deco Parisian terrace garden, with scalloped umbrellas, pink striped chairs, and climbing flowered trellises. Bring on the Bollinger.
Best Amenity : The opulent meeting space – 2,700 feet with dining, screening room and a terrace – is not business as usual.
Can’t miss experience : Private screenings of favorite films in the Cannes Cinema, where you’ll relax on velvet seats that are more like chaise lounges.
Who should stay here : Francophiles and foodies should flock here for a Parisien twist on Tribeca.
Prices from $900
13. Mandarin Oriental
Award : Best Park Views
If you’re looking to take a walk on the west side, head to this sparkly highrise that looms over Columbus Circle. Convenience is the name of the game—the hotel is part of the Deutsche Bank Center, and guests have exclusive third floor lobby access to its upscale shops. If you’re more Wynton Marsalis than Michael Kors, the elevator can take you down to Jazz at Lincoln Center at the bottom. The 198 guest rooms and 46 suites feature views over Manhattan and Central Park, and as the name suggests, the modern decor comes with a taste of the orient, with delicate botanical twists. The spa has a menu of services that hark to the hotel’s heritage, or you can watch the skyline go by as you back crawl in the 75 lap pool.
Best Amenity : Some rooms feature the legendary Toto electric toilets. (If you know, you know.)
Can’t miss experience : Travel harbor-to-harbor to Boston via seaplane for a multi-city stay at Beantown’s own Oriental.
Who should stay here : Shoppers, jazz fans and Lincoln Center-goers have the best site in the city here.
14. Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
Award : Best rooftop
Putting on the Ritz here means embracing the city, not escaping it. Open for just a year, the 50-story, all-glass block, 250-room hotel has a wealth of designers behind it, including the Rockwell Group. The goal was to blend the hotel into the electricity of the city, from a vibrant lobby to the stunning Nubeluz rooftop bar, where you can see the city from a veritable lightbox 500 feet up. Inside the hotel, downtown facing rooms have Empire State views, and all feature creams and gold, with signature statements like zany modern chandeliers. Michelin-starred chef José Andrés has made a home here with a curated Mediterranean mezze medley at Zaytinya. New this summer—and much anticipated—is a New York branch of the Bazaar, where Andrés shows his Spanish roots with tapas and, in this instance, Japanese fusion.
Best Amenity : Lush bathrooms include supplies by Diptyque, with a signature scent, Philosykos, which evokes fig trees.
Can’t miss experience : Forget mimosas and boring brunch and go for the weekend Mezze and Magnum at Zaytinya, featuring a three-course prix fixe menu and a large bottle of wine.
Who should stay here : Those who enjoy plenty of eye candy, both in the hotel’s design and its views.
Prices from $1,000
15. The New York Edition
Award : Biggest Clock
If you’re looking for urban renovation, check into the reinvented Metropolitan Life Tower, built in 1909. Firmly in the thick of things in the Flatiron District, this Edition-brand hotel , which opened in 2015, is a social hub. The 1,350-square-foot, one-bedroom penthouses—complete with 1.5 bathrooms and separate dining—are designed to live as a your own luxe Manhattan apartment. With a design by Ian Schrager, the 271 rooms feature dark and light oak treatments and curated artwork, and have panoramic views of the city. The lobby bar, with bleached leather armchairs and open fireplace, is a popular meeting and unwinding place for guests and locals alike.
Best Amenity : There’s a special “junket” floor for press conferences, TV and movie filming.
Can’t miss experience : Dine on British cuisine while checking out the 500 photos of American icons on the walls of The Clocktower restaurant.
Who should stay here : Digital nomads, media folk, and those in search of a lively lobby bar scene.
Prices from $625
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The Best New Wellness Retreats Around the World for 2024
By Jen Murphy
Wellness retreats have come a long way since the days of austere ashrams and militant-minded boot camps. These days, you can reset your mind and body in five-star resorts that draw on both cutting-edge science and ancient healing practices to leave you feeling renewed. Whether you’re craving some serious pampering or a serious detox, you have more options than ever before both close to home and in far-flung locales.
The newest wellness openings are raising the bar, offering everything from rooms designed for optimal sleep to the latest bio hacks and unbelievably good food. From an intimate ayurvedic hotel in the Italian Alps to an extravagant spa in Las Vegas that turns the ancient art of sauna into a performance, here are 10 retreats to bookmark for when you need a health boost.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Six Senses Vana — Dehradun, India Arrow
In recent years, Six Senses has emerged as one of the biggest players in the wellness space. Last year, the brand acquired a five-star ashram in India and transformed the 21-acre property into the first Six Senses retreat. Tucked within a forest of sal trees in the Himalayan Foothills near Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, the 82-room retreat offers five-, 14-, and 21-day programs rooted in Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, and the Tibetan medicine practice of Sowa Rigpa. Your days might include four types of yoga, meditation, a mountain bathing session, where you’ll be guided on a mindful hike, and nutritious meals (flavorful curries and fresh salads) determined by your dosha. If you can part with your comfy linen kurta pajamas for a day, it’s worth venturing off-property on excursions, like a jungle safari in Rajaji National Park or a visit to Rishikesh for a private Aarti ceremonial ritual.
Essential experience: Therapists who trained at the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan Medical and Astro Institute administer Sowa Rigpa therapies such as dhugs , a treatment involving the compression of medicinal ingredients to parts of the body to release energy blockages and improve circulation.
Hemlock Neversink — Sullivan, New York Arrow
Situated in a quiet corner on the Catskills on the former campus of a New Age health spa, Hemlock Neversink is part adult camp, part health getaway. The 34-room retreat takes a playful approach to wellbeing, with quirky offerings like therapeutic hikes with the resident goats and terrarium workshops led by the hotel’s director of gardens. Set on 230 woodsy acres, guests are encouraged to work up a sweat on the property’s six miles of hiking trails and outdoor tennis courts. A dedicated movement building hosts classes like yoga nidra and offers one-on-one personal training, while the spa taps into local ingredients for treatments ranging from detoxifying body wraps to energizing massages. Food is a highlight here. Bittersweet restaurant’s plant-forward, multi-course dinner menu features flavorful dishes like roasted persimmon with cashew and Thai basil and ricotta dumplings with spinach and Nasturtium.
Essential experience: The return to nature body treatment starts with a berry seed and white peat exfoliation, followed by a mask of organic mushrooms, helichrysum blossoms, and berry oils to promote cellular turnover and reduce inflammation. You’ll conclude with a bath laced with calming salts and birch extracts.
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay — Kauai, Hawaii Arrow
With its biophilic design and unbeatable location perched above lovely Hanalei Bay, this 1 Hotel is an oasis of tranquility. You could craft a DIY wellness stay that taps into surfing, paddle boarding, the Bamford Spa, the pro-athlete-worthy Anatomy gym, hyperlocal dining outlets, and an on-site outpost of functional medicine center, Vitahealth Precision Wellbeing. Or you could be guided by your own Wellness Sage if you book one of the hotel’s new Within Journeys. These four- and seven-night programs have been built around themes like renewal and nourishment and include IV vitamin treatments, spa therapies, and use of cutting-edge equipment like an ocean float room that promotes relaxation and a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Some immersions include one-on-one personal training and off-property experiences, like farm tours. No matter the theme you choose, your room will be outfit with wellness-boosting amenities such as an Infrared PEMF, Normatec compression boots, and healing crystals.
Essential experience: The Tulsi Honey Facial draws out impurities while leaving skin looking smoother and younger.
Engel Ayurpura — South Tyrol, Italy Arrow
Engel Ayurpura debuted last November, giving the Dolomites its first hotel dedicated to the ancient healing art of Ayurveda. The 15 blonde wood, chalet-inspired rooms have a distinctly alpine vibe, but the therapies are firmly rooted in India. Upon arrival one of the team of Ayurveda experts will take your pulse to determine your dosha, which will then dictate your food and treatments for your stay. Nine different programs range from a four-day intro to Ayurveda to an intense 21-day Panchakarma journey that includes 36 treatments designed to majorly purify the body. Meals feature local ingredients enhanced with Ayurvedic spices (the signature breakfast is a hearty porridge spiked with ginger, cinnamon, chia seeds, cardamom pods, and hazelnuts). Guests can hit the local trails or take in forest views from the spa’s infinity pool or panoramic sauna. All of the mountain air ensures you’ll sleep soundly.
Essential experience: The seven-day Panchakarma eliminates toxins from the body with a metabolism-stimulating diet and therapies such as abhyanga (a massage that uses dosha-specific warm oil) and shirodhara (a treatment where warm oil is drizzled on the forehead to achieve psycho-somatic balance).
Meaghan Kenny
Mary Holland
Prasad Ramamurthy
Alex Postman
Murrieta Hot Springs Resort — Southern California Arrow
When Murietta Hot Springs opened in 1902, it quickly became the respite of choice for southern Californians. The storied resort located between L.A. and San Diego re-opened in February after a 30-year-closure and history is certain to repeat itself thanks to re-imagined facilities, including a spa that focuses on traditional hydrothermal treatments, a wine bar and restaurants, plus a fitness center that offers creative classes like aqua sound bathing. A steam room, panoramic sauna, cold plunge, and terra thermal mud loft are housed in the historic bathhouse. But the steamy, mineral-rich waters remain the main draw. More than 50 geothermal pools, cold plunges, and water features are scattered across the 46-acre property. Day passes are available, but overnight guests get 24-hour hot springs access and can upgrade to specially designed Sleep Rooms with Bryte Balance beds and ambient soundscapes machines.
Essential experience: After a soak, hit the spa for a super hydrating honey-avocado body treatment.
Estelle Manor — Oxfordshire, UK Arrow
Stress dissipates as soon as you turn down the perfectly manicured, tree-lined drive to arrive at Estelle Manor, a 60-acre estate perched on the Cotswolds’ doorstep and surrounded by 3,000 acres of gardens and parkland. The countryside sibling of Maison Estelle, a chic members’ club in London’s Mayfair neighborhood, is part country club, part hotel, complete with padel courts, bike paths, and a cutting-edge gym that offers 37 classes.
At the heart of the property is a Jacobean Revival manor house that’s been fabulously restored with period elements like ornamental plaster ceilings and an impressive selection of contemporary art and antiques. But the Eynsham Baths, set to debut in March, are the real showstopper. Tucked away in the forest, this nearly 32,300 square foot wellness sanctuary was inspired by ancient Roman bathhouses. Ten treatment rooms offer therapies ranging from IV vitamin drips and the Skin Design London Facelift to Tibetan Ku Nye massage and reflexology. There’s also a hammam, rasul, dedicated breath work pool, and a contrast therapy circuit.
Essential experience: The 180-minute guided Thermal Journey moves guests between six different thermal areas, from a frigidarium to caldarium, tepidarium to hay sauna, stimulating the body’s immune system and metabolic rate, while simultaneously soothing the nervous system.
ONDA Spa at Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection — Punta Mita, Mexico Arrow
Spread over nearly 35,000 square feet and nestled between jungle-covered cliffs and sea, ONDA owns bragging rights to being the largest spa on the Bahía de Banderas. The name nods to the Mexican phrase, “ que onda, ” which asks “what’s your vibe?.” No matter your answer, you’ll find an experience that perfectly suits you, whether that’s an intuitive painting class with a local artist or a seaside sound bowl meditation. Spa guests have access to a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna, and a fitness center with a roster of classes. ONDA is the only spa in Mexico that uses products from the Latina-owned, plant-based skincare brand Sanara, so skincare treatments are standouts.
Essential experience: The El Cuerpo Ritual begins with a yerba maté foot soak, continues with a full-body exfoliation that uses healing botanicals like cupuaçu and Chilean rosehip-seed oil, and concludes with a full body massage.
Lapis Spa & Wellness — Fontainebleau Las Vegas Arrow
A day at this 55,000-square-foot temple of wellbeing will undo any Sin City indulgences. Treatments tap into both ancient healing wisdom (the signature massage uses a Kansa wand, an Ayurvedic tool that stimulates energy flow) and the latest science (red-light LED therapy to reduce fine lines). A reboot lounge focuses on reviving weary legs and feet while the Celestial Waters Passport is the ultimate place to detox with a variety of contrast therapies. In true Vegas fashion, even the spa experiences are over-the-top, like a Snow Shower with a snow machine that fills the frosty 14 degrees Fahrenheit space with snowflakes. Once you’re feeling rested, you can pop over to the Wright Fit, a 14,000 square foot gym created in partnership with performance expert Jay Wright.
Essential experience: The Aufguss Sauna is one of the largest event saunas in the U.S. This social wellness experience incorporates sauna, aromatherapy steam, and a theatrical presentation of towel movements choreographed with music and lights.
The Ranch Hudson Valley — New York Arrow
California’s cult luxury bootcamp is set to debut its first East Coast outpost this April in the Hudson Valley. The detox hotspot’s formula of intense exercise and a restricted, plant-based diet remains, but classic week-long stays will be complemented by abbreviated three- and four-day itineraries to accommodate the time-crunched crowd. Shorter programs feature up to six-hours of exercise, but are less militant, with 8 a.m. wake-up calls instead of the typical 5.:30 a.m. and unlike the flagship in Malibu, guests have options like acupuncture and chiropractic services.
Located a 45-minute drive north of Manhattan, along the border between Tuxedo Park and Sloatsburg, the 25-room resort is on a 40,000-square-foot estate that J.P. Morgan built for his daughter as a wedding gift in 1902. The grounds include a 5,000-square-foot solarium with a jacuzzi and cold plunge and a 2,000-square-foot fitness center. But much of the action takes place outdoors. Two to four-hour hikes will explore the trails in nearby Ringwood and Harriman state parks and the property fronts a lake, allowing for activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. If it sounds exhausting, don’t worry, naptime has been built into the schedule.
Essential experience: The Ranch’s newest offering, colon hydrotherapy, cleanses the colon with water to improve digestion, sleep, and energy levels.
SHA Mexico — Costa Mujeres, Mexico Arrow
The first outpost of legendary wellness clinic, SHA, opened in January on a dreamy crescent of white sand beach on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Personalized programs are rooted in the celebrity-loved SHA Method pioneered at the brand’s flagship on Spain’s Costa Blanca and address nine areas, including nutrition, cognitive stimulation, and physical performance. Four to 21-day itineraries incorporate cutting-edge therapies like advanced cellular regeneration as well as age-old healing modalities, like sound bathing.
But don’t think for a second the entire experience is cookie cutter. Everything from the sea-to-table restaurant concept to the 100 oceanfront rooms and suites decorated with Mexican ceramics and indigenous-woven textiles, is distinctly rooted in place. And unique activities include swimming in cenotes and snorkeling in the largest coral reef in the Americas.
Essential experience: Only SHA Mexico features a temazcal, a traditional Mexican sweat lodge, that promotes relaxation and detoxification.
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The 28 best restaurants in New York City
By Devra Ferst
Nearly three years after Covid forced the city that never sleeps to dim its lights, New York ’s restaurant scene feels like it’s back to its old self. Many of the beloved classics on this list, like Italian charmer Via Carota, Michelin-starred Le Bernardin and pizza destination Lucali, can now say they made it to the other side. And with the addition of outdoor dining, some now have even more seats to welcome guests. There are also new genres of restaurants – like Contento, which works to be truly accessible to all, and the wildly spicy Dhamaka that opened during the pandemic and persevered – establishing themselves as important contenders among the best restaurants in New York City.
With tourism numbers back up, the best tables in the city have once again become highly coveted commodities. Be sure to book them in advance, swing by early, or try your luck at the end of the evening for an open seat at the bar.
Katz's Delicatessen
Tourist destinations in New York rarely make it into regular rotation with locals. Katz’s is an exception. What started as a deli called Iceland Brothers has been slicing exceptional pastrami, corned beef, and loaves of rye bread on the Lower East Side since 1888 (and made the famous “I'll have what she's having” cameo in When Harry Met Sally ). While the menu offers tuna fish, burgers, and even a cheesesteak, stuck to the deli classics like pastrami, corned beef, and beef tongue sandwiches. Round out your order with a knish, a bowl of matzo ball soup, or cheese blintzes.
Address: 205 E Houston Street, New York, NY 10002 Website: katzsdelicatessen.com
The five partners at Contento are deeply committed to hospitality for all: Contento was given Bon Appetit’s prestigious Heads of the Table Award – for those working to make the food space more inclusive – for its wheelchair-accessible bar seating, menu QR codes to a spoken version of the menu for diners with low-vision, and a Wines of Impact list of offerings from Indigenous-, Black-owned, and mission-minded wineries. Executive chef Oscar Lorenzzi, who was born in Lima, leans into Peruvian flavours with dishes like classic ceviche, Peruvian barley with roasted mushrooms and winter truffles, arroz con pato with pickled fennel and onion, and roasted scallops with pumpkin stew and Peruvian corn. Whether you come to Contento for its accessibility, thoughtful wine list, or Peruvian-inspired cooking, you’ll enjoy your evening. There’s space for everyone here.
Address: 88 E 111th Street, New York, NY 10029 Website: contentonyc.com
There’s a lot on the menu at Taiwanese Win Son, and little of it disappoints. Start with marinated cucumbers and clams and basil. Then move onto fried eggplant with black vinegar; pan-griddled pork buns; tofu stir-fried with garlic chives and yunlin black beans; and sesame noodles made with black sesame, mushrooms, snow pea leaves, and peanuts. For dessert, there’s just one option: tian miantuan, which is a fried doughnut with vanilla ice cream and condensed milk.
Address: 159 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11206 Website: winsonbrooklyn.com
Sparsely decorated yet warm and inviting, with plenty of wood and exposed brick, Via Carota is the kind of place where you might run into celebrities, but where you’ll feel totally comfortable sitting next to them in jeans and a T-shirt. But they don't take reservations here, so the flip side of all that cool is that waits at peak times can push three hours. The menu is full of supremely delicious creations from Rita Sodi and Jody Williams, who between them run Buvette in NYC and Paris, I Sodi a couple of blocks away, and Bar Pisellino across the street. Even the relatively straightforward vegetable dishes, like the pear and gorgonzola bruschetta with walnuts, are remarkable in their fresh simplicity.
Address: 51 Grove St, New York, NY 10014 Website: viacarota.com
The Four Horsemen
Chirpy staff help it feel cosy – as does the knowledge that James Murphy (of LCD Soundsystem) runs the joint. This is the sort of place, though, where you may consider inverting your drinking and dining budgets. Maybe you throw down 70 bucks for wine and 14 on butter beans in ham broth, deciding to listen to both sides of whatever album they're spinning, drink the whole bottle, and grab a slice of pizza later. The place is co-owned by four wine geeks and you see it all over the ludicrously long menu: there’s a whole page of orange wines, for example. The list shifts pretty much day to day, and the staff will alert you to what’s just in and what’s almost gone – a real oenophile’s dream. The Champagne section of the menu is simply extraordinary.
Address: 295 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 Website: fourhorsemenbk.com
Henry Street in Carroll Gardens Brooklyn is home to Italian families who have lived here for generations, the stroller set that moved in more recently, and Lucali, one of the city’s best pizzerias . Dining here takes patience and planning. Every afternoon a line forms outside of Lucali for “the list.” The team’s website explains it simply and best: “Show up before 5. Put your name on the list. Go have a drink. We'll call you when your table is ready.” It might be an hour, it might be three: Lucali is worth surrendering an evening for.
Address: 575 Henry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Website: lucali.com
Frenchette, from Keith McNally veterans Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, isn’t quite a mirror of France; rather, it’s their take on what a French restaurant in New York City should be. Diners well acquainted with the French culinary canon will find many familiar friends on the menu here, including foie gras, poulet roti and cote de boeuf, but the menu isn’t limited to these items. Nasr and Hanson have also worked in their own interpretive dishes such as smoked trout beignets with ranch’ette, apples, and spaetzle.
Address: 241 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013 Website: frenchettenyc.com
Sushi Nakazawa
Daisuke Nakazawa – the apprentice from Jiro Dreams of Sushi – cooks here, and in an ideal world, you’re sitting right at his counter. You’ll pay a little extra to do so, but oh, what he can do with fish. The man must daydream in texture and temperature, because whether mackerel, smoked skipjack, or shrimp are on his menu, they are seasoned lightly, brought to a very precise warmth, and served to transcendent effect. People who have heard the four-star raves are here, whether they have sushi cravings and have saved their pennies or just have money to burn.
Address: 23 Commerce Street, New York, NY 10014 Website: sushinakazawa.com
Lauren Burvill
Sophie Knight
Chris Schalkx
Los Tacos No. 1
A reality check: New York City doesn't have the taco cred of a city like Los Angeles or San Diego . That said, it's not without its standouts. The menu at Los Tacos No. 1 in Chelsea Market is short, but hits all the high points with a tight selection of tacos made on corn or flour tortillas laced with lard. There are also quesadillas and mulas filled with proteins like pollo asada and adobada, or marinated pork topped with a pineapple. Fresh chips, salsa, and guacamole round out a meal. The lack of seating makes Los Tacos No. 1 ideal for a snack or light meal while you’re exploring the area.
Address: 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011 Website: lostacos1.com
Duck down Macdougal Street on the western edge of SoHo and look for a small white square sign with artfully drawn Japanese characters and Raku spelled out in small Roman letters below. If you elect to dine inside, you’ll be greeted by a calming and transportive dining room and some of the city’s best udon (the latter you'll have your fill of outside, of course). The lengthy menu at Raku can be a touch overwhelming for a first-time visitor, so first decide if you want your udon warm or cold, then concentrate your efforts on that section. Raku is one of those rare New York restaurants that’s impressive, transportive, consistently excellent – and (most importantly and surprisingly) easy to get a reservation at.
Address: 48 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: rakunyc.com
This Williamsburg paean to pasta is in a former garage with exposed-beam wooden ceilings. Chef-owner Missy Robbins is one of New York’s finest pasta chefs. People come here for all sorts of carby stuff: rigatoni diavola, gnocchi, and ravioli. Start, though, with some cacio e pepe fritelle, gorgeous fried balls decked out with salty cheese and pepper, and move on to seafood, another Robbins strong suit. Maybe today’s the day for grilled clams flecked with Calabrian chilies? Cured sardines with capers? It’s all good. But, the absolute must-order dish is the mafaldini, a rippled noodle spiked with pink peppercorns. Reservations are hard to come by (you may need to book a month in advance) but snagging one is well worth the constant refreshes of Resy.
Address: 567 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211 Website: lilianewyork.com
Charlie Bird
Seafood, pastas, and a famous farro salad are the main draws at this buzzy, energetic spot that comes with a definite Milano café vibe . Wellfleet oysters with tomato or apple vinaigrettes tend to be super-fresh and high-end, and might come with a tomato water mignonette. Take some time with the wine list: It’s rather famous and quite satisfying, with lots of half bottles for those on a budget. (If not, no worries: there’s a $250 bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée with your name on it.)
Address: 5 King Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: charliebirdnyc.com
Le Bernardin
Long known as one of the best restaurants in New York City and the world, Le Bernardin has graced New Yorkers with its presence for decades. What you want to do here is go all in for superstar Eric Ripert's tasting menu. The fish that dominates his prix fixe is largely untouched, save for the best flourishes, so you put yourself in the very capable hands of his sauciers. And don’t skip dessert – not at a restaurant the New York Times has awarded four stars consistently since it opened in 1986. The service is also what you'd expect from a restaurant of this reputation: Everyone is so attentive it can almost be daunting (in a good way, in a good way).
Address : 153 W 51st Street, New York, NY 10019 Website: le-bernardinprive.com
Gage & Tollner
Gage & Tollner is more than 100 years old, but somehow manages to feel exactly like a Brooklyn restaurant of today should: inviting, thoughtful, and bustling – with a dose of history mixed in for good measure. It’s the type of restaurant that reminds guests why New York is a great city to dine in. The landmarked interior at Gage & Tollner is lined with mirrors and cherry wood arches and lit by brass chandeliers. It’s precisely the type of place to order a classic cocktail, like one of the seven martinis on offer or a Manhattan. The menu leans into steakhouse classics like New York strip steak and shrimp cocktail, but there are more modern touches here too like clams kimsino, made with bacon-kimchi butter, and crispy hen of the woods mushrooms with black garlic aioli and house Sriracha. No matter your dinner order, make sure you save room for the baked Alaska by Caroline Schiff, who was recently named a Best New Chef by Food & Wine. Under a large singed meringue coat sits layers of fresh mint, dark chocolate, and amarena cherry ice cream and chocolate cookie crunch.
Address : 372 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Website: gageandtollner.com
Italian-American food may seem a dime a dozen in New York City—but this is the sort of place you'll need to return to at least four or five times to eat everything on the menu you want to order. The husband-and-wife chefs, Scott Tacinelli and Angie Rito, have been cooking together for nearly a decade – before this they were at Quality Italian in midtown – and they're not just whipping up chicken parm with a side of ziti. This is some next-level Italian-American: Think a stuffed garlic flatbread starter, with cheese oozing out of every tear; a take on Chrysanthemum salad generous with grated cheese; and a garganelli giganti pasta, cooked in a salty, delicious guanciale and pecorino ragù that's basically the spaghetti and meatballs of your dreams. Drinks stand up, too: a Nonna's Little Nip, a blend of grapefruit, Campari, and prosecco, or a Pinky Ring, a swirl of bourbon, Carpano Antica, Galliano, and Campari, are just what you need to take the edge off.
Address : 103 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10014 Website : donangie.com
Here are passionate eaters delighted that the chef once cooked at Alinea and a bevy of Instagram-loving locals and tourists, all at the ready with their cameras. Chef Greg Baxtrom understands vegetables, but his skills are diverse, and extend to fish and game. And if you skip the chocolate mousse dessert – or the autumnal option of make-your-own s’mores in the garden – you're a damn fool.
Address : 659 Vanderbilt Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11238 Website: olmstednyc.com
Raoul's
At this old-school SoHo institution, the white tablecloths, pressed tin ceilings, and $58 steak au poivre belie a long history of button-pushing and rule-flouting. The top-secret item? The burger au poivre. Burger hounds obsess over it and its drippy, creamy St.-André cheese topping. For desserts, the banana coconut bread pudding has its devotees. Come here when you’re curious about old, bad New York – when the SNL cast would roll out for dinner at 1 a.m., and people might end up dancing on the tables – and to see a slightly more sedate version today.
Address : 180 Prince Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: raouls.com
Adda Indian Canteen
New York’s neighbourhoods are dotted with Indian takeout spots that serve a rotation of standards like chicken tikka masala and paneer. Adda, in Long Island City, Queens is not part of this club. Run by Roni Mazumdar of Rahi and executive chef Chintan Pandya, Adda offers, as they say, “‘unapologetically’ authentic Indian food.” That includes the housemade paneer. There’s also junglee maas, or goat curry, and snacks that come with a fair warning on the menu: “highly addictive.”
Address: 31-31 Thomson Avenue, Queens, NY 11101 Website: addanyc.com
Inspired by banchan , but more voluptuous and satisfying in delivery, the refined food at this Korean eatery (not to be confused with LES food-free cocktail temple Attaboy) is made by a hotshot, Michelin-starred chef. Think beet and smoked yoghurt, octopus with chimichurri and potato, pork belly and enoki, or duck with chanterelle and quince. Desserts tend to be bright, floral eye-openers for the night ahead. Wine is the focus of the drink menu here, with a tightly curated list that leaves room for experimentation alongside the classic Californian and French numbers.
Address : 43 E 28th Street, New York, NY 10016 Website: atoboynyc.com
Peer into this narrow space, with tall stools, high tables and be forgiven for thinking, “All this excitement…for a wine bar?” It is, in a sense, but before visions of big bills and dreadful food dance in your head, know that this food is some of the best in a city with some of the best food in the world . As is true of a famous album, several singles on this menu have their fans. There’s one man eating the little gem–pistachio salad and raving about it. A few stools down, a woman goes wild for clams with XO in an almond broth. And they'll bar the doors if you try to leave without trying the tartare.
Address: 142 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002 Website: wildair.nyc
What started as a pop-up is now a hit British-leaning seafood restaurant for golden-brown fish and chips plus broiled oysters with green chartreuse hollandaise, elegant squid and scallion skewers, blowfish tales with chili butter, and a creative wine list divided into two sections: “What Austin Powers is Drinking” and “What James Bond is Drinking.” Patricia Howard and Ed Szymanski's tight menu looks to his British roots for inspiration with dishes like kedgeree rice with curried crab, “proper English chips,” as the team calls them, and desserts like sticky toffee pudding, but the Englishness of it all isn’t so overt that you feel you’re dining in the British countryside. There are also elegant raw scallops with preserved lemon and nardello peppers, and tuna tartare on toast that’s topped with bottarga. Tables at Dame are coveted, so while the restaurant can seat parties as large as six, if you can't snag a reservation then it’s best to plan an evening with just one dining companion, or dine by yourself at the bar that looks into the kitchen.
Address: 87 MacDougal Street, New York, NY 10012 Website: damenewyork.com
Mercado Little Spain
Mercado Little Spain is New York’s most ambitious ode to Spain, and most recent entrant to the NYC food hall wars. It comes courtesy of founders Jose Andres and brothers Albert and Ferran Adria. While there are only a couple spots open to dine in – La Barra, Spanish Diner (tortilla de patata or croquetas de del día anyone), and Leña & Mar - the well-curated pantry is available to take away including an ocean's-worth of tinned seafood, olive oil, and oh so much meat. Andres worked to bring specialists from Spain, meaning the churros are crisp, the paella is properly cooked, and the jamon is sliced by an expert hand.
Address: 10 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001 Website: littlespain.com
Cervo's
Cervo’s has been around since long before Dimes Square's new dining buzz, and it continues to be one of the area's best restaurants. The kitchen looks toward the coasts of the Iberian Peninsula – but the vivacious, tightly-packed space and the seasonal outdoor seating on Canal Street feels distinctly New York. The regularly changing menu always leans heavily into seafood and vegetables with lots of bright and briny touches like bottarga shaved atop heirloom tomatoes, watercress salads soused with vinegar, and those little Manila clams cooked in vinho verde. While there are larger plate options like a fried skate wing and a lamb burger, the best meals at Cervo’s are the ones made up of many small plates you can leisurely work your way through. Like the food menu, the wine offerings are inspired by Spain and Portugal, with a number of orange bottles and other natural options. There’s also vermouth service with seven vermouths on offer, and an excellent spritz.
Address : 43 Canal Street, New York, NY 10002 Website: cervosnyc.com
Head 10 blocks south of New York’s Koreatown and you'll find Cote, one of the city’s best and buzziest Korean restaurants. There’s no shortage of a la carte options, but the prix-fixe Butcher’s Feast is where diners should start. For $65 a person, you're treated to seasonal ban-chan, savoury egg soufflé, two stews (including spicy kimchi stew), and the house selection of beef, including USDA Prime and Wagyu, cooked on the table with smokeless grills.
Address: 16 W 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010 Website: cotenyc.com
You're back in that one Paris café you particularly loved, right down to the tiny tables and soft lighting. Your most important move is to order the anchovies on warm toast slicked with cold butter. After that go for hearty mains like cassoulet or one of the croque monsieurs , and maybe skip the buzzed-about chocolate mousse – we found it not worth the hype – in favour of sweet tarte tatin. Also, in case it wasn't clear from the jump: you’re drinking wine. Chef-owner Jody Williams takes a lot of pride in her list. Go for rosé with friends over brunch or open a well-priced bottle of something from the Loire Valley to sip with charcuterie in the evening.
Address : At the corner of Bleecker, 42 Grove St, New York, NY 10014 Website: ilovebuvette.com
Teranga is run by the acclaimed Senegal-born chef and cookbook author Pierre Thiam. Offering a culinary lens into Africa through African-grown ingredients and flavours that date back to before colonization, the restaurant is as much a place to dine as it is an integral part of The Africa Center. The name Teranga translates to "good hospitality" in Senegalese, and although this is a fast-casual spot – bowls and all – the team here is indeed warm and welcoming.
Address: 1280 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10029 Website: itsteranga.com
Restaurateur Roni Mazumdar and chef/partner Chintan Pandya have taken the city’s dining scene by storm in the past few years with a string of openings that, without question, match their company’s name: Unapologetic Indian. Their West Village spot Semma, which recently received a Michelin star, is often rightfully in the spotlight, but Dhamaka is the cool older sibling that has their own thing going on. Dhamaka is not a restaurant of restraint, it’s one of abundance and exuberance. Pandya and his team’s cooking looks deep into regional cuisines of India to share dishes we rarely see on menus in the U.S. like the restaurant’s acclaimed rabbit dish from Rajasthan, which must be ordered in advance. It’s marinated for 48 hours in spiced yoghurt and then slow-cooked for hours. There is also doh khleh, a chili-laced pork salad with cilantro and ginger from Meghalaya near Bangladesh and chenna poda, a baked cheese dessert from a state in eastern India below Kolkata. Some dishes like the exceptional goat neck dum biryani, which is served in a pot that’s sealed with a thin flatbread, are larger, so check in with your server about the number of items to order.
Address : 119 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002 Website: dhamaka.nyc
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While the menu offers tuna fish, burgers, and even a cheesesteak, stuck to the deli classics like pastrami, corned beef, and beef tongue sandwiches. Round out your order with a knish, a bowl of matzo ball soup, or cheese blintzes. Address: 205 E Houston Street, New York, NY 10002. Website: katzsdelicatessen.com.