The Ludlow
Lower East Side landmark with oak-panelled rooms, a fireplace lobby and one of downtown's best bars.
LES · Boutique
Where to stay
Best Hotels in New York City: 15 Handpicked Stays by Neighbourhood
New York's hotel scene is really five markets in one — each borough (and half a dozen Manhattan neighbourhoods) has its own price, personality and best hotel category. Below is our editors' shortlist across the neighbourhoods that matter, with live rates and honest reviews through our licensed booking partner.
Which NYC neighbourhood is right for you
Midtown Manhattan: closest to Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller and the museums. Best for first-time visitors who want to walk to the icons; expect small rooms at every price point.
SoHo & Tribeca: boutique loft hotels, cast-iron architecture, some of the city's best dining. Best for repeat visitors and a downtown-heavy trip.
Upper East Side: Central Park, Met, Guggenheim, quieter evenings. Best for museum-focused stays and families.
Lower East Side & East Village: independent hotels, cocktail bars, live music. Best for younger travellers and a nightlife-heavy trip.
Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO): design hotels with the best Manhattan skyline views, 20-30 minutes on the subway from Midtown at meaningfully lower rates.
How much NYC hotels cost
Budget Midtown 3-star: $220-$320 (low season) / $350-$500 (high season).
Mid-range boutique in SoHo or the LES: $320-$500 / $500-$800.
Upper mid design hotel (Ace, 1 Hotel, Public): $450-$700 / $700-$1,100.
Luxury (Baccarat, Aman, Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental): $1,200-$2,500 / $2,000-$5,000+.
High season is late April-early June, September-October, Thanksgiving week and Christmas-New Year. January-February deliver the biggest discounts.
What to book alongside your hotel
Broadway show tickets 4-8 weeks ahead — TodayTix and TKMTS handle discounts; the biggest hits (Hamilton, Wicked) go faster.
Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island timed ferry tickets — the crown reservation sells out months in advance.
A pre-booked private transfer from JFK, LGA or EWR — $60-$120 fixed price, easier than the taxi rank after a long flight and cheaper than surging rideshare during rush hour.
A guided walking tour on day 1 — food (Chinatown, Lower East Side), architecture (SoHo cast iron) or Central Park.
Our editors' hotel shortlist
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Reclaimed-wood eco-luxury on the DUMBO waterfront with the best Manhattan skyline pool in the city.
DUMBO · Wellness
The Mercer
SoHo cast-iron original — 75 loft rooms with 11-foot windows above Mercer Kitchen.
SoHo · Boutique
Ace Hotel New York
NoMad flagship with the Breslin, the Lobby Bar and rooms designed by Roman & Williams.
NoMad · Design
The Standard, High Line
Cantilevered over the High Line with Hudson River rooms and the Top of the Standard bar.
Meatpacking · Modern
The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
Restored 1883 atrium landmark near City Hall — the most cinematic lobby in Manhattan.
FiDi · Historic
Aman New York
Crown Building glass-and-marble sanctuary with the city's largest hotel spa and Central Park rooms.
Midtown · Luxury
The Mark Hotel
Upper East Side benchmark; Jean-Georges downstairs, Bergdorf shopping around the corner.
UES · Luxury
The Roxy Hotel Tribeca
Tribeca townhouse with a jazz club, arthouse cinema and Django lounge below the lobby.
Tribeca · Boutique
Hoxton Williamsburg
Rooftop pool with Manhattan skyline views and one of the best value design rooms in Brooklyn.
Williamsburg · Design
Public Hotel
Ian Schrager LES tower — escalator lobby, Louis by the rooftop and some of downtown's most affordable design rooms.
LES · Design
The Ritz-Carlton NoMad
Rafael Viñoly tower with 50-storey Empire State views, Zaytinya and a rooftop bar.
NoMad · Luxury
The Greenwich Hotel
Robert De Niro's Tribeca hideaway — Japanese lantern-lit pool, Locanda Verde downstairs, Drumellan penthouse upstairs.
Tribeca · Luxury
The Whitby Hotel
Firmdale Midtown gem near MoMA with Kit Kemp's colour-drenched rooms and Orangery afternoon tea.
Midtown · Boutique
Baccarat Hotel New York
Crystal-lit MoMA-facing tower with Grand Salon caviar service and the deepest hotel pool in Manhattan.
Midtown · Luxury
Check live hotel rates in New York
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Frequently asked questions
Which NYC neighbourhood is best for a first visit?
Midtown — you can walk to Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller, Central Park and the museums, and every subway line converges there. Choose SoHo or the LES instead if you're on a second visit or want a boutique-hotel, downtown-food trip.
How much do NYC hotels cost per night?
Budget Midtown 3-star $220-$320 (low) / $350-$500 (high). Mid-range boutique $320-$500 / $500-$800. Upper mid design $450-$700 / $700-$1,100. Luxury $1,200-$2,500 / $2,000-$5,000+.
When is the best time to visit New York?
Late April-early June and September-October: mild weather, blue skies, cherry blossom then autumn foliage. December delivers Rockefeller Tree crowds and higher rates; January-February are the cheapest and quietest months.
Which NYC airport is best?
LaGuardia (LGA) is closest to Midtown (20-30 min, no rail). JFK has the widest international network (45-60 min by AirTrain + subway, or $70 flat cab). Newark (EWR) is easiest for downtown Manhattan and New Jersey stays (35-50 min by NJ Transit).
How do I get from JFK / LGA / EWR to my hotel?
JFK: AirTrain + subway $11, 60-75 min; yellow cab $70 flat + tolls; pre-booked transfer $75-$120 fixed. LGA: LaGuardia Link bus $2.90, 30-45 min; rideshare $35-$70; transfer $60-$95. EWR: NJ Transit $16, 35-50 min to Penn; transfer $70-$110.
Do I need a car in New York?
No — the subway runs 24/7 and reaches almost every neighbourhood; rideshare and yellow cabs fill the gaps. Rent a car only for a Hudson Valley, Hamptons or Catskills day trip. Hotel parking is $60-$95 per night.
Is the New York subway safe?
Main Manhattan lines and busy stations are generally fine day and night. Standard big-city awareness after midnight and on quieter outer-borough lines. Stick to populated cars and platforms; keep phones in a pocket.
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