The Best Luxury Hotels in Manhattan

Tucked away on a quiet street on the Upper East Side, the Surrey is an Art Deco wonder. Decor is mostly monochromatic, allowing skyline views to take center-stage. The rooms boast cloud-like beds and white marble bathrooms. Be sure to check out the mini-bar, too, for local ales and chocolate. Don’t be surprised if you see an A-lister enjoying a drink on the private rooftop garden – the hotel is known for being discreet.

Sandwiched between the Lower East Side and Midtown, the Bowery Hotel exudes an effortlessly cool atmosphere, with floor-to-ceiling factory-style windows that allow natural light to flood in. Common areas are decadently decorated, with warm lighting, carved mahogany walls and wood-burning fireplaces, while rooms are more pared-back with velvet furnishings and cream walls. Opt for an upper-floor suite for the best city views. Gemma, the Italian trattoria on the ground floor, is a master in seasonal cuisine – it’s definitely worth a reservation.

Perched in NoMad, one of Manhattan’s vibiest neighborhoods, the NoMad Hotel can be found inside a turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building on Broadway. Rooms ooze elegance – they feature custom furniture, walk-in closets and clawfoot tubs with Côté Bastide amenities. Food is front and center here, with a Michelin-star restaurant serving everything from East Coast oysters to slow-cooked halibut and chicken with black truffle and foie gras stuffing.

A stalwart hotel with a rich history, the Sherry Netherland dates back to the 1920s when it was built at the southern entrance of Central Park by New York architects Schultze & Weaver. As soon as you enter the hotel, you’ll be transported back in time, thanks to the palatial lobby’s Renaissance-style frescoes and intricate wooden elevators. The individually decorated rooms continue the regal theme, with high ceilings, gilt-framed mirrors and views of the park. When you’re ready to explore, Barneys, Bergdorf and Tiffany are right on your doorstep, and the Met is a short stroll away.

One of Manhattan’s most iconic hotels, the Lowell’s tonal pink-hued exterior stands out among its neutral neighbors. Plonked in the Upper East Side, Central Park is just minutes away – and that’s only when you can pull yourself away from one of the exquisitely decorated rooms and suites, complete with white marble bathrooms. Dining in-house is a must – French haute cuisine is served in the restaurant, which was inspired by the Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent.

The Whitby’s checkered windows offer the first hint that something special lies inside. Part of the exclusive Firmdale Hotels group, British designer Kit Kemp’s signature style is immediately noted – with a mish-mash of colors, designs and textures. Rooms are large, but even still, the hotel’s two-bedroom penthouse, with its private balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows, is worth splurging on. When you’re famished, head to the restaurant with its aesthetically pleasing 30ft (9m) pewter bar, or enjoy a cocktail on the outdoor terrace.

An Upper East Side gem, the Mark is unapologetically lavish. It holds claim to housing one of the world’s most expensive hotel suites. The Penthouse, where the Duchess of Sussex famously hosted her baby shower, goes for a cool $75,000 (£54,000) per night. Yet, even the more reasonable rooms offer an expensive feel. Think Italian linens, sycamore fixtures and Ladurée macarons as a welcome gift in the fridge.

Rising high above Madison Square Park, the New York EDITION is housed in one of the city’s original skyscrapers, a 41-story clock tower. The aptly named Michelin-star restaurant, the Clocktower, is helmed by Jason Atherton, and the menu is dotted with decadent offerings – but there’s also a Shake Shack in the park next door, if that’s more your style. Rooms are minimalist with a neutral palette, bar the occasional royal blue accent. Most boast unmatched views of the Empire State Building.

Just across from MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art), Baccarat places you in the very center of Midtown, a few steps from Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center. Interiors are courtesy of French designers, Gilles & Boissier, so expect a healthy dose of unabashed opulence. There are around 15,000 crystal pieces peppered throughout the hotel (including plenty of chandeliers). Rooms are a mix of ivory furnishings, parquet wood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows, while the marble bathrooms stock amenities by French perfumer Francis Kurkdjian. For the parched, the French theme continues in wine form, down at the Grand Salon and the Bar.

Hidden away in trendy Tribeca, Robert De Niro’s Greenwich Hotel is set along a cobblestone street, just a block from the Hudson River. There’s a heady mix of international influences here, with Moroccan tiles, Italian marble, English leather and Tibetan silk rugs, and the courtyard mimics the feel of a Marrakech riad. Rooms vary in size and style; some boast private saunas, while others come with river views. Carve out time for the Shibui Spa – its heated indoor pool inside a lantern-lit bamboo farmhouse will soothe the senses.