The Best Hotels to Book in Midtown, NYC

No relation to the gin, but equally as enticing, Hotel Hendricks is infused with a rock’n’roll edge accomplished by liberal use of animal print and gleaming bronze details. Located close to the glitzy buzz of Broadway, this pet-friendly hotel shows off from the outset with a dramatic exterior overflowing with ivy. Step inside for a glass of fizz at the atomic-yellow lobby bar, or check out the rooftop to take in far-reaching city views from jazzy zebra-stripe booths. The mahogany rooms are thematically cut through with wildlife motifs and offer deluxe amenities like bespoke paraben-free toiletries and Keurig coffee makers.

The gold-tipped spires of this black neo-gothic skyscraper may conjure up fairytale images of castles and villains, but the sleek interior of the Bryant Park Hotel is much more enchanting. Check in at the cherry-red reception desk before descending into the subterranean Célon – an atmospheric cocktail bar with vaulted ceilings and the glow of patterned Moroccan lamps – where you can lounge on mountains of bohemian cushions and sip Sahara Breezes, a refreshing mix of gin and elderflower. Rooms are a more stripped-back affair, but include cashmere blankets, Bose radios and access to the 24-hour gym.

Tucked away just off Fifth Avenue, the Iroquois is perfectly placed if you’re hoping to splash some cash on a high-end shopping spree. Unsurprisingly, the hotel has welcomed waves of famous figures such as James Dean and The Clash through its doors, and effortlessly maintains its historic elegance. Plush rooms feature marble whirlpool baths with labyrinth mosaic tiling, classic New York photography and luxury Frette robes and linens. Work out on the Peloton bikes in the gym, detoxify in the Finnish sauna or throw back Prohibition-era cocktails in the sunken saloon of Lantern’s Keep.

Peek under the pinstripe awning of the Roger to find a lesson in luxury by designer Anna Busta. Just moments from the Eden of Central Park, this boutique hotel exudes elegance with emerald-hued Persian rugs, polished hardwood floors and classic Hollywood photography in the lobby. Sleek rooms range from snug Deluxe Queens to the Empire Terrace Queen with a private terrace lined with blossoming flowers and sunloungers. All rooms feature minibars stocked with gourmet snacks and silky Egyptian cotton linens. Check out the Parlour Bistro for an elevated twist on comfort food and tuck into soda-dipped fried chicken and home-made ice-cream sandwiches.

Not only does the boutique Bernic Hotel now offer a seasonal open-air rooftop lounge with views of the Chrysler Building, most guest rooms come with a private balcony – or, at least as “private” as anything really gets in Manhattan. Inside, the restful spaces are kept simple but elegant with copper-framed cityscape art, snug queen- or king-size beds topped with lemon-yellow cushions, and tiled bathrooms with heated floors – blissful in the depths of a New York winter. Its location can’t be beat, especially if you’re arriving via train or have tickets to a Broadway show – both Grand Central Station and Times Square are within easy reach.

A magnet for the business-orientated and artfully inclined, this boutique hotel draws you in with smart gray furnishings, bright Persian rugs, smoky abstract art from Gabrielle Rein and recycled metal sculptures. Rooms are unexpectedly expansive considering the busy area and are brimming with luxurious amenities like a pillow menu, signature Affinia beds and ecofriendly toiletries. Thanks to its understated suites with kitchens, the hotel is also ideal for longer stays – a tempting prospect given the daily classic continental breakfast spread and nightly complimentary wine hour.

The sparkling jewel in the Archer Hotel’s sophisticated crown is the Spyglass Rooftop Bar with its unparalleled views of the Empire State Building. The towering structure is a cinematic backdrop to happy hours – try the Archer Palmers with black tea-infused gin. In the rooms you are greeted with handmade salted caramels, wintry branches spidering across curtains and bedside minibar bars lined with nightcap-friendly spirits. The treats continue with the nightly turndown service, which bestows you with complimentary shortbread cookies. When you aren’t busy sunning yourself in nearby Bryant Park, be sure to swing by in-house gastropub AVA Social for tacos and sticky ribs.

The ruby-red doors of the Royalton are befitting of its regal title – behind them lie rippling prismatic walls and a swanky lobby leading to rooms fit for futuristic royals. The sleek standards feature cloud-like queen beds with 300-thread-count linens, while the suites have glittering “disco” deep-soaking tubs and huge contemporary wood-burning fireplaces. Slide into one of the suede booths at restaurant Forty Four where you can tuck into a breakfast of challah french toast or eggs benedict. In town for a special occasion? Nomi Beauty is on hand to provide in-room hair and make-up.

Channeling the New York of the Roaring ’20s with contemporary flourishes, Kixby is a mix of jewel-toned velvets, smoky-blue walls and vintage-style gold detailing. On the roof you’ll find The Lookup with its chilled vibes and landmark-laden views, while a moodily lit art deco setting is found in cocktail lounge Lot 15 where you can tear into dripping wagyu steak sandwiches. Deluxe details are aplenty in rooms with Serta Plush Platinum Suite mattresses sitting on platform beds and Malin+Goetz toiletries awaiting in marble walk-in showers. You’ll have emblematic city sights like Times Square and Grand Central Station as your neighbors, too – ideal if you’re looking to cram a lot into your trip.

The Refinery has metamorphosed from hat factory to Prohibition-era tearoom to the luxury hotel you see today. A rich wooden desk sits under the Gothic arches of the cavernous lobby while hardwood floors take you deeper into hallways with traditional tattoo-style art, bold lipstick-red chairs and working Edison telephones. Rooms are high-ceilinged spaces featuring cobalt abstract art and luxury touches like the White Company toiletries, turndown service and golden fixtures. Head up to the Refinery Rooftop for a signature Irish whiskey-driven cocktail and close-up views of the Empire State Building.

Admit it, no New York hotel is more famous than The Plaza. Overlooking Central Park South, it’s as quintessentially New York as Carrie Bradshaw – who shared the small screen with the Plaza in one of the most iconic scenes of Sex and the City. Once facing an uncertain future, the hotel has seen many different owners – including the 45th president of the United States – and has undergone several changes. Half of the building has been converted into condominiums, and an upscale food hall open to the public has been installed on the concourse level. To many, though, the Plaza will forever be the home of the beloved children’s book character, Eloise. The hotel honors the fictional character with a tea and gift shop in her name, as well as her very own suite, outfitted by Betsey Johnson.