The Best Hotels on the Upper West Side

The Hotel Beacon owes its name to its rooftop’s original airway beacon, a relic of flight’s early history in America. Today, the 90-year-old hotel on the Upper West Side provides guests with copies of The New York Times and residential-style rooms equipped with kitchenettes, marble bathrooms and flat-screen TVs. Stay in a private suite for the luxury of having your own separate living room and perhaps even a furnished terrace if you really want to splurge. Alternatively, settle for the terrace of the chic in-house bar.

Old-school hospitality may be the 115-year-old Lucerne Hotel’s most distinguishing feature. Not only will you be offered a private airport transfer and a daily complimentary wine reception, but there’s also a personal concierge service that aims to facilitate your every need – from ticket reservations to beauty appointments. The building may be old, but the rooms are anything but, with smart TVs, designer toiletries and speedy wifi among the standard amenities on offer. There’s also a fitness center and spa for relaxing tired limbs – plus a sleek on-site restaurant serving up French-Mediterranean fare every evening.

The bright, modernist rooms at Arthouse aim to emulate the chic and space-conscious living of traditional NYC lofts. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows with fabulous views over the city, and the minimalist interiors are punctuated with deep-blue curtains. Upgrade to a terrace room and get your own outdoor space with patio furnishings – perfect for a private cocktail before heading out to discover the city that never sleeps. There is more than enough to keep you entertained in-house, however, with rotating art exhibitions featuring greats such as Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, and live music in the hotel’s wine bar (with a cracking wine list to boot).

Situated on the edge of the lower end of Central Park, 6 Columbus sits in a quintessential location and is one of the top hotels in New York. To continue this theme, opt for one of the hotel’s incredible suites, all of which come with spectacular views – some over the park itself, others over the city’s buildings. The Loft Suite, meanwhile, comes with wraparound glass walls, offering literal 360-degree views. Regardless of what room you go for, they are all tastefully understated with 1960s-oriented design and in-room art by Guy Bourdin. Head to the rooftop bar for cocktails (and even more views) before heading to in-house Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar and Grill for upscale sushi in Zen-like surrounds.

Elvis. James Dean. The Beatles. Need we list any other guests of the historic Warwick New York? Book any of their signature suites and discover that posh is preferred at this swanky Midtown Manhattan hotel (just a 10-minute walk from Columbus Circle). The Modern Art Suite is adorned with vibrant artworks, more of which you can practically see from your terrace overlooking MoMA, while the 1,200sqft (110sqm) Suite of the Stars lets you host your own exclusive afterparty.

Beat the NYC heat in the rooftop pool of the Empire Hotel. You’ll get into that Empire state of mind surrounded by the skyline, sipping drinks until the stars come out. Keep an eye on the time, so you can freshen up and head across the street for the curtain to rise at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Ballet? Opera? The finest shows on the Upper West Side are seconds from your room.