The Best Luxury Hotels in Manhattan
There really is nothing like visiting New York City for the first time. Each neighborhood offers something different, from hidden eateries and hip bars to endless parks and renowned museums. Manhattan happens to be home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, including a Duchess-approved penthouse and Robert De Niro’s Tribeca bolthole. We detail the best of the best below.
1. The Surrey
Hotel
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.
2. The Bowery Hotel
Boutique Hotel
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.
3. The NoMad Hotel
Luxury, Boutique Hotel, Hotel
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.
5. The Lowell
Hotel
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.
6. The Whitby Hotel
Boutique Hotel
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.
7. The Mark
Boutique Hotel, Spa Hotel, Hotel, Luxury
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.
8. The New York EDITION
Hotel
9. Baccarat Hotel
Hotel, Apartment
10. The Greenwich Hotel
Suite Hotel
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.
Looking for more? Book into one of the best hotels in Manhattan.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.