The Best Hotels to Book Near Grand Central Terminal, New York

For its supreme location, Club Quarters Hotel, Grand Central can’t be beat. The cozy rooms are a favorite with singles and couples who want to see all that NYC has to offer. The Museum of Modern Art, Empire State Building and Fifth Avenue shopping are mere minutes away. Theatergoers will love the fast access to Times Square. Corner rooms offer views of Midtown Manhattan, or check out the Club Living Room on the 27th floor for a wraparound view, work spaces and complimentary refreshments.

Bookworms rejoice – find your bliss between the covers at Library Hotel, a 60-room boutique retreat filled with more than 6,000 volumes on world culture, astronomy, poetry and more. Curl up with your selection in a Petite Room, or the Love Suite with a collection curated by Dr Ruth, and a view of the New York Public Library. Bookmarks Lounge offers complimentary wine and cheese nightly on the terrace, or try a Gone With the Gin cocktail. Bookmark the hotel while you visit Central Park and Fifth Avenue.

You’re instantly on a first name basis at the William, one of the most handsome properties in New York City. Guests rave about the friendly staff at this 33-room Murray Hill hotel, midway between the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. The large, quiet rooms glow with white resin floors and modern decor in saturated primary colors. Many of the suites feature terraces along with fully equipped kitchens. Let the 24-hour Culture Curator concierge point out local landmarks, like a good friend should.

The extraordinarily svelte Gotham, with only two to four suites on each floor, promises a quiet night’s rest like no other. Private balconies in most rooms, and communal terraces, overlook 46th Street. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious ensuites and mini-bars stocked with Dean & DeLuca treats. Enjoy more peace and quiet at lovely St Patrick’s Cathedral nearby, or visit the bustling Bryant Park Christmas market during the holidays or Top of the Rock for a change of pace.

A shopper’s delight, the Bernic is carry-your-bags-home distance from Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton and Bloomingdale’s. Stash those goodies in a king studio suite and enjoy two balconies and heated bathroom floors that will soothe your tired toes. Then slip on your new togs and visit Allora rooftop restaurant for home-made pasta, seafood and steaks that will make even Italian guests say “Mamma mia.”

A favorite with visitors to the United Nations headquarters, Hotel 48 LEX is surrounded by international restaurants such as Totto Ramen, Lagos and Ess-a-Bagel. Salons and suites offer a fully stocked butler’s pantry, and access to a 24-hour fitness center to burn off those calories. Maps of running routes are available from the concierge, or use a Peloton indoors if skies are gray. In-room wellness products include gold-infused masks by Knesko, perfect for a time out in a deep soaker tub after crossing your personal finish line.

The art deco clock on the marquee and the soaring, pillared lobby will tell you that you’ve arrived at a New York City landmark hotel. Rest assured of a peaceful night as their dedicated sleep expert has created a Rest and Renew menu that features in-room meditations and cushions, a pillow menu, aromatherapy and lullaby music for kids. Every room has a kitchenette with a microwave, while the 1,620sqft (150sqm) Benjamin Suite offers an outdoor hot tub, seasonal garden and two terraces with views of the East River.

Tidy and terrific, the family-friendly Seton Hotel earns high marks from return travelers. Friendly, helpful staff and white-glove cleanliness make this hotel a standout. The location, steps from Grand Central Station, makes it easy to reach all of New York’s great attractions including Times Square and Bryant Park. Budget-conscious guests can opt for shared bathrooms, while other suites feature large ensuites.

On the National Register of Historic Places, the Bryant Park Hotel building was built in 1924 in a neo-gothic meets art deco style. The 128 rooms, where handmade Tibetan rugs adorn gleaming hardwood floors, are limited to two guests, leading to its romantic cachet. The hotel often hosts stars of the film industry, as the 62-seat private screening room in the basement is unique in New York. Guests also enjoy bird’s-eye views of lively Bryant Park, with its live music program in summer and ice skating in the winter.

An NYC fixture since 1902, the Iroquois has hosted celebrities from James Dean to the Clash. You’ll feel like a VIP here, too. Historic details have been retained in the rooms and suites such as wall-to-wall marble baths and detailed moldings. Photographs of old New York hark back in every room. Explore more of the past on complimentary walking tours offered by Streetwise New York.