A New York holiday can take several forms. You could spend the afternoon moving between Fifth Avenue’s department stores, catch a performance on Broadway, wander through the Christmas market at Bryant Park, or find yourself enjoying a late dinner somewhere in SoHo. But the hotel you return to at the end of the evening matters just as much as the places you visit. Some of the best hotels in New York City understand this particularly well. They offer more than an expensive room and a convenient address: a restaurant worth making a reservation for, a bar that becomes part of the evening’s plans, architecture with a story behind it, or a view that makes you put your phone down for a moment.
One of the most interesting things about New York’s hotel scene is how differently its properties interpret luxury. On Park Avenue, that might mean restoring one of Manhattan’s most celebrated Art Deco landmarks. In Brooklyn, it could involve a rooftop pool overlooking the skyline and enough neighborhood character to make crossing the river unnecessary. Elsewhere, fashion-inspired interiors, celebrated restaurants, and discreet, residential-style accommodations offer entirely different reasons to book. If you’re planning a festive-season escape, these seven properties deserve a closer look. Here are the best hotels in New York City to consider for a holiday stay that extends well beyond sightseeing.
Here are 7 of the best hotels in New York City for a holly jolly stay…
#1. Faena New York
West Chelsea | Rooms from approximately $1,395 per night
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There is something distinctly New York about Faena, even though the hotel has the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to disappear into it for an entire weekend. Its West Chelsea location places it between two very different sides of Manhattan: the Hudson River waterfront to the west and the High Line to the east. From the Living Room bar’s terrace, the elevated park is practically at eye level, giving the hotel an unusually close relationship with one of the city’s most recognizable public spaces.
Inside, the experience embraces Faena’s characteristic theatrical approach to hospitality. La Boca takes care of dining throughout the day, while Tierra Santa Healing House provides a reason to schedule an afternoon around the spa rather than another sightseeing stop. The service is deliberately polished, right down to the staff uniforms. For travelers who want a hotel with a strong personality rather than another anonymous luxury tower, Faena is one of the best hotels in New York City to put on the shortlist.
#2. Waldorf Astoria New York
Park Avenue | Rooms from approximately $1,295 per night
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Some hotels have histories worth knowing before you arrive. Waldorf Astoria is one of them. The original Waldorf and Astoria hotels were brought together in 1897, establishing a hospitality institution that would become closely associated with New York’s social and cultural life. Its recent return following an eight-year, approximately $2 billion restoration makes the property particularly interesting for visitors arriving in the city during the holidays.
The restoration has brought the hotel’s Art Deco character back into focus while giving its guest rooms and suites a more contemporary level of comfort. The lobby remains a major attraction, with Cole Porter’s piano serving as a reminder of the hotel’s musical history. Three restaurants, the Guerlain Wellness Spa, and beautifully restored public spaces give guests plenty of reasons to spend time indoors. Its position on Park Avenue also puts Rockefeller Center within easy reach. For anyone who appreciates hotels that are as much a part of a city’s identity as its famous landmarks, Waldorf Astoria is difficult to overlook.
#3. The Manner
SoHo | Rooms from approximately $799 per night
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The Manner doesn’t need a grand entrance to announce itself. Its understated exterior on Thompson Street gives little indication of the design personality waiting inside, which is rather appropriate for a hotel in SoHo. Created by Standard International’s Verena Haller alongside Milanese architect Hannes Peer, the 97-room property has the sort of fashion-conscious interiors that are more reminiscent of an interesting private residence than a conventional hotel.
Its social spaces are part of the attraction. The Apartment is designed as a communal living room, while Sloane’s offers an intimate setting for drinks and late-night conversations. The penthouse, inspired by Halston’s former office, is particularly appealing to anyone with an appreciation for fashion history and entertaining. There is also The Otter, the hotel’s restaurant, providing another reason to stay close to home. With SoHo’s boutiques, galleries, and restaurants just outside its doors, The Manner is an excellent choice for visitors who want their New York holiday to have a distinctly downtown sensibility.
#4. The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel
Upper East Side | Rooms from approximately $1,000 per night
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The Upper East Side has never been particularly interested in chasing trends, and The Surrey fits right into that environment. Originally built in the 1920s, the hotel developed a reputation as a discreet address for prominent guests, including John F. Kennedy and Bette Davis. Its reopening under Corinthia Hotels, following an extensive renovation, gives the historic property a new chapter without stripping away its residential character.
There are 70 rooms and 30 suites, dressed in muted terra-cotta tones, crisp linens, and marble bathrooms. The atmosphere is quieter than what you might find in Midtown, but the hotel’s dining destination is anything but inconspicuous. Casa Tua, the Italian restaurant known for its locations in Miami, Aspen, and Paris, brings its established dining reputation to Madison Avenue. Add a dedicated spa and proximity to Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the appeal becomes clear. The Surrey is for travelers who would rather discover a quieter, more polished side of Manhattan than spend their holiday in the middle of the tourist crowds.
#5. Arlo Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Brooklyn | Rooms from approximately $400 per night
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Manhattan doesn’t have to be the center of every New York holiday. Arlo Williamsburg makes a convincing argument for staying across the river, particularly if your idea of a good trip involves independent restaurants, interesting bars, vintage shopping, and a neighborhood that doesn’t shut down when the sightseeing is over.
The hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows bring Brooklyn’s urban landscape into the rooms, while the rooftop offers sweeping views back toward Manhattan. Its Water Tower bar, housed inside the property’s distinctive landmark water tower, is another reason to explore the hotel beyond your accommodation. The rooftop pool is seasonal, so winter visitors will have to save that particular experience for warmer weather. Still, Williamsburg’s restaurants, shops, and nightlife are right outside. At approximately $400 per night, Arlo also offers a comparatively accessible entry point among the best hotels in New York City, especially for travelers who want to devote more of their budget to exploring.
#6. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
NoMad | Rooms from approximately $1,500 per night
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There are hotels where the room is the main event, and others where the restaurants and bars are equally persuasive reasons to book. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad manages both. Its 50-story glass tower offers impressive views across Manhattan, with some rooms looking toward One World Trade Center. Inside, the familiar Ritz-Carlton approach to comfort means plush bedding, generous bathrooms, and the kind of quiet that is particularly valuable after a busy day exploring the city.
The property’s food and beverage lineup gives it an additional identity. José Andrés brings several dining concepts to the hotel, including Zaytinya, which draws on Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, and Bazaar Meat. Then there is Nubeluz, his rooftop lounge, where cocktails arrive alongside expansive views of the city. During warmer months, Dahlia’s Garden adds an outdoor terrace experience. For a holiday trip that includes memorable dinners, late-night drinks, and a comfortable room to retreat to afterward, this is one of Manhattan’s more compelling luxury addresses.
#7. The Wall Street Hotel
Financial District | Rooms from approximately $465 per night
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The Financial District has undergone enough changes to make it an interesting place to stay, and The Wall Street Hotel offers a particularly good reason to explore it. Its Beaux-Arts-inspired facade, painstakingly brought to life by the Australian Paspaley family, gives the building an architectural presence that stands out among the neighborhood’s modern office towers. Step inside, however, and the atmosphere becomes considerably more intimate.
The 180 rooms and suites take a residential approach to luxury, with heated bathroom floors, handcrafted bed linens, and spacious interiors. That additional room is particularly welcome in a city where hotel accommodations can often feel restrictive. The property’s French brasserie and lobby bar give guests somewhere worthwhile to eat and drink without arranging another reservation elsewhere. There is also 24-hour in-room dining and a fitness center. Starting at approximately $465 per night, it offers an appealing alternative to Manhattan’s more expensive luxury properties without feeling like a compromise.
Choosing Your New York Holiday Address
The best hotels in New York City are the properties that give you something distinctive to take away from the trip. Waldorf Astoria offers a remarkable piece of New York history, The Manner captures downtown’s creative energy, and Faena provides an entirely different relationship with the waterfront and the High Line. Meanwhile, Arlo Williamsburg and The Wall Street Hotel offer compelling alternatives for travelers who want to explore beyond the familiar Midtown hotel circuit.
The right choice depends on the kind of holiday you have in mind. You might want the glamour and history of Park Avenue, the fashionable energy of SoHo, or the more relaxed neighborhood atmosphere of Brooklyn. Whichever address catches your attention, consider reserving early for the holiday season, when desirable rooms and prime locations become increasingly competitive.
Featured image: Expedia
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