I’m a travel writer, and part of my job is staying at various hotels around the world so I can review and evaluate them. I know — tough gig — but hey, someone’s got to do it.
Though I’m now a digital nomad, New York City was my home base for the majority of my life. So, it’s no surprise that out of all of the destinations in the world, I have, by far, stayed at more New York hotels than anywhere else. I’ve had some really amazing New York City hotel experiences, some subpar, and some shockingly bad (this especially adds insult to injury when it’s at a “bucket list” hotel with a big name).
But I’m not here to highlight the bad. Instead, I want to do my job exactly as it’s intended — to help you plan your next trip to New York City to ensure you have a stellar experience, from all that you do in the city to where you rest your head at night. If you’re wondering where to stay, take it from yours truly, who has slept in over 50 hotels over the last 24 months, and go for one of these 10 spots to sleep in New York.
The Penny Hotel Williamsburg
The first pick on this list isn’t even in Manhattan, which might send tourists into a frenzy. Let me calm those nerves by telling you I love the Penny Williamsburg so much that I’ve now stayed here three times over the last two years. Williamsburg is a trendy neighborhood, almost like the best parts of Soho and the Lower East Side combined into one, and can lead you into Manhattan in less than 10 minutes with the M and L trains being just one stop away. Or, you could walk/bike across the Williamsburg Bridge which will lead you into Lower Manhattan if the weather is right.
Neighborhood aside, I love The Penny because it hardly feels like a hotel, and is designed to feel much more like an actual New York City apartment. The decor is funky and colorful, and the detail matches — even the robes aren’t your standard “white cloth,” and come in a plethora of designs. There’s a rooftop restaurant, El Nico, which makes excellent Mexican food and has a great tequila and mezcal selection, with stunning Manhattan skyline views to match. If I had to choose one hotel in New York to stay at again and again, it would, without a doubt, be The Penny.
Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
Kaitlyn Rosati on the private patio at Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
Greenery in New York isn’t impossible to come by, but the city is nicknamed “the concrete jungle” for good reason. What if I told you there’s a hotel in Manhattan that offers private patios covered in lush plants?
Insert the Walker Hotel Greenwich Village. Located in a prime spot in the city where Union Square cusps with Greenwich Village, the Walker Hotel is a true oasis, especially if you’re there to visit your kids at NYU or the New School, or simply to be in a popular neighborhood that’s not Times Square. While some of the rooms are dated, some offer a private outdoor patio which makes up for any other amenity losses. I was particularly impressed by the lobby’s setting, which is cozy with moody palettes, feeling like a mix of a cigar lounge and a university library. Society Cafe, the onsite restaurant, utilizes fresh ingredients daily from nearby Union Square Greenmarket, one of the city’s best farmer’s markets.
citizenM New York Bowery
If you’re a digital nomad or a backpacker who needs a break from hostels but doesn’t want something super “fancy,” citizenM New York Bowery is just the place. This is yet another hotel I fell in love with thanks to its simple room designs and one of the most unique working spaces I’ve seen at a New York hotel. I guess I’m a sucker for quirky decor, because little statuettes places throughout, paired with quirky artwork, removes all pretentiousness from the property and allows guests to feel more relaxed in its casual but thoughtful setting. The workspace, where daily breakfast is also served, is almost like a spaced out auditorium, with rows and rows of seats and desks, spaced out evenly to not feel cramped. Of course, in citizenM fashion, there are a few eccentric pieces throughout. Bowery is also the ideal neighborhood if you’re interested in some of the city’s best dining, with close access to Chinatown, Little Italy, and Soho, and nightlife. If you’re struggling to decide, go to Thai Diner.
TWA Hotel
Out of all of the hotels I’d recommend, the most unique stay in New York is TWA Hotel. Designed to look like a 1960s airport, stepping in here is like stepping back in time.
Because of its location which is within a stone’s throw of JFK Airport (far removed from the city itself), I would not recommend TWA Hotel if you plan to spend proper time in New York, but if you have a one-day layover, or even an early flight out, TWA Hotel puts other airport hotels to shame. In my opinion, everyone should experience TWA Hotel at least once, simply for its uniqueness. If you can’t swing spending the night, you can easily access the property via the AirTrain by getting off at Terminal 5 and following the signs. You don’t need to be a guest to enjoy the lobby, and there’s a cocktail lounge behind the hotel called “Connie Cocktail Lounge” which is set inside a real TWA Airplane from the 1960s. If the weather calls for it, there’s also a rooftop infinity pool, where you can watch planes take off in the short distance.
Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square
A trip to New York usually means wearing your good walking shoes, but if you don’t feel like you’ve gotten enough steps in for the day, Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square offers an extra dose of wellness in the heart of the city. Head to your room where you’ll have floor-to-ceiling window views of the city’s blinding lights, and also, have access to a Peleton. Peletons are only available in some rooms at Tempo, but after staying at over 50 hotels in New York, it still remains one of the most unique and thoughtful room amenities I’ve seen. The Theragun massage tools don’t hurt after a long day out in the city, and Highball, the designated restaurant/bar on property, offers all cocktails as mocktails, creating the perfect balance of a busy New York day with a relaxed New York night. Who knew staying in New York’s most chaotic neighborhood could provide so much wellness?
Hotel Park Ave
Lobby at Hotel Park Ave
(James McDonald)
New York is full of flashy hotels, and sometimes, you just want a simple but nice, clean place to sleep. Insert Hotel Park Ave. I’ve now stayed here twice, and I would happily return for a third stay. The rooms here are sunny and quite spacious in terms of New York, with some even offering an outdoor balcony. There are a few restaurants onsite that make venturing out for New York dining a feat, because all offer an excellent selection of cuisine and cocktails. Golden Child Rooftop is one of the newest rooftop bars in the city, and their $9 espresso martinis during happy hour seem too good to be true (but after many visits, I can confirm, it is indeed true). Park Rose is an Italian joint on the ground floor with homemade pastas and pizzas that will transport you right to Rome. Seed Library is a swanky cocktail lounge that is so impressive it was ranked one of the 11 best bars in New York City by Bon Appétit.
voco Times Square South New York by IHG
Just when you think Times Square is saturated with hotels, newcomers like voco Times Square comes in and proves there’s still plenty of space to fill the gaps of what’s been missing all along. I stayed at voco Times Square only a few months after opening, and certain elements immediately stood out. First, the pricepoint — while prices for all hotels in New York vary by season and availability, a night at voco Times Square was a fraction of the cost of comparable nearby properties. Then, there’s the access to the city right at your fingertips. You’re in the heart of Times Square, yes, but just about every major subway line is a stone’s throw away. The dining onsite is yet another win for voco: one of the most beloved diners in New York, Carnegie Diner & Cafe, is located within the hotel. At Carnegie, you can get all of your New York fixings — a pastrami sandwich on rye, foot-long hotdogs, NY Strip Steak, and fun appetizers like giant bowls of cheese fries. Don’t skip their 24-layer chocolate cake and “crazy milkshakes” for dessert. There’s also Voco RoofBar, with clever cocktails, shareable small bites, and views of both Central Park and Times Square on either side.
The George Manhattan
Harlem historically has gotten a lot of flack, but real New Yorkers know there’s more heart and soul in the upper Manhattan neighborhood than in the rest of the city combined. Home to incredible music clubs, endless restaurants and bars, and some of the most prominent historical sights in the state of New York, Harlem shouldn’t be slept on, and rather, should be slept in. Newly-opened The George Manhattan, a Hilton hotel, is located on Harlem’s west side in a residential part of the neighborhood, while being just a stone’s throw from some great attractions and eateries. Sugar Monk, a nearby cocktail bar, is a chic spot to sip libations, and a visit to Charles Pan Fried Chicken, run by a James Beard-nominated chef, should be legally required.
The Knickerbocker Hotel
The Knickerbocker Hotel in NYC
(The Knickerbocker Hotel)
Most times when I sleep at New York hotels, I’m out and about in the city, wining and dining, catching up with friends, and playing tourist in the city I’ve called home for many years. My stay at The Knickerbocker Hotel, however, made me want to stay cozied up inside. That could be partially due to the old Hollywood feel as soon as you walk through its doors, or perhaps the pillow-soft bed, or even the inviting tub in my suite. The soundproof walls certainly didn’t hurt, and the settings for different moody lightings could easily match, well, my mood. The Knickerbocker Hotel is a proper accommodation; an inviting place where you instantly feel relaxed, but with the hustle and bustle of New York right at your finger tips since it’s located right in Times Square (the address is 6 Times Square, so there’s really no arguing there).
Just as refined as the Knickerbocker is, it’s equally historic. The 120-year-old property recently launched the Heritage Tour and Ultimate Martini Package, where guests can take a 90-minute walking tour led by historian Keith Taillon. Tours end with a complimentary martini at St. Cloud Rooftop, the hotel’s designated rooftop bar, as rumor has it that the dry martini was first created at the property in the early 20th century.
Arlo SoHo
Arlo hotels might only be offered in a select few U.S. cities, but if I see one with a room available, I can basically guarantee I will be sleeping well that night. I am a big fan of the brand, and after having stayed at several of their New York properties, my money is on Arlo SoHo. Lower Manhattan has so much to offer, and Arlo SoHo’s strategic location gives easy access to many of the neighborhoods below 14th Street. Within minutes, you can be in Tribeca, Chinatown, SoHo’s Broadway (a prime street for shopping), and so much more. But location aside, the rooms here, despite some being on the smaller side, are sunny and cozy. I’ve even stayed in one with an outdoor patio, which never hurts in New York.
Arlo SoHo is also home to Foxtail, one of my favorite cocktail haunts in New York. Perhaps that’s because they serve many of their drinks in teacups, or perhaps it’s because it still feels like a best-kept secret in a city where everything is hyped on social media. There’s also Linden’s, which I particularly love for brunch for their veggie-forward plates.