Choosing between the thousands of hotels in New York City can be almost as difficult as deciding what to do once you arrive.

Among the many hotels in New York City, Manhattan offers everything from historic luxury properties overlooking Central Park to intimate stays hidden among the streets of Tribeca, SoHo and Greenwich Village.

Location matters enormously when comparing hotels in New York City.

Staying around Times Square puts you close to Broadway and many Midtown attractions, while hotels in New York City located Downtown can provide a completely different experience.

We’ve selected 10 hotels in New York City that stand out for location, character, luxury or views, with options covering everything from historic landmarks to stylish boutique stays.

1. The Greenwich Hotel – Tribeca

The Greenwich Hotel is one of the most distinctive hotels in New York City for travellers seeking understated luxury.

Located on Greenwich Street in Tribeca, the property has 88 individually designed rooms and suites.

Interiors incorporate materials and influences from around the world, while the overall atmosphere feels considerably more residential than many large Manhattan hotels.

One of its biggest attractions is Shibui Spa.

The spa incorporates Japanese influences and features a lantern-lit pool beneath the roof of a 250-year-old Japanese farmhouse.

The hotel is also home to Locanda Verde, an Italian restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner.

Tribeca itself is a strong location if you want to explore Lower Manhattan while remaining within reach of SoHo, Greenwich Village and the Hudson River.

Best for: Luxury, couples and a quieter Downtown Manhattan experience.

2. The Bowery Hotel – East Village

The Bowery Hotel is a strong choice if you want old-New-York character combined with a Downtown location.

Its rooms feature details such as hardwood floors, rugs, marble bathrooms and large windows, while room categories range from relatively compact Queens and Kings to larger suites.

Downstairs you’ll find Gemma, the hotel’s Italian trattoria.

The location is another major reason to consider it.

You’re close to the East Village, Lower East Side, NoHo and Greenwich Village, with restaurants, bars and music venues throughout the surrounding streets.

Among hotels in New York City, The Bowery Hotel suits travellers who want the neighbourhood to feel like part of the experience rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

Best for: Couples, nightlife and Downtown atmosphere.

3. Crosby Street Hotel – SoHo

Crosby Street Hotel brings the colourful design style of Firmdale Hotels to one of Manhattan’s best-known shopping neighbourhoods.

The property sits on a cobbled street in SoHo, making it particularly convenient for exploring the area’s shops, galleries and restaurants.

Rather than the neutral interiors common to many luxury hotels, Crosby Street is known for individually designed rooms, bold patterns and contemporary artwork.

There’s also a private garden, drawing room and screening room.

Its location makes it one of the best-positioned hotels in New York City for exploring SoHo, Nolita, Greenwich Village and Lower Manhattan on foot.

It’s luxurious without feeling like a conventional Midtown business hotel.

Best for: Design, shopping and SoHo.

4. The Ludlow Hotel – Lower East Side

For a different side of Manhattan, consider The Ludlow Hotel on the Lower East Side.

The hotel combines industrial details with warmer materials, giving it a distinctive Downtown character.

Many rooms provide impressive views across Manhattan, while the location puts you close to the restaurants, nightlife and cultural attractions of the Lower East Side.

The hotel is also home to Dirty French, a restaurant combining French influences with a Downtown New York atmosphere.

The Ludlow is particularly appealing if you’ve visited New York before and want to experience somewhere beyond the traditional Midtown tourist areas.

It also puts neighbourhoods including the East Village, Nolita and SoHo within relatively easy reach.

For travellers interested in Downtown hotels in New York City, its location is one of its biggest strengths.

Best for: Lower East Side nightlife and a Downtown neighbourhood stay.

5. The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad – NoMad

Travellers looking for modern luxury should consider The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad.

This is important because the old NoMad Hotel, which appeared in the previous version of this guide, is no longer operating.

The Ritz-Carlton is a different hotel in the same wider Manhattan neighbourhood.

It has 219 guestrooms, 31 suites and 14 penthouse residences, with many rooms designed around expansive Manhattan views.

Dining includes restaurants associated with chef José Andrés, while Nubeluz provides cocktails high above Manhattan.

The location is useful for the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, Flatiron District and Midtown.

Among luxury hotels in New York City, it’s a strong option when the accommodation itself is intended to be a major part of the trip.

Best for: Modern luxury, skyline views and special occasions.

6. Refinery Hotel – Midtown

Refinery Hotel occupies a convenient Midtown location close to Bryant Park and the Empire State Building.

Its design takes inspiration from the area’s history as part of New York’s Garment District.

One of its best-known features is Refinery Rooftop, which provides views towards the Empire State Building.

That combination of central location and rooftop atmosphere makes it useful for travellers who want easy access to Midtown without choosing one of the huge hotels surrounding Times Square.

From here, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue, the New York Public Library and several subway stations are within convenient reach.

If this is your first trip, centrally located hotels in New York City such as Refinery can make sightseeing considerably easier.

Best for: First-time visitors, Midtown sightseeing and rooftop views.

7. The Standard, High Line – Meatpacking District

The Standard, High Line is one of Manhattan’s most recognisable modern hotels.

It rises above the High Line in the Meatpacking District, with large windows designed to take advantage of views across Manhattan and towards the Hudson River.

The location is the main attraction.

You’re directly beside the High Line, close to Chelsea Market and within easy walking distance of the West Village and Chelsea.

The hotel also has several food and nightlife venues, including the rooftop Le Bain.

This makes The Standard one of the better hotels in New York City for nightlife and access to the High Line.

The surrounding Meatpacking District can become lively, particularly at weekends.

Best for: Nightlife, High Line access and city views.

8. SoHo Grand Hotel – SoHo

SoHo Grand Hotel is another option for travellers who want to base themselves in Lower Manhattan.

The hotel opened in the 1990s and has become closely associated with the character of modern SoHo.

Its interiors combine classic New York influences with contemporary design, while its location puts the neighbourhood’s shops, restaurants and galleries immediately outside.

SoHo is also well positioned for exploring Tribeca, Nolita, Chinatown and Greenwich Village.

That makes the hotel useful if you’d prefer to spend your evenings Downtown rather than repeatedly travelling back to Midtown.

When comparing hotels in New York City, location should be one of your first considerations. Choosing the right neighbourhood can be more valuable than choosing a hotel solely because it has a higher star rating.

Best for: SoHo shopping, restaurants and Downtown sightseeing.

9. The Marlton Hotel – Greenwich Village

The Marlton Hotel offers something quite different from Manhattan’s skyscraper hotels.

Located on West 8th Street in Greenwich Village, the building dates from the early 20th century and retains an intimate, historic feel.

Rooms are generally smaller than you’d find at many modern luxury properties, but that’s part of the character.

The real attraction is the location.

Washington Square Park is nearby, and the surrounding streets of Greenwich Village are packed with restaurants, cafés, bars and independent businesses.

For travellers who would rather walk out of their hotel into a neighbourhood than into the busiest parts of Midtown, The Marlton is worth considering.

The Marlton is one of those hotels in New York City where atmosphere and neighbourhood character matter more than enormous bedrooms or resort-style facilities.

Best for: Greenwich Village, couples and neighbourhood atmosphere.

10. The Plaza – Central Park

No list of memorable hotels in New York City would feel complete without at least one of Manhattan’s great historic hotels.

The Plaza occupies one of the city’s most famous locations at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South.

Its position places Central Park directly outside while Fifth Avenue shopping, the Museum of Modern Art and other Midtown attractions are nearby.

The hotel has been part of New York since 1907 and has appeared extensively in films, television and popular culture.

This isn’t a budget option.

But for travellers planning a milestone birthday, honeymoon, anniversary or another special trip, staying at The Plaza can be part of the New York experience itself.

Even if you don’t stay there, its location beside Central Park makes the surrounding area worth exploring.

Best for: Historic luxury, Central Park and special occasions.

Which Area of New York City Should You Stay In?

Finding the right neighbourhood can be just as important as comparing hotels in New York City.

Midtown

Midtown works well for first-time visitors who want convenient access to major sights.

Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue and the Empire State Building are all in or around the wider Midtown area.

The trade-off is that some areas can be extremely busy.

SoHo and Tribeca

SoHo and Tribeca suit travellers looking for restaurants, shopping and a more Downtown atmosphere.

You’ll still have easy subway access to Midtown while being closer to neighbourhoods such as Greenwich Village, Chinatown and the Lower East Side.

Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village is an excellent choice if restaurants, cafés, nightlife and walking through residential streets appeal to you more than being beside Times Square.

Washington Square Park provides a natural focal point for the area.

Lower East Side and East Village

These areas are particularly good for nightlife, restaurants and a younger Downtown atmosphere.

They can be noisier than some other neighbourhoods, so check recent hotel reviews if you’re particularly sensitive to street noise.

Central Park

Staying around Central Park provides convenient access to the park, Fifth Avenue and many major museums.

Hotels in this part of Manhattan can be expensive, but the location is difficult to beat if Central Park is central to your plans.

For official information about neighbourhoods, attractions and current events, the New York City tourism website is a useful planning resource.

How Much Do Hotels in New York City Cost?

There isn’t a single useful average price because hotels in New York City can vary enormously in price.

The same room can cost significantly different amounts depending on:

• Month
• Day of the week
• Events
• Room type
• Demand
• Cancellation terms
• Location

Major events and particularly popular travel periods can push prices higher.

Rather than relying on an average nightly rate, search using your actual travel dates and compare several properties in suitable neighbourhoods.

Look at the complete stay price and what’s included.

A cheaper hotel that’s far away from everywhere you want to visit isn’t necessarily better value.

Check Taxes and Fees Before Booking

When comparing hotels in New York City, pay attention to the total accommodation cost rather than just the advertised nightly rate.

New York hotel stays can involve taxes and, depending on the property, additional charges or destination-style fees.

Check what’s included before confirming the booking.

If a hotel charges an additional fee, find out exactly what it covers and whether it’s mandatory.

This is especially important when comparing hotels through different websites because the way prices are initially displayed can vary.

The important number is what you’ll actually pay for the stay.

Should You Stay Near Times Square?

Not necessarily.

Times Square can be extremely convenient for Broadway, Midtown attractions and subway connections.

But hotels in New York City aren’t limited to Times Square and Midtown.

Manhattan’s subway network means you can stay Downtown and travel to Midtown relatively easily.

If restaurants, neighbourhood atmosphere and evenings away from the busiest tourist streets are important to you, areas such as Greenwich Village, SoHo, Tribeca or the Lower East Side may suit you better.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority provides official subway maps, service information and journey-planning tools.

How to Find Better Hotel Deals in New York

Prices for hotels in New York City can change considerably, so compare rates rather than assuming the first price you see is the best available.

Start by deciding which neighbourhoods suit your plans.

Then compare several hotels for the same dates and check:

• Total price
• Cancellation conditions
• Room type
• Included breakfast
• Additional fees
• Location
• Recent guest reviews

Flexible dates can also help.

Moving a New York trip by a few days can sometimes produce significantly different hotel and flight prices.

If you’re planning around the sales period, our guide to Black Friday hotel deals explains how to determine whether an advertised hotel discount is genuinely worthwhile.

When Is the Best Time to Visit New York?

The best time for hotels in New York City depends partly on your priorities and travel dates.

Spring and autumn can provide comfortable sightseeing weather, while summer brings longer days but can be hot and humid.

December is popular for Christmas decorations and festive events, but demand can be high.

Winter after the festive period can be considerably colder, although some travellers enjoy visiting when the city is less focused on peak-season tourism.

Your ideal dates depend on whether your priority is weather, events, crowds or price.

Our complete guide to the best time to visit New York looks at the different seasons in more detail.

TravelHype Verdict: Choose the Neighbourhood First

There are exceptional hotels in New York City across Manhattan, but choosing the right neighbourhood can matter more than choosing the most luxurious room.

First-time visitors focused on major attractions may prefer Midtown.

Travellers interested in restaurants, nightlife and a more neighbourhood-focused experience might prefer SoHo, Tribeca, Greenwich Village or the Lower East Side.

Then compare hotels in New York City within the areas that work for your itinerary.

Think about what matters to you: room size, views, nightlife, quiet surroundings, luxury facilities or simply somewhere comfortable to sleep after a long day exploring Manhattan.

The best New York hotel isn’t necessarily the most expensive one.

It’s the property that gives you the location, facilities and atmosphere that suit your particular trip.

When you’re ready to plan your New York getaway, you can find flights, search for hotels and compare car hire with TravelHype.