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Credit: The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
Nowhere is quite like New York; the city that never sleeps is brimming with Michelin-starred restaurants, world-renowned galleries and, crucially, an assortment of hotels that can hold their own among the very best in the world. Here, we take a peak inside the city's top keys.
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Credit: Baccarat Hotel New York
If it’s glitz and glamour you’re after, it has to be Bacarrat. The crystal maker opened its New York hotel back in 2015, filling each of the rooms with dazzling glassware, chandeliers and fresh red roses. For pure luxury, book the Baccarat Suite. Reminiscent of a Parisian apartment, thoughtful touches abound from the soft Italian robes to the Baccarat crystal stemware.
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Credit: Robert Rieger
Aman New York's Aman Suites are the hotel’s biggest one-bedroom accommodations (they can also be connected to a Junior Suite for even more space). More akin to a stylish New York apartment than a hotel room, the Aman Suites feature a dedicated office, oversized living area and separate dressing space complete with walk-in wardrobes. The bathrooms also deserve a mention; expect gorgeous free-standing oval tubs and sizable steam showers.
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Credit: Robert Rieger
As those who have stayed at an Aman outpost will expect, the interiors are muted and minimalist. By New York standards, the accommodations are enormous – rooms at the all-suite property start at an impressive 718 sq ft. Revered designer Jean-Michel Gathy was brought in for the project; each suite is an oasis of calm with cozy fireplaces, contemporary furnishings and open-plan stone bathrooms.
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Credit: Park Hyatt New York
This sleek hotel is set within a dazzling skyscraper across the street from Carnegie Hall in New York’s Tribeca neighborhood. The rooms are elegant and pared back; many boast jaw-dropping views of the skyline. Evenings can be whiled away at The Living Room – a lovely spot for enjoying a glass of wine and tapas-style sharing plates that feels more akin to an upscale NYC apartment than a restaurant.
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Credit: Park Hyatt New York
The light-filled Royal Suite benefits from gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows revealing sweeping views across Central Park and the city. We love the expansive living room, too.
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Credit: William Abranowicz
One of the coolest newcomers to set up shop in NYC is The Fifth Avenue Hotel. Situated (you guessed it) at the northwest corner of Fifth Avenue and 28th Street in the heart of Manhattan, the stylish hotel comprises The Mansion – a late 18th-century landmark that once hosted raucous society parties – and a new 24-story glass tower. The celebrated Martin Brudnizki Design Studio was brought in to give the interiors a stylish overhaul; expect classic details, vintage furnishings and an eclectic collection of art peppered throughout the hotel’s 153 guestrooms and suites.
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Credit: William Abranowicz
The Penthouse Suite is a picture of refined elegance in shades of blue and green. Best feature? The palatial terrace with killer views of the New York skyline, of course.
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Credit: The Peninsula New York
Another revered property vying for the top spot on our list is The Peninsula. Nestled among Fifth Avenue’s designer boutiques, a short stroll from Central Park and The Museum of Modern Art, this lavish hotel is ideally situated for immersing yourself in New York’s vibrant cultural scene.
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Credit: The Peninsula New York
Dotted with unique artworks and bespoke furnishings, The Peninsula Suite is a New York pied-à-terre spanning 3,000 sq ft. The suite comes with round-trip airport transfers in The Peninsula’s bespoke BMW 7-series for a suitably exclusive arrival.
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Credit: The St. Regis New York
A heavyweight of the New York hotel scene, The St. Regis opened its doors back in 1904 and quickly became one of the most glamorous haunts in the city. Located in Midtown Manhattan, a block from The Museum of Modern Art, it’s the perfect base for exploring (Central Park is a five-minute walk).
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Credit: St. Regis New York
Famed for its signature butler service, you’ll be well taken care of at The St. Regis. The décor is timeless and elegant; we adore the collection of signature suites, each impeccably designed and entirely unique.
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Credit: St. Regis New York
The most extravagant abode of all is the Presidential Suite. Spanning 3,000 sq ft, the two-bedroom suite features a sizable bathroom complete with a whirlpool tub, plus a separate kitchen, office, dining and living room (it can also be connected to adjoining suites if you need even more space).
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Credit: Ashley Sears
Enviably located right on the waterfront in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the views at this eco-friendly retreat are hard to beat. Gwyneth Paltrow is among the hotel’s star-studded clientele – if it’s good enough for the Goop founder, it’s good enough for us.
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Credit: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Spanning 2,000 sq ft, the River House can comfortably sleep four guests. The best place to soak up the views of Brooklyn Bridge is from the comfy hammock with a glass of wine. Thoughtful touches abound from the carved stone soaking tub to the curated mini-bar with house-made cocktails. Bliss.
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Credit: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Interiors are breezy and laid-back with an industrial vibe; expect lashings of reclaimed wood, natural stone and lush green plants springing from every corner. The hotel has made impressive efforts to minimize its impact on the environment from utilizing energy-efficient heating and lighting systems to installing a rainwater collection tank that sends water down to irrigate the park.
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Credit: Jason Varney
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad caused quite a stir when it welcomed its first guests in 2022, quickly cementing its reputation as one of the city’s best hotels. Set within a towering skyscraper on Broadway and 28th Street, its location is enviable; the Flat Iron, Empire State Building and Madison Square Park are all within walking distance.
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Credit: Michael Kleinberg
The hotel is also home to a sleek rooftop bar, Nubelez, and a subterranean spa offering luxury facials and treatments from Augustinus Bader, Dr. Dennis Gross and ESPA. We love the sound of the Rose Quartz Remedy – a full body exfoliation, body and scalp massage with soothing frangipani and geranium oils.
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Credit: The Ritz-Carlton New York NoMad
Spanning 1,850 sq ft, the Executive Penthouse is the most exclusive abode at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. The two-bedroom suite boasts breathtaking views of the city skyline and a full kitchen with a glossy marble bar.
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Credit: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
The Plaza has certainly earned its place on our list of the very best hotels in New York City. Opened in 1907, it didn’t take long for the landmark property to cement its status as the place to stay in the Big Apple.
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Credit: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
The prestigious address is home to a Guerlain Spa, fitness center and pop-up designer clothes boutique. Our favorite spot, however, is the gilded Champagne Bar where you’ll find a selection of the finest caviar and fizz (the room itself is rather spectacular, too). In 2015, revered architect Thierry Despont breathed new life into The Palm Court – The Plaza’s signature restaurant – filling the space with ceiling-high palm trees, potted plants and custom furnishings; it’s an Instagram-worthy setting to while away an evening.
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Credit: The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
If you really want to pull out all the stops, consider booking the Royal Suite. Quite literally fit for royalty, the palatial three-bedroom abode is accessed via a private elevator and features a stately living room complete with a grand piano.
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Credit: The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Since welcoming its first guests in the 1930s, The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel has been a favored haunt among the rich and famous. Situated on the corner of Madison Avenue and 76th Street, just a short stroll from Central Park, the Art Deco tower remains one of New York City’s hottest addresses. In 2021, Rosewood unveiled the results of a dramatic three-year renovation. The luxury hospitality brand brought in renowned designer Tony Chi to breathe new life into the hotel’s 155 guest rooms and suites (expect equal parts comfort and glamour with subtle nods to Manhattan’s pre-war era).
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Credit: The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
During the renovation, a gleaming new fine dining restaurant, Dowling’s, was introduced named after Robert Whittle Dowling – the former owner of The Carlyle who was integral to transforming it into the storied establishment it is today. The vibrant menu is filled with modern takes on classic American dishes (and there’s plenty of tableside theatrics, too).
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Credit: The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
The aptly named Presidential Suite spans the entire 26th floor of The Carlyle and is reached via its own private elevator. With its gold-leaf adorned entrance hall and Venetian plaster walls, it’s truly one of a kind. Featuring three bedrooms and four full bathrooms there is space for the entire family; the expansive living room is ideal for entertaining. As for the views, floor-to-ceiling windows reveal sweeping vistas of Central Park, Midtown and beyond. It doesn’t get much better than this.
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Credit: Lotte New York Palace
Avenue at the corner of 50th Street, you might recognize the historic hotel as one of the exclusive hangout spots frequented by the characters of Gossip Girl. It remains a popular spot with the rich and famous; Whitney Houston and Barack Obama have both stayed here.
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Credit: Lotte New York Palace
The hotel is home to the first ila Only Spa in the US – a tranquil oasis where guests can escape the bustle of the city for a soothing treatment or take a yoga class in the studio. There’s also a fitness center with personal trainers available for private sessions.
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Credit: Lotte New York Palace
Our favorite accommodation is the Jewel Suite. Found up on the 20th floor, the one-of-a-kind suite was designed by renowned jeweler Martin Katz and is adorned with wonderfully extravagant details like the two-story cascading crystal chandelier. If it’s opulence you’re after, this one’s for you.
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Credit: Langham Hospitality Group
Last but by no means least on our list of the best hotels in New York is The Langham. Situated within a modern skyscraper between Bryant Park and the Empire State Building, it’s one of the most stylish spots in the city.
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Credit: Langham Hospitality Group
The Langham brought in acclaimed French retailer Roche Bobois to design this one-of-a-kind suite. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the interiors in natural light and reveal sweeping views of the Empire State Building. We adore the enormous marble bathroom, too.
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Credit: Langham Hospitality Group
The hotel is dotted with colorful artworks by American artist Alex Katz (look out for his striking paintings in the lobby). Accommodations are exceptionally spacious by New York standards; entry-level superior rooms start at a generous 420 sq ft.