NYC is huge and so it can be confusing about where to stay in New York City for first-time travelers. There are many hotels or stay options here and therefore in this article, I and many experienced travelers will share suggestions on the best and coolest hotels in New York City – Guide to New York Hotels. After reading this New York hotel guide you can find your perfect choice to stay.
New York is a vibrant and energetic city that is often labeled as “A city that never sleeps”. And when we listen to New York City (NYC), the first thing that comes to mind is the colorful billboards of Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, or the stunning skyline of Manhattan. Not only for things NYC is famous for but also for food, theater, museums, parks, historical places, enchanting buildings, sky scrappers, fashion, and many other beautiful attractions.
Let’s read some genuine reviews on best and coolest hotels in New York City – Guide to New York Hotels from me and experienced travelers all around the world.
NYC Neighborhood Guide – Best and Coolest Hotels in New York City – Guide to New York Hotels
NYC is organized in a grid where streets run from East to West and avenues run from North to South. Generally, the street number is written first and then the avenue number will be written afterward.
NYC is divided into 5 boroughs
- Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Manhattan
- Queens
- Staten Island
Then these 5 boroughs are sub-classified into many neighborhoods. In these neighborhoods in NYC where you will find many options from budget to expensive hotel stays. But some of the favorite neighborhoods among tourists or travelers are Midtown(Manhattan), Times Square (Manhattan), Soho, West Village, Upper West Side, Williamsburg, and Downtown Manhattan. All these places have many attractions, nightlife, food options, and world-famous architecture. So you can now choose the best and coolest Hotels in New York City – Guide to New York Hotels.
Choose from Best and Coolest Hotels in New York City – Guide to New York Hotels | Where to stay in New York City (NYC)
COURTYARD MARRIOTT NEW YORK DOWNTOWN
Click here to book Courtyard Marriott.
We came across the Courtyard Marriott New York Downtown by chance when we were trying to find an affordable hotel with a good location in Lower Manhattan. Being in a business district, you’ll find the best prices at this hotel on the weekends.
This was our 3rd trip to New York City, previously we stayed near Times Square but this time we would be attending a concert in Brooklyn and focusing our time on the sites in Lower Manhattan; taking the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, visiting the 9/11 Museum, taking in the views from the One World Observatory up the Freedom Tower and walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to explore DUMBO.
The hotel itself has clean lines and a modern interior. The rooms are small and well-appointed with comfy King beds or 2 doubles, perfect for families visiting New York City. There is a restaurant on-site and a small fitness center. Great public transport connections are available to get to attractions around Manhattan, Brooklyn, Newark, and JFK airports with many restaurants and attractions within walking distance.
The most surprising thing about staying at the Courtyard Marriott New York Downtown was the view. Our room had unobstructed views out over the 9/11 Memorial to the Freedom Tower. Looking out over the memorial soon after sunrise, before the crowds started to gather was beautiful. Our stay surpassed our expectations.
KEY FEATURE – Modern Hotel with stunning views of skyline and tourist attractions nearby
HOTEL STYLE – Semi -Luxury
LOCATION – Downtown Manhattan
Suggested by Kaylie Lewell Happiness Travels Here
ARLO SOHO
Click here to book Arlo SoHo.
Last year, my husband and I spent 4 days in New York City kid-free; it was incredible! It was our first trip to NYC and I did a ton of research on where to stay in New York City. I decided to avoid Times Square (too noisy) and anywhere outside Manhattan because it would be too far away from most of the attractions we wanted to see. Since we only had 4 days, I wanted to maximize every hour we had!
The SoHo area sounded like the best bet for us. There are lots of restaurants there and it’s so close to many New York City attractions. So, after looking for hotel deals in NYC, I landed on the Arlo SoHo. The Arlo SoHo is conveniently located in Lower Manhattan near Tribeca, West Village, Mission Square, Pier 40 at Hudson River Park, and the World Trade Center. It’s just a 3-minute walk to the nearest subway station, which makes it a fantastic home base for exploring NYC.
The hotel has a couple of bars, a restaurant, a bodega with a full coffee bar, and 24-hour access to Dylan’s Candy Bar. The coffee we got in the lobby is possibly the best latte I’ve ever had. And I’m from Seattle. And the view from our room was awesome! While we didn’t see the NYC skyline, we did get to see the gorgeous patio of the Meat + 3 restaurants, complete with tents! And there was a cool mural on the wall. We definitely got the New York City vibe at the Arlo SoHo.
KEY FEATURE – Proximity to many attractions and many restaurant nearby.
HOTEL STYLE – Mid range with Contemporary design.
LOCATION – Soho, West Village Neighborhood.
Suggested by Marcie Cheung from Marcie in Mommyland
THE WILLIAMSBURG HOTEL
Click here to book The Williamsburg Hotel.
Looking for the best rooftop pool in New York City? The Williamsburg Hotel offers a large, chic pool deck with stunning Manhattan skyline views. From posh pool chairs to a full bar ( all on the roof) this hotel is perfect for summer vacations. Park yourself here all day with a cocktail in hand, something that’s hard to find in New York City.
Inside, find fun Instagram-worthy design elements like emerald green titles in bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Downstairs is an eclectic lobby and restaurant, all within walking distance to the best of The Williamsburg.
KEY FEATURE – Proximity to many trendy shopping areas, funky restaurants and views of NYC from roof-top
HOTEL STYLE – Boutique style and special Architecture
LOCATION – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Suggested by Kara Harms from Whimsy Soul
GRAND HYATT NEW YORK
Click here to book Grand Hyatt New York.
I chose this luxurious hotel with a perfect location on 42nd Street and adjoining the historic building of Grand Terminal. With a few steps away from the Empire State Building, Times Square, 5th Avenue famous shopping street, I saved a lot of time in commuting and enjoyed a vibrant nightlife too. It was one of the best and Coolest Hotels in New York City – Guide to New York Hotels.
The hotel was elegant, and the high ceiling lavish front lobby with many couches and sofas to relax on. This hotel has 1300 rooms with high-speed elevators. This sleek and contemporary hotel style has average-sized rooms with perfect furnishings and amenities. From the window of my room, I can enjoy the view of busy 42nd Street.
The view from the rooftop of the hotel is very beautiful.
KEY FEATURE – Modern Hotel with Lavish Interiors, Perfect Location
HOTEL STYLE – Semi Luxury
LOCATION – Mid Town East (Adjacent to Grand Terminal)
Suggested by Me(Travelwithme24x7)
THE ALGONQUIN HOTEL TIMES SQUARE, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION
Click here to book The Algonquin Hotel.
Our favorite place to stay in NYC is the historic Algonquin Hotel. It was built in the early 1900s, and the Algonquin is one of New York City’s oldest hotels. You can find many vintage touches around the hotel like letter chutes on all levels, a dark wood interior, and an old-world speakeasy feels. Although the hotel is ancient, the rooms are all updated and beautifully decorated. The Algonquin has centrally located just a block from Times Square, making the city easily accessible within a few steps or a subway ride.
The Algonquin hotel also comes with its own cat, Hamlet, who greets guests in the lobby daily, making it a great place to stay if you’re visiting NYC with kids.
KEY FEATURE – Historic and Vintage style hotel and very close to Times Square
HOTEL STYLE – Luxury Vintage style hotel
LOCATION – Times Square
Suggested by Vanessa From Wanderlust Crew
CHELSEA SAVOY HOTEL
Click here to book Chelsea Savoy Hotel.
If you are looking for the best value hotel in New York in a fantastic location, then you should consider the Chelsea Savoy Hotel. It was not only the cheapest hotel we could find in a great spot but it is a solid mid-range option.
Located in the middle of Chelsea on the corner of 7th Avenue and West 23rd, we could walk to many places we wanted to visit in NYC. It is near many train lines, so it was rare we had to catch more than one train to go to any of the places that weren’t close by. There are many shops, bars, and restaurants around, and, honestly, I would not want to stay in any other area next time I go to New York City. I always felt safe in this area, even walking alone at night.
The hotel is on the simple side and older style, but our twin room was surprisingly spacious, clean and comfortable. There was a fridge, TV, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, hairdryer, air conditioning, and toiletries. King and queen room options are also available for an even better price. A simple breakfast was provided, and it was nice to start with a fresh bagel every day.
KEY FEATURE – Fantastic Location with nearby public transport and many bars and restaurants nearby.
HOTEL STYLE – Mid-Range
LOCATION – Times Square
Suggested by Sharon from Dive Into Malaysia.
HOTEL MULBERRY
Click here to book Hotel Mulberry.
Hotels in New York City, especially Manhattan, can be very expensive. When my friends and I were looking for a reasonably-priced hotel for a last-minute Christmas trip to the city, we decided to stay at Hotel Mulberry.
My room at Hotel Mulberry was spacious and clean, with a comfortable bed and views overlooking Chinatown’s Columbus Park. Make sure to ask for a room on a higher floor for a nice city view! The modern hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and two daily breakfast vouchers per booking. The complimentary breakfast is not served inside the hotel but at a delicious cafe called Mama Eatery. My favorite breakfast option was french toast.
Hotel Mulberry is located in lower Manhattan at the crossroads of Chinatown and Little Italy. The Canal Street subway station is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel, making it easy to travel elsewhere in the city. Hotel Mulberry is also within walking distance of some of New York City’s top sights including the Brooklyn Bridge (15 minutes), the Financial District (20 minutes), and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum (22 minutes). Make sure to take advantage of being right next to Little Italy and hit up some of the delicious Italian restaurants and cannoli stands during your stay!
KEY FEATURE – Stunning skyline views, atmosphere and nearby architectural wonderful buildings.
HOTEL STYLE – Mid-Range
LOCATION – Mulberry Street, Chinatown
Suggested by Sydney Richardson from A World in Reach
PARK LANE HOTEL
Click here to book Park Lane Hotel.
The Park Lane Hotel’s central location, stunning Central Park views, and fantastic amenities make it a phenomenal place to stay. The rooms are spacious and clean and have the most luxurious beds. The bathrooms have excellent water pressure in the showers (a must for long-haired ladies!), top-notch bath products, perfect lighting, and enough room for multiple people to get ready without fighting for counter space.
Plus, the Park View rooms feature unbeatable views of Central Park – exactly what you’d hope to wake up to while staying in the Big Apple. AAA, military, AARP, and early bookings can receive discounts. You can also bring your pup along for a fee.
Park Lane Hotel’s amenities can’t be beaten apart from the rooms themselves! From the hospitality hour featuring light snacks and drinks to the lobby’s coffee bar, there’s something to tickle every fancy.
Park Lane Hotel is right on Central Park South steps from the N, Q, and R subway stop and about 2 blocks from Columbus Circle’s A, B, C, D lines stop. The area is very walkable, safe, and convenient for accessing all the major New York City sites.
I have adored staying in the Park Lane Hotel and made it my go-to spot when visiting the city.
KEY FEATURE – Central Park views and many amenities in rooms and hotel with luxury bed.
HOTEL STYLE – Mid-Range
LOCATION – Mid Town Manhattan
Suggested by KB Gamblin from Her Life in Ruins
MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB PULSE
Click here to book Marriott Vacation Club Pulse.
We loved our stay at the Marriott Pulse in midtown Manhattan! In Manhattan, it’s all about location, location, location. Why go to NYC if you aren’t going to stay in Manhattan, where all the action is? Choosing the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse at 33 West 37th Street meant we were close to EVERYTHING we wanted to do! And no, you don’t have to be a Marriott Vacation Club member to reserve a room!
From Central Park to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Grand Central Station to Times Square to 5th Avenue to China Town- all the attractions we wanted to visit were super quick and easy to get to from the Marriott Pulse. We even walked to and from Madison Square Garden for the amazing Billy Joel concert! It was so nice not to wait for an Uber and fight our way through traffic after the show.
Inside, the Pulse had all we needed for a perfect stay. The room was spacious (for NYC!), with two double beds for us. We walked down to the main floor bar area to get complimentary coffee each morning and plan our day.
Outside, the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse has a fabulous rooftop bar. No need to pay top dollar to hit Top of the Rock or one of the other observatories when you can simply take the elevator up a few floors and step into the fabulous bar!
The views from the rooftop are magnificent. There is something magical about watching the sunset over Manhattan and the rooftop bar is a great place to do it. The bartenders are attentive, the drinks are cold and the ambiance was spectacular! The rooftop bar was the BEST place to hang out and have a few cocktails. I can’t wait to go back!
KEY FEATURE –Location with proximity to famous attractions, Contemporary rooms and rooftop bar with view
HOTEL STYLE – Mid-Range
LOCATION – Mid Town Manhattan
Suggested by Sarah Morgensen from theprosperousblonde.com
AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE
Click here to book AC Hotel by Marriott.
The AC Hotel New York Times Square in Manhattan is a well-located, modern hotel right in the heart of Manhattan. As a New Yorker, I don’t often get to stay in hotels, so I researched the best option for my money! The hotel is relatively new and was impeccably clean on my visit. The room was well appointed, with plenty of room to walk around the bed (not trivial in Manhattan). It had a rain shower, as well as a desk and a large bench with more than enough room for luggage.
The room’s highlight was the armchair area by the wall of windows with a fantastic city view! The lobby and common areas were great, as well, with plenty of space for meeting visitors or co-working in the library area. In addition, the hotel has a rooftop bar with views of the Empire State Building. Located on 40th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, it is situated steps away from the action of Midtown Manhattan: shops, restaurants, Broadway shows, and more!
However, the block it is on is relatively quiet, and staying there was actually a very peaceful experience. For anyone visiting New York City, the AC Hotel is a great option, particularly for those loyal to Marriott hotels.
KEY FEATURE –Excellent location with proximity to famous attractions and vibrant Times Square
HOTEL STYLE – Semi Luxury
LOCATION – Times Square
Suggested By Daphna from A Tiny trip
HILTON TIMES SQUARE
Click here to book Hilton Times Square.
We were returning to NYC and, after falling in LOVE with Times Square the first time around, we decided what better hotel to stay in than one literally on Times Square. Hilton has fantastic deals on their website when you book in advance, so we booked a room for 6 nights.
Upon entering the hotel, I first noticed the two entrances. You can enter from Times Square, but if you don’t fancy the hustle and bustle, you can also enter and exit on the opposite side of the hotel lobby, right onto W 41st St.
The hotel is your typical 5-star Hilton hotel; airy lobby, very polite and welcoming staff, business rooms available, and everything is shiny.
The room itself was spacious and sleek, with a view overlooking Times Square. The bed was massive, there was a desk and seating area to work and relax in as well as a large bathroom complete with a bathtub.
There are a lot of pros and a few cons to staying at the Hilton Times Square, but personally, I would choose to return here on our next trip to the big apple because of its excellent location.
KEY FEATURE –Excellent location with proximity to famous attractions and vibrant Times Square, Spacious rooms
HOTEL STYLE – Semi Luxury
LOCATION – Times Square
Suggested by Katie from Creative Travel Guide
Now you know where to find best and coolest hotels in New York City – Guide to New York Hotels. Enjoy your comfortable stay at NYC.
USEFUL READS when visit New York city (NYC) when East coast road trip-
- Things to do in NYC.
- East coast Road Trip Itinerary.
- Visit to Philadelphia (Philly).
- Washington DC Guide.
- Visit to Niagara Falls – An adventure with Nature.
- How to choose perfect Hotel stay.
- Check some Ongoing Deals or purchase city cards.
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Such a great selection of awesome hotels! Got to love NYC!
This is a great list. I visited NY once and plan to visit again, so this list will come in handy.
Xx, Nailil
So many amazing options! I love NYC – we got engaged there ❤️ It will forever feel special to me!
You would love all these option.
I have not heard of these hotels before, but I will definitely keep an eye out for the next time I go to NYC! I love word of mouth guides like these instead of trying to find a needle in a haystack, haha!
Thanks for finding this post useful.
This guide is so helpful. I always struggle when looking for a hotel in NYC. I just don’t think I’ve found the right location. Ill be referring to this the next time we visit.
You will find many worth staying hotels listed in this post.
New York is such a cool place I have family there so I tend to stay with them when I visit but I’ll have to check out some of these hotels the next time I go up!
You would truly enjoy in NYC and check some hotels listed in this post for more fun
Gotta save this for later! We’d love to visit NYC someday!
You would love NYC
This is really handy. NYC is beautiful and it’s huge. I always see and learn new things whenever I visit. I saving this list for my next trip.
Thanks for finding the post useful.
I’ve actually never been to NYC! It’s on my bucket list for sure. Definitely saving this post for when I plan a trip! Such a good resource.
Thnx for finding it useful
These are all such great picks! I’ve done a staycation at the ARLO Soho and it’s a primo spot. I also love the Marriot in Times Square for its rotating restaurant up top! Great views.
You would love it
What an awesome post! New York is such an amazing place but it can be really intimidating to visit if you’ve never been there before. This post has so many tips and amazing information for people planning a trip out there. It makes me wanna go back so bad!!
Thanks for finding this post very useful.
Staying at the Williamsburg Hotel has actually been on my NY bucket list for a while now. I hope I get to make a trip happen at some point, because it truly looks perfect for my taste. But honestly, I’d be happy staying anywhere in NY if it means I get to visit there!
Yes it is a lovely city and every hotel there is having some plus points for staying
The first part of the blog deciphered the maze called New York for me. I wasn’t aware of how it was divided into boroughs and how each had its other classification. Now that I read this, and your reccos, am sure finding a stay will not be an issue
I’m really hoping to visit the USA atleast once in this lifetime! Lolz… Obviously NYC tops the list of must-visit cities.
Arlo Soho sounds like a perfect place, close to attraction, yet far from noise.
I’d love a night at Williamsburg as well – pool deck with Manhattan skyline view? Obviously!!!
As a history buff, Algonquin definitely fits the bill for us. Right now, since all my travels are with my toddler, this hotel is perfect as its best suitable to stay with kids!
These are some really amazing hotels in NYC, and each having a unique character of its own. But i really liked the Park Lane Hotel for its awesome views of the Central Park from the room. Hilton Time Square is also one of the top picks for me specially because of the location. Loved the fact that there are two entrances for the hotel. This guide is going to come handy, when I find myself planning a trip to the States.
I’ve never been to NYC but I’d love to go! I love the look of Arlo SoHo and I think I’d like to explore the Soho area. The Williamsburg looks pretty funky and the Manhattan skyline views are fab. Being able to sit in the bar overlooking the Empire state Building at the AC Hotel New York Times Square would be pretty cool!
I lived in NYC for 9 years and I’ve only stayed in one hotel. It’s always so interesting to see what accommodations are around your hometown/city. I didn’t realize how many cool hotels there are! The hotel I stayed at prior to my move to NYC from Singapore was a really awful one and it honestly gave me the creeps! I wish I had this list back then!
Loved your post! So far, we were able to stay on Courtyard Marriott during our last visit. It was such a wonderful experience and we’re happy with the accommodation.
I would love to stay at the Grand Hyatt next time. I also heard a lot of good reviews from my friends.
Thanks for reading through
It’s always good to find a list of hotels in NYC. There’s so much choice it can be difficult to know where to start. I really love the look of that deck at Arlo Soho – that would be my pick from this bunch I think.
Yes Paul, there are so many hotels in NYC that it is confusing where to stay and what to select for. And if there are some options from experienced traveler then it is always great to have some tips from them.
This is an AMAZING overview! I’m a local, so I don’t know the hotels as well so it’s always hard for me to recommend a hotel when people ask. But this is amazing! Thank you! I’ll share this with friends when they ask in the future!
Great to hear from local that this post is useful and I would be glad that your friends would get some hints from this post.
I love Williamsburg, and the Williamsburg Hotel is probably my favorite in terms of aesthetic and its overall vibe! Great finds all around though. If it were my first time in NYC, I’d probably want to stay somewhere in Manhattan!
I too loved the Williamsburg Hotel as the view of NYC skyline is stunning from here.
It’s great to read information on hotels in NYC with prices range (I think) from mid to up, and also from different locations. Looks like they all in a strategic locations, depending on where you want to go in the city. Courtyard Marriott Downtown or Williamsburg seems like the best choice for us with its proximity to area that we like to explore.
Thanks for finding this post useful and yes there are many choices for all types of travelers.
These hotels sounds amazing and I’ve stayed at the Grand Hyatt, loved the location! I definitely want to try Arlo Soho, looks so awesome especially great views!
It does get a little bit overwhelming when you are visiting a big city and looking for accommodation options.The sheer range available and the not so reliable reviews that float on social media do not help either. A reliable hotel guide always helps. New York is of course a maze of hotels and this post will definitely help people to navigate through the maze and zero in on the best hotel as per their needs and budget. We would love to stay somewhere in the vicinity of Times Square when we do get to NY.
This is such a great guide – a comprehensive list of hotels in New York. The view from the Park Lane Hotel is really gorgeous. All these hotels look super cool. I have never been to New Youk, but whenever I go, I will keep these in mind.
Thanks Amrita for finding this post useful. You would definitely love NYC .
Last time we visited NYC, we stayed in Arlo Soho. Great place. Love your tip about staying in business district at weekend, I’d never thought of that. I’ll remem that for next time 🙂
Thanks Sarah for liking the tip and reading the post.
Great guide — super comprehensive! I’ve heard the Hotel Williamsburg is really nice — I’d definitely like to stay there. Otherwise the Arlo in Soho is adorable and out of midtown which is really nice. The Courtyard Marriott in fidi also seems interesting — fidi is so overlooked but nice and quiet at night and not hard to get to.
Thanks for finding this list useful and yes all of the hotels look worth staying.
It’s good you gave a description about the difference between boroughs and neighborhoods in NYC. I know that can confuse a lot of people. I remember my first time in NYC when I got to stay at a fancy hotel in Times Square. It is definitely worth it to stay at one of these hotels in a great neighborhood of NYC the first time you are visiting. I have always wanted to live on the UWS or UES with views of Central Park. Maybe one day I could treat myself to a staycation at the Park Lane Hotel!
Thanks Elizabeth for finding this post helpful. Yes the grid system of NYC is slightly confusing but if understood once then it becomes easier to navigate in this city.
This is definitely the most complete list of cool hotels in New York. I have never been but I am planning a trip there soon so this list will definitely come handy. My favorite is the GRAND HYATT NEW YORK, the rooms look all s cozy! And the views are to die for.
Yes Paulina, I agree NYC has great range of hotels.