I’ve been to New York countless times, and I often get asked which hotels are best for a visit to Manhattan.
So, I thought I’d finally put together a blog post covering each hotel I’ve stayed at that I would recommend.
I’ve listed them from the most expensive down to the cheapest (prices ranging from an average of around $300 a night up to $1600+ per night).
It’s worth noting all of them are 4 or 5 star hotels, so they’re not budget hotels if that’s what you’re looking for.
So, ready to find out which hotels are the best in Manhattan?! Let’s go!
1. St Regis New York
The St Regis New York had been a bucket list hotel for me for many, many years, and in 2024 I finally stayed there.
My mum and I were on a mother-daughter Christmas trip to NYC to celebrate her 60th birthday, and we used my Marriott points for a two-night stay at the St Regis over the weekend.
There were a couple of minor issues, but overall we were obsessed with our stay.
Every room is a junior suite (even the cheapest ones!), and we had our very own butler, the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept on, and a glamorous marble bathroom with the most powerful shower I’ve ever experienced!
It was the epitome of luxury with traditionally designed rooms and thoughtful service, and I loved that it was built by the same man (John Jacob Astor IV) who had built 0ne of my other favourite hotels in NYC: The Knickerbocker.
The two properties are actually forever tied together, as the huge mural that sits in the St Regis’ King Cole bar was actually originally commissioned by Astor in 1906 to hang in the Knickerbocker. When the Knickerbocker closed its doors in 1932, the mural was then brought over to the St. Regis and hung above the bar!
Average nightly rate: $1,620
2. Langham New York
The Langham New York is beautiful. It’s style is contemporary and sophisticated, with a great location on fifth avenue right by the Empire State Building – you honestly get the most incredible city views!!
I was very fortunate to be upgraded to a suite when I stayed in 2016, but even their entry level rooms are lovely and well equipped. We had the most insane view of the city from our bathroom!
A lot of the rooms have a small kitchen, so this is a great option for a young family or an extended stay or if you want to save money on making your own breakfast or small meals.
But one of my favourite things about The Langham New York was that they allow you use of their town car, which saved us sooo much money on taxis (just make sure you tip the driver).
Average nightly rate: $896
3. The Knickerbocker
The Knickerbocker was the very first hotel I stayed at in New York, so it will always have a place in my heart.
I still remember arriving and squealing with excitement when I saw its location. It sits right on the corner of Times Square, but every room is soundproofed so you can get a decent night sleep!
Built-in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV, The Knickerbocker Hotel played host to the world’s biggest names in culture & high society in the early 20th century.
It was apparently “The” place to be for glitterati and dignitaries in the early part of the 20th century. From the rumored first-ever martini to their renowned New Year’s Eve rooftop celebrations, The Knickerbocker is a legendary New York landmark!
The hotel is beautiful, steeped in history, and has been thoughtfully redesigned and renovated. They’ve kept the beautiful historic exterior of the hotel, while the inside is contemporary and very swish.
With a very cool roof terrace, comfortable beds and glamorous bathrooms, it’s a great choice for a girls weekend in the city.
Average nightly rate: $586
4. Hard Rock Hotel New York
I stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York in 2022, the year it first opened. I wasn’t sure what to expect as I’d never stayed at a Hard Rock Hotel before, but I loved it!!
The hotel was new and swish and perfect for music-lovers. It felt more sophisticated and luxurious than Hard Rock Cafe, with more subtle outfits and music memoribilia dotted throughout the hotel.
The rooms are a great size, the bathrooms were modern and everything was spotless. There are multiple bars (including a very swanky rooftop bar) and restaurants, and the location is super close to Times Square, Avenue of the Americas, and Fifth Avenue.
I stayed there in the height of summer (check out my Summer in New York guide!) and the air conditioning was powerful and the room was perfect for relaxing and taking a break when we were tired from walking around in the heat.
I also thought it was very well priced considering the location and feel of the hotel.
Average nightly rate: $443
5. Conrad New York Downtown
I stayed at the Conrad New York Downtown on my second visit to NYC, when we wanted to explore the downtown area of the city.
Every room in Conrad Downtown is a suite with a large, separate living area, so it’s a great option for families and people who just want a bit of extra space. The hotel is modern, clean, and feels v luxurious.
The hotel is pet-friendly and the location is great! It’s super close to Bubby’s, my fave breakfast spot, and walking distance from the 9/11 museum, Battery Park, and the main downtown places.
It’s also perfect for dog-owners as it’s close to the river walk and local parks. And, because it’s close to the water it feels more relaxed than the hotels up in Midtown, and less chaotic.
Like most hotels in NYC, there’s no swimming pool, but there is a rooftop bar called Loopy Doopy! Also, because Conrad is part of Hilton, you can spend and earn Hilton Honors points here.
Average nightly rate: $390
6. Hyatt Grand Central New York
I booked my 2017 Christmas trip to New York an entire year in advance.
I knew that around Christmas the prices went crazy the closer it got to the dates – after all, seeing New York at Christmas is an iconic trip, so everything gets booked up in advance.
I ended up booking the Hyatt Grand Central as it was one of the few hotels that wasn’t insanely expensive. I think I paid around $600 for three nights, but it was 2017 and the prices are a lot higher these days.
However, it was a great little hotel.
It’s right next to Grand Central Station (it’s the modern building in the below photo that sits between Grand Central and the Chrysler Building), it’s contemporary in design and style, and was perfectly clean and comfortable.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s nothing special and it doesn’t have much of a personality, but if you can get a good deal then it’s a great, reliable option.
Average nightly rate: $363
7. Moxy Times Square
Now, I was very unsure about staying at the Moxy Times Square because it looked a bit too hip and trendy for me.
I mean, if I’m calling it hip and trendy…I’m probably not cool enough to stay there.
However, I’ve stayed at a lot of Moxy hotels and usually like them, so when I visited NYC in March 2024 I thought I’d give it a try and test something outside of my comfort zone.
It was actually pretty good.
I got a great deal with the Amazon corporate rate and because I’m a Platinum Marriott Bonvoy member they gave me a small room upgrade.
The room was small, the bathroom was tiny (the sink is in the corridor of the bedroom), but it’s a very cool little hotel and if you get a good deal then it’s ideal if you’re in New York for partying.
I was only there for two nights and for that it was fine, but I think you’d struggle to stay longer than 2 or 3 nights.
Just avoid their rooftop restaurant/brunch. Although the view is incredible, the service and food were truly atrocious.
Average nightly rate: $345
8. AC Hotel New York Downtown
The AC Hotel Downtown was a nice surprise. I wasn’t expecting much when I stayed there in 2024, as AC Hotels are one of Marriott’s contemporary budget brands, and they’re usually fairly basic and business-like, but I actually really enjoyed my stay here.
My mum and I stayed there for two nights in a twin room before moving to the St Regis, and although the room is basic, it was a great size for NYC and the bathroom was also huge.
The hotel itself has a nice hotel bar if you’re there on business-travel, and the location is amazing!
It’s ideal if you want to explore downtown, and is a short walk away from Wall Street, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Battery Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge. We also walked up to Soho one morning for breakfast.
But, one of the huge benefits of staying here is that it’s located in Seaport, which is a riverside area that was recently renovated.
At the nearby Tin Building by Jean-Georges you’ll find shops, restaurants, and bars, and the area around Seaport and the Fulton Market Building is just really pretty.
They’re doing a lot of work to it still, and I highly recommend walking round the corner to the South Street Seaport museum.
Average nightly rate: $246
A hotel for every taste and every budget
New York is one of those cities that has a hotel for every taste, and every budget. Whether you’re looking for a traditional luxury hotel like the St Regis or a more contemporary hotel like The Knickerbocker, NYC has it.
The prices vary wildly depending on the season and any events happening in the city, so if you want a nicer hotel but have a smaller budget, definitely plan to visit in the lower seasons.
