The 12 best luxury hotels in New York, from sumptuous spas to Michelin stars
The luxe lifestyle is no stranger to New York. White-glove apartment buildings, Madison Avenue’s fancy boutiques, and more than 70 Michelin-starred restaurants promise great pleasure to residents and visitors with deep pockets. The city’s luxury hotels feature notable perks as well, from recommendations courtesy of Les Clefs d'Or concierge and indulgent spas calming the senses, to some of the city’s swankiest lounges stirring up bespoke cocktails. For a decadent holiday, consider booking a room at one of our top picks of the best luxury hotels in New York.
The St. Regis New York
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
Relish the Beaux-Arts architecture of St Regis New York. Once the tallest structure in NYC, the building – along with its elegant canopied, scarlet-carpeted entrance – is still a standout in this pocket of Midtown Manhattan. As for the interior, scores of marble, elaborate metalwork, crystal chandeliers, gilded mouldings and trompe-l’oeil ceilings set this masterpiece apart from most other city hotels. John Jacob Astor IV strived to create the 'finest hotel in the world' when he opened this place more than a century ago. Today, this five-star property still aims to offer the best service and amenities, with well-trained and pleasant staff ensuring each visitor receives first-class treatment. Read expert review From ￡682 per night
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The Sherry-Netherland
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
This grand 38-storey apartment building with a coveted Fifth Avenue address gushes with history and character. Classic Art Deco detailing and an old-world ambience transport guests back in time. Here, a 1920s frescoed ceiling was brought back to life when it was restored in 2013 after hiding behind plaster for 40 years. It’s tough to imagine the elegant reception area without Joseph Aruta’s Raphael-inspired mural. This masterpiece sets the tenor for the rest of the hotel. Besides Central Park and all its attractions just beyond the hotel’s doorstep, there's on-site restaurant frequented by the city's elite, a gym, barber shop and shoe shiner. Read expert review From ￡336 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Lowell
New York, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
A stylish, discreet gem. The Lowell transports visitors to a gentler, more glamorous time, with impeccable, personal service and individually designed rooms that regular guests request by their specific number. From the marble-floored foyer, with its smart, navy-clad staff and abundance of fresh flowers, to the lounge-style Club Room, filled with art, sculptures and books, there’s a restrained, old-world glamour to The Lowell, more reminiscent of Paris than New York. Some suites feature four-poster beds and full kitchens, while others have large stone terraces, with wrought-iron furniture and views over the park. The genteel Pembroke Room, with its white tablecloths and flickering lamps, serves an afternoon tea that has become a New York institution. Read expert review From ￡577 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Crosby Street Hotel
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
Firmdale’s first project in the US dazzles from the moment you enter. Hotelier and designer Kit Kemp merges downtown chic with British elegance in her well thought-out interiors. Expect soaring ceilings, grey, wide-plank oak floors, upholstered walls, and warehouse-style windows framed with designer draperies. The staff are pleasant and attentive without being intrusive. A handsome drawing room complete with two fireplaces and three seating areas, a sculpture garden and patio, 99-seat screening room, three private event and meeting areas, a sizable restaurant and bar, and a fitness centre, provide ample space both indoors and out. Read expert review From ￡565 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Pierre
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
This 41-storey Taj hotel boasts a superb location in Lenox Hill, luxury apartment-like rooms and suites with sweeping views of Central Park. Cross the threshold to the main entrance on East 61st Street, and you'll encounter scores of black-and-white marble flooring, gilded mouldings, stone pilasters and an array of classic details. Before you reach reception, fresh seasonal flowers such as statuesque orchids and blooming amaryllis greet you. Be sure to spend some time in the Rotunda and relish the curved walls wrapped in colourful trompe l'oeil murals by artist Edward Melcarth. The on-site restaurant, Perrine, is helmed by Chef Ashfer Biju and is undeniably one of the best you'll find in the neighbourhood. Read expert review From ￡307 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Soho Grand Hotel
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
The design here pays tribute to old New York and two vital periods in SoHo’s history – the 1870s Gilded Age and the offbeat and artist-driven 1970s. Designed by Hall-of-Famer Bill Sofield, the spaces in this hotel sing. Concrete floors, leather, plush fabrics, cast-iron detailing, exquisite art from local galleries, as well as a medley of other nuances contribute to the tenor of this hotel. There’s plenty of space – the hotel boasts two restaurants and a bar as well as a late-night club that plays live music and serves food and drink. A third-floor fitness room, valet parking, 24-hour room service, a dog park for four-legged companions, and complimentary Mozie bicycles make staying here as stylish an experience as you'll find in NYC. Read expert review From ￡145 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The New York EDITION
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
The New York EDITION, set in the 1909 Met Life clocktower, impresses from the get-go. Re-imagined by Ian Schrager, this Marriott-owned hotel features elegant interiors, a favourable Midtown address alongside Madison Square Park, and a phenomenal restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton. Concrete stairs lead from a steel marquee studded with tiny LED lights to the lobby, with bustling reception area on one side and chi chi bar on the other. The interior design steals the spotlight: a Venetian ceiling; an oatmeal and silver colour scheme; a sexy spiral staircase. Christian Liaigre, Erik Kolling, Alvar Alto and Jean-Michel Frank-inspired furnishings, hand-tufted silk rugs, and a 30-foot blackened steel fireplace all contribute to the chic-factor. Read expert review From ￡409 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Park Hyatt New York
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
The team at the Yabu Pushelberg studio didn't miss a beat when curating the interiors here. Enter to a modish lobby that transitions to the third-floor reception where suited staff await your arrival. Anticipate minimalist but inviting spaces with lots and lots of natural stone and avant-garde floral designs. Recognise the energy of Manhattan through the floor-to-ceiling windows and the city lights that lie beyond. While the area surrounding Park Hyatt is far from quiet, inside, you'll slip into calmness and discover more than 350 pieces of museum-quality art. The 13,000 feet of space in Spa Nalai feels otherworldly and not like Manhattan at all. That is until you notice the views. Read expert review From ￡505 per night
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Mandarin Oriental New York
New York, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
This hotel is all about the spectacular views – it’s perched high up above Manhattan on floors 35 to 54, so prepare yourself to be wowed no matter which room is yours. Some provide vistas of the skyline and Hudson River, while others show off Central Park and the surrounding cityscape. All rooms feature Asian-inspired décor, floor-to-ceiling windows, plush bathrobes, down bedding, and sumptuous bathroom amenities. You won’t want for much of anything in this hotel; in fact, if it weren’t in New York City, you might forgo venturing outside. Instead, stay tucked high in the sky while quaffing inventive cocktails and grazing on visually stunning (and delicious) food, working out with a view, pampering yourself at the Asian-themed five-star spa and tea lounge. Read expert review From ￡412 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
The Peninsula New York
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
Revel in neoclassical elegance the moment you arrive at this Midtown stalwart. The traditional Beaux-Arts exterior sets the tone before you even step inside the grand two-storey foyer. Clusters of slender seasonal flowers greet you, and an ornate all-plaster ceiling houses a handsome crystal chandelier. Meanwhile, magnificent dual staircases lead to the main restaurant and reception area. Anticipate world-class contemporary art in the public spaces; the curated exhibit during my stay celebrated 1980s New York, with original works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Also anticipate a world-class spa offering body wraps, facials, Swedish massage, reflexology and other restorative treatments. Read expert review From ￡498 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Whitby
New York, United States
9Telegraph expert rating
The Whitby is such a riot of rich, tactile fabrics, elaborately-printed wallpapers, crockery hung like portraits, giant murals and sculptures as to be deemed a gallery in its own right. There’s a brochure behind reception with details about each artwork and its creator, should guests be curious to find out more. Digging down 60 feet into the ground has given the hotel two expansive floors of basement space, including two 130-seat screening rooms, and a Reading Room with 2,500 books, which serves as both a quiet workspace for guests and a private dining/party room. The 24/7 gym is equipped with state-of-the-art treadmills, spin bikes and ellipticals, and there’s a same-day laundry service for post-workout kit. Read expert review From ￡464 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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The Quin
New York, United States
8Telegraph expert rating
Timeless design marries convenience at The Quin, whose soaring vaulted lobby resembles an urbane art gallery. Established as the Buckingham Hotel in 1929, it was once home to art legends, famed musicians and opera stars – hence the hotel’s careful curation of artwork and music programmes today. Expect veiny white-and-grey marble, low-slung furnishings, hand-blown glass vases and an interactive art wall, as well as rotating pieces by renowned artists. The Quin Arts Programme provides artist receptions, exhibitions, lectures, musical performances and other events, as well as the DK Johnston-directed artist-in-residence program in which guests have the opportunity to mix and mingle with the artists. Read expert review From ￡191 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
Contributions by Jane Mulkerrins