The best hotels in New York City with a view

The height of luxury, this chic five-star hotel boasts stunning views, including many rooms with views of Central Park. The elevated experience starts from its 35th-floor lobby decorated with Dale Chihuly glass art. The upscale vibe continues in all the guest rooms, from standard king rooms to its suites. The little details here and the attention to the guest experience set this hotel apart from the crowd: Think binoculars in the guest room, a robotic toilet in the bathroom, luxurious turndown service, and impeccable room service, just to name a few. 

Mood? Designer pad.
Budget range? Spendy as heck.

Parallel to the Brooklyn Bridge itself, this contemporary property offers amazing architectural views over the East River. Home to a rooftop pool and bar you’ll likely never want to leave, this well-appointed, wellness-focused property is in the heart of DUMBO, so you can walk to the neighborhood’s best restaurants, art galleries, shops, and more and have plenty of time to crash at the property. Request skyline views if you want to see Manhattan when you wake up, otherwise, save a few bucks and enjoy the views from the rest of the property.

Mood? Waterfront bliss.
Budget range? A wide variety of options.

The only hotel on Roosevelt Island, this property opened in 2021 and has become a meeting point for New Yorkers eager to visit the trendy hotel situated between Manhattan and Queens. Arrive by tramway, subway, ferry or bus and check in for a range of excellent views of three boroughs. Jewel-toned rooms are cozy and bright and the rooftop Panorama Room is renowned for its 360-degree indoor-outdoor views, plus great cocktails.

Mood? World-class luxury. 
Budget range? Surprisingly affordable.

If you're looking for a cozy terraced hotel to soak up the NYC skyline with a coffee – or cocktail – the Park Terrace Hotel is the one for you. Featuring soundproofed rooms with high-end amenities including a Nespresso coffee machine, SmartTV, and MALIN + GOETZ toiletries, this awesome NYC hotel offers guests a luxury experience. Well, there's nothing left to do but chill on your plush double bed in your provided bathrobe while you peek out of your floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the greenery of Bryant Park and the iconic Empire State Building. 

Mood? Modern vibe.
Budget range? An amazing deal for Manhattan.

Taking over the iconic former Le Parker Meridien space on West 56th Street, the Thompson Central Park underwent a major mid-pandemic facelift by architect Thomas Juul-Hansen and designers Stonehill Taylor and officially opened in November 2021. The result is mid-century modern sleekness—this is a Thompson property, after all—throughout both the public spaces and private guestrooms. The Thompson is already competitively priced compared to its Central Park South neighbors but a panorama like that is priceless.

Mood? Super glamorous.
Budget range? On the pricier side.

At the Plaza Hotel, all that glitters is gold. Literally. From chair legs and mirror frames to the bathrooms of each guest room and suite, the details are gilded with 24-carat gold plating. It’s classy and opulent and reminiscent of another time—but then again, it’s the Plaza. The midtown hotel has been a New York icon, offering first-rate lodging since 1907. Throughout the years and after many renovations, the National Historic Landmark’s guest list has been a who’s who of celebs, from the Beatles to Christian Dior, and the backdrop for many cultural works like The Great Gatsby and Eloise at the Plaza. Of course, as it sits on the edge of Central Park, it’s northern rooms have spectacular views of the city’s green oasis.

On the northernmost edge of one of Brooklyn’s coolest neighborhoods, Greenpoint, this converted factory offers splendid views over the East River, so you can gaze at the Empire State Building as you drift off. A rooftop bar and lounge offer more views, and the waterfront is just steps away for a closer look at the glimmering buildings. It’s a perfect spot for sunset, and spacious balconies on some rooms help you live like a Brooklynite.  

Mood? Eclectic energy.
Budget range? Very affordable for NYC.

Exposed brick walls covered in local artwork, 13-foot ceilings sporting original wood beams, floor-to-ceiling factory windows offering panoramic skyline views—the Wythe Hotel is a Brooklyn real estate wet dream. Alas, unless you’re one of the tech bros who have transformed the Williamsburg waterfront into one of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods, you likely can’t afford those kind of industrial-chic digs full-time, but the Wythe allows you to at least pretend that this is your not-so-humble abode for a few days.

A room with a view is quite literally the name of the game here. The windows don't just go from floor to ceiling – they are the walls. Towering high above Manhattan, The Standard near the High Line, offers unbeatable cityscapes. Staying in one of these rooms is a bit like sitting in the clouds, especially when you're gazing out from your bathtub. That's right, there are even views to be had from the bathroom. You may want to check about being overlooked before making too much of a show, of course. Along with the glorious views of the city, it's quite the sight inside too. The interiors are modern but not all grey concrete and the rest, they're warm, chic and cozy. A homely environment to have while looking over the Hudson at sunset or whatever you'd like to do. 

Mood? Contemporary design. 
Budget range? Mid-range and so worth it.

Everything about the William Vale comes back to the views. They’re spectacular and practically unavoidable no matter where you are. When you step off the elevator on any floor, you’re met by a wall of solid glass and the sprawling expanse of Brooklyn. After walking down a short hallway to your room, you can relax on a private balcony overlooking the tiny, ant-like New Yorkers below (yes, every single room in the hotel has a balcony.) Furthermore, the hotel’s current main attraction, a rooftop bar called Westlight on the 22nd floor, offers a perspective on the New York skyline so staggering that it might make you do a double take. Just in case you somehow fail to appreciate it, the bar offers complimentary bright-yellow observation viewers.

Mood? Next-level opulence.
Budget range? Pricey if you don't book well in advance.

Michelin is known for awarding restaurants with stars but it recently expanded its expertise by awarding hotels with Michelin Keys. The Bowery Hotel in East Village was recently awarded one Key, which we’ve found to be right on target. During our stay, we took the dimly lit (and old but well-maintained) elevator up to the 12th floor and walked into our room, which had breathtaking views of Manhattan and Brooklyn (I had a perfect view of the newly renovated Domino Sugar factory!) The room was incredibly comfortable, with lots of spaces to sit and relax. I loved being able to sit at the table on one side of the room and then move to the other side and sit on the couch while enjoying different views of the city.  

Mood? Boutique chic. 
Budget range? A fantastic deal. 

The Pierre—and its opulent rotunda—has been on Fifth Avenue across from Central Park since 1930. Celebrities still frequent the place today, it hasn’t fallen out of style one bit. It overlooks Central Park, offering an iconic view not many get to enjoy. Down on the ground level, the rotunda’s curved walls and sky-high ceiling are covered in ornate trompe l’oeil paintings. It’s gorgeous and dizzying. The India-based luxury hotel brand Taj spent $100 million renovating the property in 2009, adding colorful silks and Indian paintings. For a certain set of very rich New Yorkers, the ballroom here is popular for parties and weddings (and pictures).

Mood? All-star glamour.
Budget range? Five-star pricing.

As far as Manhattan goes nothing is more valuable than space. When battling the daily rush of claustrophobia from the subway, to museums, to Times Square, finding a hotel that is removed from the sheer deluge of humanity is worth its weight in gold. With a towering 15-story, marble floored, almost Star Trek-esque lobby, plush suites and open views of the Hudson, the Conrad Hotel in Battery Park serves as an ideal escape from the city, even though it’s perfectly situated in the heart of the Financial District. The Hilton offshoot features 463 spacious two-room suites, with parlor rooms and showers that feel bigger than the hotel’s elevators. Indulging in a Hudson River View suite offers a peaceful look at New York’s waters, which you can also view from the spectacular Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar, which features light vittles and complementary selfie sticks for sky-high gratification.

The majestic views of the Empire State Building are definitely going to end up on your gram at the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse, that much is fact. The Art Deco-inspired lobby, sleek rooms and pretty views are a welcome respite from the busy Garment District. Head up to the Top of the Strand bar on floor 21, where the skyline glows right in front of you and the caipirin has hit all of the other senses. Along with that, there are simple and comforting rooms, a prime rooftop bar from which to enjoy the surroundings and top-tier service. You're close to Times Square, Grand Central Station and more too. You're a stone's throw away from a subway station, so zipping off around the city will be a breeze. 

Mood? A little luxe.
Budget range? Well priced.

If you're staying in New York, what could possibly be better than staying in a hotel with a massive red glowing NEW YORKER sign hanging on the top of it? Perhaps one that's also an Art Deco gem famous enough to have a nickname (the "Grand Old Lady"), situated right next to Penn Station. With 912 rooms on several dozen floors, there'll be plenty of room (it's an entire skyscraper, as you can tell). The Wyndham is it's proper name. It has an old-school chandeliered lobby and a storied history. It opened in 1930 with much glitz and glam (many politicians and celebrities spent nights in The Terrace Room) and was then purchased by Reverend Sun Myung Moon and his Unification Church in 1975. Along with being right next to the station, this spot is also just three blocks from the Empire State Building, meaning you get a stunning up-close-and-personal view of the iconic skyscraper whenever you want. Inside, the rooms are simple and elegant.  

Mood? OTT extravagance.
Budget range? Very good value.

If you’re looking for a Gilded Age, old-money historic NYC experience, Lotte New York Palace on Madison Avenue is just the place. Lotte Palace was built during the Gilded Age, 1882 to be exact. The lobby, courtyard and the main hotel building comprise three wings of the Villard Houses, a row of mansions built in the 1880s by McKim, Mead & White (which are New York City-designated landmarks and listed on the National Register of Historic Places) for railroad tycoon Henry Villard. During my stay, I was given a room on the 45th floor. My ears took a second to pop when I got off the elevator, but the annoyance of that feeling quickly lifted when I caught a glimpse of the view out my window. I looked straight out over Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, right towards Rockefeller Center. It’s the type of view that even I, a lifetime New Yorker, was in awe of.

Mood? Gilded Age opulence
Budget range? Pricey.

The Dominick Soho is perfect for anyone looking for a fuss-free stay on one of New York City’s most exciting streets. I entered through the Spring Street entrance and was greeted by a lobby that blends modern and mid-century styles, featuring dark wood and plenty of cozy nooks to sit, read, take a call, or get some work done. I stayed in a Skyline View King Room, which consists of a king-sized bed, a sofa and coffee table, desk space and a wet bar. The room was spacious and the views were fantastic. We were fortunate to see a rainbow from our room, which made for a spectacular welcome experience. The Dominick is a well-cared-for hotel, offering everything you need for a comfortable and relaxing stay. It's elevated by its amazing views, chic poolside restaurant, and prime location on Spring Street, with all of Soho at its doorstep.

Mood? Soho coolness (with a view).
Budget range? A five star hotel with some very five-star prices.

Located on the southwest corner of Soho, ModernHaus SoHo is a boutique hotel that blends art and design. Formerly The James New York - Soho, the 114-room property underwent an extensive year-and-a-half renovation in 2020, before reopening with a new name and new look. The result is a work of art, inside and out. Staying in the Skyline King Studio, the rooms mirror the sophistication of Soho with an edge. Elements of dark wood, concrete and tan leather detail the interior, giving the room a modernist feel. But the crown jewel of the room goes to the views themselves. Two walls of the corner studio feature floor-to-ceiling windows giving sights of Soho and Tribeca, and even a few glimpses of the water if you angle your head right. You can catch these views anywhere in the room, including inside the glass-encased bathroom. You may feel emboldened to survey your kingdom like a king in the nude, but for privacy’s sake, I hit the mechanical shutters and went to the bathroom in peace.

Mood? Celeb treatment.
Budget range? A decent offering.

If you book a stay here, try to book a room with views of Manhattan—the sweeping views of the Queensboro Bridge and the Upper East Side are pretty difficult to match. Rooms and suites have a minimalist feel, thanks to mid-century modern furniture, stark white linens and hanging edison bulbs. Non-guests can order coffees at the cafe and drinks at the lobby bar, or also check out their new-ish restaurant Beebe’s, which serves some pretty solid brick oven pizzas, pastas and a killer ricotta. 

At The Peninsula, set in a grand, century-old building on actual Fifth Avenue, the skyline is so close you can practically reach out and touch it (technically you can do this at any level, but you know what we mean, from the top floors and that). New York City looks picture perfect from the guest rooms, the glass-enclosed pool, the fancy fitness center and the sunny terrace. All up and close, bring the camera. The Rockerfeller Center is 700 yards away and Central Park is even closer. You can also see and be seen at the Salon de Ning, a trendy rooftop bar with extraordinary views. You may well catch some other fancy clientele there too. 

Mood? Fifth Ave livin'.
Budget range? Pricey.

After a hectic day in New York, what better way to unwind than gazing at the expanse of Central Park from your spacious, plush room at the Ritz-Carlton? Grand Park View Rooms even come with telescopes for optimal viewing. But first, stop at Contour, where famed bartender Norman Bukofzer will make you a perfect Manhattan and, reportedly, remember your drink for decades (though you'll probably come back more often than once a decade after you've experienced it once). Many of the rooms overlook Central Park and the Rockefeller Center and are decorated to be light, airy, and wooden. So while it is the city that never sleeps, you will find it quite the restorative place to be. 

Mood? Super chic.
Budget range? An expensive treat indeed. 

The decor of this hotel might be sleek and modern, but nearby landmarks such as the Empire State Building and Madison Square Park give it the flavor of old New York. The 271 unique guest rooms and suites ooze class with oak floors, spacious layouts, and breathtaking views of Manhattan. If you're dining in, check out the elevated British fare from Michelin-starred Chef Jason Atherton at The Clocktower. You've also got some of Park Avenue's best restaurants a stone's throw away.

The whole ethos of New York’s Pod hotels is that you get all the amenities you need for a brilliant and easy stay in the city at affordable prices that leave more in your wallet for exploring the city. You might not find many of the fancy luxuries and concierge services you get at other NYC hotels, but you will find simple but well-appointed bedrooms, fun bars, nooks and crannies for outdoor dining filled with colourful murals and an impressive rooftop garden with jaw-dropping views of the city skyscrapers. 

Mood? Bare necessities with flair. 
Budget range? Affordable. 

Located steps away from Times Square, YOTEL is already a winner in the eyes of many tourists who want to see it all on their trip to NYC. But there's plenty more in store at this tech-savvy hotel; designed with efficiency and comfort in mind, expect automated check-in kiosks, smart beds, mood lighting and TVs with the works. Now onto the fun stuff; it houses one of New York City's largest rooftops where you can relax and socialize over brunch and dinner, craft cocktails and views. 

Mood? Modern and convenient. 
Budget range? Affordable for NYC.