To no surprise, NYC offers some of the most stunning hotels to the 60+ million people that visit per year. Nestled into the iconic skyline of the Big Apple, these places are a crucial part of a vacation or trip to the city. Between pools, rooftop restaurants, extravagent lobbies, exercise rooms, and so much more, it’s no shock why finding a good hotel in NYC matters during your visit.
But if you want to stay at a cool one, that’s whole different story. Boutique hotels and independent run this town and we’ve got a list of the best. These cool hotels in NYC get our stamp of approval for your next stay!
1. Dream Downtown, Chelsea
The Dream Downtown is quite literally a dream hotel, thanks to its perfect location and outstanding amenities. Flagshipped in Chelsea, it sits right on the border with Meatpacking District, making it a close walk to NYC staples like Chelsea Market, The High Line, Chelsea Art Galleries, and even the Empire State Building! Plus, they have rooftop terrace, nightclub, pool, and 24 hour fitness center. How could you go wrong?
Where: 355 W 16th St
🚇: 14th St/8 Ave Station
2. Moxy, Chelsea
The Moxy has a few NYC locations, but the Chelsea hotel is our current favorite. Between their floral-filled interiors, eye-popping art, mouth-watering eateries, and cozy bedrooms, the ambience here is truly unmatched. Our favorite part of the hotel is The Fleur Room, their 35th floor cocktail lounge that offers 360 skyline views and tasty drinks.
Where: 105 W 28th St
🚇: 28th St Station
3. The Greenwich Hotel, Tribeca
The Greenwich Hotel is situated in Tribeca, one of New York’s most beloved neighborhoods, amidst a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere. The hotel features state-of-the-art facilities including an underground swimming pool, gym, top-notch Italian cooking restaurant and a spa with a wide variety of massages and personalized treatments to rest body and mind.
Its 88 rooms, divided into 14 different types, are decorated with luxury objects from several parts of the world and have king-size beds and a minibar with free snacks.
Where: 377 Greenwich St
🚇: Franklin Street Station
4. The Ludlow Hotel, Lower East Side
Based in Manhattan’s Lower East Side district, The Ludlow Hotel provides astonishing views of New York’s skyscrapers and bridges. The hotel’s quirky rooms, ranging from studios and terraces to lofts and penthouse rooms, feature engaging details such as handcrafted Moroccan lamps and handmade silk carpets. Plus they have a restaurant (Dirty French) and two different bars for you to drink at too.
Where: 180 Ludlow St
🚇: 2nd Avenue Station
5. Park Terrace Hotel, Midtown
With a view of Bryant Park and New York Public Library, Park Terrace Hotel is a luxury accommodation that mixes an artful design with New York’s local culture and modern lifestyle. The cozy and spacious rooms at this hotel feature a queen bed, smart TV with Netflix, Nespresso machine and a floor-to-ceiling window that provides the room with plenty of natural light. Their amenities include a large outdoor terrace, a fitness center complete with Pelotons and even a sauna! This is also just steps from Grand Central Terminal, making it super convenient.
Where: 18 West 40th St
🚇: 5th Ave Station
6. citizenM, Times Square
Just a 1-minute walk from Times Square, citizenM is located in the heart of Manhattan. The rooms of this trendy hotel offer guests the controls to ambient room lighting, as well as the channels of their state-of-the-art flat screen TVs. In addition, this hotel has three outdoor terraces, a gym with a yoga area, and a 24-hour food and beverage service on their exclusive rooftop bar.
Where: 218 W 50th St
🚇: 50 Street Station
7. Arlo, NoMad
Rise high above the clouds in one of the Arlo NoMad hotel rooms, that sits next to a gorgeous view of the Empire State Building. Of course their modern and sleek space is perfect for any type of stay, but what really love is there food and drink options connected within. Particularly their Middle Eastern bar “BARlo” and their rooftop lounge “A.R.T. NoMad” which has a glass skywalk and unique NYC art scattered around. This spot just oozes coolness.
Where: 11 E 31st St
🚇: 33 St Station
8. Graduate Hotel, Roosevelt Island
The Graduate Hotel on Roosevelt Island provides a pleasant retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The unique views of Manhattan and Queens pair effortless with its modern restaurant that serves delicious seasonal food and a continental breakfast. Plus, their trendy lounge located on the 18th floor offers panoramic views over the East River and delicious cocktails too. It’s the perfect spot for when you want to be in New York, but not necessarily in New York.
Where: 22 North Loop Rd
🚇: Roosevelt Island Station
9. Mandarin Oriental, Columbus Circle
Located just two minutes from Central Park, Mandarin Oriental is a striking blend of modern occidental style with a smart oriental outlook. This hotel features several types of rooms, ranging from standard rooms to lavish suites. It has a number of delightful features including a 14,500 square-foot spa, state-of-the-art fitness center with a 75-foot lap pool, and even a fancy restaurant and lounge (MO Lounge). This hotel is right near the Theater District, Columbus Circle, and The Lincoln Center, so it’s pretty good spot.
Where: 80 Columbus Circle
🚇: 59 St – Columbus Circle Station
10. The Kimberly Hotel, Midtown
The Kimberly Hotel is a classical and intimate hotel that provides a unique atmosphere for travelers seeking a respite from busy midtown Manhattan. Its 500-to-600-square-foot rooms are purposely designed to provide an amazing experience for all the senses. With its comfortable king-size beds, flat-screen TVs and first-class toilet amenities, everything you need is just steps from the city center. This hotel truly is boutique and prides itself on being an alternative to chain hotels. And it’s right near attractions like Radio City Music Hall and Fifth and Madison Avenues.
Where: 145 E 50th St
🚇: 51 St Station
11. The William Vale, Williamsburg
Priding itself as “the luxury hotel” in Williamsburg, The William Vale is one of our favorites in Brooklyn and it’s mainly because of the brilliantly designed rooms, fantastic food and dining options, and overall location. Whether you’re looking to be steps from Smorgasburg, or near the strip of shopping on Bedford Ave, this hotel is smack dab in the middle of it. Oh, and we can’t forget about its rooftop bar, The Westlight, which may be one our favorites in all of Brooklyn.
Where: 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn
🚇: Nassau Ave Station
12. W Hotel, Times Square
The W Hotel in Times Square is right in the middle of everything! Many Broadway fans typically stay here since it’s so close to the theaters, but really everyone should try a night here. Of course it has breathtaking Times Square views, but it also has several restaurants inside offering tasty Mexican and Japanese food. Our favorite though is the massive “living room” bar that serves snacks and cocktails for when you want to escape the craziness of Midtown.
Where: 1567 Broadway
🚇: 49 St Station
13. Franklin Guesthouse, Greenpoint
Another Brooklyn choice is Franklin Guesthouse, a great spot if you want to immerse yourself in Brooklyn culture. At this modern hotel, you’ll find several options for accommodation, from elegant lofts of different sizes to luxurious suites of different designs. All rooms are equipped with everything you need to live at your own pace, and are designed in a modern way to feel like home. Plus, there’s a chic contemporary bar & restaurant (MADRE), a gym with a steam shower and sauna, and a business center.
Where: 214 Franklin St, Brooklyn
🚇: Nassau Ave Station
14. Refinery Hotel, Midtown
This former hat factory and Prohibition-era tea room is now a luxury hotel with over 100 years of Garment District history on display. The Refinery Hotel’s stylish loft rooms with soaring ceilings are the highlight of the bedrooms here, but the talk of the town is their fashionable Refinery Rooftop bar and nostalgic Parker & Quinn restaurant. Be sure to grab a cocktail here because they’re some of the best.
Where: 63 W 38th St
🚇: 34 St – Herald Square Station
15. The Standard, Meatpacking District
Located in the perfect location near The High Line, The Standard and its minimalist yet luxurious hotel is a perfect spot to book for a night or two. Enjoy a drink at the attached German Biergarten or head up to the rooftop night club Le Bain to dance the night away, depending on whatever you’re in the mood for. Since it’s in the perfect area for restaurants, nightlife, and art, it’s everything you could possibly want.
Where: 848 Washington St
🚇: 14 St/8 Ave Station
16. Crosby Street Hotel, SoHo
The Crosby Street Hotel is a quaint and contemporary hotel that sits perfectly off the cobbled streets of SoHo. Located within there is The Crosby Bar, a floral-filled terrace, private event rooms, a top-tier fitness center, and so much more. If you stay here, be sure to take advantage of their amenities like their screening room showing movies and their afternoon tea program!
Where: 79 Crosby St
🚇: Spring Street Station
17. Hotel Hendricks, Midtown
Hotel Hendricks embraces rock-and-roll glam in everything they do, from the rooftop cocktails to the rooms with luxe fittings. Considering it has two rooftop bars, a 24 hour fitness center, and is just steps from Bryant Park and Herald Square, it’s a good Midtown spot to get away from it all.
Where: 25 W 38th St
🚇: 34 St- Herald Square Station
18. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, DUMBO
If you’re looking for a Brooklyn spot that’s not necessarily in Williamsburg, check out 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, which has a great view of…you guessed it… The Brooklyn Bridge. The modern and tasteful hotel is sustainably built and designed by local artists using native greenery and reclaimed materials. They have dining options if you’re hungry (The Osprey, Harriet’s Rooftop, and Harriet’s Lounge) and even a spa and rooftop pool! Need we say less?
Where: 60 Furman St, Brooklyn
🚇: High Street – Brooklyn Bridge Station
19. Williamsburg Hotel, Williamsburg
The Williamsburg Hotel’s cheeky “Sleep with a local” motto matches its modern and playful interior and is a great Brooklyn spot to keep in mind. They too have a lovely rooftop pool and bar that you can spend time lounging around in, and also host a series of events that are always happening (like DJ sets, social hours, high teas and more). If you stay here, be sure to ask about what’s going on during your stay!
Where: 96 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn
🚇: Bedford Ave Station
20. Conrad New York Downtown, Battery Park
Located more near One World Trade Center is Conrad New York Downtown, which has a spacious lobby with a collection of more than 2.000 original works of art. Their exclusive Mediterranean restaurant and a seasonal rooftop bar are quite lovely, as well as a premium fitness facility to keep yourself in good shape during your holidays or business trips. It’s just 10 minutes from hotspots like Tribeca, Greenwich Village, SoHo, and Wall Street, and the views of the skyline and Statue of Liberty are unmatched.
Where: 102 North End Avenue
🚇: WTC Cortlandt Station
21. Penny Hotel, Williamsburg
Penny Williamsburg comes from the same team behind Freehand, NoMad and the LINE hotels. The boutique hotel offers the comfort of home in each room with hardwood floors, kitchenettes, and pour-over coffee systems. Head to elNico, the rooftop bar, for a modern take on Mexican fare and eclectic drinks that will leave you making another reservation before you’ve even left. Plus, the spot offers unparalleled views of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.
Where: 288 N 8th St, Brooklyn
🚇: Metropolitan Ave Station
22. Park Lane, Midtown
This elegant hotel on the corner of Central Park is no short of snazzy. Cozy into one of their charming rooms while enjoying sprawling views of the park. Not to mention, there’s an intimate “secret garden oasis” 47 floors up that offers seafood towers, global wines and more.
Where: 36 Central Park S
🚇: 5 Av/59 St Station
23. Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel, Harlem
This brand new hotel at the site of historic Victoria Theater honors the Harlem Renaissance through its eye catching designs. With 211 rooms on the property, it’s the largest hotel north of Central Park. Be sure to spend time at their elegant hotel restaurant and bar, offering southern soul food and inventive cocktails.
Where: 233 W 125th St, New York
🚇: 135 St Station