Finding a hotel that captures the essence of New York City can be a challenge for travelers. From Central Park to Bryant Park, Manhattan is a place constantly abuzz with restaurant openings, live events, gallery shows and hidden cocktail clubs. If you’re only in town for a few days, it can be hard knowing where to look for the authentic New York experience, or where real New Yorkers like to hang out (hint: it’s not Times Square).

A good hotel can not only put you in the heart of the action, but it can point you in the direction of the city’s best-kept secrets or (in the case of the Soho Grand Hotel) have the hottest party right in its lobby. Perhaps you fancy yourself an artist looking to stay in the electric East Village. Maybe you’re keen to live out your Gossip Girl fantasies in a classic Upper East Side hotel dating back to the 1920s. Perhaps you want a Midtown hotel that puts you close to the city’s main attractions like Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Greenwich Village and the Empire State Building. Or perhaps you want a luxury hotel across the East River in Brooklyn. Whatever the case, New York City has the best hotels perfectly suited to meet your needs. Here are my tried-and-true favorites.

Four Seasons Downtown

Image courtesy of Four Seasons Downtown

There are few things more coveted in New York City than a centrally located swimming pool. Especially in the summer months, when hot garbage smells drape the city, access to a refreshing indoor or outdoor pool is like holding Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. Enter the Four Seasons in Downtown Manhattan, in the Tribeca neighborhood. The Four Seasons Downtown is a luxury hotel home to a stellar pool, within walking distance of the Brooklyn Bridge, the historic Seaport District and close to Battery Park in the Financial District. If you want to truly pamper yourself, book a stay in the Gotham Suite with a terrace overlooking the city’s skyscrapers. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine after dinner at the on-site restaurant, Cut by Wolfgang Puck.

Perks:

• When you book with us, you’ll unlock exclusive perks and upgrades!

The Mark

Image courtesy of The Mark

While Manhattan’s Upper East Side is often associated with shows like Gossip Girl and the designer shops that line Fifth Avenue, this neighborhood is a true cultural hub home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a slew of stellar hotels. The Mark is one such hotel, a five-star stay on Madison Avenue and 77th Street. What sets The Mark apart is its attention to detail, from the black and white striped hot dog cart (cleverly named the “Haute Dog Cart”) to the freshly made macarons (compliments of nearby Ladurée) served bedside on your first night. But of the myriad reasons to visit this luxury NYC hotel, which has been named one of the most exquisite in the world, the eponymous on-site restaurant is the real draw. The Mark by Jean-Georges focuses on market-fresh ingredients and simple French cooking, serving elevated comfort food extending from breakfast to late-night bites. 

Perks

• $100 food / beverage credit.
• Daily breakfast.
• Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Greenwich

When all is said and done, a hotel’s mission comes down to providing guests with a comfortable night’s sleep. At The Greenwich, this boutique hotel goes back to basics by going the extra mile to ensure guests sleep soundly. All 88 rooms offer a custom-built Savoir bed, painstakingly crafted by hand to guarantee unparalleled comfort. Savoir mattresses are so revered that they’ve been literally cradling the backs of celebrities and politicians for decades, including Winston Churchill and Marilyn Monroe. Between the Savoir beds and the hotel’s on-site Shibui spa, you’re guaranteed to be your most relaxed (and well-rested) when staying at The Greenwich Hotel. 

Perks

• $100 hotel / resort credit.
• Daily breakfast.
• Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The William Vale

Once upon a time, tourists only knew to book a stay in Manhattan, often overlooking the other four boroughs that make up the Big Apple. Today, NYC travelers know better than to ignore what’s across the East River, instead making trips and booking a stay in the likes of Brooklyn and Queens. The William Vale is a five-star hotel in Williamsburg, an uber trendy neighborhood synonymous with the term “hipster.” Touting itself as Williamsburg’s only luxury hotel, The William Vale is not only centrally located, but it boasts stellar views of the Manhattan skyline and a 60 feet pool on their 4th floor terrace replete with poolside cabanas and daybeds. Whether you book a stay here or not, it’s worth coming to The William Vale for its rooftop bar, Westlight, which has 360-degree views of the city and Manhattan’s skyscrapers.

The Beekman

Image courtesy of The Beekman

Housed in a 19th-century building, The Beekman is a stunning downtown Manhattan hotel that prides itself on bespoke old-world decor and turn-of-the-century details. The hotel is near the main 4, 5, and 6 subway lines close to New York’s City Hall, so you can easily reach attractions like Times Square and the Empire State Building. The Beekman’s main atrium is truly a beauty, with its 10-stories framed by Victorian railings and art-deco details, and topped with a glass pyramid ceiling that casts a lovely glow over the Bar Room below. The hotel’s Temple Court restaurant is curated by Top Chef judge Tom Colicchio, while Le Gratin is overseen by Chef Daniel Boulud and serves up Lyonnaise cuisine inspired by his hometown.   

Perks:

• $100 food / beverage credit.
• Daily breakfast.
• Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The Soho Grand

Whereas the Beekman might harken back to the long-gone days of the Victorian age, The Soho Grand is a young and hip hotel that is very much living in the present. The hotel does its best to encapsulate the effortlessly cool vibes of Soho and lower Manhattan by presenting a boutique atmosphere replete with designer touches and rooftop bars. When checking in, expect expansive city views, gourmet mini bars, C.O. Bigelow toiletries and a lounge that doubles as a nightly party. Yes, the Soho Grand is a place to see and be seen, and nothing reflects that more than its Club Room, which hosts live music events and draws both New Yorkers and tourists. If you truly want to live out your New York City fantasy, stay in the Loft South Penthouse, which has a 1,200-square-foot terrace with views as far as the Financial District and the Hudson River. 

The Lowell

Image courtesy of The Lowell

Some hotels, like the Carlyle and Plaza Hotel, scream ‘classic NYC,’ and this five-star hotel is one of them. Located near Central Park, The Lowell first opened its doors in 1927 amongst a sea of Manhattan’s most coveted townhouses and 5th Avenue designer shops. Today, this landmark luxury hotel has an impressive history, with a guest list that has included movie stars, dignitaries and luminaries across the decades. As the hotel likes to boast, some of my most beloved novels and remembered movie scripts have been penned within its walls. In short, The Lowell is as iconic a hotel as it is a part of American history, serving as a muse to New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike. After an afternoon of writing prose, don’t miss a top-notch meal at the on-site Majorelle, which is widely regarded as one of the city’s best French restaurants. At Majorelle, Chef Jean Christophe Guiony has created a menu with dishes inspired by French classics and seasonal ingredients. Afterward, slide onto one of the blue velvet banquettes in the Jacques Bar and enjoy a perfect martini made by one of the hotel’s expert mixologists. 

Perks:

• Daily breakfast.
• $100 food/beverage credit
• Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Casa Cipriani

Image courtesy of Casa Cipriani

Not to be confused with Cipriani Downtown, the sumptuous Italian restaurant on West Broadway in Soho, Casa Cipriani (of the same company), is a stunning hotel overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge. The hotel is housed inside the Battery Maritime Building, designed in 1906 and one of the last examples of a Beaux-Arts ferry terminal. Today, the converted terminal has been turned into 47 rooms and suites with private balconies and enviable views of the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge. When booking a guest room, opt for the Premiere River View Suite. This one-bedroom accommodation has an outdoor terrace that overlooks Brooklyn, the East River and even the Staten Island ferry. 

Perks:

• $30 daily breakfast credit.
• $100 food/beverage credit
• Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Pendry Manhattan West

Hudson Yards and Manhattan’s Midtown West are very up-and-coming neighborhoods. Chances are you’ve seen the honeycomb-shaped Vessel or heard of The Edge, that glass-floor platform 100-stories in the sky. Yes, the west side is officially cool now, and the Pendry Manhattan West knows it. This boutique hotel embraces its neighborhood by drawing visitors with beautiful guest rooms, high-end amenities, fitness centers, morning-to-night dining and rooftop venues touting views of the Hudson River. 

The Standard East Village

Image courtesy of The Standard East Village

Located near Cooper Square in Manhattan’s East Village, the Standard is like an oasis of calm in a seriously bustling neighborhood. The East Village is an enclave of artists, college kids, musicians, and comedians hanging out at one of the hole-in-the-wall ramen joints, impossibly chic cocktail bars or effortlessly cool dive bars. This neighborhood seems to ooze New York City energy and is a place that is always buzzing with life and excitement — if you know where to look. In a place so happening, a little calm can be welcome. The Standard is housed in a former tenement building with a secret street-level garden, stellar views of Manhattan and delectable cuisine with natural wine pairings. The Standard also puts you close to other equally cool neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village, the Bowery and the Lower East Side. You really can’t go wrong with staying at a trendy hotel that puts you in the heart of the action while simultaneously offering a respite from the city that never sleeps.  

Perks:

• $100 food/beverage credit
• Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.