New York City is an iconic destination that literally everyone should visit if possible. The city is so massive and every city block is packed with things to do. Amazing food, speak easies, cool hotels, Broadway shows, and more. This guide will break down the Big Apple by its best neighborhoods so you know where to stay in NYC!
NYC Neighborhoods and Hotels We’ll Cover:
- SoHo (South of Houston Street)
- Chelsea
- Upper East Side
- Greenwich Village (The Village/West Village)
- Hell’s Kitchen
- Midtown
- Williamsburg, Brooklyn
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Where To Stay in NYC: SoHo
Luxury Shopping | Luxury Hotels | Great Bar Scene | Well Connected
(South of Houston Street)
I visit NYC often and Soho is my “go-to” area. I really like the lower west side of Manhattan which has come a long way since 2001. It is not as much about the neighborhood itself, but Soho has great hotels and is incredibly central. You can jump on a bike and go across the Brooklyn Bridge or pop down to Rockefeller park which will make you feel like you’re not in the city at all.
If you’re looking for upscale shopping at some of the finest shops in the world, then look no further. Named for being South of Houston Street, you’ll find plenty of places to shop along Broadway: everything from Zara to Maria Tash Jewelry.
While this neighborhood used to be a hotbed for artists in the 70s and 80s, it’s now become one of the most high-class places in the city, which means it’s one of the most high-class places in the world! The median household income here is about $150,000 a year. Staying at a hotel in the area is one of the best ways to taste the luxury and opulence that this neighborhood has to offer.
“[Soho] is all things to all men, catering comprehensively for those needs which money can buy.
-P.D. James, Novelist
Nearby Attractions include:
- Rockefeller Park
- Pier 25 & 26 (great restaurants and activities)
- New York City Fire Museum
- Prince Street Shopping
Best Hotels in SOHO NYC:
The Dominick Hotel
$$$$+ | 5 Star | Mega-Luxury | Rooftop Pool
The Dominick, formerly the Trump Soho, is my go-to hotel for romantic trips with my wife. We’ve stayed there a couple of times and it is everything that money can buy. The rooms are outfitted with Fendi furniture, there is an amazing pool, and it is simply luxurious.
SIXTY SoHo
$$$ | 4 Star | Contemporary
The SIXTY SoHo is a beautifully decorated hotel in the heart of lower Manhattan. Walking distance to tons of restaurants, bars, shopping and even the Brooklyn Bridge if you have your tennis shoes on!
Solita Soho Hotel
$ | Clean | SoHo
Comfortable and clean hotel in a great location. Rooms are pretty basic, but the price is basic as well which goes a long way for NYC. I would easily take this option for a business trip or budget vacation.
Soho Grand Hotel
$$$ | 4 Star | Soho
The Soho Grand is an extremely nice hotel in a great area. It is luxurious, the rooms are unique, and it is loaded with amenities. Definitely, a strong option if you have the budget.
The Broome
$$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | SoHo
An extremely elegant hotel with tons of amenities in the PERFECT area.
Crosby Street Hotel
$$$$+ | 5 Star | Beautiful Design
The Crosby Street Hotel is a wonder to the eyes which make it perfect for people with great style and a great budget!
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our New York Guide for more resources.
Where to Stay in NYC: Chelsea
Activity Rich | Food Scene | Well Connected
Chelsea is known as a haven for artists. Some of the world’s most famous have lived in Chelsea because of the old buildings’ high ceilings and large freight elevators they could use to make and transport their work. Now over 300 art galleries exist in Chelsea.
Chelsea is a great neighborhood to stay in due to the restaurants, bars, shops, and various cultural activities that exist within the vicinity, including the Chelsea Market. Chelsea is home to the High Line Park, a raised site of greenery made from an abandoned railroad track. The Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden are both within walking distance.
Attractions include:
- Hudson Yards
- Chelsea Market
- The High Line
- Rubin Museum of Art
Best Hotels in Chelsea NYC:
Selina Chelsea
$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | High Line/Chelsea | Pool
Very chic and modern hotel which is perfect for romantic couples looking for an NYC getaway. It is footsteps from New York City’s High Line park which is a great space to walk, dine, drink, and people watch!
The High Line Hotel
$$$ | 4 Star | High Line/Chelsea | Design
The High Line Hotel is design hotel with captivating spaces, contemporary design, and above all a New York feel. It is definitely a cool option in a great area within walking distance of the High Line which adds to its value.
The Standard High Line
$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | High Line/Meatpacking
The Standard sits on the border of Chelsea and Greenwich Village in a sub-community known as the meatpacking. It is a youthful and romantic hotel known for its floor-to-ceiling windows on every room with views of the Hudson River. Dare you leave the curtains open?
Dream Downtown
$$$ | 4 Stars | Outdoor Pool | Mythical
Dream Downtown is exactly that in all that the word means. It is whacky yet incredibly stylish which makes it a museum in itself. It is one of those hotels that you’ll never forget.
The Maritime Hotel
$$$ | 4 Star | Contemporary | Chelsea
The Maritime Hotel is a contemporary and stylish hotel that has a considerably relaxing decor and feel. Yes, it is nautical themed but you won’t find tacky anchors or ropes lying around. It is extremely well done and somewhere I would definitely consider staying in NYC.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out how to spend 3 days in New York.
Where to Stay in NYC: Upper East Side
Luxury Hotels | Authentic | Access to Central Park & MET
French Renaissance-style townhouses characterize the architecture of this expensive Manhattan neighborhood, along with luxury condominiums and homes of international tycoons. Some of these beautiful apartment buildings and brownstones date back all the way to the 19th century.
It’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the world, with some of the finest schools too. The beautiful tree-lined streets show why this neighborhood has garnered fame and popularity throughout the years.
North of Grand Army Plaza at the southeast corner of Central Park, you’ll find Museum Mile, home to some of New York’s most famous museums, like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum at 88th street and the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 82nd to 86th street.
Attractions Include:
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Carl Schurz Park
- Tisch Children’s Zoo in Central Park
- Society of Illustrators Museum
Best Hotels in Upper East Side NYC:
voco The Franklin New York
$$ | 3 Star | Central Park East
A great no-frills but New York-y hotel with clean and comfy rooms in a cool location. Walking distance to Central Park, Sheep’s Meadow, the Met, and more! I would stay here for a business or romantic trip.
Lowell Hotel
$$$$+ | 5 Star | Central Park | Iconic
The Lowell Hotel is an iconic hotel in NYC right close to Central Park. With a terrace for evening cocktails, and views of the luxury side of NYC, it’s a great option if you’ve got an open budget.
The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites
$$$ | 3 Star | Suites & Larger Rooms
Finely furnished hotel or even residence with larger format rooms equipped with kitchens and balconies at times. Great choice for families or business trips.
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel
$$$$+ | 5 Star | Central Park | Classical Design in a Historic Building
The Pierre is an iconic NYC hotel that has been a landmark since 1930. It has a classical design including frescoed restaurants and beautiful suites. The “Tata Presidential Suite” will run at least $15k.
Loews Regency New York Hotel
$$$$ | 5 Star | Upper East Side
Loews Regency is a classy and chic hotel which is perfect for romantics or business travelers looking to impress.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our New York Guide for more resources.
Where to Stay in NYC: Greenwich Village
Food Scene | Artsy | University District
Birthplace of the Beat Generation of the 50s and the Folk Movement of the 60s, Greenwich Village has seen some of the most culturally historic moments in American history. This was where a young Bob Dylan played his first shows, and where the American Gay Liberation movement first began at the Stonewall Inn. Its brick façade buildings still haven’t lost the Bohemian charm that brought so many to the neighborhood in the first place.
When you’re in the area, you have to check out Washington Square Arch. It’s a great place to snap a picture and a serene spot in an otherwise bustling city. This neighborhood is also great for its small shops and cafés, giving the place a small, hometown feel in one of the biggest cities in the world.
I regret profoundly that I was not an American and not born in Greenwich Village
-John Lennon
Attractions Include:
- Stonewall Inn
- Blue Note Jazz Club
- The Comedy Cellar
- Friends Apartment
Best Hotels in Greenwich Village NYC:
The Standard High line
$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | High Line /Meatpacking
The Standard sits on the border of Chelsea and Greenwich Village in a sub-community known as the meatpacking. It is a youthful and romantic hotel known for its floor-to-ceiling windows on every room with views of the Hudson River. Dare to leave the curtains open?
Hotel Hugo
$$ | 4 Star | Modern | Greenwich Village
Hotel Hugo is a beautifully designed hotel along the Hudson river in Greenwich village which makes it a top choice if I am heading to NYC. Definitely would pick this one out on a trip with my wife or for work!
Gansevoort Meatpacking
$$$$+ | 4 Star | Posh & Trendy
The Ganesvoort fits in perfectly in the Meatpacking district which is kind-of technically part of Greenwich Village. It is a very swanky hotel with tons of amenities and comfortable rooms!
Where to Stay in NYC: Hell’s Kitchen
Luxury Hotels | Little Island
Named for being one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city in the 20s and 30s, Hell’s Kitchen has since transformed into one of the most popular and vibrant neighborhoods in the city, especially among young people. There are tons of off-Broadway theatres here, where you can find some of the most cutting edge performances at a much more affordable price than the more popular on-Broadway shows.
Today, the area is a LGBT hot spot—it’s home to about a dozen gay bars—and it the site of one of the best flea markets in town. In terms of Hell’s Kitchen restaurants, Ninth Avenue offers various multi-ethnic eateries which draw theatergoers who want to escape the crowds in Times Square.
Attractions Include:
- Clinton Community Garden
- Pier 86 Battleships
- The Actors Studio
- Javits Center Green Roof
Best Hotels in Hell’s Kitchen NYC:
Ink 48 Hotel
$$ | 4 Star | Moden & Spacious
A very nice 4 star hotel right along the Hudson River in Hell’s Kitchen which makes it an easy choice. Enjoy a spacious room and the rooftop for a drink which in NYC is the best!
Not ready to book a tour? Check out how to spend 3 days in New York.
Where to Stay in NYC: Midtown
Luxury Hotels | Central Park Access | Empire State Building
When people think of Manhattan, they’re thinking of Midtown. From the Empire State Building to Times Square, this is where you’ll find the most iconic sights that the city has to offer. For this reason, however, it can get pretty crowded but for a lot of people, that’s part of an authentic New York City experience.
Especially on holidays like New Years and Christmas, this place is absolutely stuffed with people coming from far and wide to see the huge tree outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza, or to see the ball drop in Times Square. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, however, Midtown Manhattan would not be our first choice (to say the least!)
There is something in the New York City air that makes sleep useless.
-Simone de Beauvoir, Essayist/Philosopher
Attractions Include:
- Rockefeller Plaza
- Madison Avenue
- Radio City Music Hall
- Museum of Modern Art
Best Hotels in Midtown NYC:
Mandarin Oriental NYC
$$$$+ | 5 Star | Modern Luxury | Central Park Views
The Mandarin Oriental is a staple for luxury which is why it can be such an easy choice if money is not a consideration. Common spaces are incredible and Columbus Circle is one of my personal favorite areas of NYC.
Library Hotel
$$ | 4 Star | Classy Hotel | Midtown
I really like the Library Hotel for many reasons, but most of all it is the combination of a beautifully designed interior with historic NYC architecture. It feels like you’re staying at an “Ivy League” Hotel.
Ink 48 Hotel
$$ | 4 Star | Modern & Spacious
A very nice 4 star hotel right along the Hudson River in Hell’s Kitchen which makes it an easy choice. Enjoy a spacious room and the rooftop for a drink which in NYC is the best!
The Ritz-Carlton NYC
$$$$+ | 5 Star | High-Class | Central Park
The Ritz-Carlton is on of the most classy hotel chains in the world and their Central Park property has got to be the flagship location. Beautiful spacious rooms in a historic hotel with amazing rooms makes it a no-brainer if you an stomach the price per night.
Hotel Elysee by Library Collection
$$ | 4 Star | Midtown | Madmen!
Not sure if they do this on purpose or if this hotel needs a bit of a reno, but this hotel has a serious Mad Men feel to it. It is a little dated, but spacious and in a good area if you are in town on business.
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel
$$$$+ | 5 Star | Central Park | Classical Design in a Historic Building
The Pierre is an iconic NYC hotel that has been a landmark since 1930. It has a classical design including frescoed restaurants and beautiful suites. The “Tata Presidential Suite” will run at least $15k.
Four Seasons Hotel
$$$$+ | 5 Star | It’s the Four Seasons
The Four Seasons are the marker for consistency in terms of luxury travel. To be able to stay at a Four Seasons where ever you go is something many aspire too but few reach. It is safe to say you’ll get a beautiful and spacious room with all the amenities for a hefty price.
The Langham
$$$$+ | 5 Star | Beautiful Modern Design
If I were looking for a nice hotel in Midtown I would likely stay at the Langham because I love the design of the rooms. Really cool modern feel with lots of windows, light, and wood tones mixed in. Great choice if you can part ways with that type of money.
The Plaza
Easily the most famous hotel in the United States and possibly the world, The Plaza Hotel is an iconic location on NYC’s Central Park skyline. The rooms are massive, the service is top notch, the views are incredible, and the price is almost reasonable for what you get!
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our New York Guide for more resources.
Where to Stay in NYC: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Hipster Heaven (or Hell!) | Great Restaurants & Bars
Williamsburg has an amazing story to tell over the last 20 years. New York has always been a sort of “center of the Universe,” but make no mistake that it was an extremely dangerous city up until the late 1990s.
Brooklyn was more of a residential community for New York City, and still is, but the crime was still very present there. Williamsburg, a neighborhood on the west side of Brooklyn connected to Manhattan by the Williamsburg Bridge and L train, was the first of many cities to see rapid revitalization.
Today, the town is one of the most sought-after food and culture neighborhoods of the greater NYC area which makes it a big attraction. The success of the area has radiated to neighboring pockets like Bedford Stuyvesant which is famous for the Marcy housing project where rapper Jay-Z grew up. These towns are now brimming with restaurants, bars, parks, and above all opportunities.
Best Hotels in Williamsburg, Brooklyn NYC:
The Hoxton
$$ | 4 Star | Brooklyn | City Views
If I was planning a trip to NYC and wanted to stay in Williamsburg, this would likely be my choice. Why? Rooms are great, price is great, views are great, and there is a great park nearby.
The William Vale
$$$$ | 5 Star | Pool | Williamsburg
While I would stay at the Hoxton in the cooler months, in the dead of summer I would choose the William Vale. Price is higher, but their pool is amazing!
The Williamsburg Hotel
$$ | 5 Star | Williamsburg
Yet another great Williamsburg option with a pool and beautiful views which makes it an easy choice. Honestly these first three hotels in the Williamsburg list are practically interchangeable.
Hotel Indigo Williamsburg
$$ | Williamsburg | Contemporary
Looking for something inexpensive, contemporary, clean, and well connected? This is probably your joint!
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