Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite hotels in New York City.

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world.

Explore New York City: The Best Hotels

For being the city that never sleeps, New York has plenty of hotels where you can get some seriously luxurious rest. After all the shopping, museum-going, eating and drinking, and park-strolling you’re bound to do, you’ll need a respite. Whether you crave an intimate boutique-style hotel, where you can slip in and out unnoticed, or a bustling place where people come to see and be seen, you will find it.

Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value, classified as city or resort based on their locations and amenities.

Top Picks for New York City Hotels

Out of the 15 best New York City hotels, as ranked by iBestTravel readers, three are in Manhattan’s elegant and residential Upper East Side and nine are in midtown, close to many cultural institutions. Proximity to places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or prime retail hubs like Fifth Avenue may be key for some visitors, but several hotels south of Central Park have also cultivated a dedicated following. Noteworthy mentions include the Roxy Hotel in Tribeca (No. 10) and the Beekman in the Financial District (No. 3 this year, up from No. 12 last year).

This year’s World’s Best Awards list sees returning favorites, such as the Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel (No. 4), which multiple readers stated is “an icon” and “a must-see for anyone visiting New York.” One newcomer is the TWA Hotel, a repurposed landmark terminal at JFK Airport. Designed by Eero Saarinen, it pays homage to the golden age of air travel in the 1960s.

1. The Lowell

View of the sitting area in a guest room at The Lowell, voted one of the top hotels in New York City — Courtesy of The Lowell/The Leading Hotels of the World

Several readers noted the standout food at the hotel’s French-Mediterranean restaurant, Majorelle, alongside the small bites and cocktails at Jacques Bar. What really makes the Lowell a standout among the other Upper East Side hotels is its quiet ambiance and attentive service. “It is impeccably decorated with thoughtful details while being cozy at the same time,” says one reader. “It’s low-key and private.” Another noted that the staff went above and beyond to deliver a cake and champagne to their (upgraded) room to celebrate a birthday. This discreet personal touch makes the Lowell a perennial favorite among iBestTravel readers.

Score: 96.24
More information: lowellhotel.com