Uncovering the Best Hotels in New York City

New York is the ultimate hotel town. For any trip you’re planning — from a quiet, art-focused getaway on the Upper East Side to an action-packed weekend filled with amazing restaurants and vibrant shops on the Lower East Side — there’s a corresponding hotel. While nearly every major hotel chain is represented throughout New York City, there’s also a rich selection of independent and boutique properties that have particularly resonated with readers this year.

The Annual Awards

Every year for the World’s Best Awards survey, iBestTravel asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — evaluating top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and various other travel experiences.

Top Boutique Hotels

Hotel Elysée

For an old-school New York atmosphere (complete with crystal chandeliers and European oil paintings), readers loved Hotel Elysée, located within walking distance to MoMA and Central Park. “Staff is superb, always there when you need them and never hovering,” remarked a reader.

Archer Hotel

Just blocks from Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, Archer impresses with its whimsical design featuring subtle green and maroon fabrics, along with the culinary delights of its Charlie Palmer Steak restaurant. Many readers also cited breathtaking views of the Empire State Building.

The Peninsula and The Greenwich

Two other properties — The Peninsula and The Greenwich — stand out for their exceptional spas, offering some of the city’s finest facials and massages. At The Greenwich, guests can unwind by a lantern-lit swimming pool, excellently designed under a 250-year-old wood-and-bamboo farmhouse brought over from Japan.

The Beekman

The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, is set in a restored 1881 landmark in the revitalized Financial District. This property was a four-year labor of love, yet it was definitely worth the wait. Just one year after opening, it made the cut for our World’s Best list. “This beautiful Gilded Age building has been lovingly restored to perfection,” shared one fan. “Plush guest rooms and two of New York’s best restaurateurs, Keith McNally and Tom Colicchio, have set up shop at the hotel. What a gem.”