Modified on November 11, 2025 , Published on November 7, 2025

The Fifth Avenue Hotel

You can’t throw a mustard-covered pretzel in New York City without hitting a hotel. There are about 700 of them in the city, but only a few are truly luxurious. 

Designer details, out-of-the-box amenities, Michelin-starred chefs, sumptuous suites, tony locations, and highly personalized service are all de rigueur. While many of N.Y.C.’s best inns are century-old institutions, very prominent newcomers are testing the old standbys’ ability to stay fresh. (In fact, many of the city’s legacy hotels have undergone full-scale renovations, with billions being pumped into the Waldorf Astoria alone.)

“I think it was long overdue to keep up with other places around the world who have reputations as being incredible hotel cities, such as London and Paris,” Josh Alexander, a luxury travel advisor with ProTravel International, a Virtuoso agency, told Robb Report. “New York City was falling behind.”

In short: It’s a race to up the ante that has resulted in “six, even seven star hotels,” said Lesser, although there isn’t any regulated definition of what those stars mean. And as Michelin Keys get doled out to hotels and resorts for the first time, Robb Report decided it was also time to dust off our list of the best hotels in New York City right now, with some extra help and attention from our expert Travel Masters. You may notice a few iconic spots, like the Plaza and Mandarin Oriental with its stellar Central Park views, missing from this list. Though they remain cherished in the city, the guest rooms need a refresh; we expect them back in the mix soon. Others, like the Faena, were too new for inclusion.

In no particular order, these are the 15 best luxury hotels in New York City in 2025.

• The Mark

  Image Credit: Francesco T

  Award: Best Crowd 

  Housed in a 1927 landmark building renovated in 2009, the Mark oozes Upper East Side. With 106 rooms, 44 suites, and three penthouses—including the largest in New York City at 10,000 square feet—designer Jacques Grange has created modern French flair within its walls. But above and beyond that, a stay here gives guests unparalleled perks. There’s special access to Bergdorf Goodman goods via concierge, should you suddenly feel the urge for the perfect pair of Louboutins. Or live like a Kennedy and hire the Mark sailboat, a luxe 70-foot vessel. Sightseeing, anyone? Borrow from a fleet of chic, Mark-branded bikes, or, for the more sedentary, jump in one of their pedicabs. Michelin three-star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is at the helm of the Mark Restaurant, open super late for post-theater munchies, while Parisian restaurant Caviar Kaspia recently joined the Mark’s roster. For the pampered pooch, amenities include chef curated room service. Bonus: You’re just a few paw prints from Central Park.

  Best amenity: Parents, rejoice: The hotel keeps a fleet of custom Maclaren strollers to loan out to guests. Plus, in season and for the inner child in us all, there’s a fabulous “Haute Dog Cart” by Jean-Georges.

  Can’t-miss experience: It’s got to be whizzing up Madison Avenue on one of their signature N+ Mercedes-Benz Formula E Team e-bikes.

  What our Travel Masters say: “There’s nothing like a classic. The Mark has been a fixture in the city for nearly 100 years and shows no signs of slowing down.” —Jason Squatriglia, luxury travel advisor for Embark Beyond

  From $900

• The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

  Image Credit: Durston Saylor

  Award: Locals’ Haunt

  Built in 1930, the Carlyle has imprinted itself into the zeitgeist of the city, and its 192 rooms have long offered guests “discretion.” Expect lots of Art Deco black and white, with recent updates from names such as Thierry Despont. Some of the 92 suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic vistas, and the Presidential Suite serves up 360-degree views of the city. The classic dining room was renamed and reopened in 2021 as Dowling’s at the Carlyle. There’s 200 pieces of art adorning its walls, and food curated by executive chef Moosah Reaume is lauded. And while the Plaza has Eloise, the Carlyle has Madeline—Bemelmans Bar, complete with a 24-karat-gold leaf-covered ceiling, features work from artist and author Ludwig Bemelmans, who created the beloved books. Featuring live music every night, it’s a hideaway haunt that will make you feel like a local.

  Best amenity: You can pick up some pretty awesome wallpaper at The Carlyle Wallshoppe. It’s based on the hotel’s whimsical decor (one roll has little martini glasses and olives on a pink background). Accent wall, anyone? 

  Can’t-miss experience: Speaking of martinis, the master class at the Bemelmans Bar will turn you into expert shakers and stirrers.

  What our Travel Masters say: “Still the perennial spot for old New York luxury. [And it] has had quite a renaissance of interest in a younger crowd the past several years.” —Sunil Metcalfe, Black Tomato

  From $825

• Crosby Street Hotel

  Image Credit: Simon Brown

  Award: Most Creative

  London-based hotelier Kit Kemp’s Crosby Street Hotel in Soho is a celebrity magnet year-round, downright crawling with A-list guests during Fashion Week and a second home to magazine editors in search of a stylish meeting space (or a much-needed Negroni). Join them in the expansive Sculpture Garden, reserved for guests, or linger beneath the pendant lights sipping coffee or afternoon tea in the bar/restaurant. Upstairs, 86 rooms and suites come brimming with color, texture, and personality in true Kit Kemp style; the two-bedroom, 1,500-square-foot Crosby Suite is a welcome haven in shades of green, with breathtaking views of Lower Manhattan.

  Best amenity: Each room—with its slick writing desk, floor-to-ceiling windows, amazing natural light, and 24-hour room service—begs guests to hunker down and finish that novel.

  Can’t-miss experience: Come during Fashion Week, when beautiful people sip Champagne over lunch in the garden.

  What our Travel Masters say: They didn’t always agree on what hotel should make the cut, but when it came to Crosby Street, they were unanimous.

  From $975

• Waldorf Astoria New York

  Image Credit: Joe Thomas

  Award: Best Comeback

  Some hotels are renovated—others are reborn, as was the case for the historic Waldorf Astoria, which shut for eight years and received a multi-billion-dollar refurbishment to ensure its legacy for the next 100 years. Down from 1,400 rooms to 372 residences and 375 rooms and suites—including the gobsmacking penthouse—the hotel feels alive, and staff have a new skip in their step. The front of house team will happily tell anyone, be it U.N. dignitary in town for Climate Week or a wandering tourist, about the property’s historic elements: the Art Deco influence still in tact, original marble pillars and Waldorf Clock (commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1893), the well-preserved Wheel of Life mosaic with its 148,000 hand-cut marble tiles. A stateliness and elegance imbue rooms and suites, all completely gutted and done in soothing creams, blues, and grays, inviting guests to take a breather and maybe even enjoy a bath (there are tubs in many guest rooms, a true luxury in N.Y.C.). Venture downstairs to dine at American brasserie Lex Yard, led by chef Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern, or kaiseki-style restaurant, Yoshoku; and always save time for some people watching in Peacock Alley.

  Best amenity: The world’s largest Guerlain spa and fitness center with 16 treatment rooms, a new Longevity and Wellness program, an arctic snow cave, and men’s and women’s steam rooms.

  Can’t-miss experience: Happy hour in Peacock Alley is a treat, especially when the pianist settles behind the keys of an actual Cole Porter piano and rips out a cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso.”

  What our Travel Masters say: “This iconic hotel’s return has instantly elevated the Midtown scene. With impeccable service and beautifully restored interiors, the Waldorf Astoria once again stands as one of Manhattan’s most legendary addresses.” —Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal, President of Fischer Travel

  From $1,100

• The Fifth Avenue Hotel

  Image Credit: The Fifth Avenue Hotel

  Award: Best F&B

  A spot on Fifth Avenue isn’t just an address, it’s a legacy to live up to—and that goes double for a hotel and triple for a new, independent hotel (like this one) with something to prove. If you then go the extra step of naming your hotel something as generic and provocative as the Fifth Avenue Hotel, you damn well better deliver even more. Luckily, owner Alex Ohebshalom and designer Martin Brudnizki have delivered in the form of a reborn McKim, Mead & White building attached to a new 24-story glass tower on 28th Street. Nodding to all that history is an eclectic, at moments psychedelic, design with 43 suites, including a Flaneur penthouse tricked out with an outdoor soaking tub and a Japanese garden that overlooks the city skyline.

  Best amenity: Book a suite and get a hotel credit of $200, American breakfast for two, and a VIP welcome amenity.

  Can’t-miss experience: You don’t need to be a guest to get in on the madness. Just swing by the Portrait Bar for Osetra caviar and a hot dog au poivre or stop in Café Carmellini for its risotto del giorno and a drink from the roaming martini trolley.

  What our Travel Masters say: “Great independent hotel in N.Y.C. with bold interiors and excellent F&B offerings, including the swanky Portrait Bar, bringing style to NoMad.” —Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal

  From $895

• The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel

  Image Credit: Noë & Associates with V1

  Award: Best of 2025

  The Surrey, built in 1926 on East 76th Street just off of Fifth Avenue and Central Park, landed on Robb Report’s Best in Travel of the Year for good reason: “This Upper East Side grande dame, which will celebrate its centenary in 2026, has undergone an extraordinary overhaul thanks to Malta-based Corinthia Hotels. The group took over operations here as part of its worldwide expansion after Reuben Brothers bought the property. A mere minutes’ walk from Central Park and around the corner from the just-reopened Frick Collection, this is the kind of place where you stay to blend in, not stand out. Designer du jour Martin Brudnizki didn’t bring his signature glitzy sparkle to this project. Instead, his approach channeled the aesthetic of a classic six into the 100 rooms here, with calming wood-toned walls, marble double vanities, cozy Frette bathrobes, and homey touches like a vase of fresh flowers on each desk and house-made dog treats. Don’t worry about honking horns and urban hubbub, either: Even on the lower floors, the soundproofing is superb and the hotel seems insulated from the outside world.”

  Best amenity: An oasis-like 2,500-square-foot Sisley spa, with distinctive touches including a regenerative salt wall

  Can’t-miss experience: Lobster Spaghetti alla Chitarra at Casa Tua, an Italian restaurant and elite private members’ club that has outposts in Miami Beach, Aspen, and Paris. The ground-floor restaurant is open to the public while the private members club is on the second floor.

  What our Travel Masters say: “The uptown, upscale gem that we didn’t know the UES was missing! While there is no shortage of luxury hotels in N.Y.C., The Surrey has quickly become one of the best hotels to see and be seen in New York City.” —Jason Squatriglia

  From $1,000

• The Lowell

  Image Credit: Courtesy of the Lowell

  Award: Best Indie

  On the Upper East Side, the Art Deco Lowell was purpose-built as a hotel in 1927. Designed by Henry Stern Churchill, it likes to boast that “within these walls, novels have been penned, plays have been scrawled, and scripts have been studied.” It’s certainly a rarity in that it’s privately owned, by Dina De Luca Chartouni and her husband Fouad, who headed up a $25 million renovation in 2017 in collaboration with interior designer Michael S. Smith (highlight reel includes the Obama White House) and architect Mark Pinney (think Harrods, Armani, and Burberry). Its 74 rooms and suites include two-bedroom suites and a penthouse, which rocks three terraces and a Poggenpohl kitchen. Original wood-burning fireplaces throughout the property help make it feel as if you’re in your own stunning city abode. Particularly enchanting: Marjorelle restaurant, which features an outside terrace inspired by the Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Marrakech, evoked by palm fronds and pops of cobalt blue.

  Best amenity: Dedicated staff that go above and beyond. The concierge and personalization services begin before you even get there — a rep will reach out for your wants and wishes prior to arrival.

  Can’t-miss experience: Pretending you’re with Jacques Majorelle in Marrakech at his eponymous bar, drinking a White Negroni.

  What our Travel Masters say: “Super discreet, incredible service, effortlessly elegant and chic.” —Sunil Metcalfe
  

  From $1,110

• Aman New York

  Image Credit: Robert Rieger

  Award: Most Exclusive

  If sanctuary is what you seek, look no further than the eastern-inspired Aman New York. Housed on floors seven through 14 in the 1921 Crown Building, with its signature green and gold embellished turret, the Aman has quickly established itself as an oasis of calm. The hotel opened to acclaim in 2022 after an overhaul by architect Jean-Michel Gathy, drawing inspiration from the company’s southeast Asian properties. The 83 all-suite property features abodes that are among the biggest in the city—up to 2,800 square feet—and feature highlights such as fireplaces (a rarity in N.Y.C.), soaking tubs, and steam showers. You’ll feel transported out of the city with a visit to Nama—a restaurant exclusive to hotel guests, residents, and Aman members—which serves up Japanese washoku cuisine—dine in either the indoor karesansui rock garden, or on the outdoor terrace. Or take a personal wellness journey in a Spa House, with Hammam or Banya that has its own treatment room, living area, and terrace, complete with hot bath and cold-plunge pool. Canopies allow for year round use, should you wish to brave the New York winter chill.

  Best amenity: The Jazz Club is hard to find, hip, buzzing with big names and dripping with artisanal cocktails. 

  Can’t-miss experience: Arva’s executive chef will take you on an early morning tour of Union Square’s market, explaining how to select the best fresh produce and cheeses. Your picks will be served up in a bespoke dining experience that evening, using all the sourced ingredients. It’s a chef’s kiss. 

  What our Travel Masters say: “A private oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. Whether you’re going for a last-minute staycation or an extended business trip, the hotel is perfectly located in the heart of the city so that you can get where you need to be just as quickly as you can unwind, relax and reset upon your return.” —Jason Squatriglia

  From $1,750

• The Whitby Hotel

  Image Credit: The Whitby

  Award: Most Stylish (Midtown) Hotel

  The sister property to Soho’s Crosby Street Hotel, the Whitby arrived on West 56th Street in 2016 with a flourish: Kit Kemp’s signature design along with beautifully curated private rooms fit for “candlelit dinners, cocktail parties, meetings, launches or live performance.” Speaking of live performances, the event programming remains a draw, complete with jazz and oyster nights, art tours and exclusive access to MoMA. A-listers will head to the top-floor Whitby Suite—a perfect party pad with two master bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, a spacious drawing room, and two wraparound terraces with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. Downstairs, the hotel’s orangery, theater, library, and bar are bound to bring in a fashionable crowd, too.

  Best amenity: Like what you see in the suite? Buy the complete bed set—mattress, duck feather duvet, pillows, linens, and bedspread—via the hotel’s website.

  Can’t-miss experience: For New Year’s Eve, snag one of the hotel’s gorgeous Terrace Suites featuring white marble bathtubs and an impressive balcony, and you’ll get a private viewing of the New York City fireworks.

  What our Travel Masters say: “This hotel brings a burst of personality to Midtown, with the signature Firmdale charm felt the moment you walk in. It strikes the perfect balance, sophisticated enough for Midtown, yet playful, cozy, and stylish.” —Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal

  From $825

• The St. Regis New York

  Image Credit: St. Regis New York

  Award: Old-School Cool

  If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to dramatically lop off a Champagne cork using a sword (and who hasn’t?) head to Midtown and check into the St. Regis, where private “art of sabrage” master classes can be arranged. That’s just for starters: The landmark Beaux Arts property, founded more than a century ago by John Jacob Astor, oozes class, with rich purple drapes and gold accents across its 183 rooms and suites, fulfilling any inner royal dreams. To coincide with the hotel’s 120th anniversary in 2024, the St. Regis unveiled renovations to its lobby, King Cole Bar, and Drawing Room, reports Jake Emen for Robb Report. The iconic bar—where, in 1934, bartender Fernand Petiot became the patron saint of the hungover by inventing the Bloody Mary—has been refreshed while preserving its deep history. It’s packed with locals nightly, attracting queues of devotees waiting to grab a bar stool and gaze at the restored Maxfield Parrish Old King Cole mural.

  The Drawing Room in front of the bar is now a stylish but relaxed lounge serving $36 lobster rolls and bacon cheddar burgers. La Maisonette, a cafe open for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea, also made a re-entrance following a 20-year closure.

  Best amenity: The butler service here is legendary, and ingrained into the very fabric of the hotel.

  Can’t-miss experience: The Evening Ritual was invented by Mrs. Astor in the 1900s, marking the transition from day to evening by the aforementioned slicing of champagne bottles. It still takes place every weekend at King Cole Bar.

  What our Travel Masters say: Simply put, “it still slaps.”

  From $1,035

• Baccarat Hotel New York

  Image Credit: Courtesy of the Baccarat

  Award: Best Interior Design

  True luxury: phones at the Baccarat have a button marked “Champagne.” Press it (and you will) and your favorite vintage will arrive served in namesake flutes. The whole 114-room hotel, which takes the first 12 floors of the midtown building, is draped in French flair, thanks to Paris-based interior design firm Gilles & Boissier, with calm grays and lots of sparkle—there are 17 custom chandeliers, and a 125-foot-wide, crystal-like curtain veils the lower levels. Their art collection spans 250 years, and if that’s not enough, MoMa is just across the street. You can peek at it from Le Bar (featuring a 60 foot bar) and Le Jardin terrace. Other highlights are an indoor pool and a Spa de la Mer. If you want some Baccarat crystal to take home (who doesn’t?) the hotel’s new 53rd Street Boutique has you covered. 

  Best amenity: The hotel’s art is museum quality, and spans the 250 years since Baccarat was founded in 1764. 

  Can’t-miss experience: The Spa de la Mer actually has sounds of the sea piped in as you luxuriate in their exquisite eponymous products. 

  What our Travel Masters say: “Lovely spa, pool, nice rooms, gorgeous public spaces.” —Jules Maury

  From $895

• Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York

  Image Credit: Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s

  Award: Sexiest

  The latest in this storied French brand of upscale hotels, the 19th-century building spans three blocks, and the refurb is designed to blend “Parisian panache with Tribeca cool.” Designer Martin Brudnizki has done just that. The 97 rooms and suites feature lavender tones for a calm retreat, with tall windows and plush furnishings. Fouquet’s Penthouse is spread over two floors and has antiqued furniture, lacquered walls, and multiple terraces. But, as you might expect from a French endeavor, food is at the forefront. Michelin three-star Chef Pierre Gagnaire (owner of six Michelin-star restaurants around the world including in Paris and St Barts) oversees the Fouquet’s New York restaurant menu, offering a French brasserie with a new world twist. The La Vaux, a stunning rooftop bar exclusive to guests, echoes an Art Deco Parisian terrace garden, with scalloped umbrellas, pink striped chairs, and climbing flowered trellises. Bring on the Bollinger.

  Best amenity: Thoughtfully curated in-room treats like Julie Macklowe’s signature whiskey “The Macklowe” and Kourtney Kardashian’s “Lemme Sleep” gummies help to make you feel right at home from the moment you walk in.

  Can’t-miss experience: The rooftop is a favorite in the summer, and the spa offers a serene escape year-round. Private screenings of favorite films in the Cannes Cinema, where you’ll relax on velvet seats that are more like chaise lounges.

  What our Travel Masters say: Embrace what Jules Maury calls the “whimsical, very insider, very sexy spaces.”

  From $1,100

• 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

  Image Credit: James Baigrie

  Award: Best View

  The best Manhattan views are from outside the city, and that’s what guests of this waterfront hotel in Dumbo can enjoy. Like its sister hotel, 1 Central Park, the brand is “mission driven,” and the name of the game is serene, upscale eco-consciousness. The tread-lightly traveler will appreciate that almost half of the hotel was built with reclaimed materials, including heart pine beams from the Domino Factory, making for sweet suites. The 194 rooms, including 29 suites, brings nature in, with bleached wood and native greenery, and the cloudlike mattresses are organic cotton. Head to Harriet’s Rooftop for some farm-to-table bites, local beers, sustainable wines, and even a plunge pool, as you take in those sweeping views. A complimentary Audi e-tron is available and electric car charging is free. Bought too many clothes to take home? Leave behind any excess threads to go to a local housing charity, and feel even better about your stay.

  Best amenity: The lobby is a secret neighborhood coworking spot, with locals camped out at reclaimed wood tables, sipping a latte or fresh-pressed juice from Neighbors cafe, where the food is homegrown and small batch.

  Can’t-miss experience: On the weekend, Harriet’s runs a Night Shift, with local DJs spinning. Pair with a glass of vino from wineries with BIPOC and women owners.

  What our Travel Masters say: Hip, relaxed, and with easy access to Lower Manhattan, this hotel gives you every reason to cross the East River.

  From $449

• Warren Street Hotel

  Image Credit: Firmdale Hotels

  Award: Most Playful

  We know, we know—three Firmdale hotels on one list? Believe it: These truly are among the best and brightest in N.Y.C., shifting the paradigm of a Manhattan hotel. Warren Street is the newest Kit Kemp entry, as of 2024, and it brings an artistic spirit within blocks of 1 World Trade Center. The 69-room hotel was once an open-air parking lot among Tribeca’s warehouses; now it’s a riot of color, with special emphasis on their signature powder blue, and some 700 artworks including handwoven, totem-like towers by the Argentinian designer Cristián Mohaded welcoming guests on arrival. Each room is individually designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, and some, like the Warren Terrace Suite, have lushly landscaped terraces that feel like English gardens in miniature.

  Best amenity: Though there isn’t an onsite fitness center or spa, guests receive passes to Nexus, a private club around the corner on Church Street with a gym and Naturopathica spa.

  Can’t-miss experience: Afternoon tea served on Kit Kemp-designed Tall Trees fine bone china.

  What our Travel Masters say: “Personally, I love all Kit Kemps stuff.” —Jules Maury

  From $1,065

• Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

  Image Credit: Ritz-Carlton New York

  Award: Best Rooftop

  Putting on the Ritz here means embracing the city, not escaping it. Open in 2022, the 50-story, all-glass block, 250-room hotel has a wealth of designers behind it, including the Rockwell Group. The goal was to blend the hotel into the electricity of the city, from a vibrant lobby to the stunning Nubeluz rooftop bar, where you can see the city from a veritable lightbox 500 feet up. Inside the hotel, downtown facing rooms have Empire State views, and all feature creams and gold, with signature statements like zany modern chandeliers. Michelin-starred chef José Andrés has made a home here with a curated Mediterranean mezze medley at Zaytinya. New this summer—and much anticipated—is a New York branch of the Bazaar, where Andrés shows his Spanish roots with tapas and, in this instance, Japanese fusion. 

  Best amenity: Lush bathrooms include supplies by Diptyque, with a signature scent, Philosykos, which evokes fig trees. 

  Can’t-miss experience: Forget mimosas and boring brunch and go for the weekend Mezze and Magnum at Zaytinya, featuring a three-course prix fixe menu and a large bottle of wine.

  What our Travel Masters say: Great rooms, great views, great potential as long as the service stays five-star.

  From $1,000