Best Places to Stay in New York City by Neighborhood

Starting north and working our way downtown, the Upper East Side is the best place to stay in New York City for anyone who’s looking for a quieter, more residential experience that is still super convenient to the cultural attractions that the city has to offer. One of my favorite hotel options here is The Mark, giving you classic, old-school glamor, and amenities to make you feel completely taken care of. This property’s dining options were conceived by Jean-Georges and range from a hot dog cart to caviar, plus the ability to get a curated picnic basket and bike rental to enjoy in Central Park! If you’re looking for shopping, not only can you make use of the hotel’s own pedi-cab chauffeur around the neighborhood, but even personal shopping in partnership with Bergdorf Goodman. Oh, and did I mention it’s pet-friendly? When you’re ready to explore more, the hotel’s location puts you right in the heart of Museum Mile, within walking distance to institutions like The Frick, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Guggenheim.

Next up is the Theater District and the Times Square EDITION, which isn’t actually in Times Square—and believe me, that’s a good thing! Situated a few blocks north of the famous intersection at 42nd Street and Broadway, this hotel is still in the thick of it but provides more of a reprieve from the crowds and chaos. It really reflects the neighborhood it’s in, too, with one of its four dining options doubling as a cabaret performance venue. If you’ve got Broadway shows on your itinerary, this is the best place to stay when visiting NYC for the sheer convenience! But you won’t want to spend all of your time in midtown (take it from a local), so another bonus is being near a huge range of subway lines, making it super easy to explore other parts of the city.

Heading further south, we’ve got a neighborhood famous for its high-end boutique shopping mixed with a more boho vibe: Soho! At only 6 stories tall, The Mercer Hotel offers up more of a loft apartment feeling, with options ranging from studios to 2-bedroom suites. If the hotel’s delicious Italian restaurant Sartiano’s isn’t enough, you’re a quick walk from Little Italy proper, and just a bit further from Chinatown—the food choices are endless and amazing! Work off that food baby (mine is usually from eating at The Spaghetti Incident) at the hotel’s fitness center, where personal trainers are available to book, and end your night with their complimentary turndown service.

A bit west of Soho, we’ve got Tribeca, home to Fora HQ and The Roxy hotel! The Roxy is a true New York City gem. It has vintage art-deco and regency design, giving it the perfect aesthetic for its reputation as a nightlife hotspot—there’s an onsite cinema and jazz club—making its tagline “Meet me at The Roxy” make a whole lot of sense. Step outside the hotel and into a cluster of small local art galleries, incredible restaurants, and the perfect neighborhood to explore on foot.

Heading down now to Lower Manhattan/the Financial District, this is the best place to stay in New York City if you’re a history buff, as it’s the oldest part of the city! This is where all the landmarks from events as early as the American Revolution are located, including the spots mentioned in Hamilton! And if you book a room at The Beekman, you’ll be right amongst it all. The Beekman is in a landmarked 19th-century building that reflects the neighborhood’s history, with a stunning 9-story atrium as its lobby, and the luxury doesn’t stop there. The fitness center boasts Peloton bikes; there is in-room yoga available on demand, and private car service to take you to your dinner reservations when they aren’t at one of the hotel’s 2 restaurants, bar, cocktail lounge, or nightclub. You can easily walk to the NY Stock Exchange, 9/11 Memorial, City Hall, and South Street Seaport, or jump on just about any subway line to explore beyond FiDi, including where we’re headed next…

Last but not least, Brooklyn! Ride the subway or just take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, which is the best place to stay in NYC for anyone prioritizing sustainability or who’s looking for a bit of an oasis. Like The Mark, this is another pet-friendly option, and also offers a spa with extensive treatment options, group fitness classes, live music at their bar, and a rooftop pool! Emphasizing their focus on sustainability, more than half of the hotel was constructed using reclaimed local materials, and amenities are available, including use of an electric car, and touring Central Park with a dedicated Conservancy Guide! Staying here gives you incredible views of Manhattan while still being just a stone’s throw away from the heart of it all.

These are only a small handful of incredible spots in NYC. Reach out to book your trip with me today!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to New York City. In need of further inspiration? Check out Hannah Corderman’s trip report, Best Places to Stay in Boston.