If there was ever a city where a room with a view worth proper gawking over was a non-negotiable, it’s this one. It’s true when they say New York is the city that never sleeps – because you spend all night glued to your window thinking, ‘nobody, absolutely nobody, pinch me.’ And if we’re being honest, it’s not actually that hard to find a hotel that has a picture-postcard view here – but there’s definitely a select few that take the absolute biscuit. From Brooklyn Bridge views to brag about to cathedrals so close you can practically hear the swing of the censer, these are the New York hotels with the best views.

Ah, The Plaza Hotel in New York. We’re starting with a classic. It’s smack-bang on Fifth Avenue, with possibly the most New York of views you can get – Central Park. Because if you’re staying at The Plaza, you’ll want all 76 of your Instagram followers to know about it (and all your old school mates on Facebook.) Subtlety? Not here, pal.

Opened in 1907, this iconic gem has been hosting the world’s poshest sorts for over a century. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Marilyn Monroe, the Home Alone kid—only the crème de la crème. The rooms? Oh, they’re more like apartments, really. You’ve got bathrooms that are nicer than most people’s living rooms back home, with 24-karat gold-plated taps. And if that’s not bougie enough for you, there’s butler service – because who’s got time to pour their own tea when they’re staying at The Plaza?

Hungry? The Palm Court’s afternoon tea is the stuff of legend, but don’t expect your mum’s Victoria sponge here. Think caviar and champagne, all served on china so fancy you’re scared to touch it. In short, The Plaza isn’t just a hotel, it’s about waltzing through a lobby and thinking, “Yeah, this is the life.” The perfect place to splurge, celebrate, or pretend you’re on the set of Gossip Girl.

Book your room with a view at The Plaza Hotel 

The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is so cool it practically oozes artisanal kombucha and urban chic, and is one of the New York hotels with the best views. Perched right on the waterfront in Brooklyn Heights, you can see straight across the East River, right at the Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Now, this isn’t your average, chandelier-dripping fancy hotel. This is eco-luxury, darling. The lobby feels like a botanical garden mated with a Pinterest board: reclaimed wood everywhere, greenery dripping from the walls, and mega minimalist furniture. The rooms are full of natural textures, industrial-chic décor, and floor-to-ceiling windows that remind you Manhattan is just a ferry ride away. The beds are so plush you’ll want to cancel your sightseeing plans, but don’t worry—they’ll save the environment while you snooze, thanks to organic bedding and energy-saving systems.

Feeling peckish? There’s The Osprey, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, where the menu changes faster than your attention span, depending on what’s in season. Or pop up to Harriet’s Rooftop, the crown jewel of the joint, where the cocktails are as slick as the skyline views.

In a nutshell, this place is for people who care about the planet, love good design, and want a slice of New York life without the chaos of Times Square. Welcome to Brooklyn, baby.

Book your room with a view at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

This Art Deco giant has been gracing the Midtown skyline since 1930, back when folks dressed up to fly, jazz was the rage, and skyscrapers were all about glamour rather than glass boxes. You can’t miss it – there’s literally a massive red sign on top of it. Inside, it’s retro in the best possible way. The hotel has hosted legends like Muhammad Ali, Nikola Tesla (yes, that Tesla), and even JFK, so staying here means rubbing metaphorical shoulders with history. The lobby is all polished marble, vintage clocks, and a sprinkle of old-school pizzazz that’ll have you half-expecting a bellhop in a brass-buttoned jacket to tip his cap.

The rooms are modern enough without losing their charm, and have a mix of updated décor and throwback vibes—clean, comfy, and spacious (by Manhattan standards, anyway). If you bag a room on the higher floors, you’ll get one of the best views of the Empire State Building around – proper ‘New York, New York‘ stuff.

When it comes to dining, the hotel’s got Tick Tock Diner, a 24-hour classic American diner that’s got more chrome than a 1950s Cadillac and pancakes the size of dinner plates. It’s all unapologetically greasy, glorious, and American – a proper throwback experience to fuel your city escapades. And location-wise, it’s as handy as it gets. Sat smack-bang in Midtown, you’re steps away from Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, and the High Line. Times Square, Broadway, and Macy’s are all within arm’s reach too – so if you want to check off the tourist big-hitters, you’re in prime position.

Stay here, and you’ll feel like you’ve had a proper New York experience. Plus, let’s face it, there’s something pretty cool about saying you’ve bunked where Tesla once brainstormed and Ali once snoozed.

Book your room with a view at The New Yorker, a Wyndham Hotel

Stay here and you’ll be staying in an actual palace. Well, palace-adjacent, anyway. This Midtown gem is a swanky mix of old-school opulence and modern luxury, sitting pretty on Madison Avenue. And if you think it looks familiar – yes, this is the hotel where Serena caused all that drama, so you’re basically checking in where TV royalty roamed.

Imagine you’re a 19th-century tycoon but you’ve had a modern glow-up. The hotel has two distinct personalities. There’s the historic Villard Mansion with its grand staircase, chandeliers, and loads of gold accents. Then, there’s the contemporary 55-storey tower where the rooms are sleek, stylish, and stuffed with all the mod cons. The rooms are pretty big by by New York standards, too. If you’re lucky, you might even snag one with a peek of St. Patrick’s Cathedral right next door.

Feeling peckish? Hit up Pomme Palais, the posh café downstairs, where you can treat yourself to fancy pastries. And let’s not forget the Rarities lounge, hidden away like a millionaire’s private study. This place is for serious drinkers who appreciate their whisky as aged as their grandad, served in an atmosphere dripping with exclusivity.

All in all, the Lotte New York Palace is where you stay if you want a slice of Manhattan glamour, a touch of history, and the chance to live like a Manhattan mogul. Go on, treat yourself—you deserve it (probably).

Book your room with a view at the Lotte New York Palace

Nestled in Hudson Yards, the swanky new(ish) neighbourhood where skyscrapers outnumber sense, this is the hotel for anyone who thinks self-care involves more than just slapping a face mask on and calling it a night. If you’re into wellness, fitness, and living your best life, this is basically your mothership.

Everything’s minimal, dark, and moody, and the rooms are designed to help you sleep like an absolute baby – blackout shades, perfect temperatures, and mattresses so plush you’ll consider chucking your own bed in the skip when you get home. They even have a little button that says “Goodnight” to sort out the lighting, curtains, and everything else – all at once.

The hotel’s gym isn’t your average sweaty treadmill corner—oh no. This is Equinox, the Rolls-Royce of gyms. There’s a yoga studio, personal trainers who probably have less body fat than a breadstick, and even cryotherapy chambers, where you can freeze yourself like a bag of peas for a bit of “recovery.”  The outdoor terrace pool is another level. Perched up high, surrounded by skyscrapers, it’s like swimming through a Hollywood blockbuster scene.

You’re next door to The Edge, the terrifying glass sky deck, and The Vessel, which is basically a 16-storey maze of interconnected staircases (154 flights, to be precise) that spiral upwards like a shiny beehive on steroids. You’re also a stone’s throw from the High Line, which means you can go for a lovely walk on one of New York’s best landmarks before heading back to your hotel for a sit-down in your plush robe.

Book your room with a view at the Equinox Hotel

Dream Downtown is in Chelsea, just a stone’s throw from the Meatpacking District. And the building itself? Oh, it’s a head-turner. Think futuristic meets nautical chic – a shiny, silver façade covered in circular windows that gives it the look of a luxury ocean liner. Once inside, it’s all sleek interiors and mood lighting. The lobby alone looks like it belongs on the cover of Architectural Digest.

Now let’s talk rooms. The sight outside those porthole windows makes this one the New York hotels with the best views – think the Empire State Building, as well as the Hudson River. The space itself is sleek, stylish, and slightly moody – minimalism meets indulgence.

And then there’s The Beach – a rooftop pool deck complete with cabanas.  The hotel’s also home to PHD Rooftop Lounge, where the views of the Empire State Building are as impressive as the cocktail menu. And if that’s not enough, there’s also the Electric Room, a hidden speakeasy-style club in the basement.

Book your view with a room at Dream Downtown