Home to iconic landmarks and attractions including Times Square and the Empire State Building, Midtown Manhattan is one of New York’s most prime locations for visitors.
(Photo: Kimpton Hotel Theta / Courtesy Booking.com)
No surprise that the area is awash with great accommodation options, offering NYC visitors easy access to the many places of interest nearby, including top class restaurants, shops, theatres and historic landmarks. If you’re coming to New York and are would like to stay somewhere a little special – and have a sizeable budget to play with – we’ve compared some of Midtown Manhattan’s best 5-star hotels below.
Kimpton Hotel Theta
Among the most recent additions to Midtown’s high-end hotel scene, Kimpton Hotel Theta occupies a historic building on Eighth Avenue in the heart of New York’s theatre district. Inside, a large lobby blends old and new with olive-hued seating and contemporary artwork. Guest rooms and suites feature warm wood tones and wall art that adds subtle pops of colour, with marble rain showers in the ensure bathrooms lending a luxurious touch. An Italian Riviera-inspired restaurant entices guests and destination diners with its statement setting on the hotel’s rooftop. Other notable on-site amenities and services include a 24-hour fitness centre, and free bike rentals. There are also daily social hours during which guests can enjoy complimentary pre-dinner wine and light bites. From $755 per night.
Royalton Park Avenue
(Photo: Royalton Park Avenue / Courtesy Booking.com)
This upscale hotel in Midtown’s trendy NoMad district pulls off the unique trick of exuding an intimate, boutique feel while offering the scope of amenities typically associated with far larger properties. Set on the 20th floor – and open only to hotel guests – a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool affords views of the Empire State Building and there’s a poolside deck area dotted with lounge chairs where guests can relax with cocktails and light bites. On the bi-level rooftop, a chic restaurant offers all-day dining and a separate bar where late-afternoon happy hours draw crowds. Guest rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows and are available in a range of categories, with some suites featuring furnished wraparound terraces, four-poster beds and chandeliers. Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s a state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre. From $174 per night.
Equinox Hotel Hudson Yards
Lifestyle meets luxury at this fitness-focussed hotel in the buzzing and newly-built Hudson Yards development on the West Side of Midtown. Occupying 15 floors of the glass and limestone-wrapped tower, the inaugural hotel from eponymous fitness brand, Equinox features sleek interiors, a gourmet restaurant, and a huge exercise room that attracts health-conscious, trendsetting travellers. On the 25th floor is the sky lobby houses reception – a light, airy space with Zaha Hadid sofas and phenomenal views. Venture outside onto the private terrace and catch sight of the startling sculpture on the infinity-edge water feature that serves as a major attention-grabber. Like the hotel’s public spaces, guest rooms are sleek and simple while oozing luxury. Also in the hotel is a lavish full-service spa, a sprawling sun deck and an ultra-stylish bar. From $1,187 per night.
The Whitby Hotel
(Photo: The Whitby Hotel / Courtesy Booking.com)
Situated in the heart of Midtown, this boutique hotel offers eclectic, colourful design and a focus on art. Acclaimed designer Kit Kemp and her husband Tim, founders of the Firmdale Hotel group, have used rich fabrics, elaborately-printed wallpapers, hanging crockery, and large murals and sculptures to create a hotel that’s almost a gallery in its own right. Two expansive floors of basement space include a theatre and a Reading Room containing 2,500 books. There’s also a 24/7 gym equipped with treadmills, spin bikes and ellipticals. The 87 guest rooms are all individually designed and feature floor-to-ceiling leaded windows, elegant armchairs and ottomans, and signature mannequin on a stand. Several suites on higher floors also boast extensive private terraces, as well as living rooms with fireplaces. The buzzing Whitby Bar serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea, while the light-filled Orangerie has more of a formal restaurant atmosphere. From $1,146 per night.
The Knickerbocker
Since opening its doors in 1988, this elegant hotel has become something of a Midtown institution. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the plush hotel is housed in an early 20-century building with a striking beaux arts façade, where it overlooks Times Square, lending a dash of grandeur and sophistication to the area’s famously boisterous energy. As you enter, marble floors, buff textured walls, and a gold-leaf dome ceiling set the tone. Explore and you’ll find a host of upscale amenities including a swanky restaurant and cocktail bar with weekly live jazz sessions, a separate plush rooftop bar, a cigar lounge, a coffee shop in the lobby area, and a well-equipped gymnasium. The 330 guest rooms, including 31 suites, are characterised by sleek, minimalist design. Guests seeking a bit of green space can walk to Bryant Park, just a couple of minutes’ walk away. From $270 per night.
By Paul Joseph