New York, New York… it lures back even the most seasoned of travellers with its seductive spiritedness and all-hours happenings. But even in the city that never sleeps, we all get drowsy. Our solution? Watch all the action from bed. Whether it’s a cloud-level suite marvelling at Manhattan’s skyline, a Brooklyn base admiring the East River or window walls framing Lady Liberty herself, we’re here to start spreading the news (and views). Read on for the best hotels with views in New York City.
The Ludlow
Lower East Side
Let’s start with one of the Lower East Side’s coolest kids: The Ludlow. Every colourful corner of this industrial-style space is the well-considered work of co-owner and designer Sean MacPherson, who sought to paint a nostalgic picture of the neighbourhood’s Eighties edge, using locally made artwork and one-off flea-market finds. And he’s achieved just that — Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe wouldn’t look out of place among the effortlessly cool diners who congregate at the Dirty French restaurant for after-work wines and late-night dates. But there’s the modern iteration of the city to marvel at, too, showcased in far-reaching views from the 20th-floor rooftop terrace, laid out behind the upper-level lofts’ wraparound windows, which pair perfectly with a deep bubble bath.
Skyline view Watch over the city from your view-boasting bath tub in the Loft Queen or Skybox Loft. If you’d rather admire it alfresco, the Studio Queen with Terrace, Loft King with Terrace or Ludlow Penthouse come with their own private outdoor space.
Pendry Manhattan West
Hudson Yards
In the Pendry Manhattan West, the hotel group brings its SoCal style to the East Coast. Mid-century-modern furnishings and ambient lighting give suites zen-boosting appeal. But rocket up to the top levels and you’ll quite quickly discover that these co-ords couldn’t get anymore New York if they were wearing a Yankees cap and asking for their bagel with schmear (cream cheese, for any out-of-towners). Views don’t just admire Hudson Yards — the Midtown development where this Pendry rests — but sweep over the city’s cloud-piercing skyscrapers and the Hudson River-abutting High Line.
Skyline view Manhattan’s silhouette adds even more allure to the Skyline suites and Two-Bedroom Pendry Suite. And one angle isn’t always enough, so amp up those Insta shots with the dual-aspect Corner Studio or One-Bedroom Suite.
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
Chelsea
On the far west side of the city, the Meatpacking District — circled by Chelsea, the West Village and the Hudson River — has undergone something of a renaissance since the 1990s. Sex and the City buffs will know it from Carrie Bradshaw’s after-dusk forays, which were in some way credited with its transformation from sketchy to stylish. But you could also give kudos to Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC; a hotel that’s been gently intro-ing visitors to the neighbourhood for over 20 years. The space went through its own remodel a few years ago, filling walls with artwork by renowned names like Banksy, Frank Stella and Mick Rock, and adding windows — some stretching a lofty 20 foot — that are equally attention-grabbing, to make the most of the buzzy scenery. If you’re still looking to live out your Bradshaw dreams, the hotel’s rooftop pool parties bring back its Noughties edge.
Hudson River view Compliment the calming blues and greys of the Gansevoort Suite or Poliform Penthouse Suite with a water-watching outlook.
Skyline view Watch over Gotham’s horizon as you fall asleep from the Grand Deluxe Double, Queen or King rooms. Outdoor space is rare around here, but secure one of the Terrace Queen Bed rooms and you’ll get a private alfresco spot with far-stretching panoramas.
Park Lane
Midtown Manhattan
Allow us to guide you to Billionaire’s Row in Midtown, a monied stretch outlining Central Park’s southern edge. Along it, you’ll find Park Lane hotel, towering an impressive 47 floors above street level. Despite its all-business setting, interiors are delightfully playful, with rattan furnishings, burnt-orange bar stools and offbeat patterns on walls. You’ll be tempted to capture it all, but before you fill up on camera storage, be sure to head up to the rooftop restaurant. Colours are intentionally calmer up here, making way for the scenery to do its mesmerising thing from an almost-cloud-touching terrace and windowed walls that survey Central Park unobstructed. Well, we wouldn’t expect NYC’s most affluent stretch to have anything but a billion-dollar view.
Central Park view Retiring from the rooftop restaurant after dark doesn’t have to mean parting with those panoramas. Secure a Park View room, studio or suite — or go large with the One-Bedroom or Meadow Suite — and you’ll always have eyes on this sprawling expanse of urban greenery.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn
Brooklynites, fear not — we’ve got you covered, too. There’s plenty of places to pick from in this across-the-East-River borough; but if you’re after classic cityscapes, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is almost touching distance from its namesake landmark. Resting in the Dumbo district, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, this boutique hotel was largely designed by local artists: Jarrod Beck’s rubber sculpture behind reception was made from the detritus resulting from an Upstate tornado, and Rachel Mica Weiss has created an installation using reclaimed wood beams and hand-dyed yarn from the district’s factories. The story of Brooklyn isn’t just told through the hotel’s creative contributors, though — its waterfront locale paints a captivating picture of all that locals love about this breath-of-fresh-air borough.
Brooklyn Bridge view There are plenty of shared spaces from which to admire this American icon but if you prefer to survey in private, the Bridge King and Bridge Studio Suite have the most advantageous aspects.
Skyline view Survey the sky in the Liberty King or Studio Suite, Harbor Two Beds or Skyline One-Bedroom Suite.
Wythe Hotel
Williamsburg
Wythe Hotel is here to prove Manhattan views aren’t necessarily best from the beating heart of Midtown. Venture across the water to Brooklyn’s Williamsburg and you’ll be handsomely rewarded with a snapshot of the Empire City’s glittering horizon. The hotel’s converted from a century-old, barrel- and rope-making factory, with exposed brick walls and Crittall windows; inside, rooms personify the ever-evolving district’s grit and glamour — but, with these river-fronted cityscapes to watch, honestly, no-one’s looking inwards. If that’s not enough to impress, on the top floor Bar Blondeau’s craft cocktails come with a side of uninterrupted scenery.
East River and skyline views Enjoy the expansive cityscapes, sprawling beyond the East River, from the Manhattan View King Room, North 7th and 8th Lofts, South 7th Loft or Penthouse Loft.
Public New York
Lower East Side
American nightlife tycoon Ian Schrager (founder of the legendary Studio 54) is well-versed in hotels too — his Lower East Side hangout, Public New York, showcases just how much. The space has a home-over-hotel sort of feel (if your house had futuristic escalators whizzing between floors and Christian Liaigre-designed furniture, that is). In cosy, cocoon-like rooms with king-sizes tucked into oak-wood nooks, Manhattan’s urban firmament shines. Also worth a look is the rooftop bar, which has a 360-degree observatory and wraparound terrace.
Skyline view Most rooms will secure you some sort of view, but the cream of the crop are the Queen, King or Loft Great View (hey, it’s right there in the name), or any of the three Penthouses.
Casa Cipriani New York
Lower Manhattan
Opulence comes as standard with Italian brand Cipriani, who — for its first foray into the US — took the almost abandoned Battery Maritime Building at Manhattan’s southern tip and turned it into Casa Cipriani New York, a stay so decadent its walls are lined with Loro Piana cashmere. During renovations, architect Thierry Despont, who helped to restore the Statue of Liberty in the 1980s, was brought on board to reimagine the structure, and reintroduce the city’s leading lady, who you can see from some rooms.
Part of the Beaux-Arts building still operates as a ferry terminal between Manhattan and Governor’s Island, but interiors have been changed to fit with Cipirani’s aureate style (Guastavino tiles, Tedeschi furnishings and Rivolta Carmignani linens). With a chauffeured Aston Martin on call, you could spend your stay cruising around this part of the city, but we’d rather hit the very exclusive private members’ club and rooftop Terrazzo Bar, where views of the Green Goddess steal the show.
Statue of Liberty view See the Lady herself from the Liberty Corner Suite, Premier River View Suite or Presidential Suite.
East River view Go for the Premier River View King, Junior Suite River View or Williams River View Suite to watch over the water, which is aglow with a lustrous light come sunset.
Skyline view If you’re struggling to decide which angle to opt for, see a little bit of everything in the Junior Suite Corner City View, Clinton Corner One-Bedroom Suite, Fulton Corner Suite or Liberty Corner Suite One Bedroom. If, like us, you believe views are all the better from your own outdoor spot, go for the Garden One Bedroom Suite with Grand Patio, Premier River View Suite with Terrace or Presidential Suite One Bedroom with a wraparound Terrace.
Craving another bite of the Big Apple? Satisfy your yearning with our full collection of hotels in New York City