Even the most jaded locals agree that certain sites simply must be seen in New York City. Repeat visitors might skip the bright lights of Times Square, but it's a necessary stop for first-timers, and its proximity to top museums and Broadway theaters makes it an excellent place to stay. Meanwhile, New Yorkers have nothing but praise for the green spaces of Central Park — another favorite for first-time tourists in search of a hotel.
Repeat visitor? Explore The Complete MICHELIN Guide to New York City Hotels for picks in every neighborhood. Below are our recommendations for your first trip: hotels beloved by locals and visitors alike, with excellent locations near Times Square, Central Park and other landmarks, plus a healthy dose of luxury and aesthetic excellence that makes them among the best in the city.
CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE IN CENTRAL PARK...
The Plaza has been a New York first-timer’s go-to hotel for decades. Opened in 1907, it is a Beaux-Arts landmark at the iconic crossroads of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South: where travelers live out their Eloise fantasies with afternoon tea in the iconic Palm Court, drinks at the Rose Club or shopping in the boutique-filled lower level.
Of course, the location is ideal for the classic New York tour: Central Park's horse carriages line up outside, Fifth Avenue shopping stretches south and the subway at 59th Street allows for easy access to the rest of the city.
All quintessential New York elegance and unmatched convenience at the southwest corner of Central Park, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park has the same quintessential location as the Plaza, a pedigree that dates to 1911 and the premium on calm, convenience and service you can expect at any Ritz-Carlton in the world.
A "hotel within a hotel" concept includes a dedicated private concierge and a private lounge serving breakfast, lunch and hors d'oeuvres daily — nice touches for a first-timer who needs a breath between forays back to Fifth Avenue.
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Another Central Park-adjacent gem — this one's set just one block back from the Plaza and the Ritz-Carlton, but with a design aesthetic that leaves much of the traditional behind, embracing instead a warmly eco-conscious vibe: every room features reclaimed materials and living green walls, as well as cozy reading nooks with windows over stunning Central Park views.
The hotel’s farmhouse-inspired restaurant Jams serves seasonal cuisine on-site, and the concierge team offers expert recommendations on everything from nearby dog parks to Broadway shows.
Two blocks down from the Plaza is the Mandarin Oriental — another completely distinct aesthetic with access to Central Park and perhaps the most incredible views of the Manhattan skyline in the city. The appeal of the Mandarin Oriental goes beyond the jaw-dropping vistas from nearly every space — there is the sheer luxury of the spa and pool, as well as a brand ethos familiar to travelers who've enjoyed the impeccable service and cutting-edge design of a Mandarin Oriental anywhere in the world.
Central Park is right at your feet, Lincoln Center is nearby for theater and ballet, and the subway hub downstairs easily connects to the rest of the city. The concierge team specializes in securing last-minute theater tickets and restaurant reservations.
HIGH-DESIGN IN TIMES SQUARE...
It may repel New Yorkers sick of the crowds, but for first-timers, Times Square is a must. The CIVILIAN Hotel provides a genuine delight here: you enter under bright lights designed to mimic those of a Broadway theater, and the artifacts they’ve managed to collect are remarkable, including some props from Hamilton as well as a series of faithful set-recreations in the form of little dioramas displayed in the bar and restaurant. Rooms are cozy and well-appointed, but the public spaces dazzle. The bar has the largest collection of vermouth in North America, and a brilliant rooftop bar completes the scene.
Another hotel locals love despite its location in the tourist center of New York, The Times Square EDITION is a sophisticated refuge amid Manhattan’s brightest lights. Designed by none other than Ian Schrager — who had long dreamed of revisiting Midtown after the close of his legendary club, Studio 54 — his minimalist design is wholly personal. A throw blanket draped on the corner of the bed is inspired by the way his mother used to drop her fur coat down at the end of the day.
The hotel's Terrace Restaurant and all-seasons gardens add to the feel of an unexpected oasis amidst the bright lights, while the Paradise Club goes the other direction — all 1970s glamour in its embrace of raucous New York nightlife.
With a Downtown attitude (read: cool) amidst Midtown convenience, the signature Whatever/Whenever service — whatever you need, whenever you need it — is one of the strongest reasons to stay at the W Times Square.
Another is the Living Room, a lobby bar that buzzes day and night, with cocktails and a DJ in the evening, and rooms that feature the plush bedding and moody lighting. If you want to stay here for New Year’s Eve, book early.
AND MORE: THE HIGH LINE, HUDSON YARDS AND WILLIAMSBURG...
Beloved by all, the High Line — a former elevated rail line transformed into miles of straight-line public park — is a wonderful way to spend a sunny day walking through New York. The Standard High Line rises directly above it, and hosts a few beloved spaces of its own, among them the Standard Grill, outdoor Biergarten, and, for coffee and people-watching, The Living Room.
Even the gym, set on the 17th floor, has incredible views, and the quirky gift shop is stocked with unique finds for souvenirs. The minibars feature the hotel's own beer, and when evening strikes, lucky hotel guests (make sure to grab a reservation in advance) are granted coveted access to Le Bain, The Standard’s rooftop club on the 18th floor. Within blocks, find Chelsea Market and the Whitney Museum.
Pendry Manhattan West introduces visitors to one of New York's newly-revitalized neighborhoods while maintaining accessibility to other classic first-timer attractions. Located in Hudson Yards — a massive new development with tourist favorites like an observation deck (the Edge) and a wild, architectural feat (the Vessel) amongst its many spaces—Pendry Manhattan West sits atop direct access to Penn Station, an invaluable hub for day trips or airport connections to New Jersey. Not to mention, you're just one subway stop from Times Square and two from Central Park.
The Hoxton lands on this list for no specific landmark except the exceptionally trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg, a must for any first-timers who want to see Brooklyn without straying too far from Manhattan. Just across the river, The Hoxton Williamsburg is this beloved brand's first American outpost and a hub for locals who come to get work done in the inviting lobby or enjoy Israeli-inspired cuisine at K'Far (beneath a retractable glass roof) or to savor charcoal-grilled specialties at the MICHELIN-selected Laser Wolf rooftop. It all makes for an ideal balance: authentic Brooklyn immersion with the vibrant energy of the whole city at your fingertips.
