Fancy Hotels in New York Worth the Splurge

A high rate does not guarantee a memorable stay. The best fancy hotels in New York give you something you cannot get elsewhere — a landmark interior, a room above the park, a pool beneath the street. Here is where we think it is worth paying more.

For glamour

Baccarat Hotel New York — West 53rd Street

Opposite MoMA, the Baccarat glitters with the brand’s crystal from the lobby chandeliers to the barware in the Grand Salon. It is the most theatrical of the Midtown luxury hotels and wonderful for a celebration.

Good to know: A natural fit for a special occasion — the salon is lovely for a drink before a Broadway show, which is a short drive away.

Waldorf Astoria New York — Park Avenue, Midtown East

After an eight-year restoration, the Waldorf reopened in July 2025 with far fewer, much larger rooms and its Art Deco public spaces — the Park Avenue lobby, Peacock Alley — brought back to their 1930s glamour. It is the city’s most talked-about return in years.

Good to know: Close to Grand Central and an easy run to LaGuardia. Good for travelers who want history without small, old-fashioned rooms.

For views

Mandarin Oriental, New York — Columbus Circle

The hotel begins at a 35th-floor sky lobby, so every room looks out over Central Park or the Hudson through floor-to-ceiling glass. The spa’s indoor lap pool is one of the best in Manhattan, and Lincoln Center is a short walk away.

Good to know: Request a Central Park–facing room. Ideal for culture-focused stays around Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and the Upper West Side.

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel — Fifth Avenue & 61st Street

A Fifth Avenue tower facing Central Park, with the painted Rotunda and the kind of old-school, white-glove service that has made it a fixture of New York society for generations. Park-view rooms on higher floors are among the most coveted in the city.

Good to know: Ask specifically for a Central Park view when booking direct — it transforms the stay. The location splits the difference between Midtown shopping and the Upper East Side museums.

For history and atmosphere

Casa Cipriani New York — Financial District

Inside the restored 1909 Battery Maritime Building at Manhattan’s southern tip, with ocean-liner interiors and views of the harbor and Brooklyn Bridge. Hotel guests can use the private members’ club during their stay.

Good to know: The location is wonderful for harbor views but farther from Midtown; plan extra time for evening plans uptown. Usually an easy run to Newark or JFK outside peak hours.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel — NoMad

A restored 1907 McKim, Mead & White mansion joined to a new tower, dressed in Martin Brudnizki’s saturated colors. Café Carmellini and the fireside Portrait Bar have made it one of the city’s most loved recent openings.

Good to know: Rooms in the historic mansion and the tower feel quite different — ask which suits you. Good for travelers who want boutique character with Midtown access.

For privacy and calm

Aman New York — Fifth Avenue & 57th Street

Set in the landmark Crown Building, Aman’s first U.S. city hotel has spacious suites with working fireplaces, a three-level spa with a 25-meter pool, and a subterranean Jazz Club. It is the calmest place in Midtown to retreat to.

Good to know: Best for travelers who prioritize privacy and wellness over a lobby scene. The 57th Street corner is busy; your chauffeur and the hotel team will agree the most practical pickup point.