Should New York City be on your luxury bucket list? Absolutely! The city is packed with iconic sights, including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty đ˝, Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, Coney Island, and a host of other can’t-miss attractions. Looking for exciting things to do in NYC? Whether you’re taking your honeymoon, celebrating your birthdayđ, enjoying a solo adventure, or travelling âjust because,â we’ve got you covered!
We spoke with our community of luxury Travel Advisors for their recommendations on the best hotels in New York City. Together, we want to help make your next visit to the Big Apple the trip of a lifetime. So sit back, relax and explore these amazing picks from our community of renowned travel experts, whether you are looking for an in-house Michelin star restaurant or a room fitted with Italian-made linens.
Stick around for our top tips from our local photographers on the best places to take photos while in NYC. đˇ
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Josh and partner celebrate their anniversary in New York City with a couple photoshoot.
1. The Equinox Hotel
Kristin Jaffe, a travel advisor at Winkaffe Global Travel, recommends a night at The Equinox Hotel for everyone coming to the Big Apple. She says, âLocated where the High Line begins, this property is wonderfully located no matter the reason for your visit. Its motto is that it caters to those who rest and play as hard as they work, so you can imagine that the amenities are out of this world.â
The hotel offers over two hundred spacious guest rooms, including forty-eight suites. Visit the rooftop bar and dine at Electric Lemon when you’re at the Equinox. This restaurant features 8,000 square feet of outdoor space overlooking the river and city skyline. đď¸ The hotel offers indoor and outdoor pools, innovative spa experiences, and more to soak up that perfect experience that you deserve while on holiday.
Kristinâs insider tip: âWhile no trip to NYC is complete without a trip to Times Square, do your eating or shopping elsewhere. For casual dining, I recommend Time Out Market where you can find a number of fantastic dining concepts under one roof. For a more elevated experience, I recommend Olmstead, where you can experience hyper-local American cuisine, with many of the ingredients grown right in the back yard!â
Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Meredith and partner capture memories in New York City with a couple photoshoot.
2. Four Seasons Hotel
When staying in NYC, SmartFlyerâs Xavier Cano picks the Four Seasons New York Downtown as one of the best luxury hotels around. He says, âThis vibrant, sleek property makes for the ultimate TriBeCa home base where youâre just steps from the art district if you want to explore or, if you prefer to relax at the hotel, you can immerse yourself in their rich wellness offerings. But what really sets it apart is the service; you have access to the ease of the Four Seasons app for digital communications in addition to the most personal and in-the-know team who will ensure you have the ultimate New York experience.â
With only 16 rooms, the hotel feels intimate and private while still being in the heart of the city. The spa and swimming pool are a class in themselves, and CUT, the hotelâs restaurant by Wolfgang Puck, has an incredible wine list.
Xavierâs insider tip: âIf you canât snag the dinner reservation you were wanting, set up for a Notify on Resy, as sometimes you get lucky on the day of with availability! But when staying at a top NYC hotel, the concierge is your key to getting availability at the hottest spots thanks to their deep Rolodex.â
Photo: Johnny in New York City for Flytographer. Tien-An and son capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot.
3. Sheraton Tribeca by Marriott
While the first two on this list may be on the extravagant side of the spectrum, the Sheraton Tribeca by Marriott is a more budget-friendly New York City hotel that doesn’t compromise on luxury.
Christine Hardenberger, travel advisor at Modern Travel Pros, says this is her favourite hotel because of the great location and sky-high rooftop deck with stunning views of the city.
This boutique hotel is strategically located in the Tribeca neighbourhood across the street from the trendy SoHo shopping district and walking distance from Little Italy and Chinatown. Itâs been recently renovated as well, giving it an even more modern feel!
Christineâs insider tip: âAs a native New Yorker, I always tell my clients to skip the trip to the Statue of Liberty. Quite frankly, it’s not worth the time and money. The view from the top is wonderful but there are wonderful views from all over the city for a lot less money. Sure, you can get some great pictures on the way to the Statue, but there’s a better way to do that, too.
“To get the BEST photos of the Statue of Liberty, take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry goes right past the Statue and will give you the opportunity to get some of the most amazing shots. Plus, you don’t have to fight the tourist crowds down by the statue ferry and the Staten Island Ferry is FREE to ride!â
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Ashley and partner capture memories in New York City with a couple photoshoot in SoHo.
4. The Mark Hotel
We definitely love the finer things in life, and that’s why The Mark Hotel is high on our list of the best hotels in New York City. This fancy boutique hotel is everything you need to leave you feeling like you’re BeyoncĂŠ on holiday (hey, itâs okay to fantasize sometimes!). With a combination of a classic Upper East Side location and its exquisite contemporary and chic design, it stands out from the rest.
On the hotelâs website, it refers to itself as âNew Yorkâs most boldly lavish hotelâ and it stays true to every word of that.
The Mark Hotel is located in Manhattan and features a state-of-the-art gym, large marble bathrooms, and spacious guest rooms, decorated with ebony and sycamore furnishings.
It also has a popular restaurant â also named The Mark â run by famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. This restaurant serves European and globally seasoned dishes as well as classic cocktails by the bar. đš
Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Jessica and daughters capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot.
5. The Baccarat Hotel
Looking to have the celebrity experience? The Baccarat Hotel in New York City is calling! đÂ
This luxury hotel, located across the street from the Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street and 5th Avenue, is so tastefully done, blending influences from past and present to create an elegant Parisian hotel while staying true to its contemporary Manhattan location. It is close to some of New York City’s most popular landmarks, such as Love Sculpture and Manhattan Skyline.
The Baccarat Hotel is popular amongst couples with its romantic settings that provide value, comfort, and convenience for travellers. Guests can relish in the intricate architecture while enjoying the indoor pool, fitness centre, and free Wifi access.
Photo: Anna in New York City for Flytographer. Evonne capture memories on a solo trip to New York City with a Modern Headshot photoshoot.
6. The Pierre Hotel
The Pierre Hotel is one of New York City’s oldest hotels, opening in 1930 and evolving throughout the decades while maintaining some of the exquisite hand-painted murals in the space.
The hotel’s restaurant delivers seasonal modern American cuisine with daily specials inspired by Pierre’s culinary classics. It boasts spacious rooms and also offers a variety of exclusive experiences for nomads, travellers, and children alike. (A luxury family-friendly hotel destination? Yes, please!) đ¨âđŠâđ§
The Pierre Hotel is popular amongst brides đ°đžââď¸ who dream of being married inside the ornate Grand Ballroom, with its hand-painted silver and gold ceilings and enough space to seat 1,500 guests.
Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Sumika and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot.
7. The Langham Hotel
Located on Fifth Avenue, The Langham is a luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan. It is situated close to the Empire State Building and the Grand Central Station, making it a popular spot amongst tourists. Constructed using limestone in an art deco-inspired style, đźď¸ it radiates timeless elegance.
The hotel has over 234 spacious rooms which are filled with natural light and may leave you wondering if you’re still in New York City. Frequent guests at the Langham include travelling families and NBA teams đ playing at nearby Madison Garden.
Photo: Amanda in New York City for Flytographer. Belinda celebrates a birthday in New York City with a friends photoshoot.
8. The Carlyle Hotel
Located just off Madison Avenue, this luxe, art deco-inspired hotel is a block from Central Park and, depending on what night youâre here, you may run into someone famous. (Thereâs been a movie đĽ about this hotel called Always at The Carlyle where celebrities like George Clooney, Wes Anderson, and Naomi Campbell recount stories of the space.)
The Carlyle Hotel also houses the CafĂŠ Carlyle, where once upon a time you could find legendary musicians like Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger hanging out with the performing artists almost every other night.
Like The Pierre, this luxurious hotel opened in 1930 and remains a hub for style and glamour.
Photo: Armando in New York City for Flytographer. Jenilee celebrates a birthday in New York City with a couple photoshoot.
9. Lotte New York Palace
If you’ve seen Gossip Girl and wondered where Chuck Bass lived or even the penthouse where Serena Van der Woodsen and her family lived, well, we have the answer for you â it was The Lotte New York Palace.
This luxurious hotel is located in Midtown Manhattan and sits at the convergence of stylish luxury and traditional elegance, boasting modern accommodations and landmark architecture in New York City. It comprises a historic 1882-built neo-Renaissance mansion and a 55-story tower overlooking St Patrickâs Cathedral. âŞ
Photo: Johnny in New York City for Flytographer. Abigail and partner celebrate an anniversary in New York City with a couple photoshoot.
10. St. Regis Hotel by Marriott
Last but certainly not least is the St Regis Hotel by Marriott, which is a Forbes five-star and AAA 5-Diamond hotel on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
If you are looking to see a Broadway show while in NYC, you can access lots of theatre đ options by staying at the St. Regis. It is also a quintessential classic hotel with more space than most hotels in New York City. The grandiose rooms and lobby feature silk wall coverings and crystal chandeliers that make you feel like royalty. đ
Photo: Lauren in New York City for Flytographer. Caitlin captures memories on a solo trip to New York City with a Modern Headshot photoshoot.
Making memories in New York City
Whichever of these amazing hotels in New York City you decide to stay in, you can rest assured of an immersive experience that allows you to sink into the city’s rich culture while relaxing like you rightfully deserve. Whether you are exploring Midtown, Greenwich Village, Central Park, Brooklyn, or SoHo â you canât go wrong when it comes to NYC neighbourhoods. Capture memories with a local, professional Flytographer in New York City and letâs celebrate your story! â¤ď¸
âAmanda is AMAZING! She was early, outgoing, funny, professional but felt like a longtime friend at the same time. We met her in Central Park, she knows it so well. She was terrific with my girls and captured the most amazing photos for us. She had us laughing and made it so much fun. We weren’t having the best time in NY, she really helped us out a lot and made our trip so much better. I can’t wait to print every photo and put them all over our house and my office. Definitely going on our holiday cards. I will tell everyone I know that goes to NY to book with Amanda!â
Jessica
âSehee was sweet, flexible and amazing to work with! She made us feel very comfortable in front of the camera and gave clear instructions and guidance. She helped us pose but also let us take a few silly photos. She knows all the best spots to shoot and worked so efficiently. Thank you so much, Sehee!â
Stephanie
âArmando did an amazing job with 3 kids, including a toddler, through muddy Central Park. He was so kind and adapted well to the speed of our 3 young kids while still capturing really amazing photos that fit our vision for the session.â
Abbie
