The 16 best hotels near Central Park in 2023

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When it comes to a trip to New York City, picking a hotel is one of the hardest decisions. Is it better to stay near Central Park or Times Square? Midtown Manhattan or Brooklyn?

At least on your first visit, you can’t go wrong by booking a room near Central Park. After all, most hotels in the area sit close to the city’s popular tourist sights such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Upper East Side, the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in midtown and all the flashing lights of Times Square.

In fact, some of New York’s most storied hotels are near Central Park. For instance, The Carlyle was a favorite of the late Princess Diana, and The Mark rolls out an unofficial red carpet full of celebrities on the first Monday of every May, thanks to its proximity to the Met Gala.

Whether you’re looking to bask in the luxury of Fifth Avenue sipping Champagne in hand, or you simply want to burn some points at a Marriott, Hyatt or Hilton, these are the best hotels near Central Park.

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Park Hyatt is synonymous with luxury, and the Central Park property takes this to new heights — literally. It sits in the 75-story One57 building that rises 1,005 feet above the ground (technically, it’s a super skyscraper). Don’t worry about towering too far over the park, though: Park Hyatt New York occupies the lower portion of the building, but it’s not too low that it skimps out on sweeping views of Central Park.

In fact, the best views of the park might come while lathering up with luxurious Le Labo products in the deep soaking tubs next to the window of the 1,000-square-foot one-bedroom city-view suites. Fans of the water might also enjoy a swim in the hotel’s 25th-floor indoor pool, which plays music recorded at Carnegie Hall through underwater speakers.

The area is rife with New York’s most expensive restaurants (for better or for worse). If you don’t want to leave the property, Park Hyatt’s restaurant, The Living Room, serves a classic midtown menu of steak, fish and pasta in a moody but modern dining room designed to evoke the feeling of a New York apartment (at least the ones you see on TV).

Rates at the Park Hyatt New York start at $673 or 35,000 to 45,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

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One of the most expensive hotels in town, Aman New York also feels like one of the most exclusive and private — despite being smack on the corner of one of the city’s busiest, most tourist-filled streets. Located in the 1920 neoclassical Crown Building (designed by the same firm as Grand Central Station), the interior reflects the Asia-based luxury chain’s muted, nature-filled design aesthetic, contrasting the building’s gold-clad spire.

Here, the 25,000-square-foot spa is the star of the show. It features a 65-foot indoor swimming pool surrounded by fireplaces, double-capacity cryotherapy chambers, “spa houses” that can be rented for full- or half-day treatments in private suites with indoor-outdoor spaces, and hot pools with ice-cold plunge baths. The guest suites — with futuristic egg-shaped soaking tubs, tranquil ambient lighting and recreations of the 16th-century Japanese masterpiece “Pine Trees” — bring elements of the spa into the rooms.

Other highlights of New York’s most talked-about new hotel include the rustic Italian restaurant Arva and an omakase dinner around a Japanese hinoki wood counter at Nama. Just don’t think you can get in without being a guest or member of the hotel. If you’re not, make a reservation well ahead of time at The Jazz Club, where a state-of-the-art sound system helps the city’s best musicians show off their talents while guests sip on cocktails and munch on truffle grilled cheese sandwiches.

Rates at Aman New York start at $2,600 per night.

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The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park isn’t the only Ritz-Carlton in town. Still, while its edgy new sister property in Nomad is an exciting departure for the brand, the storied uptown location is as refined and sophisticated as ever. Thanks to an incredible remodel over the last few years, it’s only getting better.

Located directly across the street from the park, the hotel is within walking distance of museums, shopping, live entertainment and more. In the newly remodeled accommodations — designed to feel like one of the townhouses you’d find in the residential areas around the park — the rooms are bright white and accented with warm, earthy tones. Book a Grand Park Room, and you’ll be graced with a telescope sitting on the window sill so you can zoom in on the beauty of Central Park.

Take an hour to hit up La Prairie Spa for a 60-minute caviar firming facial ($300). Or, get in a state-of-the-art workout at The Movement Studio, where digital, on-demand classes range from yoga to high-intensity interval training, barre and Zumba.

For a really special dining experience at this Ritz-Carlton, have the hotel organize a picnic in the park ($90 per person); it includes the choice of meal, and a nonalcoholic beverage to enjoy out on the grass (might we suggest checking out Sheep Meadow, where locals like to laze away the day). For dinner, make reservations at Contour for a traditional hotel menu with items ranging from burgers to pasta and roasted chicken.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park start at $675 or 80,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

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Luxury hotel brand Rosewood is now in charge of The Carlyle, an art deco New York City institution dating back to the 1930s and named after British essayist Thomas Carlyle. It sits on the Upper East Side, one of the most affluent and glamorous neighborhoods in town. Over the years, the hotel’s guest list has included presidents and royals. It was even the spot of “the most famous elevator ride in history,” when Princess Diana, a frequent guest, rode the lift up with Michael Jackson and Steve Jobs, according to the documentary about the hotel, “Always the Carlyle.”

Today, the hotel has 192 accommodations, including 92 suites. Options range in size from an entry-level superior room at 360 square feet to the 2,722-square-foot, three-bedroom Presidential Suite with breathtaking views of the park and the skyline; decor comes from French-born, New York-based designer Thierry Despont.

At the Valmont Spa at The Carlyle, guests can look as ageless as the hotel itself thanks to an extensive spa menu of anti-aging treatments like the “Only at the Carlyle” OxyLight Facial (120 minutes, $1,500) that requires two therapists working at the same time.

Dowling’s at The Carlyle offers an Upper East Side-inspired menu of American classics served in an eclectic dining room decked out from floor to ceiling with stunning art and photographs. But the real move here is to book dinner and a show at Café Carlyle, where recent performers included Alan Cumming and Rita Wilson. (Historical performances from the likes of Ertha Kitt and Broadway star Eilene Stritch were not out of the ordinary.)

Rates at The Carlyle start at $890 per night.

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Even if you didn’t realize it, you’ve probably heard of or seen pictures of The Mark, located on New York’s tony Madison Avenue. Its portico has framed some legendary paparazzi photos over the years. Also, the 10,000-square-foot, reportedly $75,000-per-night penthouse suite is where Serena Williams and her celebrity pals threw a baby shower in 2019 for Meghan Markle.

Good news for the rest of us, though: You don’t have to be famous to book a room at this independent hotel curated by French designer Jacques Grange. The Mark is upscale but playful with bold design choices like thick black-and-white striped flooring, brown velvet couches and abstract, whimsical art. In the rooms, things are slightly more relaxed. Digital Crestron panels control lights and temperature while Sub Zero refrigerators, soaking tubs, heated towel racks and daily deliveries of “The New York Times” lend the experience a more residential feel.

For dinner, make reservations at The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges for a European-inspired menu featuring seared sea scallops with butternut squash noodles, a 28-day aged ribeye or a black truffle cheeseburger. After, claim a spot on the cow-print couches at The Mark Bar, where cocktails are served on Guy de Rougemont-designed glass tables. Or skip it all for a quick bite from The Mark Haute Dog Cart, which serves top-notch, grass-fed beef hot dogs with kimchi relish for just $6 (almost the same cost of a dirty water hot dog you’d grab at the park these days!).

If that’s not all good enough, ask the concierge about personal shopping services from Bergdorf Goodman. After a long day of touring New York City, tomorrow’s brand-new outfit will be waiting for you in the room alongside a nightly sweet treat from Ladurée.

Rates at The Mark start at $995 per night.

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One of the newer entries on the list, Park Lane New York is a vibrant, whimsical hotel that feels fresher and more current than its old-school peers in the area. This is mainly due to a playful but sophisticated aesthetic crafted by design firm Yabu Pushelberg. Though the park is across the street, and the world-class shopping on Fifth Avenue is around the corner, it’s hard to leave the Instagram-worthy hotel.

The rooms and suites are centered around a large mural, “A Carnival of Animals in Strawberry Fields,” depicting birds and foxes galavanting around the park; it’s inspired by the musical suite by Camille Saint-Saëns and the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

Though all the rooms have Le Labo Hinoki bath amenities, Deco-mod furniture and charming artwork, be sure to book a room with a park view, because, after all, you’re staying at the Park Lane hotel for a reason.

With three different bars and restaurants, guests need not worry about going hungry. Start at the airy bar Rose Lane — a Parisian art nouveau-inspired lounge with light bites for breakfast (as well as breakfast martinis) and cocktails like the spicy Latin Quarter, made with Dos Hombres mezcal, saffron, habanero, pineapple and lime. For dinner, head to Harry’s New York Bar for a sky-high seafood tower. Follow this with a nightcap at Darling, the 47th-floor rooftop bar with cocktails, caviar and a DJ set on the weekends — all served with breathtaking views of the greatest city in the world.

Rates at Park Lane Hotel start at $386 per night.

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For New Yorkers, Central Park is an 843-acre green oasis in the middle of the concrete jungle. For visitors to the city, 1 Hotel Central Park offers the same sort of respite in the form of a hotel: Greenery covers the building’s facade, hallways are decorated with moss-filled planters, and natural hues of cream, tan and wooden elements abound.

This hotel is big on sustainability, and rooms include water filters, recycled cups, and sustainable mattresses and linens. They also feature Bamford bath products, yoga mats, and more high-tech amenities such as 55-inch televisions, Bluetooth speakers and Nespresso machines for a quick kick of caffeine.

For a great park view, book the 450-square-foot Park Suite, which comes with a window-nook daybed so you can cozy up and take in the view.

In the lobby, grab fresh greens or fruit from the Lobby Farmstand — perfect for snacking on during a walk to the park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. On the weekends, don’t miss brunch at James Beard Award-winning chef Jonathan Waxman’s restaurant Jams; it serves dishes like a mushroom frittata with chives and goat cheese or avocado toast with bread from the nearby Sullivan Street Bakery in a chic exposed-brick dining room.

Rates at 1 Hotel Central Park start at $459 per night.

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Named a New York City landmark in 1988, The St. Regis New York (the very first St. Regis in the world), has been a Fifth Avenue institution since John Jacob Astor IV opened it in 1904. Here, opulence is everything, from the gold leafing to the chandeliers to ceiling murals. There is a ‘nothing-is-too-much-for-us’ sense of service.

In the rooms, deep blue canopies hang over beds dressed in fluffy Frette linens, while matching blue drapes cover the windows in a style of another era. Marble-filled bathrooms feel baronially appointed, with gold embellishments and Remede Spa products. For an upgrade, check out the spacious Dior Suite for a taste of Paris in New York; or opt for the Caroline Astor Suite which is a 1,700-square-foot work of art with views of Central Park.

With rooms as beautiful as these, it’s tempting to stay in bed and order room service every meal. However, the stunning dining room at Astor Court, with its tall ceilings bedecked with a gorgeous mural of the sky, is worth a trip for breakfast or lunch. Another necessary stop is at King Cole Bar for a “Red Snapper” — the cocktail that later became known as a Bloody Mary.

Rates at The St. Regis New York start at $745 per night or 84,000 Marriott points.

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While there are plenty of over-the-top luxury hotels dotting the streets around Central Park, this JW Marriott property is a solid option that won’t necessarily break the bank (though that doesn’t mean it’s cheap). It still offers plenty of little luxuries that’ll make a trip to New York City special, as well as a central location close to all the area attractions.

Here, the rooms are comfortable, but they have a style that’s sophisticated and timeless — exactly what you’d expect from a JW Marriott. It’s also a great choice for business travelers or digital nomads since large room desks offer a practical place to get work done. For guaranteed views of the park, book a one-bedroom Central Park View Suite that offers windows overlooking the park plus more space to spread out.

Southgate Bar and Restaurant, the hotel’s only dining venue besides room service, offers classic American food. You can enjoy meals and cocktails near a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s a perfect place to spend a fall afternoon after leaf peeping.

Rates at the JW Marriott Essex House start at $343 or 73,000 points per night.

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When it comes to iconic New York City hotels, The Plaza is at the top of the list thanks in part to its high-profile role in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.” It’s at this stunner of a hotel that Kevin McAllister checks in unaccompanied and racks up a bill longer than the island of Manhattan itself, ordering room service and making himself at home.

In real life, the Plaza is as magical as it seems in the movies and books, including “Eloise at the Plaza.” (The hotel even has a real-life Eloise-inspired suite designed by Betsy Johnson and decked out in playful pinks, neon lights and all that’s glitter and gold in honor of the children’s book sensation.) That’s not the only incredible suite, though. There’s also the Tower Room, where a rounded bed sits under a 23-foot exposed brick turret ceiling.

Even if you only book a regular room, you’ll still be delighted with everything the hotel, which opened in 1907, offers. For starters, afternoon tea at The Palm Court is a must; the recently redesigned space is a stunning ode to Central Park, complete with a beautiful stained-glass ceiling. No trip to the Plaza is complete without a glass of bubbly at The Champagne Bar, to toast to an elegant stay in a beautiful hotel.

Rates at The Plaza start at $684 per night.

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Reaching 41 stories into the sky, The Pierre, which opened in 1930, was styled after Versailles in France. The building is indeed palatial, from its top down to its checkered marble floors. Big on glamour, the hotel has played host to Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn and fashion shows from some of the world’s greatest designers.

Today, Broadway’s biggest stars belt their hearts out at Two E, the hotel bar serving signature cocktails, caviar and small plates like oysters and deviled eggs. Enjoy a full meal at Perrine, a farm-to-table restaurant helmed by chef Ashfer Biju; it features dishes like roasted branzino and spring chicken with mushrooms and potatoes.

Once you’ve filled up on fresh produce and locally sourced proteins, head to the pastel-filled rooms for a great night’s sleep overlooking Central Park. All the easier to do thanks to cozy amenities like plush bathrobes and slippers, Etro bath products and marble-lined bathrooms

Rates at The Pierre start at $695 per night.

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Art is front and center at the midtown outpost of Hilton’s upscale Conrad brand. This becomes clear when guests first enter the lobby and see “Leda and the Swan,” a modern sculpture of a woman in a swimsuit floating on a swan innertube by artist Carole Feuerman. Beautiful and captivating works from various artists line the walls of public spaces and guest rooms.

Contemporary rooms are comfortable and designed to feel residential — like a place you could really live. There are even rooms with full kitchens. For a special stay, try to book the Atrium Suite, a 1,200-square-foot accommodation built in a glass-domed atrium with a green velvet couch, light pink velvet armchairs, giant palm plants and unobstructed views of the city skyline and Central Park.

At Dabble, the hotel’s modern restaurant and bar, sip on a lavender martini or Veuve Clicquot and order shareable plates like beef sliders and tuna ceviche. Mains include a seasonal mushroom and scallop risotto, halibut with black beluga lentils and pattypan squash, or a classic 12-ounce grass-fed ribeye. Need to work off the previous night’s heavy dinner? The hotel can organize a running tour that leaves from the hotel. It can also curate a selection of books that will be waiting for you next to your bed.

Rates at the Conrad New York Midtown start at $374 per night or 95,000 Hilton Honors points.

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You can find the Mandarin Oriental on Columbus Circle at the southwest corner of Central Park, on the edge of the Upper West Side. It’s a sleek, Asian-inspired hotel that occupies many of the higher floors (35 to 54) of a skyscraper with views that stretch for days. Guests who ascend to the 35th-floor lobby are greeted by beautiful sculptural pieces by Dale Chihuly along with park views and on-point hospitality.

In the rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows showcase views of the Hudson on one side and park and skyline views on the other. In the rooms, find separate baths and showers with Diptyque products, a chaise lounge against the window where you can sit and gaze at the city that never sleeps, a writing desk and soft Italian linens dressing the sumptuous beds.

Though many luxury hotels around Central Park contain spas, few compete with the spa at the Mandarin Oriental. It offers a full lineup of treatments ranging from the Digital Wellness Escape (50 minutes, $260), which targets areas strained from looking at phones, to a dizzying array of facials. There’s also an indoor, 75-foot lap pool (a rarity for the city), and a fitness center with equipment overlooking the skyline.

Cocktails and a wide-ranging menu of all-day food — with options like a salmon croque monsieur and Chinese egg noodle soup — are on offer at MO Lounge, a sophisticated restaurant with a warm vibe and exceptional views. In-room dining is also available. There are plenty of restaurants downstairs in the Deutsche Bank Center, like the French-American restaurant Per Se and the $750-a-person omakase experience at Masa.

Rates at Mandarin Oriental New York start at $860 per night.

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There are few hotels in New York City that make quite as grand a statement as the Peninsula. It sports an Italian Renaissance revival design and a dramatic location on an ultra-swanky strip of Fifth Avenue. Once inside, an elegant staircase, a shimmering chandelier and beautiful crown molding are as grand as grand can be.

Up in the rooms, expect that same level of luxury, but with a more subtle execution. The trades grandeur for soft natural shades of taupe, light grays and muted gold accents. Mood lighting sets the tone, and large, comfortable beds are the perfect place to rest your feet after a busy day exploring the city.

Beyond its beautiful design and dreamy location, the hotel has a lot to offer guests. The Peninsula Spa has 10 treatment rooms and an Asian tea room. Off property, the hotel offers The Peninsula Academy, a series of personalized tours with exclusive access to cultural highlights around town; such highlights include private tours of the Met and MoMA, behind-the-scenes access to Broadway shows and food tours in various boroughs. There’s also Salon de Ning, a swanky rooftop bar; Clement Restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch; and Clement Bar, a moody cocktail counter open late.

Rates at The Peninsula New York start at $1,045 per night.

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New York City isn’t short on Thompson hotels. Travelers can choose between Gild Hall in the Financial District and the ultra-charming Beekman Hotel, also downtown.

But for a Hyatt-friendly stay in a chic, modern and relatively new hotel uptown, book a room at the Thompson Central Park. There, midcentury modern rooms are decked out with sleek, wood-paneled headboard and 400-thread-count Italian linens. Many room types also have plush seating areas and panoramic Central Park views.

For even more “wow,” book an Upper Stories room. These accommodations sit on the higher, club-level floors that have elevated views (because “upper stories,” get it?). They also have enhanced amenities like a Dyson hairdryer and Knours skincare products as well as access to a lounge with snacks, drinks, a Victrola record player and even a portable record player you can take out to the park during a picnic.

Though in-room dining is available throughout the day, you shouldn’t miss the hotel’s three restaurant and bar outlets. Indian Accent is a contemporary Indian restaurant by chef Manish Mehrotra while Parker’s is a music-themed lobby bar slinging craft cocktails that are named after music alongside upscale-meets-homey bar food. Burger Joint is a long-standing institution absorbed into the hotel but left relatively unchanged.

Rates at Thompson Central Park start at $398 or between 21,000 to 29,000 points per night.

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If you ever wondered what a hotel contained within a snowflake would look like, check out the Baccarat Hotel on Fifth Avenue. The French crystal house has left no corner, no shelf and no ceiling void of something shiny.

Sound over the top? It is, but it’s all in good taste. As are the guest rooms, which are a stunning mix of whites, blacks, taupes and grays with more discreet placements of the brand’s namesake products. In the Parisian-themed accommodations, gaze out the floor-to-ceiling windows from bed as you stay swaddled in Mascioni linens holding Baccarat crystal stemware full of Champagne.

Speaking of Champagne, enjoy a coupe at The Bar — a 60-foot-long bar in a funky, red saloon-style room that’s, you guessed it, also full of crystals. Or, take that glass of Champagne to Spa de La Mer, the first spa from the popular (and expensive) La Mer brand. A very special gem inside the hotel is La Piscine, the indoor heated pool with a beautiful checkered floor that’s surrounded by day beds.

At The Grand Salon — the shimmering centerpiece of the Baccarat Hotel — food is served all day. Although, afternoon tea is one of the most iconic ways to experience the immaculate setting. For the little ones, there’s even a special kid’s tea course with hot chocolate, child-friendly sandwiches and delicate sweets.

Rates at Baccarat Hotel start at $925 per night.