Hotels
Where to stay in New York: the best neighbourhoods explained
New York is vast, but most of what you want to see is in Manhattan. These are the neighbourhoods we would choose between, who each suits and the hotel we would book in each.
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You climb out of the subway on 42nd Street and the glare of the Times Square screens hits you before you have worked out which way is north. Twenty minutes later, on a side street in the West Village, there are trees over the pavement and people walking their dogs. New York changes block by block, and the neighbourhood you stay in sets the tone for the whole trip.
Manhattan is laid out as a grid, with avenues running north and south and streets east and west, so it is easy to find your way. The subway runs around the clock, and you can move between neighbourhoods quickly. We have chosen the areas we would stay in and explain who each suits. For more hotels, see our guide to the best hotels in New York.
Short answer: where should you stay in New York?
For a first visit, Midtown is best, close to Times Square, Central Park and most sights. For more neighbourhood feel, choose SoHo or the West Village, and with children the Upper West Side works well. Brooklyn is for repeat visitors.
Best for a first visit: Midtown
Best for families: the Upper West Side
Best for museums: the Upper East Side
Best for shopping: SoHo
Best for nightlife: the West Village and Meatpacking
The Times Square EDITION
The Times Square EDITION in Midtown.
Midtown and Times Square: a first visit
Midtown covers roughly 34th to 59th Street, with Times Square, the Broadway theatres, Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building. From here you can walk to Central Park and catch subway lines in every direction.
It suits first-timers and theatre trips. The catch: the crowds, and dinner around Times Square is rarely good, so walk a few blocks west to Hell's Kitchen to eat.
The Times Square EDITION: design in the theatre district
The Times Square EDITION occupies a tower on 47th Street, entered from the quieter side of the square. Its lobby and bars are full of plants and low light, a place to come home to after Broadway.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Times Square EDITION
The Mark
The Mark on the Upper East Side.
The Upper East Side: museums and Central Park
The Upper East Side lies east of Central Park, with Museum Mile and the Met, the Guggenheim and the Frick. It is a calm, elegant neighbourhood of wide streets and some of the city's most expensive hotels.
It suits art, park walks and a quieter trip. The catch: evenings are quiet, and Downtown is a subway ride away.
The Mark: a striped lobby on Madison Avenue
The Mark stands on Madison Avenue at 77th Street, a few blocks from the Met. It is known for the black-and-white stripes of its lobby, with galleries and boutiques around the corner.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Mark
Hotel Beacon
Hotel Beacon on the Upper West Side.
The Upper West Side: calm and family-friendly
The Upper West Side lies west of Central Park, with the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center and residential streets lined with brownstones. Riverside Park by the Hudson is the neighbourhood's garden.
It suits families and longer stays. The catch is the distance to Downtown, though the subway lines along Broadway make it easy.
Hotel Beacon: kitchenettes on Broadway
Hotel Beacon is on Broadway at 75th Street, next door to the Beacon Theatre and close to the Zabar's deli. Many rooms have kitchenettes, which families and week-long visitors appreciate.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Beacon
The Standard, High Line
The Standard, High Line.
The West Village and Meatpacking: trees and nightlife
The West Village is a neighbourhood of low brick houses, trees and streets that ignore the grid. The Meatpacking District just north has the High Line, the old elevated railway turned park, and plenty of bars and restaurants.
They suit couples and anyone who wants to eat and go out at night. The catch: hotels are expensive and Upper Manhattan is far away.
The Standard, High Line: windows over the Hudson
The Standard straddles the High Line, and its rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Hudson River. On the roof is the club Le Bain, with views over the city.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The Standard, High Line
Soho Grand Hotel
Soho Grand Hotel in SoHo.
SoHo and Tribeca: cast iron and shopping
SoHo is known for its cast-iron facades and the shops along Broadway and Prince Street. Tribeca to the south is quieter and more exclusive, with excellent restaurants.
They suit shoppers and anyone who wants a real Manhattan neighbourhood. The catch: SoHo's streets are packed at weekends.
Soho Grand: a terrace above the rooftops
Soho Grand stands on West Broadway and was the first large hotel in SoHo. Its terrace looks over the rooftops to the Midtown skyscrapers, and dogs are welcome.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Soho Grand Hotel
The William Vale
The William Vale in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn: Manhattan from the other side
Williamsburg and Dumbo in Brooklyn have some of the best views of Manhattan, and Williamsburg is full of bars, restaurants and vintage shops. The subway reaches Manhattan in minutes.
Choose Brooklyn if you know New York already and want to see the city as residents do. The catch is the journey to Midtown and Upper Manhattan.
The William Vale: a balcony facing the skyline
The William Vale is in Williamsburg, and every room has a balcony. The rooftop bar, Westlight, has one of the best views of Manhattan.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The William Vale
Good to know before you book
Taxes and fees are extra: hotel tax and often a separate resort fee are added to the price. Check the total before you book.
Rooms are small: especially in Midtown and Downtown. Check the size.
The subway runs all night: a hotel near a station with several lines saves a lot of time.
Holidays are expensive: prices climb around Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving.
Where to stay in New York: frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in New York for first-timers?
Midtown is the easiest choice for a first visit, close to most sights and many subway lines.
Is it a good idea to stay in Brooklyn?
Yes, if you have visited before and want a more local neighbourhood. You will spend more time on the subway to Manhattan.
Where should families stay in New York?
The Upper West Side suits families well, with Central Park, the Natural History Museum and quiet streets.
Is Times Square a good place to stay?
It is practical but busy and noisy. Many visitors choose a hotel a few blocks away for quieter nights.