The 8 NYC Hotel Rooms With the Absolute Best Views (Video)

New York is a city best seen from above, but rooftops get crowded and skyscrapers come with ear-popping elevator rides or lots of stairs. The best and most relaxing way to see the city's best sights? Book a room with a view.

Orbitz created a list of the eight best hotel rooms in New York City for a view. Refer to the list when booking a winter vacation (so you never have to get out from under the covers) or when you’ve got a quick visit and can’t spend time running from building to building.

Of course, the best views of New York City come from the uppermost floors. This is generally where hotels put their best rooms, too, so you’ll likely have to pay for the view.

Midtown is where the action is. Book a room in the center of it all to be surrounded by a year-long light festival. The W New York Times Square will put you in the epicenter of Manhattan, with direct Times Square views from a Cool Corner Room. YOTEL New York’s VIP View Room will give you a 180-degree sweep of the city skyline from the Hudson River to the Empire State Building to downtown.

If you still want the midtown view but without the midtown craziness, NoMo SoHo has guaranteed views on the highest floors of the Empire State Building and downtown. Book a Premium King or Premium Queen room. The Bowery Hotel’s Penthouse Suite will afford you some of the best views in Manhattan: unobstructed from One World Trade Center to the Empire State Building.

Further downtown, a south- or west-facing room at the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown will give you the best views of One World Trade Center and the Oculus.

If you prefer green views of Central Park, book a room at The Pierre. Views of the park can be found in rooms on floors 12 through 39. The High Line Hotel will get you some greenery up close, too. Just ask for a Queen, King, Full, or Double Queen room with courtyard views.

And if you prefer to step back and take it all in, hop across the river to the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. The Bridge King and Bridge Studio Suite come with up-close views of the Brooklyn Bridge. The aptly named Skyline Suite looks directly over the East River to take in the downtown Manhattan skyline or the Statue of Liberty.