The 2017 World's Best Hotels in New York City

New York is the ultimate hotel town. For any trip you’re looking to have — from a quiet, art-focused few days on the Upper East Side to a packed weekend full of checking out the buzziest restaurants and shops on the Lower East Side — there’s a corresponding hotel. And while almost every big chain in the world is represented in New York City, it’s also full of smaller independent and boutique properties, and it’s those that particularly resonated with readers this year. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. For an old-school New York atmosphere (complete with crystal chandeliers and European oil paintings), readers loved Hotel Elysée — which is within walking distance to MoMA and Central Park. “Staff is superb, always there when you need them and never hovering,” said one reader. Just blocks from Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, Archer impressed our readers with its whimsical design (highlighted by subtle pops of green and maroon fabrics) and its Charlie Palmer Steak restaurant. Several readers also cited the Empire State Building views. Two other properties, the Peninsula and the Greenwich, stand out for their superior spas, which offer some of the city’s best facials and massages. At the Greenwich, guests can unwind by a lantern-lit swimming pool that is covered by the roof of a 250-year-old wood-and-bamboo farmhouse brought over from Japan. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, which is set in a restored 1881 landmark in the revitalized Financial District, was a four-year-labor of love — but it was definitely worth the wait. Just one year after opening, the property has made our World’s Best list. “This beautiful Gilded Age building has been lovingly restored to perfection,” said one fan. “Plush guest rooms and two of New York’s best restaurateurs, Keith McNally and Tom Colicchio, have set up shop at the hotel. What a gem.”

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10. Lotte New York Palace

Lotte New York Palace Hotel — Courtesy of Lotte New York Palace

Score: 92.05

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9. The Peninsula

The Peninsula New York Hotel — Courtesy of The Peninsula New York

Score: 92.94

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8. Greenwich Hotel

The Greenwich Hotel in New York City — Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel

Score: 92.98

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7. The Lowell

The Lowell Hotel in New York City — Courtesy of The Lowell

Score: 94.15

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6. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel

The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel in New York City — Courtesy of The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel

Score: 94.19

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5. Hotel Elysee

Hotel Elysee in New York City — Courtesy of Hotel Elysee

Score: 94.67

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4. Roxy Hotel

The Roxy Hotel in New York City — Courtesy of The Roxy Hotel

Score: 94.77

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3. Archer

Archer New York Hotel in New York City — Courtesy of Archer New York

Score: 95.13

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2. The Chatwal

The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel in New York City — Courtesy of The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Score: 95.57

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1. The Surrey

The Surrey Hotel in New York City — Courtesy of The Surrey

Score: 96.09

"This boutique hotel has touches of glamour from top (the 17th-floor roof garden) to toe (the sumptuous carpets),” said one reader, quite eloquently, of this Upper East Side gem. There are certain hotels in New York that feel like a home away from home rather than a hotel. The Surrey represents the best of this breed, so it’s no surprise our readers rated it No. 1 in the city for the second year in a row. Its location feels more residential than touristy, especially when guests take a leisurely walk in Central Park after breakfast at the hotel’s Café Boulud, just like a local. And the rooms are more akin to a luxurious apartment than a standard hotel room, outfitted in calming shades of cream and gray — a serene retreat in the middle of Manhattan."

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