World's Best The Top 15 Hotels in New York City in 2019 By Madeline Bilis Madeline Bilis Twitter Website Madeline Bilis is a writer, editor, and guidebook author based in New England. She has a soft spot for brutalist buildings and a degree in journalism from Emerson College. She was previously an assistant editor at Travel + Leisure. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on July 10, 2019 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Courtesy of Lotte New York Palace Hotels in New York City are a special breed. They’re storied, stately, and numerous — hundreds of them exist in Manhattan alone. So when it comes to choosing where to stay in this one-of-a-kind place, it’s no surprise readers value history, elegance, and wonder. They weed out the average options to savor the true gems. 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. Related: The World's Best Awards 2019 Take the castle-like High Line Hotel, which came in at No. 5 on this year’s list. With its stained-glass windows and red-brick turrets, former dormitories of the Grand Theological Seminary has a commanding presence on 10th Avenue. Inside, oversize windows in each room overlook either the High Line or the hotel’s leafy enclosed courtyard. While the High Line Hotel acts as an entry point to Chelsea, the Chatwal, voted No. 3 this year, opens to the door to midtown. “What an amazing hidden gem in the heart of the most energetic city,” one reader gushed. The Chatwal’s historic neo-Georgian building sits among skyscrapers, while other properties offer views of Central Park — for instance the Surrey, which invites visitors to marvel at the park from its private roof garden. No. 15, the Carlyle, on the Upper East Side, possesses a unique charm, thanks to Bemelmans Bar, a sophisticated spot named for the illustrator of the Madeline book series, who hand-painted the bar’s wallpaper. As for the No. 1 pick this year? It’s a familiar sight on the list, managing to dazzle T+L readers year after year. 15. The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel Courtesy of The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel Score: 90.04 More information: rosewoodhotels.com 14. Park South, A Joie de Vivre Hotel Courtesy of Park South, A Joie de Vivre Hotel Score: 90.20 More information: jdvhotels.com 13. Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Score: 90.21 More information: fourseasons.com 12. Aliz Hotel Times Square Courtesy of Aliz Hotel Times Square Score: 90.22 More information: alizhotel.com 11. The Iroquois New York Courtesy of The Iroquois New York Score: 90.50 More information: iroquoisny.com 10. Archer Courtesy of Archer Hotel New York Score: 90.84 More information: archerhotel.com 9. The Surrey Courtesy of The Surrey Score: 91.33 More information: thesurrey.com 8. The Greenwich Hotel Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel Score: 91.62 More information: thegreenwichhotel.com 7. Lotte New York Palace Courtesy of Lotte New York Palace Score: 91.93 More information: lottenypalace.com 6. Hotel 50 Bowery , A Joie de Vivre Hotel Courtesy of Hotel 50 Bowery, A Joie de Vivre Hotel Score: 92.40 More information: jdvhotels.com 5. The High Line Hotel Courtesy of The High Line Hotel Score: 93.50 More information: thehighlinehotel.com 4. The Mark Todd Eberle/Courtesy of The Mark Score: 94.40 More information: themarkhotel.com 3. The Chatwal Courtesy of The Chatwal Score: 94.58 More information: thechatwalny.com 2. The Whitby Hotel Courtesy of The Whitby Hotel Score: 94.75 More information: firmdalehotels.com 1. The Lowell Courtesy of The Lowell Score: 95.29 More information: lowellhotel.com For the second year in a row, the Lowell tops New York City’s list of best hotels. That hardly comes as a surprise to one returning guest, though: “I have been staying in this hotel for over 28 years for both business and pleasure,” this reader wrote. “It is one of the best in the world!” The Upper East Side landmark features recently renovated public spaces, plus a top-notch spot for high tea: the sparkling Pembroke Room. “The Lowell is one of a kind,” wrote another reader. “It has a pedigree that gives it a gravitas in the field of luxury New York City hotels, yet it has stayed relevant in today’s top end of the market.” See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2019. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit