New York is certainly not short on luxury hotels, and much like the insomniac city itself, its hotel scene never sleeps.
New properties crop up as fast as existing ones are refreshed and transformed, which means an even bigger choice of plush places to rest your head. Here are five new and exciting luxury hotels in the Big Apple, some already in full swing, and others gearing up to welcome guests, from storied Grand Dames to the playfully high-end and seductive.
Warren Street Hotel
Inhabiting a striking turquoise building complete with fluttering American flag in sleek, unsung Tribeca, the 69-room Warren Street Hotel is a playful haven. Hotelier power couple, Tim and Kit Kemp’s third in New York, invites you to relax, whether that’s at dinner in the colourful, low-lit Warren Bar and Restaurant, slouched on a sofa in the Orangery drawing room with a negroni from the honesty bar, or with a pause on the secret rooftop with Hudson River views. Like all Firmdale Hotels, it’s a celebration of designer Kit Kemp’s unique aesthetic; a funky blend of contemporary art and English country style with a bold twist. Think striped or floral headboards, riotously pattered sofas, British craft ceramics, huge lamps, and sculptures in the lobby. If you can, book into a dreamy Terrace Suite. They’re renowned for their spacious landscaped balconies with grass and flowerbeds, rattan furniture and string lights which frame the scene beautifully come evening. Thursdays are for jazz nights when locals and guests jostle for tables. After dark, sneak up to the rooftop for twinkling skyscraper views.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel
Dating back to the turn of the century, the 153-room Fifth Avenue Hotel is a Gilded Age landmark reimagined into a theatrical, Wes-Anderson-esque luxury jewel box that’s become a New York social hotspot. Steps from leafy Madison Square Park in the trendy NoMad district, what was once a grand family home is lovingly referred to as the ‘mansion’ now filled with lavish $2000-plus-per-night King Suites, with complimentary maxi bars and opulent marble bathrooms. Further rooms, from Cosy Wueens to Studios, are set in a shiny new tower. Throughout, interior designer extraordinaire, Martin Brudnizki, captures a feeling of being in a stylish, eccentric collector’s curiosity-filled home, packed with quirky details that makes it special. Corridors in head-to-toe baby pink, walls pleated with French fabric in deep burgundy, chandeliers of tiny glass fruits and coat hooks in the shape of swans. Come evening, grab a cocktail in the wood-panelled Portrait Bar drinking den before an upscale Italian dinner at Café Carmellini. Don’t forget to take advantage of the 24/7 butler service.
Waldorf Astoria New York
Blocks from Grand Central, this famed Grand Dame has played a starring role in New York’s skyline since it opened in 1931 as one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. As it’s been closed for refurbishment for over four years, its Spring 2025 opening is hotly anticipated. Timeless elegance and exceptional opulence are its hallmarks which have been painstakingly preserved. Meanwhile, contemporary furnishings that reflect the original Waldorf Astoria New York’s style have been added. The biggest change is in the number of hotel rooms – 375 down from 1,400 – but they are now some of the most spacious in New York. The hotel’s famed Peacock Alley restaurant and its Grand Ballroom have also been made over, and a sprawling 30,000 square-foot spa added.
The Surrey
Former US President JFK and actress Betty Davis were just some of the famous faces to sashay along The Surrey’s illustrious corridors when it opened in 1926 as an apartment hotel. Today, this understated Art Deco sanctuary on the Upper East Side has been rebuilt and its interiors refreshed by famed Martin Brudnizki, inspired by its storied history and local surroundings. The 16-story building has 70 guest rooms, 30 suites and 14 residences. Popular celebrity-favourite restaurant on Miami Beach, Casa Tua, opens its first New York location at the hotel, too. Plus its location means high-end department stores, luxury boutiques and museums are all within easy reach.
The Victoria
Harlem’s first-ever five-star hotel, The Victoria, oozes glamour from the moment you walk through the shiny revolving doors and into a dazzling revamped lobby. Open since late 2023, on the site of the 1917 Victoria Theatre, it offers sleek rooms – some with Central Park views – set within a modern 27-floor skyscraper. Overall, the hotel’s modern décor feels sultry and decadent – think dark colours and gold accents – designed as a celebration of the neighbourhood’s African American cultural style and a nod to Harlem’s historic nightlife scene. On the fifth-floor is the Victoria Lounge, a contemporary all-day cocktail bar and restaurant with Southern favourites like hot chicken, jambalaya, and gumbo on the menu.
Lead image credit: Waldorf Astoria, New York
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