Whether you’re a New York City local craving an inner-city staycation or a first-time visitor seeking respite from the Big Apple’s hectic streets, finding the right hotel can make or break your trip. From sleek boutiques in the trendiest neighborhoods to opulent luxury properties close to NYC’s top attractions, there’s something for everyone when it comes to hospitality and hotel perks. From world-class spas to rooftop pools and subterranean nightclubs, these hotels offer a taste of the finer things in life.
Some of the best hotels in the world might be centuries old, or they might have opened just a few years ago. They might be city center hideaways or country estates, exemplars of bleeding-edge contemporary design or reassuringly retro, but the properties that made Robb Report’s list of the World’s Greatest Hotels all share one thing: a commitment to delivering a truly exceptional hospitality experience.
The top spot goes to Passalacqua, an 18th century villa on the shore of Italy’s Lake Como that was once the home of composer Vincenzo Bellini. It beat out such venerable European hotels as the Four Seasons Firenze and Rosewood London. Those two hotels came in second and third place, respectively, with the Four Seasons Hong Kong at Chao Phraya River, The Upper House, and Aman Tokyo rounding out the top five.
Unlike other hotel rankings, the World’s 50 Best compiles its results from the first-person experiences of 5,800 expert “jurors”—hoteliers, travel agents, and others who have stayed at hotels at least once in the past two years (in future iterations, the window will be cut to 18 months). The jurors are split into nine regions around the globe and voted on the hotels they think are the best. They’re allowed to nominate three hotels in each region, and their votes are not weighted based on location or size.
New York City
The best hotels in New York are as varied as the people who call this cosmopolitan city home, from sleek boutiques to historic grande dames. But they all offer respite from the bustle of the city below, and the opulent services and amenities will have you feeling like royalty.
From a room with dramatic views at The EDITION to an apartment-style suite with separate living, dining and sleeping spaces at the Conrad New York Midtown, these rooms have it all. The best part? The upscale decor (think oak finishes and curated art collections by Trunk Archive of Andy Warhol Factory) will help you feel right at home.