7 Best Hotels in Midtown East, New York City

The name of this Hyatt brand means "personal style" in Hindi, and the serene and spacious modern rooms evoke that coveted New York loft feel, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking 5th Avenue and the New York Public Library. Elevator bays on each floor feature artwork from local high school students, while the robust artists-in-residence program showcases works by emerging local artists. The minimalist, contemporary guest rooms come with king beds, marble bathrooms with porcelain foot baths and walk-in rain showers, closets made of glass to display shopping purchases, and notable freebies—Wi-Fi, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks. A significant portion of the rooms are suites, which offer guests upgrades that include private balconies or landscaped terraces. Wellness Suites have freestanding bathtubs, weights, yoga mats, the Mirror virtual fitness service, and healthier snacks. The Bar Downstairs is a candlelit, wood-filled space ideal for a classic cocktail and farm-to-table dishes.

Conveniently located near Grand Central, this large, historic hotel (originally built as the Commodore in 1919) is now a sleek and modern central hub with a fresh-looking lobby that has low-slung leather furniture and two towering Jaume Plensa sculptures. Rooms are a minimum of 250 square feet, with pops of color on the walls, tons of electrical outlets, and an efficient settee-table setup that's ideal for an in-room drink or a few hours of work. The convenient 24-hour Market on the ground floor has coffee, snacks, hot meals, liquor, and fresh fruit. New York Central restaurant has a slick design and a market-driven, seasonal menu. A bar overlooking 42nd Street attracts a large after-work crowd for beer and sports on a row of flat-screen TVs.

If cramped quarters don't bother you, this is one of the best deals in town, with rooms that borrow space-saving ideas from mass transit, including sink consoles like those in an airplane restroom and built-in shelves under the beds. Some rooms have standard queen beds and private baths; others have twins or spotless stainless-steel bunks with pullout flat-screen TVs. All come with amenities like iPod docking stations and free Wi-Fi. The location is convenient, and common areas are cheerful and modern, with an outdoor bar-café and a stylish roof deck, but don't expect luxe linens or toiletries. Book well in advance, as stylish thrifty folk of all ages keep this hotel hopping.

If a good night's rest is essential for your visit, the Benjamin has you covered, with its soothing, modern, neutral-hue rooms; 12-option pillow menu (including buckwheat, water, and Swedish memory-foam varieties); white-noise machines; on-demand meditation sessions; and 500-thread-count sheets. While awake, you can take advantage of the kitchenettes in some of the rooms, the handy location near Grand Central Terminal, and high-quality service from a friendly staff. The views, however—of a neighboring hotel—are underwhelming.

Named after Teddy, not Franklin, this Midtown icon just steps from Grand Central has an ornate lobby with cushy couches and an old-school bar detailed in heavy wood that makes the place feel like it's from another time, and it is—the property dates from 1924. Happily, the amenities don't hark back to that era, though rooms are a little tired. Carpeting shows some wear, and the art on the walls is chain-generic, but the beds do have pillow-top mattresses. Bathrooms are nice and big. The rooftop lounge, mad46, offers nightly happy hour after 9:30.

Tall and luxurious, this apartment building with plenty of undeniable historic glamour also has a limited number of hotel rooms, many with decorative fireplaces, antiques, and glorious marble baths. There's a marble-lined lobby, crystal chandeliers, and wall friezes from the Vanderbilt mansion. You can use the private hotel entrance to access Harry Cipriani restaurant—come for lunch and enjoy some of the best people-watching in town.

In 2021, this historic 1920s hotel (formerly the Tudor Hotel) in Tudor City completed a major renovation, so that today's posh, traditional yet modern guest rooms create a relaxing refuge from the city outside with luxurious beds, herringbone-pattern wood floors, noise-reducing triple-pane windows, and bathrooms with quartz vanities. Many have stunning views of the neighborhood and city skyline. The lobby includes comfortable seating and modern industrial accents. The Tudor City Tavern offers snacks, and its Stella Bar serves creative cocktails with old-school elegance.