5 Star Hotels in NYC: Central Park, Fifth Avenue & Downtown Luxury Compared

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5 Star Hotels in NYC: Central Park, Fifth Avenue & Downtown Luxury Compared

Compare 5 star hotels in NYC for 2026: Central Park, Fifth Avenue and downtown luxury, with addresses, subway lines and nightly rate estimates.

By Matthew S Crawford Β· Published October 23, 2026

Quick answer

New York City’s top luxury hotels are commonly described as five-star, though ratings vary by source and change over time. This guide compares thirteen well-known properties by neighborhood, from Central Park South and Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan to Columbus Circle, the Upper East Side and Lower Manhattan.

5 Star Hotels in NYC: Central Park, Fifth Avenue & Downtown Luxury Hotel Locations

New York City’s top luxury hotels are commonly described as five-star, though ratings vary by source and change over time. This guide compares thirteen well-known properties by neighborhood, from Central Park South and Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan to Columbus Circle, the Upper East Side and Lower Manhattan.

Luxury rates start at about $650 a night in 2026 and climb quickly for suites and park views. Each hotel below is within walking distance of a major subway line, so you can pair a high-end stay with easy sightseeing across New York City.

The Plaza Hotel facing Grand Army Plaza at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South β€” 5 Star Hotels in NYC
The Plaza Hotel facing Grand Army Plaza at Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, a key landmark for 5 Star Hotels in NYC: Central Park, Fifth Avenue & Downtown Luxury Hotel Locations.

The Plaza at 768 Fifth Avenue & The Pierre at 2 East 61st Street

The Plaza, at 768 Fifth Avenue on Central Park South, is the city’s most recognizable luxury hotel, with grand public rooms, afternoon tea and a hotel room experience built around tradition. The N, R and W at Fifth Avenue–59th Street are steps away, and Central Park is across the street.

The St. Regis at 2 East 55th Street & Four Seasons at 57 East 57th Street

The St. Regis New York, at 2 East 55th Street, is a Beaux-Arts luxury hotel known for butler service and the King Cole Bar. It sits a short walk from Rockefeller Center and Saks Fifth Avenue, with the E and M at Fifth Avenue–53rd Street nearby.

Mandarin Oriental at 80 Columbus Circle & Park Hyatt at 153 West 57th Street

The Mandarin Oriental, at 80 Columbus Circle, occupies the upper floors of the Deutsche Bank Center and offers park and skyline views, a notable spa and direct access to the A, B, C, D and 1 trains. Rates usually start above $650, with park-view suites costing much more.

The St. Regis New York Beaux-Arts facade at Two East 55th Street and Fifth Avenue in Midtown β€” 5 Star Hotels in NYC
The St. Regis New York Beaux-Arts facade at Two East 55th Street and Fifth Avenue in Midtown, a key landmark for The St. Regis at 2 East 55th Street & Four Seasons at 57 East 57th Street.

Ritz-Carlton Central Park at 50 Central Park South & Peninsula at 700 Fifth Avenue

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, at 50 Central Park South, offers classic luxury with many park-view rooms and a respected spa. The location on the park’s southern edge puts carriage rides and the Central Park Zoo within a short walk of the front door.

The Carlyle at 35 East 76th Street & The Mark at 25 East 77th Street

The Carlyle, at 35 East 76th Street, is a Madison Avenue landmark known for Bemelmans Bar and old-world service. It is a classic luxury hotel for travelers who want museums on Museum Mile, quiet streets and the 6 train at 77th Street close by.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel at 35 East 76th Street and Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side β€” 5 Star Hotels in NYC
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel at 35 East 76th Street and Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side, a key landmark for Ritz-Carlton Central Park at 50 Central Park South & Peninsula at 700 Fifth Avenue.

Lotte New York Palace at 455 Madison Avenue & Baccarat Hotel at 28 West 53rd Street

The Lotte New York Palace, at 455 Madison Avenue, rises behind St. Patrick’s Cathedral and combines a historic mansion with a modern tower. Grand public spaces and city views define the stay, and the E and M at Fifth Avenue–53rd Street are within walking distance.

Four Seasons Downtown at 27 Barclay Street: Lower Manhattan Luxury Hotel

The Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, at 27 Barclay Street, offers a quiet, high-end base near the World Trade Center, the Oculus and the Hudson River. The 2, 3, A, C and E trains are close, and the hotel suits travelers who prefer downtown to Midtown Manhattan.

How These NYC Luxury Hotels Compare by Neighborhood, Subway Access & Style

Central Park South hotels, including the Plaza, the Ritz-Carlton and the Peninsula, suit travelers who want park views and classic settings. Columbus Circle hotels suit those who value modern towers and fast subway access. Upper East Side hotels offer museums and quiet streets, while downtown suits history-minded visitors.

JFK, LaGuardia & Newark Airport to Fifth Avenue and Central Park Luxury Hotels

From JFK, a taxi to Midtown Manhattan is a flat rate plus tolls and tip, and the trip takes 45 to 75 minutes. Many luxury hotels arrange car service for an additional fee. From LaGuardia, a taxi takes 30 to 45 minutes, and from Newark, 40 to 70 minutes.

2026 NYC Luxury Hotel Nightly Rates, Fees & Booking Tips

Plan on $650 or more a night for a luxury hotel in 2026, with suites and park views costing well above that. Mid-range hotels cost $320 to $480, and value hotels $195 to $295. Midweek is cheaper than weekends, and.

Which Five-Star Hotel in New York City Should You Book?

Choose the Plaza for tradition, the Pierre for quiet, the St. Regis for butler service, the Four Seasons for space, the Mandarin Oriental for Columbus Circle views, the Park Hyatt for large rooms and the.

Common questions

What should visitors know about 5 Star Hotels in NYC?

New York City’s top luxury hotels are commonly described as five-star, though ratings vary by source and change over time. This guide compares thirteen well-known properties by neighborhood, from Central Park South and Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan to Columbus Circle, the Upper East Side and Lower Manhattan.

What should visitors know about The St. Regis at 2 East 55th Street & Four Seasons at 57 East 57th Street?

The St. Regis New York, at 2 East 55th Street, is a Beaux-Arts luxury hotel known for butler service and the King Cole Bar.

What should visitors know about Ritz-Carlton Central Park at 50 Central Park South & Peninsula at 700 Fifth Avenue?

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park, at 50 Central Park South, offers classic luxury with many park-view rooms and a respected spa. The location on the park’s southern edge puts carriage rides and the Central Park Zoo within a short walk of the front door.

What taxes, fees and transit tips apply when booking for 5 Star Hotels in NYC?

New York City hotel stays carry a 14.75% combined occupancy and sales tax plus $3.50 per room per night in statutory fees, and many Manhattan and Brooklyn properties add a $25 to $55 nightly destination fee. Use OMNY contactless tap-to-pay ($2.90 per ride) on nearby MTA subways and buses to compare door-to-door travel times before locking in a non-refundable rate.

Keep reading

Where to Stay Near Times Square & Broadway: Neighborhood Guide Β· Where to Stay in Midtown & Fifth Avenue, NYC: Neighborhood Guide Β· 1 Hotel Central Park NYC: Eco-Luxury Rooms One Block from the Park Β· Hotels Near the Park Avenue Armory at 643 Park Avenue (East 66th St) Β· The Pierre vs. The Plaza: Fifth Avenue Luxury Compared Β· Hotels Near Central Park NYC: The Classic Park-View Hotels

About the author. Matthew S Crawford grew up on Long Island, in Massapequa and then Deer Park. He runs NYCHotelss, an independent NYC hotel guide. Details change. Check rates, hours and policies before you book.
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