Famous Old Hotels in New York City, by Year Opened
New York City has old hotels that opened before most of the skyline. Here are famous old hotels in New York City in order of the year they opened, with where each one is and what it is known for. For more, see our historic hotels in NYC guide.
Quick answer
Oldest to newest: the Hotel Chelsea, with a building from 1884 and a hotel since 1905. Then the Algonquin (1902), the St. Regis (1904) and the Plaza (1907). The New Yorker followed in 1930, and the Waldorf Astoria in 1931. Confirm that each is open and what the rooms look like before you book.
1884: Hotel Chelsea
The Hotel Chelsea in Chelsea has the oldest building on this list. It was built in 1884 as a residential cooperative and has been a hotel since 1905. It is known for artists and writers, and it reopened after a long renovation. See design and historic hotels in Chelsea and NoMad.
1902: The Algonquin
The Algonquin, on West 44th Street, is a literary hotel in the Theater District. See famous hotel bars in NYC.
1904: The St. Regis
The St. Regis opened on Fifth Avenue and is known for classic luxury. Read our St. Regis guide.
1907: The Plaza
Find the Plaza at Central Park South and Fifth Avenue. Read our Plaza guide.
1930 and 1931: The New Yorker and the Waldorf Astoria
The New Yorker (1930) is an Art Deco hotel near Penn Station. See hotels near Penn Station.
The Waldorf Astoria (1931) is a famous Art Deco tower at 301 Park Avenue. It closed in 2017 for a long restoration and has reopened, with 375 rooms and suites, the restored Peacock Alley lounge and its clock, and Lex Yard, a brasserie by chef Michael Anthony. See our Waldorf guide.
How to choose among famous old hotels in New York City
Ask about renovations, room size and noise. Older buildings can have smaller rooms. Compare picks on our hotel map, and read the full historic hotels in NYC guide.
How to Plan Famous Old Hotels in New York City, by Year Opened: Rates, Subway Access, and Seasonal Timing
When researching famous old hotels nyc and planning around Famous Old Hotels in New York City, by Year Opened, comparing block-by-block walkability, express subway connections, and seasonal rate shifts helps you get the most out of every day in New York City. Across Midtown & Fifth Avenue and neighboring Manhattan and Brooklyn corridors, nightly hotel prices and ticket demand fluctuate with Broadway schedules, midweek corporate conventions at the Javits Center, and holiday travel peaks. Reviewing our NYC hotel prices by month guide alongside our where to stay in NYC neighborhood breakdown makes it easy to spot high-value travel weeks before you lock in your itinerary.
Comparing Neighborhood Walkability and Express Transit Around Famous Old Hotels in New York City, by Year Opened
Transit proximity matters just as much as the nightly room rate when moving between Midtown landmarks, museum mornings near Central Park, and evening dinner reservations in Downtown Manhattan. Choosing a hotel within a five-to-eight-minute walk of an express subway station—such as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, or N, Q, R, W lines—saves both commute time and taxi fares. Travelers arriving via JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Newark Liberty International Airport should also check how directly their route connects to New York Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall, or Grand Central Terminal when carrying luggage.
Booking Windows, Refundable Room Rates, and Total Stay Value in New York City
Before finalizing any reservation in New York, always inspect the all-in nightly price including New York City hotel occupancy taxes and any mandatory property or destination fees. Booking a flexible, refundable rate 30 to 45 days ahead lets you secure a proven room in a prime location and re-check live inventory two weeks before check-in if unsold Manhattan rooms drop in price. Pairing smart neighborhood selection with early morning arrival times ensures a smooth, stress-free New York City experience in every season.
Travelers who compare weekday corporate rates against weekend leisure pricing across Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, SoHo, and the Upper West Side routinely save fifteen to twenty-five percent on comparable four-star rooms.
If your flight or train arrives hours before standard three o-clock check-in, nearly every full-service New York hotel bell desk will store your bags free of charge so you can start exploring Central Park, Fifth Avenue, or the High Line right away.
For families and small groups sharing a room, requesting a higher floor away from street-facing elevators and confirming whether two queen beds or a sofa sleeper are guaranteed in writing prevents surprises at the front desk.
Using contactless OMNY tap-to-pay at subway turnstiles and crosstown buses also caps your weekly transit spend automatically, making it simple to ride between Uptown museums, Broadway theaters, and Brooklyn waterfront parks without buying paper farecards.
Whether you are visiting New York City for a quick forty-eight-hour weekend getaway or a full week of sightseeing, balancing iconic observation decks and Broadway shows with unhurried neighborhood walks through Greenwich Village, the West Village, and DUMBO creates a memorable trip.
During peak autumn foliage weeks in October and the December holiday season around Rockefeller Center, reserving timed-entry observation deck tickets and pre-theater dinner tables ten to.
Common questions
What is the oldest hotel in New York City on this list?
The Hotel Chelsea, built in 1884 as a residential cooperative and a hotel since 1905.
Are these old hotels still open?
They are on our list because they take guests. Check availability and confirm before you book.
Which old hotel is best for first-time visitors?
The Plaza and the St. Regis are two well-known Midtown choices.
Are old hotels quieter?
Not always. Ask for a higher floor and a quiet room.
Where can I read more?
See our historic hotels in NYC guide.
Keep reading
Historic hotels in NYC · Famous hotel bars · Rooftop bar hotels · The Plaza guide · NYC hotels map