Historic Hotels in NYC: Six Classic Places to Stay
Some New York hotels were here before most of the skyline. These historic hotels in NYC date back a century or more, and they still take guests. Here are six famous ones: where they sit and what each is known for.
Quick answer
The oldest building here is the Hotel Chelsea (1884). In Midtown, three classics: the Algonquin (1902), the St. Regis (1904) and the Plaza (1907). Two Art Deco towers follow, the New Yorker and the Waldorf. For one stay that feels like old New York: the Plaza for park views, the Algonquin for books and theater, the Hotel Chelsea for art.
1. Hotel Chelsea, 222 West 23rd Street (built 1884)
It started as one of the city’s first apartment co-ops, for artists and tradespeople. By 1905 it had become a hotel. The city made it a landmark in 1966.
Writers, musicians and artists called it home. A renovation closed it in 2011. It reopened in 2022.
Best for: art and music fans. Nearby: the High Line, Chelsea Market and the Chelsea galleries. See our guide to design and historic hotels in Chelsea and NoMad.
2. The Algonquin, 59 West 44th Street (opened 1902)
Times Square and the theaters are right nearby. In 1919 it became the lunch spot of the Algonquin Round Table, a circle of writers and wits, Dorothy Parker among them.
Best for: book lovers, and a short walk to the theaters. Nearby: Broadway, Bryant Park and Grand Central. See hotels near Broadway theaters.
3. The St. Regis New York, East 55th Street off Fifth Avenue (opened 1904)
Astor built it to impress. The mural behind the King Cole Bar, by Maxfield Parrish, gave the bar its name.
Best for: a classic Fifth Avenue stay. Nearby: Fifth Avenue shopping and Rockefeller Center. Read our St. Regis guide.
4. The Plaza, 768 Fifth Avenue (open since 1907)
A Beaux-Arts landmark where Fifth Avenue meets Central Park. Check with the hotel for current bars and hours.
Best for: couples, families and anyone who wants the postcard New York address. Nearby: Central Park, Columbus Circle and Fifth Avenue. Read our Plaza guide.
5. The New Yorker, 481 Eighth Avenue (opened 1930)
A 43-story Art Deco tower between West 34th and 35th Streets, with a large red “New Yorker” sign at the top. Penn Station is next door. The Empire State Building is a short stroll.
Best for: train travelers and first-time visitors who want to walk to the big sights. Call and ask what’s open. See our Chelsea, Flatiron and Penn Station guide.
6. Waldorf Astoria New York, 301 Park Avenue (opened 1931)
A landmarked Art Deco building in Midtown East. It closed in 2017 for a long restoration, so check with the hotel for its current status. Grand Central is a few blocks away.
Best for: Art Deco lovers and business trips. Read our Waldorf Astoria guide.
How to choose among historic hotels in NYC
Start with the neighborhood. Near the park: the Plaza and the St. Regis. Theaters: the Algonquin. Penn Station and the Empire State Building: The New Yorker. Grand Central and Park Avenue: the Waldorf Astoria. Art and the High Line: the Hotel Chelsea.
For more areas, see where to stay in NYC, our luxury hotels guide and our Midtown and Fifth Avenue guide. For a drink in a historic lobby, see famous NYC hotel bars.
Old buildings have quirks. Rooms can run smaller than in a new tower. A renovated hotel can look nothing like the old photos. Check rooms, prices and amenities before you book. Rates change by date.
How to Plan Historic Hotels in NYC: Rates, Subway Access, and Seasonal Timing
When researching new york city historic hotels and planning around Historic Hotels in NYC, 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 Historic Hotels in NYC
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.
Common questions
What is the oldest hotel in NYC?
Of the six here, the Hotel Chelsea has the oldest building, from 1884. It began as an apartment co-op and was a hotel by 1905. Other sources may name a different oldest hotel, so call it the oldest on this list.
Which historic NYC hotel is best for a first visit?
The Plaza and the St. Regis are the classic Midtown choices, near Central Park and Fifth Avenue. The New Yorker is right by Penn Station and the Empire State Building.
Are historic hotels more expensive?
Not always. Prices swing by hotel, room and date. Check current rates before you decide.
Is the Hotel Chelsea open?
Yes. It reopened in 2022, after a renovation that started in 2011. Check availability with the hotel.
What are the famous old hotels in New York City?
Six famous ones: the Hotel Chelsea (1884), the Algonquin (1902), the St. Regis (1904), the Plaza (1907), The New Yorker (1930) and the Waldorf Astoria (1931).
Keep reading
The Plaza Hotel guide · The St. Regis guide · Waldorf Astoria guide · Famous NYC hotel bars · Luxury hotels NYC · Where to stay in NYC