12 March 2026
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I am hotel obsessed — I'll readily admit it. I can hardly visit a new city without popping in for at least a drink, if not a night, to as many accommodations as I can possibly fit into an itinerary. Sightseeing for me is replaced by hotel-seeing, and I always say the hotel scene in a given city reveals as much about its character as anything else. When I visit a place for the first time, it's the patterns between hotels that I look for — how the best hotels in Austin express the city's love for live music, for instance, or how the great hotels of Antwerp put forward a bold, avant-garde design as innovative as the city's famous fashion scene.
But in my own city, the hotels that most excite me aren't the ones that exemplify the trends; they’re the ones that feel completely removed from them. In New York, that means removed physically — hotels in the corners of this metropolis that are rarely on a first-timer's itinerary.
For an all-encompassing look at the hotel scene, head over to our complete guide to New York City hotels. With perhaps one exception, the spots below are a little more niche. They're the hotels that fulfill the needs of New Yorkers themselves: places we can escape to within our own town, or suggest knowingly to visiting friends and family.
For visitors to the city, they are thrilling spots to try — but likely once the must-sees, the Times Squares and the Central Parks, have already been ticked off the list. In common parlance, these are the hidden gems of the New York hotel scene. To me, they’re the New York hotels New Yorkers need most.
Rockaway Hotel — Rockaway Beach, Queens
What it's all about: A one-of-one wellness oasis just removed from a favorite city beach.Steps from what is New York City’s most popular public beach, the Rockaway Hotel is a luxe spa escape with a heated outdoor pool that stays open year-round — and stays exclusive to guests in summer. The vibe is very much high-end weekend escape, ideal for young families, beach lovers in summer and just about anyone in need of a pick-me-up in the midst of a depressing New York winter.
A spot with a unique vantage on New York City from the rooftop (and host to the occasional concert), reach it by subway or, even better, by ferry. This is not the spot for Manhattan sightseers, but it is a perfect addendum to a longer stay in New York — or a lovely respite for anyone on a 24-hour layover from JFK Airport.
Henry Norman Hotel — Greenpoint, Brooklyn
What it's all about: A super comfortable boutique for when loved ones come to town, in a residential but not untrendy section of Brooklyn.“This is worth an Uber” is the hotel’s unofficial catchphrase. Along with its sister hotel, the Box House, the Henry Norman is part of the only hotel group operating in Greenpoint, a neighborhood just far enough removed from the famous Williamsburg in vibe and location to escape the kiss of fatal trendiness. Not to say that Greenpoint has none of that Brooklyn cachet, but it's a neighborhood that still feels down to earth and local.
The Henry Norman, with its stained-glass motif, large rooms in all different shapes and layouts, refrigerators and desks that come standard, is a perfect reflection of that appeal — and a favorite for long stays as well as parents visiting their early-20s children scattered throughout the borough. No restaurant, but the hotel amenities include a common space terrace on the third floor, laundry for guests and a fitness center with its own dry sauna and steam showers.
Radio Hotel — Washington Heights, Manhattan
What it's all about: At the northern tip of Manhattan, a gateway to one of the city's most unique neighborhoods.The location, not to mention the exceedingly reasonable rates, is what makes Radio Hotel such a great addition to a hotel scene often centered around Midtown and lower Manhattan. Squarely within Washington Heights, a neighborhood made famous by Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights and known too as NYC's Little Dominican Republic, it is the area's first full-service boutique hotel.
The Dominican restaurant, outdoor area, coffee shop and colorful, street art-inspired spaces are excellent additions, but it is the vibrant city setting and the attractions beyond that will draw New Yorkers and interested visitors. Besides the many little eateries and bakeries, other spots nearby include the Met Cloisters — a medieval museum in a series of medieval-inspired buildings — some of the city's largest parks, and a short drive away, Yankee Stadium.
The Lowell — Upper East Side, Manhattan
What it's all about: On a leafy side street on the Upper East Side, upscale, private, and classy apartment living.Tucked on quiet block on the Upper East Side and a block from Central Park, this one's in fact a great choice for hitting the main sights — but the clientele are usually repeat or VIP guests who appreciate the under-the-radar vibe and incredible respect for privacy.
Many of the staff have been here two decades, and the homey feeling that creates extends to the amenities. There are working fireplaces in the rooms, a club room for guests, a cocktail lounge, a restaurant and a gorgeous garden. Families may book rooms near one another, and the hotel welcomes plenty of long stays and guests visiting friends or family who live in the area. The Lowell is like the famous Carlyle, on a slightly more intimate scale.
Header Image: A rooftop space at the Rockaway Hotel, one of the hidden gems of the New York hotel scene. © The Rockaway Hotel
