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Luxury Hotels Near Central Park
Are you looking for the best luxury hotels near Central Park in New York?
As a native New Yorker, Central Park is one of my favorite areas in the city. I’ve always lived close to Central Park, and I highly recommend staying near Central Park on your trip to NYC!
Central Park is located in Manhattan, and it spans 2.5 miles, or 51 blocks, starting at 59th Street and ending at 110th Street. The park is 0.5 miles wide, and it spans from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue going across. Central Park is considered to be Uptown, meaning it’s north of Midtown and Downtown.
Depending on where you choose to stay near Central Park, you can be in the heart of all the tourist action, or you can be in a quieter, more residential area away from the crowds. There are several neighborhoods that border Central Park, and I will discuss in detail which one you should choose to stay in below.
Best Things to Do in Central Park
Before I get into the list of hotels near Central Park, let’s talk about why you’d want to stay close to the park anyway. Simply put, it’s extremely pretty and has tons of fun things to do!
Here are the best things to do in Central Park:
- Rent a Citi Bike and ride through the park’s many bike paths
- Take a stroll across the picturesque Gapstow Bridge
- Have a picnic in Sheep Meadow (when the weather is nice)
- Go ice skating at Wollman Rink in the winter
- Walk down The Mall, an iconic tree-lined path
- Rent a row boat from Loeb Boathouse and paddle through The Lake
- Stop and smell the flowers in the Shakespeare Garden
- See the animals at the Central Park Zoo
- Eat dinner at the famous, historic Tavern on the Green
- Sit and people-watch at Bethesda Terrace
- Climb up to see the views from Belvedere Castle
- See the whimsical Alice in Wonderland statue
- Honor John Lennon at the Imagine mosaic in Strawberry Fields
- Hike through the Ramble, a wild part of the park
- Score tickets to Shakespeare in the Park in the summer
- Go for a walk around the Central Park Reservoir
- Visit the beautiful manicured Conservatory Garden
These are my favorite things to do in Central Park — and they’ll all be easily accessible if you choose a hotel within walking distance! Now let’s talk about where to stay close to Central Park.
Where to Stay Near Central Park
As I mentioned, there are several different neighborhoods that border Central Park: Midtown to the south, Upper East Side to the east, Upper West Side to the west, and Harlem to the north.
For most tourists, Midtown (specifically the Central Park South area) is going to be the best place to stay near Central Park. This area is full of high-rise buildings and packed with tourist attractions.
If you’re looking for a quieter area, the Upper East Side is a good choice because it’s an upscale residential neighborhood famous for Museum Mile (home to the Met, the Guggenheim, the Frick Collection, and more.) This is my personal favorite neighborhood near Central Park (and it’s where I live!) This is a great place to stay if you want to be close to museums and the park but in a quieter neighborhood than Midtown.
Harlem, which starts on 96th Street on the East Side and 110th Street on the West Side, is a good option for tourists who are on a tight budget. However, it’s not a neighborhood I’d recommend for most first-time visitors to NYC simply because it’s a lot further uptown away from many of the main tourist attractions in Manhattan. You also will not find any luxury hotels on this end of Central Park.
The Upper West Side is a gorgeous residential area, but there are not any luxury hotels close to Central Park like you will find in Midtown and on the Upper East Side, so I also don’t recommend staying here.
Here are my top picks for where to stay near Central Park:
- Best overall: The Ritz-Carlton New York
- Best for families: The Plaza Hotel
- Best on the Upper East Side: The Mark Hotel
And here’s a full breakdown of the best luxury hotels near Central Park.
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The Plaza Hotel
The Plaza Hotel is one of the most iconic hotels in New York City. This five-star hotel is located right on the corner of Central Park South and Fifth Avenue, just across the street from the park.
If you’ve ever seen or read Eloise at the Plaza or watched Home Alone 2, you’re probably familiar with The Plaza. It’s a great place for families to stay in New York because of its location right by the park — and there’s even an Eloise Suite themed after The Plaza’s most famous fictional resident!
This is also one of my favorite hotels in New York at Christmas because of how much The Plaza gets decked out for the holiday season. For guests staying at this hotel, you can expect total luxury and amenities like a spa and fitness center. Don’t miss having afternoon tea at the Palm Court either.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Park Lane Hotel
Another one of the best luxury hotels near Central Park is the Park Lane Hotel. While it’s not cheap by any means, this hotel is typically more affordable than the other luxury hotels along Central Park South.
You’ll enjoy the same great views and convenient access to Central Park here as you would at any of the other hotels on this list, making this five-star hotel the perfect place to stay on a trip to New York.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
JW Marriott Essex House
JW Marriott Essex House is another one of the best luxury hotels near Central Park. This hotel is located along Central Park South and is recognizable by the iconic red “Essex House” sign atop the 1930s Art Deco building. With its prime location, you are just across the street from Central Park.
Many of the rooms at this luxurious hotel offer stunning views over Central Park. Guests staying at the JW Marriott Essex House will also enjoy amenities including a spa and a fitness center.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
The Ritz-Carlton New York
One of the most spectacular hotels near Central Park is the Ritz-Carlton New York. This is the top luxury hotel on the prestigious Central Park South and just across the street from Central Park.
The rooms at this five-star hotel are exquisite, offering views of either the park or the Midtown skyline. The Ritz-Carlton New York at Central Park also offers a full-service spa and a fitness center.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Mandarin Oriental, New York
Moving away from Central Park South, we have the Mandarin Oriental New York. This five-star hotel is located in Columbus Circle, an intersection of Central Park South, Broadway, and Eighth Avenue.
Staying at this hotel gives you easy access to the Upper West Side, including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the American Museum of Natural History. You’re also very close to the Theatre District where you can catch a Broadway show. And of course, Central Park is also at your doorstep.
Every room at this sleek hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows, many with views of Central Park. The hotel also has a massive indoor swimming pool, a spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
1 Hotel Central Park
1 Hotel Central Park is another one of the best luxury hotels near Central Park. This hotel is situated on Sixth Avenue, just one block away from Central Park. It’s also ideally located for shopping on Fifth Avenue or exploring the nearby attractions of Midtown, like the Museum of Modern Art.
This modern and stylish hotel is a great place to base yourself in New York, and many of the rooms have views of Central Park. The hotel also offers amenities including a 24-hour fitness center.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel
For a truly spectacular hotel near Central Park, consider staying at The Pierre. This five-star hotel is located on Fifth Avenue just across the street from Central Park. It’s a great location for exploring the park and nearby attractions like the Central Park Zoo, as well as the Upper East Side and Museum Mile.
You are also in the perfect position to shop at the high-end department stores and boutiques of Fifth Avenue! This iconic hotel is a great place to stay if you are looking for true luxury and elegance.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
The Mark Hotel
Finally, I wanted to include an option for a hotel that is on the Upper East Side. The Mark Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you want to be in a less touristy and quieter neighborhood than Midtown.
Located on Madison Avenue and 76th Street, this hotel is just one block from Central Park. It’s an amazing location with tons of luxury shopping and delicious restaurants at your doorstep. You’re also in the heart of the famous Museum Mile, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Frick Collection, and more within easy walking distance. This is by far my favorite area in all of New York!
The Mark Hotel is a charming and luxurious property that is convenient to all the Upper East Side has to offer. Amenities available to guests include a state-of-the-art fitness center.
View on Booking.com | View on TripAdvisor
Best Hotels Near Central Park
This guide showed you the best luxury hotels near Central Park.
To recap, my top picks for where to stay are:
- Best overall: The Ritz-Carlton New York
- Best for families: The Plaza Hotel
- Best on the Upper East Side: The Mark Hotel
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in New York!
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