The Iconic Hotels in New York

There is something so exciting about the hotels of New York, the history, the architecture, the glamour, the secrets. Stars of both old Hollywood and modern day have walked down the same corridors that you can walk down, and if you have $35,000 you can even stay a night in the same room as them as well.

Waldorf Astoria

301 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York City

$$$$

I was lucky enough to go to the Waldorf for drinks in February 2017, before it closed down for two years (for a refurbishment). The public bathrooms are incredible, the decor is stunning and you can feel the history and glamour the second you walk in.

• When it was created in 1897, it was the largest hotel in the world, and started of an era of extravagance.

• THIS HOTEL INVENTED ROOM SERVICE!!!!

• The original hotel (that was torn down to make room for the Empire State Building) was built out of a family feud. In 1893, William Waldorf Astor opened the Waldorf. John Jacob Astor IV (who later died on the Titanic) opened the Astoria next door. Soon the hotels were connected with a corridor forming the Waldorf=Astoria (the equal sign, symbolising the bridge, was later swapped for a dash).

• Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and many other icons were regulars or even lived in the hotel

• Out of its 1,416 guest rooms, no two rooms are exactly the same.

• There is a secret train track that runs underneath Park Avenue and can only be accessed from an entrance within the Waldorf-Astoria.

Park Hyatt

153 West 57th Street, New York, 10019

$$$$$

$549 a night (apparently worth every penny)

• It was the tallest residential building in New York (although the building that knocked it off the top spot is so ugly, I don't think it should count!)

• The building is a mixture of apartments (the most expensive property ever sold in NYC) and the 210 rooms of the hotel.

• The pool is the longest in town, with windows looking on to Carnagie Hall and classical music playing underwater - sounds like my absolute dream!!

• It has 300 pieces of contemporary art on the walls and ceilings.

• It is called the One57 building and nicknamed "The Billionaire Building".

The Plaza

Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, New York, 10019

$$$$$

• The Plaza Hotel is a landmark 20-story luxury hotel and condominium apartment building.

• The 18-story cast-iron structure resembles a French Renaissance chateau was designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh and completed in 1907 at the cost of $12.5million.

• The hotel was originally a residential building for wealthy New Yorkers with 14-17 room apartments for families such as the Vanderbilts and Goulds.

• Some may know it from The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald was a regular at The Plaza).

• It has been in The Way We Were, Funny Girl, Seinfeld and Sleepless in Seattle.

• Princess Elisabeth of Russia lived in the Plaza for 5 years with her animals including cats, dogs, owl, pig, alligators, and a bear and lion!!

St. Regis

2 East 55th Street between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue

$$$$$

$995 - $35,000 per night

• The St. Regis New York is a historic Forbes five-star, AAA five-diamond hotel opened in 1904 and it was the toast of New York.

• It is opulent and regal and staying in this hotel is the epitome of luxury, especially seeing as it has the highest room-rates in New York. Decorated in glamarous blues and greens, the high-ceilinged rooms contain silk wall-coverings and Louis XV production funriture.

• The St. regis roof is the scene of glittering social events and a murial of King Cole reigns behind the King Cole Bar.

• John Jacob Astor owned it.

• It is the service that sets St. Regis apart. The famous St. Regis Butlers will do anything you request—from unpacking your suitcase, ironing your clothes, running an errand or even organising a cocktail party!!

The New York Palace

455 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10022

$$$$

From $300 a night

• Some of you may recognise this iconic courtyard from Gossip Girl where the Van Der Woodsen's lived.

• The Lotte New York Palace blends modern day New York with classic elegance - the oppulent landmark Villard Houses juxtaposed with the contemporary 55-story tower.

• The rooms are huge, and those closer to the top have incredible views.

• With bars such as the Pomme Palasis, Tavern on 51 and their brand new Trouble's Trust, if you don't get a chance to stay at the Palace, there are plenty of amazing bars to choose from to experience this beautiful hotel.

Empire Hotel

44 West, 63rd Street, New York

$$$$

$300 a night

• Gossip Girl seems to have done a lot for my knowledge of New York hotels - this was the hotel Chuck bought to start his own Empire.

• With a neon sign that looks like something out of a Sin City film, the recent renovation of one of the oldest hotels in New York is just as slick.

• The reviews on the hotel may hint at the rooms not being worth the $300 a night price tag due to the small sizes.

• However, everyone raves about the glamorous public spaces, so my recommendation would be to make use of the amazing Empire Bar and the Empire Rooftop.

Price Key

(For a double room including tax)

$ - under $150

$$ - $150 - $220

$$$ - $220-300

$$$$- $300-400

$$$$$ - over $400