2 Best Hotels in Harlem, New York City

Conveniently located right on 125th Street, The Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel is hard to miss, with its bright lights out front that read "Victoria," an ode to being in the space of the famed Victoria Theater. Aside from its central location, one of the best perks of staying at The Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel is its connection to The Apollo Stages at The Victoria, which are accessible via the third floor of the hotel's building. On the fifth floor is where you'll find the hotel's front desk, along with a restaurant/bar, appropriately named The Victoria Theater Restaurant, which offers live music on select nights. The highest rooms can be found on the 27th floor, and when the elevator doors open, you're greeted with floor-to-ceiling window views of Harlem. Overall, the vibe is super swanky, with gold accents throughout the building, and plenty of dedicated memorabilia to some of Harlem's most prominent musical figures.

A reasonably priced option in an increasingly popular area of Harlem with plenty of access to public transportation at 125th Street, this branch of the Aloft chain delivers cheerful service and a fun atmosphere. Guest rooms make good use of their space and have sustainable wood-grain accents and faux-cork touches. Bathrooms are sleek, with spacious glass-walled showers. Downstairs has a bar, a pool table, and a revolving display of art from local artists. The 24-hour Re:fuel grab-and-go section in the lobby sells everything from fresh produce to snacks like chips, candy, and bottled juices.