5 Best Hotels in Murray Hill, New York City

With the Empire State Building just two blocks north, Koreatown a few blocks west, the Flatiron District seven blocks south, and easy access to subway lines, bars, and restaurants, the compact but stylish Arlo NoMad is perfectly positioned for the visitor who cares more about proximity and value than floor space and amenities. Rooms feature space-saving design (under-bed storage, a pegboard closet system, no-tub bathrooms, etc.) and trendy decor, but they really are not designed to linger in: get ready and get going, once you have appreciated those floor-to-ceiling Empire State Building views from the Sky Rooms and the popular rooftop bar with an interactive glass floor tile and Middle Eastern influenced menu. There's also a bodega-like pantry and, instead of a fitness center, the hotels offers off-property gym and CitiBike passes. Excellent events—from rooftop soirees to happy hours to art receptions—solidify Arlo targets a trendy young crowd. 

The cheap and cheerful sibling of Pod 51 (on 51st Street) has tight quarters and trendy amenities, including a rooftop bar and a ground-floor restaurant. Single, bunk, full, and queen pods maximize space, fitting in private bathrooms with rainwater shower heads, room safes, work desks, and flat-screen TVs. The pods are tech-friendly, too, with free Wi-Fi and a media center that allows you to easily connect your devices to the TV and speakers. Common areas are spacious: the rooftop lounge and bar has stellar views while the lobby lounge, complete with games and a fireplace, is another appealing place to kick back.

Importing much of its sensibility from Japan, the Kitano has international touches that include a bilingual concierge and a high-concept Japanese restaurant called Hakubai—it also makes for a notably service-oriented stay. What is not classically Japanese, though, are the good-size guest rooms, decked out in neutral hues or with pops of red. Head downstairs through the quiet lobby to rub Fernando Botero's rotund sculpture of a dog for good luck—it's the hotel's mascot. The property's Hillside Cafe is open only for breakfast and lunch, and the Roof at 66 Park has such views of the Chrysler Building. 

The two connected brownstones that were once home to a social club for Williams College are now a modern, extended-stay hotel with an outpost of the speakeasy-style cocktail bar Raines Law Room. The six-story property has rooms with bold colors and contemporary style, plus free Wi-Fi, Roku devices, and fully equipped kitchens. Service is a focus here, with a 24-hour concierge. The common spaces take their inspiration from the building's roots: the Shakespeare is a polished restaurant serving British classics in a space designed to resemble a gentleman's club, and The Shakespeare Pub is a classic British pub with wood-beam ceilings. The property incorporates a pre-arrival check-in process, and an app for use during your stay, but the front desk staff can assist you. It also has a partnership with Blink Fitness Grand Central, just two blocks away.