7 Best Hotels in Upper East Side, New York City

The iconic grande dame across from Central Park has welcomed aristocrats and Hollywood actors, but it prides itself on treating all its guests like royalty, offering five-star service touches, from human elevator operators to 24-hour laundry/dry cleaning service. Guests looking to stay in are invited to download anywhere from six to eight digital books. There are reminders everywhere of celebrities who've visited the hotel, including a new and permanent paparazzi photo exhibit on the ground floor. If you're lucky enough to have a west-facing room, you'll be greeted with sweeping views of Central Park, the iconic twin spires of the San Remo, breathtaking foliage in fall, or the Wollman ice rink in winter. These are some of the best views Manhattan has to offer. After settling in, have a well-prepared meal in The Rotunda, a luxurious circular dining space wrapped entirely in frescoes showing the sky, celebrities and more.

This extended-stay, all-suites hotel on a quieter, residential-feeling street has spacious, well-maintained rooms and amenities, which makes it an excellent option for families or visitors who like to retreat to a patio or terrace and order in after a day of exploring nearby Central Park, The Met, or Bloomingdale's. Choose from spacious junior, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom suites to get a feel for apartment living in NYC, or the terrace or patio suites for coveted private outdoor space that will make locals jealous; even one of their four penthouse suites gives off an exclusive vibe. There's no restaurant on-site but plenty of restaurants and a grocery store nearby, and takeout from several nearby restaurants can be charged to your room. Rooms include sleeper sofas, powered recliners, modern kitchens with stovetops, and stocked with dishware from beloved local brand Fishs Eddy. There's a fitness room, laundry facilities, and the hotel is pet-friendly with a serene seating area across from the reservation desk. 

With its signature "power breakfast" at The Regency Bar & Grill, and a "power hour" (where you can receive three services in an hour) at the on-site spa and salon, this Park Avenue hotel provides its power-playing guests with excellent amenities, state-of-the-art technology, and bright, tastefully appointed rooms with notably comfortable beds. Expect exceptional service and large rooms featuring free Wi-Fi, Frette linens and bathrobes, and a big desk and ergonomic chair (again, perfect for the business traveler). The hotel takes care of families too; offering babysitting as well as pet sitting and walking. The buzzy Regency Bar and the Lobby Lounge—which has a full-length nature-focused sculpture by artist Nina Helms—are appealing places to kick back. The brand's pet program provides Kitty and Fido with gourmet room service, special bedding, leashes, collars, and every creature comfort. 

Steps from Madison Avenue shopping and a block from Central Park, this old-money refuge on a leafy residential block started in 1927 and it still delivers genteel sophistication and pampering service in an unbeatable location. In fact, the 74-room hotel is one of a few remaining family-owned properties in the city, and is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. The lobby is small, but spacious guest rooms have all the civilized comforts of home, including stocked bookshelves and luxe bathrooms. Thirty-three of the rooms—all decorated in different themes—have working wood-burning fireplaces, while 14 accommodations have private terraces. Many suites feature Apple computers and iPads, and the New York Times and other major newspapers are delivered to the room. The elegant Pembroke Room is a guest-only breakfast and weekend brunch area and it's also available for pre-theater dinner. The Club Room lounge is for guests too. Other appealing on-site facilities are Majorelle, a well-regarded French-Mediterranean restaurant that has an afternoon tea service; and Jacques, a cocktail bar with a limited bar menu and lunch service. The restaurant and bar are open to the public as well as to guests.

Within this 1927 iconic building, The Mark personifies lavish comforts coupled with modern guest amenities. Given a chic interior refresh by French designer Jacques Grange, especially with its avant-garde bar, the upscale hotel has a signature, floral scent in the lobby and hallways. The Mark has partnered with chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose restaurant showcases innovative European classics. Vongerichten also is serving up American classics on the go: his hot dogs, scrumptious chocolate chip cookies, and hot chocolate are sold from a hot dog cart out front. A caviar restaurant, Caviar Kaspia, is on-site, as is a full-service salon from French hairdresser Frédéric Fekkai, and a John Lobb shoeshine kiosk. Guests can rent a Mercedes-Benz e-bike, The Mark's very own pedicab—as a private chauffeur—and a 70-foot Herreshoff sailboat for private three-hour cruises around New York harbor. Dogs also can have a luxe guest experience, with amenities for furry friends. 

Small and charming, this boutique hotel is on a quiet, tree-lined residential street a short walk from Central Park, the Met, and other Museum Mile attractions. The nine-story building is a 1930s almost-landmark, with its neon marquee yet the interior has been updated with contemporary and unfussy furnishings, and the lobby contains a self-checkout marketplace with an adjacent coffee bar. Although the hotel is pet-friendly, the smallish rooms may not be suitable for families but can be perfect for solo guests. There's no on-site restaurant, but nearby 3rd Avenue has many dining options.