7 Best Hotels on the Upper East Side for Museum Visits, Central Park Walks, and Glimpses of Old New York

The most iconic spots to bed down uptown.Courtesy The LowellHaven’t you heard? Things are happening on the Upper East Side—or, perhaps it’s better to say, they never stopped happening. In the past few years, fashion labels that once defined downtown It girls—like Khaite and Toteme—have opened outposts uptown, legendary prix-fixe French restaurant Le Veau D’Or has lifted its shutters, and The Frick Collection has undergone a fresh makeover. This regeneration points to the idea that, amidst constantly shifting ideas of what’s cool and what’s not in this great big city, we hold close to our hearts whatever vestiges of old New York we can get.And the Upper East Side’s hotels offer just that, with their marbled lobbies, fur-clad repeat guests, and doormen who remember your name. Even still, you won’t find any shabby velvet curtains; these storied institutions have changed with the times, offering a healthy dose of contemporary design (just ask properties like The Surrey, which just completed a top-to-bottom renovation in 2024). Plus, basing yourself in the neighborhood puts you in proximity to New York’s most famed characters, from Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art to the shops lining Madison Avenue and martinis at Bemelmans Bar. So drape that sweater over your shoulder and read on for the best hotels on the Upper East Side—from quasi-Manhattan townhouses to towering skyscrapers with Central Park views.The Pierre, A Taj HotelThere are few hotels in New York whose mention elicits envious nods of approval from New Yorkers, and The Pierre is one of them. Built on the site of a former Gilded Age mansion, the Pierre was the brainchild of a Corsican chef who gained fame for his work in New York restaurants. As a venture with Wall Street financiers, including Walter Chrysler, it opened in 1930 to great fanfare. Coco Chanel was one of its first guests, setting a precedent for all the famous names who have come and gone. Starting at a practical 300 square feet, the standard rooms—the Superior and the Deluxe, with the option of a city or park view—are luxuriously decorated in soft blues, greens, and creams. With heated floors, the bathrooms are generously sized, some with a shower as well as a bathtub, and come stocked with plush linens as well as products from Etro. One of the things that sets The Pierre apart is its service: From the moment you walk through its revolving doors, you feel as if they’ve been excitedly awaiting your arrival. —Damian FallonRead Full ReviewThe Carlyle, A Rosewood HotelGold ListGold List 2018, 2019, 2022Readers' ChoiceReaders' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025Since it opened in 1930, The Carlyle has become something more than the sum of its extremely alluring parts. A living legend that embodies, if not the spirit of NYC, at least one of her spirits: her brightest, most sparkling, most elegant self—witty, worldly, and nostalgic. An entire movie has been made about this property—Always at The Carlyle—in which George Clooney, Sofia Coppola, Wes Anderson, and Naomi Campbell discuss their fondness for the joint. Broadly speaking, the rooms get better the higher the floor. Plus, you get to spend more time in the elevators—not an activity to enjoy in everyday life, but this is not everyday life. The ones at The Carlyle are the stuff of legend, as much admired as the astounding Dorothy Draper lobby or Bemelmans Bar. Imagine if you had been there when Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, and Steve Jobs all piled in (true story). You would have been in awe. Not of them, of course, but of the real superstar—the unflappable, icy-calm, white-gloved Carlyle elevator operator. —Steve KingRead Full ReviewThe Mark HotelThe Mark hotel sits on a quiet block of East 77th, between Madison Avenue and Central Park. The lobby is an oasis of cool, where the first thing that grabs you is the graphics: the black-and-white-striped marble floor, vividly hued artwork, and enormous bouquet of exuberant pink lilies. It's sleek and sophisticated, yet playful at the same time—luxury wrapped in fun. Housed in a 1927 landmark building, The Mark hotel was developed by the New York–based Alexico Group, whose portfolio also includes The Laurel, 165 Charles Street by Richard Meier, Grand Beekman, 353 Central Park West, and The Elektra. Something to look forward to during your stay is the food and drink, with all options top-notch. The Mark Bar is a natural point of entry: An intimate space off the hotel's lobby, it features retro-futuristic decor, with a truly fun mood set by the cozy, cowhide-patterned couches and chairs that hug the perimeter. The cocktails are thoughtfully constructed, good-looking, and delicious. For an even more luxurious experience, visit the most delectable Caviar Kaspia for a medley of show-stopping plates. A few steps from the bar, you'll also find The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges, one of celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's New York establishments. —Tamara SouthwardRead Full ReviewLoews RegencyWhen you dream about visiting Manhattan, there’s a good chance you see yourself strolling down Park Avenue. While there’s more to the Loews Regency than just a killer location on the corner of Park and 61st Street, the hotel’s proximity to Central Park, designer shops, top restaurants, and major subway lines makes it a stellar choice for a Big Apple getaway. Amenities include its own outpost of the Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar, which serves Milanese-style coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, as well as the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa, a two-story urban spa oasis. Kids and pets are also welcomed with their own special set of amenities, and if you’re a tennis buff, the hotel hosts several events during the US Open. —Juliana ShallcrossRead Full ReviewThe Surrey, a Corinthia HotelOriginally built in 1926, The Surrey is a historic Art Deco gem that was once a residential hotel frequented by celebrities like JFK and Bette Davis. It has since been completely renovated and now operates under the management of the global luxury hotel group Corinthia. But despite its new conglomerate boss, the hotel has retained its famous homey ambience. Guests are immediately welcomed by stylish doormen into what looks like the lobby of an elegant Manhattan townhouse (complete with a Museum Mile–worthy art collection). These Easter egg odes to The Surrey’s fabled past are in part thanks to interior designer Martin Brudnizki, mastermind behind The Beekman and the Fifth Avenue Hotel, among other properties. Instead of the colorful maximalism Brudnizki is best known for, The Surrey favors subtle geometric details and muted pastels, with a light touch of the designer’s signature patterns and textures sprinkled throughout. It all feels expensively zen and secretly high-taste, as is the Upper East Side way. —Hannah ToweyRead Full ReviewThe Lowell HotelIn an era when what’s newest and fastest often gets the spotlight, The Lowell, quietly holding court on a leafy block on the Upper East Side since the 1920s, remains a bastion of class and elegance. Sometimes you may need to wait a few minutes for one of the two elevators that service the hotel’s 74 rooms and suites, all reimagined by Michael S. Smith, the designer behind the White House updates during Obama’s presidency. But that’s okay; while you wait, you can quite literally stop and smell the flowers, as gorgeous fresh bouquets are placed throughout the hotel. There are real room keys and actual light switches to flick, analog vestiges from simpler days that ironically make things easier than the latest innovations. There are dozens of lovely, throwback touches, such as the Club Room, a sophisticated convivial space off the lobby and adjacent to the hotel’s French restaurant, Majorelle, with oak parquet floors, a fireplace, and a small bar, for the exclusive use of hotel guests and their companions until 5 p.m., when the public can join. —Rebecca MisnerRead Full ReviewSherry NetherlandBuilt in 1927, this former apartment-hotel across from Central Park earns nearly perfect scores for its wonderful service, prime location, and rooms with million-dollar views of the park. Things feel especially personal at this timeless property: upon arrival, guests will enjoy touches like fresh flowers, a handwritten note from the general manager, Louis Sherry chocolates, and Molton Brown products. Accommodations are individually decorated in various tones of soothing beige, and all have marble bathrooms. Serving classic Venetian food and a signature Bellini, the chic Harry Cipriani eatery is run by the same family that owns Harry’s Bar in Venice (dress code: business casual). And you don’t need to leave the premises to feel your best self: Men can stop in for an old-school shave at the in-house Emile Salon, while ladies can get a fresh blowout at Zahirr Ziani Salon. A stay at the Sherry-Netherland is also not complete without a chat with the elevator operator, who always has a smile on his face, rain or shine.Read Full ReviewJessica Sulima is a Commerce Writer at Condé Nast Traveler, where she covers hotel and booking content, as well as travel deals. Originally from New Jersey, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Spanish and Art History. Previously at Thrillist, ... Read More