Are you looking for the best hotels near Central Park New York City? Perfect! We are going to show you the 12 top rated hotels available to you, including cheap, mid range and luxury hotel options from Upper East Side, Upper West Side and Central Park South.
Instead of trawling through randomly listed hotel search engine results, use our research and data driven guide to find the best NYC hotels near Central Park for your visit based on location, value, previous guest ratings and our own experiences.
Not only have we personally lived in NYC, but we also visit several times every year. Our popular where to stay in New York City guide on our sister site has helped over 85,000 visitors (and counting!) find the perfect NY hotel. But in this guide we are focusing solely on Central Park.
Here’s how we will help you find the best Central Park hotel for your travel plans and budget:
- Summary of the 3 popular neighborhoods around Central Park
- Who should stay in Central Park
- Central Park hotels map
- 12 featured top rated hotels near Central Park
- Bonus cheap and luxury hotel options
Let’s get started!
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Best Central Park Hotels By Category
Are you in a hurry and just want to know the very best Central Park hotels in specific travel categories?
Here are our top recommendations:
- Budget – The Lucerne Hotel
- Luxury – The Whitby Hotel
- Families – The Plaza
- Boutique – 1 Hotel Central Park
- Aparthotel – Hotel Beacon
- Upper East Side – The Mark
- Upper West Side – The Wallace Hotel
We have stayed at 1 Hotel Central Park and would be more than happy to stay in any of the other hotels listed above on our next visit to NYC.
But we will take a much closer look at each of these Central Park hotels and more in this guide.
Where To Stay Near Central Park
Central Park is New York City’s flagship green space stretching from 59th Street all the way up to 110th Street between 5th Avenue and 8th Avenue. Now that is a huge portion of Manhattan Island!
Known as “the lungs of the city” Central Park is gigantic and filled with fun things to do. However, the sheer scale of Central Park also makes finding a place to stay a unique proposition within New York.
There are 3 very different places to stay near Central Park in NYC:
- 1. Upper East Side – 59th St to 96th St on the east side of Central Park
- 2. Upper West Side – 59th St to 96th St on the west side of Central Park
- 3. Central Park South – 54th St to 59th St between 5th Ave and 8th Ave
Most popular neighborhoods in NYC have borders and crossover with other famous neighborhoods. However, the 3 popular areas around Central Park are separated by the park itself.
Each distinct area of Central Park has a different vibe and most importantly, different hotel prices.
Let’s take a summarized look at each:
1. Upper East Side
Upper East Side is ritzy, glamorous and wealthy. You will find high end boutique shopping, art galleries and an eclectic mix of top rated cuisines from around the world.
The UES neighborhood is great for families or couples who want a quieter place to stay in New York. Both the green and yellow subway lines connect Upper East Side to the lower parts of Manhattan.
However, there are very few hotels in Upper East Side, New York. The few hotel options that are available in this upscale neighborhood are mostly 5 star luxury hotels at the higher price points.
But there is one perfectly affordable hotel we feature below for those who want to stay in UES on a budget.
2. Upper West Side
Upper West Side has a more laid back community feel, but it is still quiet, safe and excellent for families and couples who want that quiet escape within New York City.
The famous Dakota building, Natural History Museum and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts are all located in UWS. You will also find a wide range of highly rated dining options and several famous bakeries in the area.
There are more hotels spanning the budget range from cheap through luxury on the Upper West Side of Central Park. You can use the blue, orange or red subway lines to access Manhattan and Brooklyn.
We feature 4 hotels around UWS in the guide below.
3. Central Park South
Central Park South is the area you will most likely think of when considering booking a hotel near Central Park.
The five blocks from 54th Street bordering the Times Square neighborhood to 59th Street at the bottom of Central Park are overflowing with hotels, restaurants, shops, attractions and subway stations.
The Central Park South area is a fantastic place to stay for a first time visit to NYC. But it is chaotic and loud like most other parts of New York.
You would have more amenities and easier access to other parts of Manhattan or Brooklyn, but you will not have the tranquil residential feel.
We feature several hotels in this popular area below, but we will include plenty more later in the guide so you have more options available to find a hotel to suit your budget.
Where To Avoid Staying Around Central Park
Now you know the best places to stay around Central Park, what about the places you should not book a hotel in the area?
The good news is Central Park is one of the most upmarket and safe places to stay in NYC. But we would suggest avoiding staying anywhere north of 96th Street.
By staying somewhere around 96th Street or below you will benefit from excellent dining options and subway connections in Upper East Side, Upper West Side or Central Park South.
We also suggest staying closer to Central Park versus the Hudson River or East River and we also strongly recommend booking a hotel close to a subway station to save time.
Every hotel featured in this guide ticks these criteria boxes.
Our Central Park Hotel Experience
Central Park is one of our favorite parts of New York City. During our time living in the city we would try to visit the park at least once every week and we have been back several times since.
During a visit to New York in April we photographed Central Park filled with bright pink cherry blossoms, which was of course stunning.
However, our favorite experience was seeing Central Park in winter completely covered in deep snow, which really was a magical wintery wonderland like you see in the movies!
It was during this snowy period that we stayed at the wonderful 1 Hotel Central Park just steps from Central Park on the corner of 58th St / 6th Ave.
In truth, most first time visitors to New York book hotels in Times Square and we tend to book our NYC hotels in Midtown Manhattan because it is our favorite area to stay in New York.
But we do think Central Park is a fantastic place to stay for a first time visit to NYC.
Who Should Stay In Central Park?
Central Park is the perfect place for families with younger kids to stay in New York City because it is one of the safest parts of the city.
All three neighborhoods around Central Park are safe, but Upper East Side and Upper West Side are also much quieter when compared to Central Park South.
For those of you who have a healthy travel budget or are looking to splurge on a luxurious hotel on your trip to NYC, you will be happy to know that Central Park is where you will find the highest volume of 5 star luxury hotels in New York.
The final group of people who might want to consider Central Park as a place to stay is museum lovers. Several of the best museums in NYC are located around the edges of Central Park.
Pros + Cons
Let’s take a quick look at the major pros and cons to booking a hotel near Central Park in NYC.
Pros
- Quiet, upscale and relaxing place to stay in NYC
- Lots of museums in the immediate area
- Perfect for walkers, joggers and dog walkers
Cons
- Hotels are more expensive around Central Park
- Longer subway rides to access attractions in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn
- Further to travel from JFK and Newark airports
Things To Do Near Central Park
So what can you do in the immediate area if you book a hotel near Central Park NYC?
Well, for starters you can wake up early for a morning walk or jog around the legendary Central Park in New York City. That’s already a pretty sweet deal!
Here are the top NYC attractions around Central Park:
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- American Museum of Natural History
- The Guggenheim Museum
- The Museum of Modern Art
- Fifth Avenue shopping
- The Mall and Bethesda Terrace
- SPYSCAPE
- Carnegie Hall
Want to save money on NYC attractions? Use our exclusive 10% discount on any New York Sightseeing Pass via our sister site Where Are Those Morgans!
Are Central Park Hotels Expensive?
Yes, Central Park hotels are typically more expensive when compared to the average hotel price in New York City.
The safe Central Park neighborhoods are a desirable part of the city to stay and there is a surprisingly low supply of hotels for the demand around Upper East Side and Upper West Side.
In addition, Central Park has a higher proportion of luxury 5 star hotels than any other part of NYC which drives up the desirability and average prices.
Let’s take a look at hotel tax and seasonality.
1. Tax On Hotels Near Central Park NYC
The first thing you should bear in mind when booking hotels near Central Park is “Hotel Tax“, which is officially known as Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
All New York City hotels levy a 14.75% hotel tax on all stays, no matter how you book your room.
So let’s say a room costs $100 for one night at a Central Park hotel, your total cost is going to be $114.75.
- When booking your hotel using Booking.com look under the price for “includes taxes and fees“. This means the price you see is final and will not be subject to further add ons.
- Conversely, if you see text reading something like “+$30 for taxes and fees“, that means you will pay the hotel room cost + the additional 14.75% fee for bed tax and other fees.
You will also see a “city tax” fee of around $3.50 / night added to every room and some hotels might even try to throw in a “resort fee“.
This will come as no surprise to Americans who are used to paying tax on pretty much everything. But for international visitors this is something to be aware of so you avoid any nasty surprises when you go to pay.
2. Seasonality In NYC
New York City is a year round bucket list travel destination but it does have a peak season and a slightly lower season.
- 1. Peak season in New York City is from May through October
- 2. Low season in New York City is from November through April
What does this mean for booking hotels near Central Park?
Well, it means seasonality can potentially play a huge role in hotel availability and affordability for your visit to NYC.
You stand a much better chance of picking up a lower nightly rate if you book a Central Park hotel during a visit to NYC in winter. We have noticed hotel prices are especially cheap in January and February.
Prices at hotels in Central Park naturally inflate heavily in the summer months when tourism peaks.
Central Park New York Hotels Map
Let’s take a quick look at an interactive Google Map showing the locations of the 12 best hotels in Central Park New York City featured in this guide.
Hotels key:
- Green icons – Cheap featured hotels
- Red icons – Mid range featured budget hotels
- Blue icons – Luxury featured hotels
- Yellow icons – Alternate cheap hotels
- Purple icons – Alternate luxury hotels
Neighborhoods key:
- Blue shade – Central Park South
- Orange shade – Upper West Side
- Red shade – Upper East Side
Click or touch the map of Central Park hotels to activate.
Zoom in and out, move around the Central Park area and see exactly where each hotel option is located.
We have included all 12 featured hotels listed below, as well as all alternate cheap and luxury hotels you will find at the end of this guide.
12 Best Hotels Near Central Park NYC
OK, let’s take a look at each of our featured best Central Park hotels.
We have hand picked the top 12 hotels in Central Park by compiling and comparing previous guest ratings, location and value for money.
There are of course more hotels than just the 12 we are featuring as top choices. Therefore, we will cover bonus cheap and luxury hotels later in the guide.
Hotels are listed in order of average nightly cost within three price range categories; cheap, mid range and luxury.
You will find 4 x cheap hotels, 4 x mid range hotels and 4 x luxury hotels. Each represents a top rated Central Park hotel within its price category.
Let’s kick things off with the best cheap hotels in Central Park!
1. The Lucerne Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.5 / 10
- Google – 4.2 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Neighborhood: Upper West Side
- Subway: 79 St
- Parking: $55 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center, on site French restaurant, bar, spa services
The Lucerne Hotel is one of the very best hotels near Central Park in New York. It has a perfect location near 79 St subway station, Natural History Museum, Central Park and dozens of great places to eat on Amsterdam Ave.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort and location the highest at The Lucerne Hotel. This popular and affordable hotel is our top choice for those on a lower budget who want a quiet place to stay in NYC.
>> Book Hotel: The Lucerne Hotel Central Park
2. voco, The Franklin
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.4 / 10
- Google – 3.5 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Neighborhood: Upper East Side
- Subway: 86th Street
- Parking: $45 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, pet friendly
voco, The Franklin is the most affordable quality hotel in Upper East Side near Central Park. If you want to stay in the UES neighborhood, definitely check the prices here for your travel dates. The location is excellent, close to 86th Street subway, Central Park and The Met.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort and location the highest at voco, The Franklin. The hotel had a full renovation in 2020, so the older (and lower) Google ratings are no longer relevant. Just to back that up, Hotels.com reviews have voco, The Franklin at 9.0 / 10.
>> Book Hotel: voco, The Franklin Central Park
3. Hilton Garden Inn Central Park South
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 7.1 / 10
- Google – 3.8 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Neighborhood: Central Park South
- Subway: 7 Avenue Station
- Parking: $70 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, pet friendly, fitness center, on site restaurant and bar, laundry
Hilton Garden Inn is a very popular cheap hotel near Central Park, Times Square, Fifth Ave, Broadway and many other popular areas in Midtown West. You wouldn’t have to walk far to reach most top attractions between Times Square and Central Park.
Reviewers rate location the highest at Hilton Garden Inn. It has lower overall guest ratings but it is affordable and has a desirable location for those who want to be in the heart of the NYC action. This is a great choice if you just need a centrally located bed to crash after exploring New York all day and night.
>> Book Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Central Park
4. Hotel Belleclaire
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.0 / 10
- Google – 4.0 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Neighborhood: Upper West Side
- Subway: 79 St
- Parking: N/A
- Amenities: Free WiFi, on site French bakery, laundry
Hotel Belleclaire is a historic boutique hotel near Central Park in the Upper West Side near 79 Street subway station on Broadway. The lower price point and desirable community location away from the tourist trap areas of New York make this a popular hotel for many visitors to the city.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort and location the highest at Hotel Belleclaire. Frequent guest comments about staff friendliness, sylish decor, old world charm and quiet nights are positive. And it is just 10 minutes walk from Central Park.
>> Book Hotel: Hotel Belleclaire Central Park
5. Hotel Beacon
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.7 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Neighborhood: Upper West Side
- Subway: 72 St
- Parking: $65 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center, on site restaurant and bar, kitchenettes, laundry
Hotel Beacon is a popular hotel near Central Park for long term stays because all studios and apartments have small kitchenettes. You have the option to cook some days to save on expensive meals out or you can take advantage of several excellent restaurants nearby.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort and location the highest at Hotel Beacon. This apart-hotel is located close to Central Park, Broadway, the subway and a supermarket for stocking up on food. Guest can use the gym and laundry for those longer stays.
>> Book Hotel: Hotel Beacon Central Park
6. Courtyard by Marriott
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.2 / 10
- Google – 4.2 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Neighborhood: Central Park South
- Subway: 7 Avenue
- Parking: $70 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, on site restaurant and bar, fitness center, laundry, pet friendly, breakfast available (extra fee)
Courtyard by Marriott is an exceptionally popular mid range budget hotel located between Times Square and Central Park on 54th Street and Broadway. This is where to stay near Central Park if you want a nice balance between cost and quality in the heart of New York City.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort and location the highest at Courtyard by Marriott. This hotel has thousands of positive reviews across Booking and Google, and there is even a Starbucks on the 4th floor of the hotel, which would be perfect for your morning coffee!
>> Book Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Central Park
7. Carnegie Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.6 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Neighborhood: Central Park South
- Subway: 57 St
- Parking: $45 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, complimentary basic breakfast and wine hour (as part of additional resort fee)
Carnegie Hotel is a small but pristine boutique hotel near Central Park in New York City. It is hugely popular and highly regarded with previous guests, and it has a superb location just 3 blocks from Central Park on 56th Street opposite Carnegie Hall.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort and location the highest at Carnegie Hotel. There is a resort fee (around $28 / night) but that covers breakfast and wine hour. Rooms are small but polished and the elegant hotel is very good value for money.
>> Book Hotel: Carnegie Hotel Central Park
8. The Wallace Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.3 / 10
- Google – 4.7 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Neighborhood: Upper West Side
- Subway: 79 St
- Parking: N/A
- Amenities: Free WiFi, fitness center, pet friendly
The Wallace Hotel is a luxury 5 star hotel in Upper West Side oozing class and style but at surprisingly affordable prices for the higher quality. Renovated in 2022, the hotel is essentially brand new, clean and refreshed. Stay here if you can stretch budget a little and want a unique luxury NYC experience.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort, facilities, value for money and location the highest at The Wallace Hotel. It gets a clean sweep across the board with exceptional ratings for everything, not just on Booking.com and Google but also on Hotels.com and Tripadvisor. The Wallace Hotel is one of our top picks for where to stay near Central Park.
>> Book Hotel: The Wallace Hotel Central Park
9. 1 Hotel Central Park
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.4 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Neighborhood: Central Park South
- Subway: 57 Street
- Parking: $85 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, pet friendly, gym, on site restaurant
1 Hotel Central Park is an affordable 5 star hotel experience just a stones throw from Central Park. It is one of our favorite hotels in NYC. The warm, natural and polished interior has an uplifting aura, the restaurant serves farm-to-table food, and the staff are extremely attentive.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort, facilities and location the highest at 1 Hotel Central Park. The small eco-friendly hotel has a wonderful vibe and we would definitely stay again if we wanted easy access to the park. You can also book a room with Central Park views, which is a pretty big deal!
>> Book Hotel: 1 Hotel Central Park
10. The Mark
Guest ratings:
- Hotels.com – 9.6 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Neighborhood: Upper East Side
- Subway: 77 St
- Parking: $90 / night
- Amenities: Free WiFi, pet friendly, gym, breakfast available (extra fee), spa, lounge
The Mark Hotel is a popular luxury boutique hotel in the swanky Upper East Side neighborhood of Central Park NYC. It is superbly located on Maddison Avenue just one block from Central Park, between The Met and 77 St subway station.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort and location the highest at The Mark. If you have a bigger hotel budget and want to stay in Upper East Side, The Mark is a fantastic place to start your search. Friendly and helpful staff get top marks from previous guests.
>> Book Hotel: The Mark Hotel Central Park
11. The Peninsula New York
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.8 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Neighborhood: Central Park South
- Subway: 5 Ave / 53 St
- Parking: $105 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, pet friendly, indoor swimming pool, rooftop terrace and bar, full service spa, on site restaurant, fitness center
The Peninsula is a hugely popular 5 star Central Park hotel located on 55th Street and 5th Avenue, around half way between Top of the Rock and Central Park. Families in particular rate The Peninsula very highly and the term world class service is often used in guest comments.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort, facilities and location the highest at The Peninsula. This is one of the top rated luxury hotels in NYC and it is located in a prime time spot in Midtown Manhattan. We very highly recommend staying at The Peninsula if your budget allows.
>> Book Hotel: The Peninsula New York
12. The Plaza
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.4 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Neighborhood: Central Park South
- Subway: 5 Av / 59 St
- Parking: $95 / day
- Amenities: Free WiFi, airport shuttle, fitness center, full service spa, high end restaurants and bars, pet friendly, boutique shopping
The Plaza Hotel is the most iconic hotel near Central Park and one of the most well known 5 star luxury hotels in New York City. Its unrivaled location on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street is about as good as it gets for staying next to Central Park.
Reviewers rate staff, cleanliness, comfort, facilities and location the highest at The Plaza. The hotel oozes class and sophistication from start to end. If you want the ultimate Home Alone 2 experience in New York City, book your stay at The Plaza Hotel in winter.
>> Book Hotel: The Plaza Central Park
What Are The Best Cheap Hotels Near Central Park?
Are you visiting New York on a budget and want to book a cheap hotel near Central Park?
Here are the best cheap Central Park hotels including our featured top rated hotels above and other hotels with lower ratings:
Upper West Side
- 1. The Lucerne Hotel
- 2. La Quinta
- 3. Hotel Belleclaire
- 4. The Empire Hotel
Upper East Side
Central Park South
- 1. Hilton Garden Inn
- 2. The Blakely New York
- 3. Park Central
- 4. Ameritania Hotel
- 5. Dream Midtown
- 6. Moderne Hotel
- 7. Da Vinci Hotel
What Are The Best 5 Star Hotels Near Central Park?
Are you looking for the most high end luxury hotels near Central Park for your visit to New York?
Here are the most luxurious places you can stay close to Central Park:
Upper West Side
Upper East Side
- 1. The Mark Hotel
- 2. The Pierre, A Taj Hotel
- 3. Loews Regency
- 4. The Lowell
- 5. The Carlyle
Central Park South
- 1. The Plaza
- 2. The Peninsula
- 3. 1 Hotel Central Park
- 4. The Whitby Hotel
- 5. The St. Regis
- 6. Park Hyatt
- 7. JW Marriott Essex House
Best Hotels Near Central Park FAQ’s
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about where to stay near Central Park, New York.
What is the best place to stay near Central Park?
Central Park South is the best neighborhood to stay near Central Park if you want to be closer to top NYC attractions. However, the Upper East Side and Upper West Side neighborhoods around Central Park are much quieter and have more of a community feel, which makes them better places to stay for families.
Is it better to stay in Central Park or Times Square?
Both Central Park and Times Square are popular places to stay for first time visitors to New York City. Hotels are cheaper and closer to attractions in Times Square, whereas hotels in Central Park are more expensive and benefit from quieter surroundings away from tourist traps.
Hotel Guides Near Central Park
- New York City – 30 Best Hotels in NYC
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- Times Square – 12 Best Hotels In Times Square NYC
- SoHo – 12 Best Hotels In SoHo NYC
- Downtown – 12 Best Hotels In Lower Manhattan NYC
- Brooklyn – 12 Best Hotels In Brooklyn NY
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We hope this guide to the best hotels near Central Park in New York City helps you book the perfect hotel for your visit to NYC!
Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the hotels in our list of best places to stay near Central Park by commenting below.
Happy Booking,
Mark and Kristen
Best Hotels Anywhere
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are experts at finding and booking hotels. They’ve been traveling the world for over 6 years, staying at more than 500 hotels across 4 continents.
They only write about places they have personally visited themselves, which means every article you read on Best Hotels Anywhere is created directly from first hand experience. Read more about us.