Last Updated on August 12, 2024 by Katrina

Photo credit: The Lucerne Hotel

The Upper West Side is one of the most classic residential neighborhoods of New York City. Not only is it home to Lincoln Center, the Museum of Natural History, and the west side of Central Park, but the tree-lined streets have also been depicted in countless movies and TV shows, from Only Murders in the Building and Seinfeld to When Harry Met Sally. The best hotels in this tony neighborhood walk the line between luxury and homey. Here are five of the best hotels on Manhattan’s Upper West Side.

Arthouse Hotel New York City (2178 Broadway; 212-362-1100) Upper West Side

Soak up the century-old ambience in this boutique hotel with a 1920s French elevator system, its original fireplace, and a roaring twenties-themed bar. Condé Nast Traveler writes that it’s an “attitude-free boutique property that aims to celebrate the history and arts-and-culture traditions of the Upper West Side.” While some Tripadvisor users find the rooms small, one calls them “uncluttered and clean—the bathrooms are modern and the beds comfortable. The rates are a little high, but it is NYC.”    >> Book this hotel for less

The Empire Hotel (44 W. 63rd St.; 212-265-7400) Upper West Side

Gossip Girl fans will appreciate this 426-room hotel, with its rooftop bar and pool, which featured prominently in the TV series. But anyone will love that it’s across from Lincoln Center. Travel+Leisure writes that “rooms are petite, but the communal space, like the outdoor pool, is expansive.” Google reviewers tend to like the public spaces more than the “average” rooms, though one points out that “the location was awesome—a cab was in reach at all times, food, coffee, all easily accessible.”    >> Book this hotel for less

Hotel Beacon (2130 Broadway; 212-787-1100) Upper West Side

This historic 1928 hotel has plenty of modern relevance, thanks to both renovations and its famous musical counterpart next door, The Beacon Theatre. The hotel’s 278 studios and suites all come with kitchenettes, too, making them “perfect for larger families who don’t want to split up between rooms,” writes Travel+Leisure. One Tripadvisor user who stayed there a full week declares it “quiet, safe and handy to nice supermarkets and places to eat. Lovely views from the upper floors. Also close to the subway line that will take you most tourist places you need to go.”    >> Book this hotel for less

The Wallace (242 W. 76th St.; 212-362-1006) Upper West Side

You’ll feel like a New Yorker when you stay at this 1926 building located on a tree-lined street, a short walk from Central Park. A Google user commends the boutique hotel for being “a very quick subway ride or walk to Times Square and the theater district, and a great escape from the very overcrowded touristy areas. I know hotel rooms can be small in the city, so I was blown away by the one-bedroom suite I stayed in.” A Yelp reviewer agrees, saying that “the room was like a luxury apartment as much as a hotel! Customer service was the best we experienced anywhere in NY.”    >> Book this hotel for less

The Lucerne Hotel (201 W. 79th St.; 212-875-1000) Upper West Side

This stately hotel in a 1904 building offers the whole Upper West Side package. It’s got a location across from Central Park, elegant rooms, a gym, and a French-Mediterranean restaurant in the lobby complete with sidewalk seating. “It’s close to Central Park, Museum of Natural History, and Riverside Park,” says a Yelp reviewer. A Google reviewer calls it a “truly a gem. In a city full of endlessly blaring noise, my room was quiet on weekend nights and I slept like a baby in the comfortable bed. By far the best part was the friendly and helpful staff.”    >> Book this hotel for less

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