The Best Luxury Hotel in NYC?

What is the Best Luxury Hotel in NYC? I was lucky enough to get to meet some of my clients in person, as they were staying in NYC, and they asked me this question. While NYC is sadly not one of the world's best luxury hotel cities, in my view, there are certainly better and worse luxury hotels, depending on what you value. Here are the ones that have garnered client praise, and why:

1. Park Hyatt New York: Convenient Location and New

The Park Hyatt New York opened in 2014, and is one of the newer NYC luxury hotels. It's in a convenient midtown location on 57th Street, just a 5 minute walk to Central Park, 7 minutes to MoMA, and 7 minutes to 5th Avenue shopping.

It also has a pool with plenty of natural light, and spacious rooms, although keep in mind that as it occupies the lower floors of its building, rooms and suites do not have Central Park views, with the exception of a few peek-a-boo views from certain suites.

Park Hyatt New York Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Full Breakfast daily for up to two in-room guests (available in The Living Room or in-room dining)
$100 USD Hotel credit to be utilized during stay, (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full. Excludes retail products, Valet, Dry Cleaning, Gift Certificates, Taxes or gratuities)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
For bookings in Park Executive Suites and above, guests additionally receive Round Trip Sedan transfers between JFK, LGA, EWR and Park Hyatt New York
Complimentary Wi-Fi

There's also a 3rd night complimentary offer until April 1, 2018, and again from July 2-September 3, 2018, subject to some blackout dates.

2. The Baccarat: New, Gorgeous Design, and French Flair

The Baccarat is even newer than the Park Hyatt, having opened in 2015, and for admirers of Baccarat crystal, its design is gorgeous. It's right across from MoMA, on 53rd Street, so about a 10 minute walk to Central Park, and still convenient to midtown offices and shopping, since it's between 5th and 6th Avenues.

It also has a swimming pool, making it an attractive choice for swimmers and those with kids in tow who prefer a newer hotel than the Mandarin Oriental and Trump hotel by Central Park.

The Baccarat Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Continental Breakfast for up to 2 in-room guests, in the Grand Salon
$100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Plus, there's a 3rd night complimentary offer until March 31, 2018.

3. The Peninsula New York: Flexible Check-in and Check-out, Mini Cooper Use for Suites

The Peninsula New York is at 55th Street and 5th Avenue, so also very convenient for those needing to be midtown, and it likewise has a pool and an outdoor terrace that is especially nice in warmer months. One of the most attractive features to clients, however, is the PenClub PenTime flexible check-in and check-out benefit, however.

NYC hotels can notoriously be sold out during busy times of year, and the great thing about reserving with PenClub benefits is that as long as you advise at time of booking or at least 48 hours in advance of your stay, you'll be guaranteed either early check-in to your room or suite, or a holding room that is yours to use until your reserved room or suite becomes available. The same applies on your check-out day–if the hotel does need your room or suite back before you depart, you can enjoy the use of another room until you depart.

Peninsula New York PenClub and Virtuoso Benefits

PenClub PenTime flexible check-in and check-out
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability (Upgrade only within room types ex. room to room; suite to suite)
Daily full breakfast for up to 2 in-room guests (in Clement Restaurant, Gotham Lounge, or through In-room Dining)
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Complimentary Wi-Fi

4. Four Seasons New York: Customizable Four Seasons Bed

The Four Seasons New York completed a $120 million renovation in late 2016, so rooms and suites are fresh looking, even if there was the deplorable decision to use silk flowers in all the rooms, instead of real flowers. Sorry, I don't care how expensive the silk flowers were, but they're tacky and scream cost-cutting. I can't imagine the Four Seasons George V, Paris ever switching from its legendary floral designer, Jeff Leatham, to fake flowers.

The good thing, though, is that as with other Four Seasons, you can customize the Four Seasons bed to your sleep preference. This is not widely promoted, given the high cost of unionized labor in NYC, but if you have a particular mattress preference, whether extra plush or extra firm, just let TravelSort or your Four Seasons Preferred Partner advisor know and your mattress can be customized appropriately.

Don't forget that Four Seasons Preferred Partner reservations receive top priority for upgrades, ahead of AMEX Fine Hotels & Resorts, Virtuoso, and other reservations.

Four Seasons New York Preferred Partner Benefits

USD 60 daily breakfast credit for up to two guests per bedroom, exclusive of alcohol, taxes, service and delivery charges
Food and beverage credit of USD100 once during the stay
Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of booking (valid for Gotham Junior Suite, Cosmopolitan Junior Suite and Manhattan Junior Suite)
Late check-out at 4pm, based on availability
Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms; complimentary premium Internet in all suites