13 Best New York City Hotels for Families, From the Upper East Side to Rockaway Beach
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Traveling with children reshapes the way you experience a city—and nowhere is that more true than in New York. The hotel that once charmed you with its moody lighting and sleek cocktail bar might now be less appealing than one with blackout curtains and adjoining rooms. But that doesn’t mean sacrificing style for practicality. New York City, with its walkable neighborhoods, world-class museums, and endless energy, is uniquely well-suited to families—and many of its top hotels know it.
Whether you’re seeking the ease of in-room kitchenettes, the delight of skyline views, or simply a place where your kids can be kids without side-eyes from fellow guests, there are standout properties across the city that blend comfort, design, and thoughtful family-focused amenities. Here, we’ve curated the best family-friendly hotels in NYC—each one offering a smart balance of sophistication and kid-friendly sensibility for your next adventure to the Big Apple.
Read our complete New York City travel guide here.
FAQ:
What are the best neighborhoods to stay in with a family?
For a family vacation in New York City, consider staying in neighborhoods known for their safety, amenities, and family-friendly atmosphere. The Upper West Side offers proximity to Central Park and cultural institutions like the American Museum of Natural History. Tribeca provides waterfront views, green spaces, and a quieter environment, ideal for families seeking relaxation. Williamsburg in Brooklyn boasts a diverse culinary scene, vintage shops, and artistic spaces—a sure teen-approved spot.
When is the best time to visit for families?
The best times for families to visit New York City are during the spring and fall. These seasons offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and a variety of family-friendly events. For example, spring features cherry blossoms in Central Park and outdoor activities like Shakespeare in the Park, while fall brings colorful foliage and cultural festivals.
How do we choose the best family-friendly hotels in New York City?
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
Photo by Simon BrownhotelThe Whitby Hotel
$$$ |
Gold List 2020 
Hot List 2018Best for: Central Park access
Neighborhood: MidtownNYC’s second import by British brand Firmdale Hotels is designer Kit Kemp at her playful best. She has created a place that's the antithesis of the staid, neutral-heavy luxury options in the area. It's like an English summer garden come to life in hotel form. A welcome addition to Midtown, it’s that rare find that is both family-friendly and sophisticated. A gorgeous hotel two blocks from Central Park with an excellent restaurant, the Whitby is worth every cent. Kids will appreciate the proximity to plentiful green spaces, and enjoy sipping afternoon tea and nibbling on finger sandwiches with their parents.
Courtesy Freehand New YorkhotelFreehand New York
$ |
Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022Best for: Affordable rooms
Neighborhood: FlatironOne of our favorite family-friendly hotels in New York is also one of the most affordable: Freehand is easy on the wallet and the eyes, thanks to its chic interior design courtesy of powerhouse firm Roman and Williams. Aside from a super convenient location in Flatiron (the subway is only a block away, and Madison Square Park is two), we love this hotel’s unique “high occupancy” rooms, which can fit three or four people in a combination of regular and bunk beds. The “quad,” with four twin beds in two bunks, is a dream for any kids on holiday. And when everyone needs a bit of a breather from a day of sightseeing, head to the rooftop between 4 to 6 p.m.; those hours are reserved for all-age parties, and there is a full selection of mocktails for the kids.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMadhotelThe Ritz-Carlton New York
$$$ | Gold List 2025 Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023, 2024Best for: Kids amenities
Neighborhood: NoMadThe entire Ritz-Carlton chain has long been known as a sure bet for families, thanks in part to its thoughtful Ritz Kids program. The kid-friendly features at the hotel’s NoMad outpost include everything from a separate kids’ check-in screen to a robust kids’ menu at the on-site restaurant Zaytinya to welcome amenities like an activity book and stuffed animal. And with a location steps from Madison Square Park, it’s easy to tire them out on the massive playground before turning in for the night. Moreover, the hotel has 31 suites that can be combined with other rooms to accommodate large families. Make sure to ask for kid-sized robes, as well; they’re adorable.
Richard MandelkornhotelThe Plaza
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2023, 2024Best for: Child care and kid-friendly itineraries
Neighborhood: MidtownAs the home of the beloved character of Eloise, is it any wonder that this famed New York hotel is one of the most welcoming properties for families? Fans of the fictional tot should look into booking the Eloise One Bedroom King, a speciality room decked out with hot pink, striped wallpaper, bean bag chairs, and tons of Eloise-themed welcome goodies. You can also book the cheekily named Nanny Suite next door for even more space. The Palm Court, in the hotel’s grand lobby, is also one of the most famous spots in the city to sit down for afternoon tea; of course, there’s an Eloise offering here as well. The Children’s Eloise tea includes kid-friendly sandwiches like Nutella and banana and creative pastries like lime whoopie pies and strawberry lemonade cupcakes.
Teddy Wolff/Chez ZouhotelPendry Manhattan West
$$$ | Hot List 2022Best for: Babies
Neighborhood: Hudson YardsIn the last few years, the far west stretch of Manhattan that encompasses Hudson Yards and Manhattan West has become quite the hotbed of activity for restaurants, shopping, and the arts. Of course, chic hotels were bound to spring up, and the Pendry is situated right in the thick of it all. Not only is this hotel within walking (read: stroller) distance to loads of some excellent new restaurants, the High Line, and the Vessel, but the rooms themselves are pin-drop quiet—ideal if you’re traveling with very young tots who might have an early bedtime. The hotel can provide cribs, custom Pendry coloring books, and—our favorite—rolls out a mini taxi cab filled with stuffed animals when children arrive. Pro tip: Guests looking for connected rooms should book via the Well Connected program, which provides 15 percent off and a $150 daily hotel credit per stay.
The Greenwich HotelhotelThe Greenwich Hotel
$$$ | Gold List 2020, 2024 Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2021Best for: Kids’ menus
Neighborhood: TribecaThis downtown hotel with uptown service levels has long been a top pick for those looking for a stylish and pampering stay (on-site Shibui Spa is a favorite of visitors and locals alike). And kids are no exception: The hotel will usually request details on their smallest guests before arrival to ensure their stay is both cozy and unique. The hotel likes to mix it up, but examples of amenities include baked goods customized for each kid from the on-site restaurant Locanda Verde; and teddy bears, puzzles, or coloring books waiting in-room upon arrival. Kids are also allowed in the pool from 7 to 10 a.m., an excellent way to burn off some energy in the early morning hours. The hotel has a variety of one- and two-bedroom suites; we especially love the Two-Bedroom Fireplace Corner Suite for its huge size and extra-deep soaking tub.
Durston SaylorhotelThe Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
$$$ | Gold List 2018, 2019, 2022 Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Best for: Primary school-aged kids
Neighborhood: Upper East SideOne of New York City’s toniest addresses is also, surprisingly, one of the most kid-friendly. The Carlyle has long been known as a haunt for the glitterati, but their discreet hospitality also extends to the littlest travelers. Kids are treated like royalty here, with doormen gifting them chic Carlyle keychains, to a full dessert tasting waiting for them in the room (wait until you see the chocolate taxi cab!). And with 92 suites in the portfolio, there are plenty of spaces big enough for families. True story: My daughter actually got lost on her way to her bedroom; our suite was so spacious. Perhaps the most thoughtful touch here was at breakfast when the team surprised her with a beribboned box of treats for an afternoon snack.
Courtesy The Peninsula HotelshotelThe Peninsula New York
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021Best for: Tweens
Neighborhood: MidtownThe Peninsula is one of the more famous luxury properties in New York, but it lands on this list for Camp Peninsula, one of the city’s most robust kids’ programs. Available to add to any reservation, the package includes welcome s’mores, a kid-sized tent, robe, and slippers, and—the most fun feature—a scavenger hunt with kids gallivanting through the whole hotel. We also love the hotel’s unique Peninsula Time program, which allows check in as early as 6 a.m. and check out as late as 10 p.m., all at no extra charge, a huge relief when your travel plans are at odd hours.
The Four Seasons Hotel New York DowntownhotelFour Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024Best for: Toddlers
Neighborhood: TribecaWhile Midtown may have the greatest concentration of family-friendly hotels, don’t sleep on Tribeca. One of the city’s most welcoming hotels for kids is the towering Four Seasons, whose rooms are stocked with kid-sized robes and can be equipped with a cot and childproofed before arrival. The littlest guests here are also treated to a bevy of welcome amenities, ranging from personalized, New York–themed cookies, to a bespoke map of the city, to colorful picture books. We recommend the Oculus Suite for families, which is a true one-bedroom with two bathrooms plus a dining area with room for four. And make sure to bring your swimsuits; the indoor pool here is one of the nicest in the city, and it opens at 6 a.m., in case you’re dealing with some jet-lagged littles.
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Donna DotanhotelPark Hyatt New York
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2024Best for: Swimming pool access
Neighborhood: MidtownWith a prime location on Billionaire’s Row, the Park Hyatt is within walking distance of many of the city’s top family-friendly attractions, from Central Park to Rockefeller Center to the Museum of Modern Art. But we also don’t blame you if you have a hard time peeling yourself away from the hotel—the property has recently introduced new family suites, which are kitted out with robes in sizes for the whole family, in-room tents complete with a stuffed animal (my daughter opted to sleep here instead of her bed), and Johnson & Johnson toiletries for the youngest travelers. Other on-site amenities include an indoor saltwater pool on the 25th floor, mocktails for kids at the restaurant The Living Room, and a concierge who can arrange for expert childcare if parents want a night on the town.
The HoxtonhotelThe Hoxton Williamsburg
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021, 2023Best for: Little foodies
Neighborhood: WilliamsburgThe London-founded hotel brand known for its properties across Holborn, as well as Amsterdam and Paris, arrived in the US by way of New York. The Hoxton is known for its chic and modern design, with a focus on creating a warm, inviting space. UK-based Ennismore designed the hotel to feel extremely Brooklyn, dotting it with locally-sourced vintage furniture, bookshelves displaying hefty tomes on contemporary art, and '70s-style chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. Step inside a suite and you’re met with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the rooms with natural light. Wood furnishings are situated around the room with gold hardware. The beds are dressed with soft, pristinely white cotton sheets with teal and khaki pillows resting on the plum-hued velvet headboard. The rooms are quite compact, but if you tell the hotel you need the Tiny Hox treatment, they’ll provide a crib with an organic mattress, bottle warmers, diapers, and a coloring book all packaged in a tiny tote for easy transport.
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JAMES BAIGRIEhotel1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
$$ | Hot List 2018 Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023Best for: Teens
Neighborhood: Brooklyn HeightsWhile we may not recommend Brooklyn Heights as the best headquarters for your first trip to New York City, this lush enclave near the Brooklyn Bridge is an ideal location for those who have a few visits under their belts. Teens, especially, will love the rooftop pool at this eco-friendly hotel; and don’t worry, parents, there is a lifeguard on duty. Bigger kids and teens will also appreciate that some rooms, like the Bridge Suite, can be connected to adjoining rooms to give everyone more privacy. The hotel also runs family-friendly programming for all ages, including their Bubbles & Bubbles event, which includes a music class for children and Champagne for guests of legal drinking age (get it?). This neighborhood is also one of the best for kids, with everything from Jane’s Carousel to the gorgeous Brooklyn Bridge Park, to Time Out Market New York, all only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.
Kyle Knodell/Courtesy The Rockaway HotelhotelThe Rockaway Hotel
$$ | Hot List 2021Best for: Beach lovers
Neighborhood: RockawayThe Rockaway Hotel offers stylish beachside accommodations in Queens at a more accessible price point than most Manhattan hotels, making it a smart choice for travelers seeking a laid-back, design-forward stay. Its proximity to the Rockaway Beach boardwalk, ferry access to Manhattan, and rooftop views add both convenience and value. With rates often under $300 per night—even in peak season—it’s a relative steal for a New York City stay. Guests also get access to perks, like a heated outdoor pool and wellness classes, typically found at pricier properties. Notably, of the 53 rooms, eight are longer-stay suites, complete with a dining room and kitchen; they require a three- to five-night minimum to book. It's ideal for families who need a break from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, but don't want to venture too far away. The Rockaway Hotel is bringing something new to the community—without replacing anything it already has. The property even hosts a week-long summer program for kids, Little Rocks & Junior Rocks, featuring fun daily activities.
A version of this gallery was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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