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Jan 05, 2024

The best New York hotels for families

By Juliet Izon As anyone who has travelled with children is aware, your hotel

By Juliet Izon

As anyone who has travelled with children is aware, your hotel needs are quite different than when you’re on, say, your honeymoon. Gone are the cute, boutique properties with paper-thin walls; say hello to hotels with bathrooms big enough to fit a travel cot. But travelling with babies or kids doesn't mean being relegated to the most boring of chain properties; in fact, many of the best New York hotels are also exceedingly family-friendly. And, as a city that's eminently walkable and stacked with tons of activities that will enchant ages 2 to 82, it's one of our favourite recommendations for family travel.

As to which hotel is the best for you? It depends on your budget, style, and how many kids you might travel with. Luckily, we’ve done all the research and overnight stays to find the absolute top picks. So read on for 10 of the best hotels for families in New York City.

Best for: Kids amenities

The entire Ritz-Carlton chain has long been known as a sure bet for families, thanks partly to their thoughtful Ritz Kids program. The kid-friendly features at the hotel's new 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 kids’-sized robes as well; they’re adorable.

Address: 25 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001

Best for: Babies

In 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 of the city's hottest restaurants, but the rooms themselves are pin-drop quiet – ideal if you’re travelling with very young tots who might have an early bedtime. The hotel can also provide cribs, custom Pendry colouring books, and – our favourite – also 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 per cent off and $150 daily hotel credit per stay.

Address: 438 W 33rd St, New York, NY 10001

Best for: Park access

As 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.

Address: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Best for: Affordable rooms

One of our favourite 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 - 6 pm; those hours are reserved for all-age parties, and there is a full selection of mocktails for the kids.

Address: 23 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010

Best for: Tweens

The 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 kids’-size 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 6am and check out as late as 10pm, all at no extra charge, a huge relief when your travel plans are at odd hours.

Address: 700 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Best for: Kids’ menus

This 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 favourite 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 cosy and unique. The hotel likes to mix it up, but examples of amenities include baked goods customised for each kid from the on-site restaurant Locanda Verde; and teddy bears, puzzles, or colouring books waiting in-room upon arrival. Kids are also allowed in the pool from 7 to 10am, 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 2 Bedroom Fireplace Corner Suite for its huge size and extra-deep soaking tub.

Address: 377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Best for: Primary school-aged kids

One 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 travellers. 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.

Address: 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021

Best for: Teens

While 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 neighbourhood 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.

Address: 60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, Tribeca

Best for: Toddlers

While 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 kids’-sized robes and can be equipped with a cot and childproofed before arrival. The littlest guests here are also treated to a bevvy of welcome amenities, ranging from personalised, New York-themed cookies, to a bespoke map of the city, to colourful 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 6am, in case you’re dealing with some jetlagged littles.

Address: 27 Barclay St, New York, NY 10007

Olivia Morelli

Connor Sturges

Olivia Morelli

Connor Sturges

Best for: Swimming pool access

With 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 just 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 travellers. 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.

Address: 153 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019

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