The 15 Best NYC Hotels for Families in 2024
Affiliate Disclosure: This NYC hotels for families post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own.
I simply obsess over finding the best NYC hotels for families. In fact, it is not unusual for me to make changes to our family hotel in New York City numerous times before actually arriving in the Big Apple. Visiting the city with kids is such a special trip; I always just want to make sure that we find the perfect place (and get the best value for our hard-earned dollars).
Now, I fully realize that spending hours (or days) researching NYC hotels for families is not everyone’s cup of tea. For that reason, in the following post, I have tried to simplify things. In addition to my list of the best hotels for families in NYC, you will also find some quick tips on where to stay and how to save money while visiting New York City with kids.
Before that, though, please read the following NYC kid-friendly hotel booking tips, or JUMP TO THE LIST.
BEST FAMILY HOTELS NEW YORK CITY GUIDE
The Big Apple is a big city, so there’s no shortage of hotels that can be counted among the best family hotels New York has to offer. To save you some time that can be better spent with your kids, I’ve picked the 15 best ones to choose from.
In a big rush? Here are my three most popular properties in the running for the best family hotel New York has to offer.
- The Best Western Plus Hospitality House (Midtown East – 3 stars)
- The San Carlos (Midtown East – 4 stars)
- Hotel Beacon (Upper West Side – 4 stars)
See also: The top NYC tours from Viator and GetYourGuide.
FAMILY HOTEL NYC BOOKING TIPS
BOOK EARLY
Get your head around the fact that NYC family hotel rooms are extremely pricey in comparison to most other North American cities. You are paying for prime real estate in one of the world’s most expensive cities. That said, there are always deals to be found, even on some of the best family hotels in New York City – especially if you can book early.
Sites such as Booking.com usually offer a no-deposit/flexible cancellation policy. I tend to book my chosen New York family hotel as soon as my flights are booked and check back periodically to see if rates have dropped. If they have, I will cancel and rebook at the lower rate.
ROOM SIZE
New York hotel rooms can seem shockingly small by North American standards. I’ve also noticed that many of the new hotel builds have rooms that are smaller than ever (think bunk beds – but not necessarily for kids).
Most booking sites list the square footage of a hotel room. When looking for suitable family-friendly hotels in NYC, personally, I prioritize ones that offer rooms that are larger than 300 sq. ft (around 29 sq. meters). I also keep an eye out for rooms with queen beds rather than double beds (doubles are quite common in NYC hotel rooms).
THE BUDGET
Consider how much time you will be spending in your hotel room. If it is your first New York City family vacation, you may not spend much time in your room at all. Will a comfortable bed and a decent pillow at the end of a long day of sightseeing do the trick? Or, is this a once-in-a-lifetime experience where you want to splurge on a gorgeous room at one of the best hotels in NYC for families?
READ REVIEWS
When researching the best New York City kid-friendly hotels, please take a little time to read recent reviews. One of the most common annoyances in New York City, for example, is noisy construction. Another issue as of late has been hotels turning off the central air-conditioning before the fall season has truly begun (meaning very hot rooms). A hotel property is unlikely to mention this when you book, but recent reviewers will surely let you know!
I generally use Tripadvisor when researching family friendly hotels NYC. I prefer it over Google reviews because of the filtering options. My process is to first filter for reviews by families, and then to type kids into the search bar to narrow those reviews down even further.
Another thing that I like to look at Tripadvisor’s Room Tips. All rooms are not created equal, and requesting a high floor or a room away from the elevator could dramatically improve your experience while usually costing you nothing extra.
LOCATION
When considering family-friendly hotels in New York City, take into account the location of the attractions you would most like to visit. When my kids were really little, I loved being close to Central Park (Upper East Side/Upper West Side). It was great because it gave us walkable access to so many great playgrounds, the Central Park Zoo, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.
With older children, I now prefer family-friendly hotels in NYC in a more central location, like Midtown. This gives us easy access to Times Square, Radio City Music Hall, Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, the Museum of Modern Art, Madison Square Garden, Rockefeller Center, and the Broadway Theater District.
HOTELS WITH CONNECTING ROOMS NYC
If you are looking for hotels in New York with connecting rooms, pay careful attention. Look for language like internally connecting, inter-connecting or adjoining instead of adjacent, where the rooms are unlikely to have an internally connected door.
The truth is, it can be very tricky to successfully book New York hotels with adjoining rooms. The reason for this is that while many hotels will let your request them, very few will actually guarantee them.
Obviously, this is a huge problem for families looking for hotels in New York with connecting rooms. Arriving at a hotel to discover that your supposedly connecting rooms are actually on two different floors is definitely not ideal (and something that has happened to our family on numerous occasions over the years).
Expedia offers a feature allowing you to book connecting rooms. After you book the rooms, Expedia reaches out to the hotel to confirm that connecting rooms are available and then confirms with you via email. Personally, I still think there is a small risk here that you could arrive at your chosen property and not have connecting rooms.
Much better is Hilton’s connecting hotel room finder. Hilton goes so far as to actually guarantee that you will have connecting rooms in NYC.
VACATION RENTALS
New York City has some of the strictest rules around vacation rentals in the world. This has severely limited the supply of units on popular sites such as VRBO.com and Airbnb.
There is one company that I do really like for apartment-style stays in NYC. The company Sonder offers curated apartments in many cities around the world and is a favorite of savvy travelers looking for good value, good style, and more space. They also allow you to choose from a variety of extra services (daily towel service etc.) that wouldn’t necessarily be available at a typical vacation rental.
15 BEST NYC HOTELS FOR FAMILIES
Note: These hotels are arranged in order of how frequently they are booked by families through my site (unless they are marked as NEW).
1. BEST WESTERN HOSPITALITY HOUSE
Best Western Plus Hospitality House is a solid choice. I know… I don’t sound super excited about this property, but I am thrilled about how well it delivers in terms of value and ample space for a family. By New York standards, the apartment-style rooms are huge (800 square feet and up), and it adds further value with a free breakfast (hot and cold buffet).
The suites offer fully-equipped kitchens, free high-speed internet access, and iPod docking stations. A welcome basket, including snacks and bottled water, is provided in each room upon arrival. The property is conveniently located close to Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the MoMA, and just a 15-minute walk to Times Square.
Check rates for Best Western Plus Hospitality House on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
2. THE HOTEL BEACON
Hotel Beacon is one of the best hotels in NYC for families looking to stay close to Central Park. It is also within walking distance of the American Museum of Natural History and the Manhattan Children’s Museum.
Rooms and suites have a classic styling but with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and wireless Wi-Fi access. The kitchenettes have a microwave, a refrigerator, and a coffee maker. Suites at the hotel have a living room with a sofa bed and sleep up to six people.
There is both a grocery store and a metro station right nearby. The hotel also has convenient on-site laundry facilities.
Check rates for Hotel Beacon on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
3. THE SAN CARLOS
The San Carlos Hotel is conveniently located in Midtown East, just a 10-minute walk to Rockefeller Center (the new FAO Schwarz, a LEGO store, Top of the Rock, and the skating rink).
The property offers spacious rooms and suites (starting at 350 sq. ft.) that feature a 42″ LED HD flat-screen TV, a docking station, Wi-Fi, plush terry robes, and Aveda bath products. The one-bedroom suites also feature a kitchenette and dining area. San Carlos has an on-site restaurant and gym.
Families love this property for its excellent customer service and for the many different family room options, from double queen guest rooms to suites that can sleep up to six people.
Check rates for The San Carlos on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
4. THE KIMBERLEY
The Kimberly is one of NYC’s best family-friendly hotels if you value old-school charm and excellent service. The property has a restaurant, private parking, a fitness center, and a rooftop bar. The Midtown location offers easy access to city sights such as Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping and the MoMA.
Family rooms at The Kimberley are very large by NYC standards, and most have a terrace. Select rooms also feature a kitchenette with a microwave and a fridge.
All rooms and suites are equipped with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, high-speed internet, and L’Occitane toiletries. Kids especially love the giant aquarium full of colorful fish in the hotel lobby!
Check rates for The Kimberley on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
5. THE SHELBURNE SONESTA
Located in NYC’s Murray Hill district, The Shelburne Sonesta is conveniently close to the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, and the Chrysler Building. The hotel has a 24-hour fitness room, business center and offers a grocery shopping service.
Guest rooms at The Shelburne Sonesta are equipped with seating areas, coffee makers, flat-screen TVs, and in-room movies. Select rooms have kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves.
The rooms and suites at the Shelburne are above average in size by NYC standards and have family room options that can accommodate up to six people.
Check rates for The Shelburne Sonesta on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
6. INNSIDE BY MELIA NOMAD NYC
Looking for a NYC hotel for a family of 5 or more? The INNSiDE By Meliá in NoMad is very popular with families looking for large hotel rooms in NYC. Their spacious units include room options that can sleep four, five, and even six guests!
Room features at the INNSiDE by Meliá include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee makers, and complimentary refreshment stations (juice, water, and soft drinks). The rooms are also particularly large by New York City standards, with the family loft suites (sleeping six) running at over 500 sq. ft. (46 sq. m).
This family-friendly hotel in New York features a 24-hour fitness center and a full-service restaurant (“The Wilson”). An American breakfast is included with select booking packages.
Both the Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden are close by. Times Square and Central Park are less than 2km away.
Check rates for the NoMad INNSiDE by Meliá on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
7. THE CONRAD DOWNTOWN
Conrad Downtown is a recently renovated property located at the south end of Manhattan – close to the World Trade Center, the Oculus, and the ferries to the Statue of Liberty. The rooms are large by NYC standards and offer numerous configuration options for families.
Room features at Conrad include a separate living room, two flat-screen TVs, an espresso machine, robes, and slippers. Guests can enjoy views of the Hudson River from some of the suites. This luxury hotel property has a restaurant, a wine bar, and a seasonal rooftop patio with beautiful views of the Hudson River. There is also a 24-hour fitness center on-site.
Check rates for Conrad Downtown on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
8. THE GARDENS SONESTA
Like its sister hotel The Shelburne (listed above), The Gardens Sonesta is a very suitable hotel for families. Self-catering is a breeze with the well-equipped kitchens and optional grocery delivery service.
The Upper East Side location is quite nice for families as the area is very quiet and yet close to many family attractions such as Central Park, The Museum of Natural History, and the Children’s Museum.
Note: I stayed at this hotel when my children were one and four years old respectively. I liked the fact that it was in such a quiet area but still within an easy stroller roll of Central Park. Our room was spacious enough to have some friends over for a glass of wine while the kids watched a movie.
Check rates for The Gardens Sonesta on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
9. THE LUMA HOTEL
If you are struggling over where to stay in New York City with your family, LUMA Hotel is in an excellent location – nestled between Times Square and Bryant Park. What makes this one of the best family hotels in NYC? It is one of just a handful of family hotels in Manhattan offering rooms with two king beds (very rare in NYC).
Also very fun at this hotel is Alina – the little robot that delivers towels and other goodies right to your room. See her in action in this short video.
Check rates for LUMA Hotel on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
10. THOMPSON HOTEL CENTRAL PARK
Thompson Central Park offers a combination of suites and rooms with varying views. It is in a great location for families, within close proximity to Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and the MoMA.
The property has both a signature dining experience with chef Manish Mehrotra’s Indian Accent and the more casual Burger Joint. The hotel also has a gym and beauty salon. That’s not all; they also have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and a business center.
Check rates for Thompson Central Park on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
11. THE MOXY TIMES SQUARE
What MOXY Times Square lacks in room size (many rooms are less than 300 sq. ft.), it makes up for in fun. Kids love having their own bed with quadruple bunk rooms and hanging out in the funky second-floor lounge.
Rooms have free Wi-Fi, oversized rain showers, and smart streaming TVs. The property also has a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, and a rooftop bar. The decor here is fantastic, with pops of color in your room, the lobby, and the restaurant.
The Moxy Times Square is just a short walk to Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, Rockefeller Center, Broadway and of course, Times Square.
Check rates for MOXY Times Square on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
12. THE HOTEL GIRAFFE
Located in the NoMad neighborhood, the 72-room boutique Hotel Giraffe is within a 10-minute walk of Madison Square Park and the Empire State Building.
Rooms at Hotel Giraffe feature high-speed internet access, complimentary bottled water, 40″ flat-screen TVs, an iHome alarm clock dock, and aromatherapy bath products. The hotel also has a lovely rooftop patio.
While the property charges a $25 resort fee, this includes a light continental breakfast in the lobby and refreshments and snacks, including cappuccino, coffee, teas, water, soda, fruit, and health bars throughout the day.
Note: For lovers of boutique hotels, The Library Collection has two other suitable NYC hotels that are worth taking a peek at – The Library Hotel (Midtown 4★) and The Casablanca (Midtown 3.5★).
Check rates for The Hotel Giraffe on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
13. THE SOHOTEL
The moderately priced Sohotel has a great location within SoHo which is perfect for shoppers. It’s 300 feet from the Bowery metro station, 1150 feet from Sara D. Roosevelt Park, and 1070 feet from Little Italy.
The property offers several options for family rooms, sleeping up to five guests. Rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, hardwood floors, and an iPod docking station. What’s more, it’s also got two on-site restaurants featuring Mexican and Italian cuisine and a 24-hour front desk.
Check rates for Sohotel on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
14. THE BEEKMAN (BY THOMPSON)
The Beekman luxury Thompson-branded boutique hotel is located close to the Brooklyn Bridge and the World Trade Center. The rooms include custom beds, leather headboards, oak floors, craft cocktail tables, and marble bathrooms. Top room choices for families include the double queen or king suite configurations.
Want to have a romantic dinner with your partner? Well, The Beekman has three restaurants, a babysitting service, and flat-screen TVs with cable.
Check rates for The Beekman NYC family hotel on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
15. THE RIU PLAZA TIMES SQUARE (NEW IN 2021)
Riu Plaza Times Square is ideally situated in the center of New York. Riu Plaza Times Square features air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and a bar. It also offers a 24-hour front desk and a business center.
Guest rooms at this family-friendly NYC hotel have a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, and towels. Suitable options for families include a two-queen bedroom and a king bed/sofa bed combination room.
All rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Breakfast is available each morning and includes buffet, American and vegetarian options (included with some room packages).
Check rates for Riu Plaza NYC family hotel on Expedia or Booking.com. See also reviews from recent guests on Tripadvisor.
WRAPPING UP THE BEST HOTELS FOR KIDS IN NYC
Finding hotels for kids can sometimes be a challenge, however, it doesn’t have to be. I hope reading through this best New York hotels for families list has helped you find some brilliant options.
Personally, I’ve stayed at some of these hotels and I assure you that you’ll have a great time. Still unsure where to stay? Check out this post on 12 family suites in NYC. Want a fun thing to do with the kids? Why not hire an NYC family photographer to immortalize some memories?
Thanks for sharing a awesome hotels to stay inn. Amazing!!