The best boutique hotels in New York City

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• There are hundreds of great hotels in New York City ranging from no-frills, cheap accommodations to ultra-indulgent luxury suites.
• Then there are boutique hotels, which are luxe without being overly fancy, and led by thoughtful design and personality, rather than a one-size-fits-all corporate model.
• They're ideal for travelers that want an experience, not just a hotel. We stayed at, toured, and researched every property on this list, which range in price from $122 to $303 per night, as of publishing.
• We also included updated COVID-19 policies and reopening statuses if you plan to visit New York City soon.
• Read more: Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in

After narrowing a hotel search by budget and location, the next key factor often comes down to what type of travel experience you seek.

For some, that's five-star luxury. For others, it's a basic base to sleep and shower.

There's also the sweet spot reserved by boutique properties that are luxe without being over the top and sing to a more individualized tune. They're led by design and personality, rather than a one-size-fits-all corporate model.

In a boutique hotel, a smaller scale layout offers (hopefully, anyway) more personality than a hotel housing potentially thousands. Amenities are thoughtful and well-curated and offer travelers an overall experience, not just a hotel.

Boutique hotels in New York have perfected this approach with properties that are more accessible than ultra-luxury hotels but remain well-elevated over no-frill chains. Rooms might be smaller, but are often located in hip neighborhoods where the property draws inspiration from surroundings. The design is usually purposeful and contemporary, and in my experience, involves a surprisingly high number of glass-enclosed bathrooms.

If you're considering visiting amid the novel coronavirus, it's important to understand the risks associated with travel, and hotels specifically right now. Without a vaccine, there is no guarantee of safety and we always recommend following guidelines from organizations such as the CDC and WHO. You'll also want to assess your own risk factors and check state and government guidelines before making any travel plans. Keep in mind that New York currently has a 14-day quarantine in place for any travelers coming from a lengthy list of states. That list continues to evolve and change frequently, so check the latest regulations here before traveling.

But with safety top of mind, hotels have implemented new cleaning procedures. We've noted new policies for each listing below, but it's always a good idea to read up on new standards for yourself as well before making any bookings.

Need more New York hotel inspiration? Click below to jump directly to all our coverage of the best hotels in New York City.

• The best overall hotels in New York City
• The best luxury hotels in New York City
• The best affordable hotels in New York City

To help narrow the boutique field and highlight the best, we stayed at, toured, and researched boutique hotels in New York highlight the very best. Hotels were selected based on the following criteria:

• Boutique three-, four- or five-star boutique hotels in New York City, with a focus on Manhattan and Brooklyn. They boast visually interesting design, thoughtful rooms, clever amenities, and excellent food and drink.
• Holds a Trip Advisor rating of four or above, from a significant number of reviews, as many tourists check and use it.
• Hotel is typically priced between $150 to $300 per night for an accessible starting price point, with cheaper pricing in low season and midweek days, especially Sundays and Mondays. Prices below are reflective of the time of publishing.
• The hotel still offers the necessary services and amenities found in bigger chains so you know what you're getting without surprises.

These are the best boutique hotels in New York City to book in 2020, sorted by price from low to high: