The century-old, 282-room Plaza is a New York landmark. A $400 million overhaul in 2008 gave the huge rooms gold-plated bathroom fixtures, but it also converted most rooms overlooking Central Park into privately owned residences. Still, the exceptional spa and 24-hour butler service make it worth the splurge.

This virtually flawless 88-room TriBeCa hotel (opened in 2008 by Robert de Niro, among others) offers large, homey rooms, breathtaking design, and very attentive service. Even better: free Wi-Fi; free minibar snacks; and free Wii video games by request. Better still: an underground pool; Shibui Spa; premier gym; and the homestyle Italian Locanda Verde restaurant.

The Waldorf Towers occupies the top floors of the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel in Midtown East. It is an exclusive boutique with 117 classic, individually decorated rooms, some of which have a rich history of famous guests and long-term residents. Most amenities are shared with its sister property -- including the great (but pricey) restaurants, high-end Guerlain Spa, and beauty salon -- but the hotel has its own lobby, fitness center, elevators, and concierges. Some rooms have underwhelming decor for the price, but for a more personalized stay with a little more luxury than at the Waldorf Astoria, the Towers is still a great pick.

It's not an icon like the Plaza or the Pierre -- but so what? The Mandarin Oriental, located across Columbus Circle from Central Park, offers a dizzying array of modern luxuries -- a 75-foot pool, one of the city's best spas, sweeping views from nearly every common area, and superb on-site fine-dining options, to name a few -- even as it upholds traditional values and outstanding service.

Deliberately business-like, the 368-room Four Seasons in Midtown East has all the luxury essentials: stylish lobby, beck-and-call service, a fine spa and fitness center, and some of the city's largest rooms. Plus, guests can use spa facilities for free. But before booking, check the rates at the Waldorf-Astoria (more historic) or the Mandarin Oriental (better gym).

The Conrad New York, opened in 2012, is a stylish luxury option right next to the Goldman Sachs building in Battery Park City. Its soaring atrium lobby with large art installations makes a dramatic first impression; the gourmet restaurant is a buzzing after-work drink spot; and there is 30,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Rooms are enormous, particularly for New York City; all have separate living rooms and sliding partitions. High-end amenities include Nespresso machines, quality toiletries (three different brands are available), fluffy robes, and a wet bar. The location is a bit far from popular tourist sights in Midtown, but there are excellent restaurants in the immediate vicinity and numerous subway stops are within walking distance.

Centrally located near Madison Square Park, The Nomad (which shares its name with the surrounding neighborhood north of Madison Square Garden) is a luxurious, impeccably designed hotel with attentive service but limited features (there's no spa or business center). The hotel's focal point is its eponymous bar and restaurant, featuring five separate-but-connected spaces that sprawl along the ground floor. Guests can order cocktails in the cozy, book-lined Library or order brunch in the sun-filled Atrium room, though they should be prepared for price tags that match the high level of style. The 168 guest rooms are luxurious (Sferra linens; Frette towels and robes), and successfully invoke a bygone era with Persian rugs, old maps, and antique-looking fixtures. Hip travelers who are willing to sacrifice luxury (without sacrificing a popular scene) should consider the Ace Hotel just around the corner, which offers more amenities -- multiple bars, a popular coffee shop, and more common space in which to socialize -- at an often lower price.

The Dream Downtown is an aggressively modern hotel located directly behind the Maritime in Chelsea. The hotel blends public spaces together in a unique way: The fitness center has portholes overlooking the pool, and the pool itself has a glass bottom that looks down into the lobby. The hotel's scene is decidedly hip, especially at PH-D lounge (a popular celeb haunt) -- with stunning, sweeping views of Manhattan, PH-D is easily one of the best parts of the hotel. Gold King rooms have portholes surrounding the bed with killer views. But the super modern, futuristic touches can be weird (such as the odd lighting near the minibar, and overly metallic bathrooms), making the space feel less comfortable.

Donald Trump's first hotel in downtown New York has the attention to detail and hands-on service you'd expect from a Trump property, but the slightly hipper vibe and great SoHo location cater to a younger set. The luxurious spa and seasonally open pool are the hotel's main features. Koi serves Japanese food in a sleek space, and is known for its celebrity sightings.