Best Luxury Hotels in Gramercy and Murray Hill, New York City

Opened in 2013, the upscale Hyatt Union Square New York offers stylish accommodations and solid amenities a block from Union Square (and its seven subway lines). Rooms are bright and charming, with fun details and textiles; several feature terraces. The three on-site restaurants -- with a fourth on the rooftop terrace coming soontag:revisit 7/15/2013 -- serve three solid meals a day in comfortable but stylish settings. Overall, it is one of the best bets in the area.

The William offers an upscale boutique stay in an excellent location near Grand Central Terminal and Bryant Park. Plush common spaces, like the hotel's lobby and Prohibition-style speakeasy (a Midtown outpost of the popular Raines Law Room), harken back to another era, while the equally atmospheric pub feels like stepping into a British drinking hole, complete with shepherd's pie and fish and chips on the menu. The 33 guest rooms, in contrast, are modern, awash in bright shades and decked out with mod cons like Apple TVs and Nespresso machines, plus most have contemporary kitchens. Bathrooms are stocked with L'Occitane toiletries and have rainfall showers, but some can be small and lack storage space. The Gramercy Park Hotel is a nearby alternative with a celeb scene and rooftop bar -- but rates are higher. 

Located on an especially quiet, residential strip of snazzy Park Avenue in Murray Hill, the Japanese-owned, 149-room Kitano's appeal is in the details -- in-room towel warmers, soundproof windows, heated toilet seats, and impeccable service. It's a fine hotel, but for the price it's also worth considering the nearby IBEROSTAR 70 Park Avenue and The Court hotels.

Offering stylish rooms on a quiet stretch of Madison Avenue in Murray Hill, The Roger is a sophisticated, four-pearl boutique hotel within a 10-minute walk of several subway lines and major landmarks like the Empire State Building and Herald Square. Renovations in 2012 introduced chic interiors by renowned designers Anna Busta and Annette Jaffe, starting at the posh two-story lobby lounge and extending through to the 194 modern guest rooms, which feature flat-screen TVs, city-centric art, and C.O. Bigelow toiletries. Some rooms offer terraces and stunning Empire State Building views. The Parlour Bistro and Lounge serves upscale comfort food incorporating items from iconic NYC eateries. A facilities fee covers Wi-Fi, lobby drinks, and fitness center use. There’s no pool or spa. The nearby Redbury New York offers a livelier atmosphere, but no on-site gym.

The Gramercy Park Hotel currently sets the bar for New York cool -- hence the celebrities in the lounge and the paparazzi on the sidewalk. It offers ultra-luxe but small rooms done up in high Boho-chic style, a gorgeous gym, an acclaimed Italian trattoria, and a great rooftop bar. True, even guests sometimes feel excluded from the glamour-fest in the bar. But the place is utterly unique.

With an intimate, boutique feel and all the luxe amenities of a larger hotel, The Marmara Park Avenue offers a four-and-a-half-pearl stay in New York City's Midtown. The 128 rooms, with their sophisticated designs and modern amenities like iPad Airs and wet bars or kitchens cater to upscale couples and business travelers. Many units are outfitted with a balcony, an ever elusive feature among hotels in the Big Apple. While the hotel only has a bar lounge with a limited menu and no full restaurant, it still does well in other areas like a top-notch spa, indoor pool, modern gym, and meeting rooms. For those who want a livelier stay, check out The Sanctuary Hotel which has a free breakfast (unlike The Marmara), two restaurants including one on the roof, and a location near Times Square. 

Housed in a beautiful turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building, the 42-room HGU New York is an upscale boutique with a trendy vibe and a focus on wellness and local culture. Rooms are plush, stylish, and outfitted with a wide array of great amenities, including CO Bigelow toiletries, pillow-top mattresses, Frette towels and linens, and free Wi-Fi. Most, however, are small even by NYC standards, and some may get traffic noise or have dark interior views. The restaurant and lounge are popular among locals for its hopping atmosphere and cultural events, while its seasonal rooftop bar offers great city views and free morning yoga classes. The hotel has partnered with a local gym, a meditation center, and a spa, but there are no fitness and wellness facilities on-site. It's worth comparing rates with the equally stylish Roger Hotel, which has larger rooms.

Thorough attention to detail and old-world charm set this quaint boutique hotel apart. Its 12 rooms have been individually decorated with period antiques and fireplaces, and feature modern amenities, such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. The property lacks most of the amenities of larger hotels, including a fitness center and a full restaurant -- but it does offer an elegant tea salon, a central location a block from Union Square, and an intimate feel that's hard to come by in New York.

With a world-class gym and spa, plus dozens of customized amenities, the all-suites Dumont is a phenomenal option if you're looking for an urban spa getaway. More than that, it's an excellent high-end choice in general as long as you don't mind being a bit of a hike away from NYC's main tourist haunts.