If you’re trying to find the best hotel, don’t just search by price. You’ll get better results if you also filter by what matters to you — like free cancellation and a hot breakfast — and set specific parameters, such as whether you want to be close to the subway or have a view of Central Park.
Some sites help you narrow down your choices with filters based on how much you want to spend, including hotels that allow pets or offer a pool. Others aggregate reviews and prices from a variety of booking sites. For example, Kayak lets you see feedback from multiple OTAs, while TripAdvisor’s Hotel Review section draws on verified reviews submitted by travelers.
When writing a review, it’s important to be specific and honest about what you liked and didn’t like. You can use your own personal experience or compare it to other hotels you’ve stayed at, especially if you have a particular type of travel in mind (family, romance, business). Include your star rating and notes about any unexpected perks or thoughtful touches, such as free snacks or an upgraded room. If there were any negative experiences, mention them politely and briefly. That kind of balanced feedback can be valuable for other travelers.
A renowned guide for the professional travel industry, T+L’s list of World’s Best hotels is license-approved by major travel companies and uses a five-tier system, with one to five pearls representing quality levels from deluxe to ultra-luxe. Aside from a star rating, T+L also considers customer service and other factors to determine its top picks.
This new Manhattan property, housed in the Tontine building, takes cues from classic New York residences with oversized suites up to 800 square feet and curated libraries. Rooms have a refined look and feel, including Duxiana bedding and soaking tubs. The location is ideal for work and leisure travelers, with easy access to Wall Street, Battery Park and a slew of restaurants and bars on bustling Stone Street. The hotel has a strong sustainability focus, too, collaborating with the Billion Oyster Project to restore 1 billion oysters to New York Harbor by 2035.
A favorite of T+L readers in 2023, this venerable luxury hotel was recently refreshed with a new restaurant and bar, plus a rooftop tempietto complete with replica clocks. But it’s the hotel’s historic charm and opulent atmosphere that draw guests, including in-the-know locals who can be seen sipping martinis at the swanky Lounge on Pearl or feasting on steak au poivre and oysters Rockefeller at the upscale La Marchande restaurant.
