There are thousands of great hotels in New York. But to be able to compete among the very best ones, there needs to be a rooftop bar or rooftop pool available for the guests.
As New York is arguably the best city in the world when it comes to rooftop bars, and most of them are located at hotels, there are some great options for everyone looking for the perfect mix of accommodation and elevated fun.
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Here’s our list of 8 great hotels with rooftops in NYC. Enjoy!
This modern and perfectly positioned Times Square hotel melds an urban vibe with classic elements that harken back to its Spanish roots.
Staying at AC Hotel by Marriott New York Times Square means you can walk to all central and major NYC attractions, yet you are just enough removed to keep the bustle at bay.
The guestrooms are an oasis of modern design with sleek furnishings, complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, a coffee maker, and options like private balconies and ceiling-to-floor windows.
Stylish and modern all around, shared spaces at the hotel showcase original artwork, from sculpture to abstract paintings. There is also a fitness center and a Barcelona-style tapas bar called Boqueria, serving the signature European-inspired AC breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner.
Up on the 21st floor of the AC Hotel, Castell Rooftop Lounge offers a beautiful and all-season refuge to enjoy elevated hours above the bustling streets of the Garment District.
Recapturing the spirit of a classic cocktail lounge, here you can indulge in fine bites and drinks nightly, with an extra emphasis on the iconic Martini.
Enjoy sunsets over the Manhattan skyscrapers at the lush outdoor terrace, or get cozy in the fireplace lounge. Castell is always available.
Refined yet relaxed in atmosphere, the rooftop is a great venue to get the feel of a classic NYC lounge, as well as enjoy a couple of hours of respite from the hustle and bustle below.
Conrad New York Downtown is a 463 all-suite luxury hotel situated alongside the Hudson River.
A true urban oasis, the hotel is just minutes from NYC’s most historic neighborhoods and acclaimed attractions, including Tribeca, Wall Street, the World Trade Center and Oculus, Statue of Liberty, Brookfield Place and more.
Conrad is truly impressive all around, from the majestic 15-story lobby to the 2000 pieces of artwork on display.
Each room features a separate living room, 2 flat-screen TVs and an espresso machine, as well as Bedside Reading, a program that places complimentary best-sellers at the bedside.
At the 2nd floor ATRIO Wine Bar & Restaurant you can indulge in seasonally-inspired International cuisine from a dramatic open kitchen.
Perched on the 16th floor of the Conrad New York Downtown you find the beautiful and seasonal Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar.
From the modern and stylish you get an outstanding view of both New York and New Jersey’s skyline, as well as the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.
The bar offers a fresh, seasonal food menu, developed by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Brian Lee, but the most famous item is the signature Poptail drink. This summer dream features a Mom & Icepops Boozy pop served in a choice of Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial, prosecco, or rosecco on tap.
The Poptail's are (of course) complemented with a range of other fine cocktails, as well as spirits, wines, and beers.
A prefect spot to chill with friends and family, enjoying refreshing drinks and hopefully watching an amazing sunset.
Offering spectacular views of downtown New York, the waterfront, and the Brooklyn Bridge, the 1 Hotel boasts a large number of facilities.
A swimming pool, wellness facilities, fitness center, a large terrace, an in-house coffee shop, and a restaurant are just some of the things this hotel has to offer, and with it being a pet-friendly hotel, the pampering also stretches to your best friend.
The rooms feature water vistas, coffee makers, premium linens, signature toiletries, and flat screens with satellite channels.
The 1 Hotel is conveniently located close to the Dumbo subway station, making transportation around the city much more comfortable.
Called Harriet's Rooftop & Lounge, this rooftop bar offers gorgeous panoramic views of Manhattan, the river, and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The open-air rooftop bar offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, comfortable lounge furniture, enjoyable music, and the opportunity to mingle and have fun with the locals.
Urban chic in nature and decor, Harriet's is known for its vibrant atmosphere, and old-fashioned cocktail lounge feel.
Featuring wines, beers, and an impressive list of expertly crafted cocktails, this is an ideal spot for kicking off a fun night out.
The top floor of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge also has a small but beautiful infinity pool. This one is reserved only for hotel guests.
Minimalistic but still charming, ModernHaus SoHo (Tused to be The James) is one of SoHo's best boutique hotels, thanks to its unique style and community spirits.
Each of the 114 apartment-style rooms features fantastic views of the city, dimmer-switch floor lamps, elegant bathrooms with peek-a-boo glass walls, Intelligent Nutrient toiletries, comfortable beds, and WiFi.
ModernHaus SoHo is within walking distance of Chinatown and Tribeca, making it a fantastic destination for people looking to explore the city in style.
Known as JIMMY SoHo, this modern and luxurious rooftop bar offers jaw-dropping views of the Freedom Tower, the Empire State, and other New York famous landmarks.
Comfortable lounge chaises and sofas, dedicated service, modern decorations, and an air of exclusivity make JIMMY an ideal choice for when you want to enjoy drinks alongside an intimate conversation.
Cocktails and wines are this bar's calling cards, but there's also a small menu of bar-bites in case you get hungry.
JIMMY SoHo also has a fantastic outdoor rooftop pool, which is guest-exclusive most of the year. During summer weekends, however, the rooftop opens its pool-doors to the public, organizing pool parties loved by the entire neighborhood.
A trendy spot amongst New Yorkers; If you're visiting, make sure to dress your best.
This micro-hotel doesn't have the largest rooms out there, nor the most amenities, but with its floor to ceiling windows, it sure has some of the best views.
Each of the hotel's tiny rooms has incredibly comfortable beds, plasma TVs, and the necessary amenities, but that's about it. The Arlo is called a micro-hotel for a reason, after all.
The perfect spot for travelers who only use their hotel bedroom to sleep, the Arlo is worth a visit if only for the unique experience.
While the rooms at the Arlo are tiny, the rooftop bar is considerably more spacious. So much so, that you may just want to spend your entire stay here.
Offering superb views of Manhattan, this open-air terrace features large and comfortable lounge areas, simple but elegant decorations, a seasonal menu, and a laid back and exciting atmosphere.
Tap beer, a rotating selection of bar bites and cocktails, both classic and signature, make up most of the bar's offerings, but just like the food, the drinks tend to change with the season, so make sure to ask what's new.
Located just half a block away from the Seventh Avenue and the iconic Times Square, this is one of the best-positioned hotels out there, as well as one of the coolest.
Though the area is noisy and crowded, the rooms are quiet and perfectly equipped to give you a good night's rest, with comfortable beds, premium linens, and thick windows to keep most of the noise out.
The trade-off for the noisy environment? You're just a stroll away from the Fifth Avenue, Central Park, the Rockefeller Center, and the Empire State Building, just to name a few landmarks.
Bar 54 is the tallest rooftop bar in all of Times Square and one of the tallest in the city.
Boasting unbeatable views of the Chrysler Building, Times Square, and lower Manhattan, Bar 54 is a popular spot amongst locals and visitors alike.
An impressive drink menu, comfortable lounge areas, top-notch service, and the views make the Bar 54 a popular and crowded location, so arrive early, as the outside bar takes no reservations.
With both indoor and outdoor seatings, seasonal cocktails, and even rooftop igloos during the winter, this bar is one of the best ways to get to know Times Square.
Located in one of New York's most popular areas for art lovers, Williamsburg in Brooklyn, The William Vale fits in with its environment with creative architecture and stylish decorations.
This urban resort has a certain futuristic vibe to it, and that extends to the rooms as well, each of them equipped with a private balcony, premium beddings, and large and comfortable bathrooms.
Manhattan views are a guarantee, as is outstanding service in every corner of the hotel.
The hotel includes a pool, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, wellness facilities, and more.
Known as Westlight, this rooftop bar boasts not only one of the most creative looks out there but also jaw-dropping views of the Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn, and the East River.
Run by the Chef Andrew Carmellini, this bar offers a dynamic menu featuring cocktails, craft beer, rare spirits and a long list of wines.
There's also a small menu of internationally inspired bar-bites in case you get hungry.
Considered one of the best bars in the city, the Westlight is the perfect spot for early evening cocktails, pre-party, and getting to know local partygoers.
Guests staying at the William Vale can also enjoy the 60ft, seasonal rooftop pool, surrounded by comfy loungers and sun beds.
Located on the West Side, and offering beautiful views of the High Line Park, and the Meatpacking District, The Standard is one of New York's most recognizable hotels.
Featuring fitness facilities, a business center, a restaurant, a lounge, and large public spaces, The Standard is the ideal choice for those looking to stay in New York with style.
The Standard offers not one, but two rooftop bars: Le Bain & The Rooftop and Top of the Standard.
Le Bain & The Rooftop boasts some of the best views in the Meatpacking district, as well as a relaxing ambiance, comfortable furniture, delicious drinks, and even a jacuzzi.
With astroturf floor and furniture that looks straight out of a garden, Le Bain & The Rooftop is the perfect place to kick back and relax while drinking some cold beers.
Come night; however, the atmosphere kicks up a notch, and live DJs and partygoers transform this laid-back rooftop bar into one of Meatpacking's trendiest night-clubs.
Top of the Standard comes with equal fantastic views, but is is more of a classy rooftop lounge.
Here you can enjoy live jazz music, specialty cocktails and a small-plate menu in a sophisticated atmosphere. Remember to dress to impress before heading up to the Top.
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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