It’s no surprise that New York City is one of the favorite haunts of the stars and starlets. The Big Apple has an undeniable celebrity status among all the cities of the world, and the cultural milieu, great food, and opulence mounting to the skies only add to its stardom. Its appeal and vibrant streets are immortalized in numerous ballads and songs, and no one will forget the very catchy hook from the ‘Empire State of Mind’, where Alicia Keys sings praise to the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of”.
It’s obvious, celebrities dig New York City, and be it Lady Gaga, Jacob Elordi, or Taylor Swift, you’ll always have a chance for a peek of your favorite celeb while walking its neatly gridded streets.
Stars, of course, have a certain affinity for anything glam, and New York certainly has its fair share of glitzy hotels that celebs flock to for a night’s rest or ecstatic after-parties. Now you have the chance to live out the lives of your idols, or maybe just sneak a peek at George Clooney over your hors d'oeuvres, with our list of celebrity hotels! New York’s (and the world’s) rich and famous love the air of self-indulgence offered at a few premier establishments across its trendy neighborhoods, and now you can get the insider deets with our guide to the top celebrity hotels in New York City.
We’ve also compiled a list of a few popular events and clubs in the city that celebrities love to frequent (cue the MET Gala plug!):
Starstudded Events:
The Met Gala (The Costume Institute Benefit): Everybody knows what The Met Gala is all about (a celebration for the Costume Institute’s exhibition, which for this year is titled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, it’s not just celeb culture), and you can be assured that the city will be thronging with actors, pop stars, and the cultural aristocracy in time for the event. The Gala is annual, and in 2024 it’s slated to be conducted on May 6th.
New York Fashion Week: This bi-annual event series is one of the most important spectacles in the world of fashion and is hailed by Forbes as the “Runway That Never Stops”. The who’s who of fashion, their muses, and other A-listers throng to the Empire City in February and September to attend this celebration of art.
Starry Escapes:
- the blond: Found in the middle of Lower Manhattan, this club is notoriously difficult to get in, unless you're an actual celebrity.
- Electric Room: Don't let the basement location fool you, you'll never feel down here!
1. The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel - George Clooney's favorite (from USD 1257)
The Carlyle has been a staple in the lives of the elite, be it John F. Kennedy or Audrey Hepburn, over almost all of its 94 years of history, and it’s easy to see why. The property is a veritable spectacle of art and design, and it was fashioned by icons such as Dorothy Draper and Thierry Despont, to name a few.
Besides the opulence of its services and halls, you can get actual celebrity treatment at the hotel’s Yves Durif Salon, helmed by its namesake Yves Durif himself, and if luck has it, you may have the chance to get a haircut next to the famed fashion idol Daphne Guinness. Jazz fans should check out the iconic Bemelmans Bar, and I would absolutely go gaga at its iconic piano on which Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, and many other icons of the industry have performed. The bar’s even said to be a favorite retreat for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Recent celebrity guests: George Clooney (who loves it here!), Naomi Campbell, Rihanna, Timothée Chalamet, Alia Bhatt, Quinta Brunson.
2. The Mark Hotel - spot the likes of Gigi Hadid and Beyonce (from USD 1587)
Glam is in the air (literally, with how the property is perfumed with Frédéric Malle’s signature fragrance) at The Mark Hotel, and celebrities flock to it as bees to honey. Met Gala watchers might have already been clued into the status of the hotel among celebrities, and A-listers, including Anne Hathaway and Cardi B, glammed up and bedazzled the paparazzi at The Mark before heading to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023, rightfully earning it the epithet the “Starriest Hotel Lobby in the World” courtesy of Vogue. The hotel also hosted the after-party!
The Mark is known for its unique luxe offerings, and I’d die for a taste of the signature Twice Baked Potato and, of course, the caviar at the Caviar Kaspia at The Mark, which is frequented by Tom Ford and Betty Catroux (even Beyoncé and Jay-Z are rumored to come about once in a while).
The property is big on the statistics as well and is host to the largest penthouse hotel suite on the continent. With a hefty price tag of 75,000 USD per night, the space comes especially alive during The Met Gala when it plays host to a coterie of celebs and their stylists.
Recent celebrity guests: Tom Cruise, Alexandra Daddario, Donatella Versace, Bad Bunny, Paris Hilton, Gigi Hadid, Ashley Graham.
3. The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, New York - famous for hosting star-studded fashion shows (from USD 900)
Lady Gaga getting ready for the 2019 MET Gala#TBT Lady Gaga getting dressed at The Pierre and making a showstopping entrance with designer Brandon Maxwell at the #METGala! Video: Vogue Magazine #BTS #behindthescenes #throwbackthursday
Posted by The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York on Thursday, July 11, 2019
The iconic status of The Pierre, if not already evident with the Taj addendum, is clear with how it played host to Christian Siriano’s runway show in February of 2024, which was attended by numerous superstars. Among the attendees were Janet Jackson and Avril Lavigne, and as a late 2000s teenager, I’m just going crazy imagining these two heroes of my childhood in the same place together.
Fashion shows aren’t new at The Pierre, and dating as far back as the 1970s, the famous hotel has hosted shows for Valentino and the like. Karl Lagerfeld famously exclaimed “I discovered New York from The Pierre,” and that’s enough said.
On brand for its contribution to fashion, The Pierre seems to be a preferred hotel for Lady Gaga, and she’s been seen stepping out of its hallowed doors with many a dazzling dress. Being the Little Monster I am, I can’t but not mention that Gaga dressed for her iconic 2019 Met Gala appearance in her fuchsia pink camp masterpiece at The Pierre!
Recent celebrity guests: Kesha, Sia, Sarah Hyland, Quinta Brunson, Laverne Cox, Alicia Silverstone, Diane Kruger, Laura Linney.
4. The Mercer - recent guests included Penelope Cruz and Valentino (from USD 1064)
Hailing itself as “Soho’s foremost 5-star luxury hotel,” The Mercer is somewhat THE event destination for New York’s cultural elite. It recently hosted the celebrations for Marc Jacobs’s Soho store opening, and all the photos certainly suggest an exciting star-spangled event, with Marc Jacobs himself taking the stage with a guitar to jam alongside the legendary Debbie Harry (of Blondie fame!). And if one extraordinary musical performance wasn’t enough, Shygirl also took the stage to serenade the high-profile crowd.
The Mercer is also known for Sartiano’s and its sleek, luxurious yet understated spaces and delectable Italian-inspired dishes are sure to make every guest keep coming for more, particularly the celebrities. I mean, great food and Hollywood glam? Sign me up!
It’s pretty easy to see why Valentino recently hosted a pop-up cafe at Sartiano’s to celebrate its brand-new store (which is right across the street) as celebrities thronged the hotel. Bowen Yang, Emma Seligman, and Dylan Sprouse were some of the many stars spotted at the experience.
Recent celebrity guests: Kim Kardashian, June Ambrose, Tommy Dorfman, Jeremy O. Harris, Nicole Beharie, Cara Delevingne, Penelope Cruz.
New York City Tour Guide
Hiram Jacobs
I am a licensed New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Tour Guide and a native New Yorker. Over the years, I acquired considerable experience organizing solo tours of the major European and East European capitals of the world, Canada's largest cities and Australia's most popular cities, Washington, DC, Atlanta, New Orleans, and San Francisco. During my international travels, I participa... Read more
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New York City Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of... Read more
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5. The Standard, High Line - their club's where you spot the A-listers of NYC (from USD 340)
If you’re looking for an off-the-rails starstudded party destination, then The Standard, High Line, and its legendary club Boom (popularly known as the Boom Boom Room) win across the board. Perhaps its most high-profile party, and definitely one for the books, was the 13th Met Gala after-party hosted by Janelle Monae. Celebrities, including Billie Eilish, Jenna Ortega, Florence Pugh, Olivia Rodrigo, and Keke Palmer graced the club where celebs grooved to beats by Kaytranada. The party is not out of the ordinary for Boom, and insiders whisper about how the club is a go-to for many A-listers of New York and abroad.
The Shop at the property is another testament to how relevant The Standard, High Line is to the fashion scene of the city of New York. During Fashion Week, The Shop hosted pop-up stores in collaboration with RAISEfashion, an organization that promotes art from BIPOC-owned businesses and BIPOC individuals. I wouldn’t mind getting a hat or two from here!
Besides its fabled parties, the hotel also hosts corporate and entertainment events, and it recently hosted a gala in celebration of the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Recent celebrity guests: Amanda Lepore, Darren Criss, Hank Azaria, Coco Rocha, Nick Jonas, Priyanka Chopra, Trevor Noah, and Lea Michele.
6. The Plaza Hotel - frequented by America's sweethearts Julia Robert and Sarah Jessica Parker (from USD 1488)
The Plaza Hotel needs no introduction and is very much cemented into pop culture and the image of New York courtesy of its star appeal, sedulous hospitality, and prominent appearances in popular movies and shows, including Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Sex and the City, and my personal favorite (though it’s a close competition with SATC), Bride Wars.
The Plaza’s cultural capital holds a massive sway and it regularly hosts galas and fashion shows, among other starry events. The most recent of these include the Retrofête Fashion Show hosted in connection with the New York Fashion Week (famous attendees included Monét X Change!) and the Christian Siriano Fall 2024 show which saw Melanie Lynskey and Alicia Silverstone turn up.
The event spaces at The Plaza are spectacularly famous, something to which I was clued in on by the whole June wedding fiasco between Liv and Emma (that’s another Bride Wars reference), but seeing the ravishing pillared halls with gilded chandeliers and intricate reliefs makes the movie make even more sense. It’s obviously the reason why The Plaza’s galas and after-parties frequently see the crème de la crème of Hollywood attend, and Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Ryan Murphy, Russell Tovey, and Emma Roberts have all been seen at The Plaza’s events.
Recent celebrity guests: Demi Moore, Melissa Etheridge, Billy Porter, J. Harrison Ghee, Prabal Gurung, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
7. The Bowery Hotel - favorite dating destination for the celebs, including Tay-Tay (from USD 777)
Hardcore Swifties hooked to the pop-culture vein (i.e. Twitter/X) would be remiss if they didn’t put up The Bowery Hotel on their New York itinerary. The Taylor Swift connection revolves around the mysterious writing credit to William Bowery for her album ‘folklore’, who Swift would later confirm was none other than Joe Alwyn. Fans had pieced all of this together already, even going one step further and connecting ‘Bowery’ with The Bowery Hotel, where Swift and Alwyn were spotted when they started dating.
Romance is no surprise at The Bowery as it looks straight out of a Tuscan dream - New York edition. The hotel’s trattoria, Gemma, has a homey element of clutter set against the carefully selected vintage furnishings and grandiose chandeliers, and it’s safe to say if someone took me on a date here, I would fall head over heels (over their wood-fired pizza).
The Bowery is also a favorite spot for celebrity events, and Dior recently held an elaborate dinner in celebration of the launch of the ‘Judy Chicago: Herstory’ exhibition. The hotel’s events frequently attract big names of the industry, and Sebastian Stan, Steve Buscemi, Greta Lee, Gigi Hadid, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Zayn Malik have all been spotted here.
Recent celebrity guests: Charli XCX, Harry Styles, Olivia Wilde, Amy Poehler, Jordan Peele, Natasha Lyonne, and Max Greenfield.
8. The Greenwich Hotel - Popularly known as Robert De Niro's hotel (from USD 925)
Top-notch dining options, delicious food, although slightly formal and pricey.
Luxurious retreat in the heart of NYC, with a premium price point.
Nestled in a prime location, allowing easy access to explore the city on foot.
Exceptional staff, serene spa, cozy courtyard, and a Japanese-inspired restaurant.
Need I say any more? The Greenwich Hotel has stardom built in. On top of being a partner at the hotel, De Niro has his own luxurious penthouse that is a testament to the artful design, especially with it incorporating Japanese elements, which are also evident at the on-site Shibui Spa. I’m pretty sure their Omakase Massage will solve half of all my problems!
Naturally, celebrities, especially those of Hollywood, love staying at this hotel helmed by one of their own, and for good reason. The hotel is notoriously difficult to photograph, and the paparazzi are usually cleverly kept away and they’re absolutely banned from entering the hotel according to rumors that abound in Tribeca. The hotel supposedly even has a secret backdoor, and its diligence towards privacy has attracted many celebs, including Tom Cruise, Kate Winslet, Kanye West, and Kim Kardashian, to name a few.
Recent celebrity guests: Callum Turner, Austin Butler, P!nk, Cara Delevingne, Jennifer Morrison.
9. Crosby Street Hotel - known for hosting glitzy celeb events (from USD 1065)
If there’s one place in New York that’s guaranteed to have a celebrity event every other month, it’s bound to be Crosby Street Hotel. The Hollywood crowd seems to prefer the hotel, particularly for private film screenings and associated Q&A sessions because it has its own screening room that can seat up to 99 people. The hotel recently had a screening of Oppenheimer and the Q&A was helmed by Cillian Murphy and Josh Horowitz. Bradley Cooper, Keri Russell, Alfonso Cuarón, Todd Haynes, and Ari Aster (what I wouldn’t give to have a chat with him!) have also been spotted at the hotel.
The hotel’s not a stranger to the world of fashion either; it’s apparent with its chic style scheme that seems to prefer pastels and eccentric furnishings and decor pieces that go well together. Crosby Street recently hosted the Anna Sui Spring 2024 Fashion Show in connection with Fashion Week, and it was attended by Sofia Coppola, Marc Jacobs, and Chase Sui Wonders among others.
Recent celebrity guests: Emma Stone, Susan Sarandon, Kandy Muse, Katie Holmes, Justice Smith, Regé-Jean Page, and Emma Roberts.
10. Soho Grand Hotel - their Club Room sees the likes of David LaChapelle (from USD 332)
Soho Grand Hotel embodies its locale and is known for its delightfully chic yet eccentric spaces, noteworthy among which is its Club Room, which has hosted many eclectic parties thronging with celebs through the years.
The hotel recently hosted the celebrations of RZA’s (of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan fame!) birthday, which was attended by many prominent members of the New York rap scene, alongside members of the Wu-Tang Clan including Cappadonna. Bokeem Woodbine, TJ Atoms, and Shameik Moore were also spotted at the party.
The Club Room was also recently witness to one of David LaChapelle’s soirées in connection with his largest US solo show. He was joined by his muses Susanne Bartsch and Amanda Lepore, who even performed for the guests. I would have loved to have been present for that act!
Recent celebrity guests: Christian Siriano, Tan France, Dascha Polanco, Siddiq Saunderson, Gano Grills, Funkmaster Flex.
Live the lives of your idols
New York City is the IT destination for many of us. And for those of us who have a particular affinity to the lives of those stars who propelled this city into our imagination, to tour or stay in places they frequent is bound to be a fun experience. Our list of celebrity hotels is sure to take your stay in NYC up a notch.
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