Being a blogger based in New York, I am always seeking out places with amazing views – particularly any spot with a view of the Empire State Building. The Empire State Building is such an iconic building and always makes for super Instagrammable shots. If you are lucky enough to live in an apartment in NYC with a rooftop then you may already have a view of the Empire State Building. For those visiting New York, here’s a list of the 20 hotels and rooftop bars with a view of the Empire State Building.
20 Hotels and Rooftop Bars with a view of the Empire State Building
1. Royalton Park Avenue Hotel
Recently my boyfriend and I had a mini staycation at Royalton Park Avenue Hotel. Located at 29th Street and Park Avenue in the Gramercy area, Royalton Park Avenue has a rooftop pool with a close-up view of the Empire State Building. The heated pool is situated on the 20th floor and is open year-round! Get here early for an empty shot before the other guests get up for their morning swim. In addition to a pool with an awesome view, they also have a rooftop bar that makes for amazing Instagram photos!
In addition to being super Instagrammable, Royalton Park Avenue is also in a convenient location for you to get to iconic places like Empire State Building, Flatiron Building and Union Square. There is no lack of choice for delicious restaurants and bars as well. Our favorite restaurants in the area are Atoboy (Asian fusion), Scarpetta (Italian) and Upland (New American). Book your stay at Royalton Park Avenue here.
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2. Refinery Rooftop at Refinery Hotel
Located on 38th Street and 6th Avenue, Refinery Hotel is perfectly located for ease of transportation and shopping nearby. It also has a rooftop, Refinery Rooftop, that has an amazing view of the Empire State Building. Not only does the rooftop serve lunch and dinner, but it also has a lively nightlife scene! Go before people get off of work if you want to get that perfect shot with the Empire State Building!
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3. The Heights at Arlo Nomad
Located to the south of the Empire State Building on 31st Street, The Heights is the rooftop bar at Arlo Nomad Hotel. Due to its proximity to Empire State Building, if you want to capture the whole of the Empire State Building you will need a wide angle lens (16-24mm). Arlo Nomad is also known for its beautiful corner rooms with an amazing view of Manhattan.
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4. The Roof at Public Hotel
I love visiting Public Hotels and its rooftop on a weekday after my boyfriend gets off of work. The vibe at the rooftop is trendy and even romantic (when it’s not too crowded). Located in the Lower East Side area, you can stop by the rooftop before you head out for a delicious New American dinner at Contra (one of our favorite restaurants). The rooftop offers expansive views of both uptown and downtown that photographs well. Public Hotel also offers room with gorgeous city views!
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5. The Crown at 50 Bowery Hotel
In December last year I had a little staycation at the newly opened 50 Bowery Hotel. This hotel has sweeping views of Manhattan from its rooms as well as its rooftop The Crown. Despite the room being a little small, it had everything you needed. I also loved that 50 Bowery Hotel is located so close to all of my favorite Chinese restaurants in Chinatown! If you are planning to stay there, make sure to ask for a room with a north-facing view on a higher floor!
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6. Spyglass Rooftop at Archer Hotel
Located just 4 blocks away from the Empire State Building, you can get an up-close view from Spyglass Rooftop at Archer Hotel. The cocktails here are pricey but they are quite good. I highly recommend the Frose 17! Archer Hotel also have rooms that feature window views of the Empire State Building, but it can be hard to capture due to the proximity.
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7. Rooftop Pool at Williamsburg Hotel
Who doesn’t love a rooftop with a pool and a stunning view of Manhattan? Williamsburg Hotel has one of the most gorgeous rooftop pools in Brooklyn. The best part is, even if you’re not staying there you can visit with a $65 day pass 11am-6pm! The hotel itself also has rooms that feature amazing views, and even bathtubs with a view!
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8. Westlight at the William Vale Hotel
Just a few blocks from Williamsburg Hotel, is the William Vale Hotel – another property with stunning rooftop views. Westlight is its rooftop bar with a limited food menu. However, the view from Westlight is absolutely stunning! The hotel also has rooms with balconies that feature sweeping views of Manhattan.
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9. PH-D Lounge at Dream Downtown
It is no surprise that the PH-D Lounge at Dream Downtown is one of the most popular nightlife destinations given its posh location in the Meatpacking district. The cocktails here are expensive, but the views are definitely worth it! It can get extremely crowded quickly so make sure to snatch a table before they’re all taken. If you love high-end shopping, dining at nice restaurants and being surrounded by the ‘it’ crowd, then Dream Downtown is the hotel for you!
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10. Mr Purple at Hotel Indigo
Hotel Indigo is one of the few hotels in Lower East Side that boasts both a rooftop and a pool with views. Mr Purple is open to the public for food and drinks while the pool is accessible for hotel guests or with a $50 day pass. The best part about staying at Hotel Indigo is the plethora of amazing restaurants, bars and entertainment options you can choose from nearby. Whether you want to eat New American, try traditional Japanese, drink at a speakeasy or watch a comedy show, it’s all here in the Lower East Side!
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11. Nomo Soho
Nomo Soho is conveniently located in one of the most popular neighborhoods in Manhattan – SOHO. Not only does it have a beautiful garden restaurant with chandeliers adorning its space, it also has many rooms that have window views and balcony views of the entire Manhattan skyline. Nomo Soho doesn’t have a rooftop bar, but who needs a rooftop bar when you have views from your own bedroom or even bathroom?
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12. The Ides Rooftop Bar at Wythe Hotel
Another Williamsburg hotel with a gorgeous rooftop bar is Wythe Hotel. It is right next to Williamsburg Hotel and perfectly embodies the “Brooklyn vibe” with its large warehouse windows that overlook the whole of Manhattan.
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13. Boro Hotel in Long Island City
Instead of staying in Manhattan or Brooklyn, why not stay in Long Island City? It is only a subway ride away from Manhattan and is quieter, cleaner and more spaceous. Boro Hotel is one of the hotels in Long Island City from which you can enjoy gorgeous unobstructed views of Manhattan.
14. The New York EDITION Hotel
If you want to stay in the center of it all and have a direct view of the Empire State Building, stay at the New York EDITION Hotel. Here you can watch the Empire State Building lights turn on from your room, then leisurely take the elevators downstairs to their restaurant, the Clocktower, for a delicious New American meal. Or if you’re a true foodie, you can make a reservation at Eleven Madison Park – a highly acclaimed 3-Michelin star restaurant that’s right across from the hotel.
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15. The Skylark
One of my favorite rooftops for a beautiful view of the Empire State Building is the Skylark. The Skylark is a new rooftop lounge that has multiple rooms/lounges and has a wrap around terrace. When the weather is nice, be sure to expect a large crowd. On weekday evenings expect a white-collar crowd with lots of finance people mingling over expensive cocktails and chatting about work. If you want an empty photo with the Empire State Building then the best time to visit is during winter!
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16. Top of the Strand
Top of the Strand is a lively rooftop bar with an eclectic crowd that has a close-up view of the Empire State Building. It might not be easy to take an Instagrammable photo with the Empire State Building since it’s so close. Nonetheless, this is a good spot to catch up with friends over drinks and enjoy the view.
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17. Rainbow Room
Rainbow Room is inside Rockefeller Center and has one of the best views of the Empire State Building. For a $65 per person minimum, you can reserve a seat outdoors at Bar SixtyFive. They are also having a special autumn-inspired Harvest Moon Pop-Up where you can reserve seats for either Oct 5 or Oct 26.
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18. 230 Fifth Rooftop
If you just moved to New York, and your friends plan to take you out, chances are you’re going to 230 Fifth Rooftop for drinks before hitting the clubs. 230 Fifth has a direct view of the Empire State Building, and is an popular rooftop bar for young professionals to gather on weekends.
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19. Monarch Rooftop
Just one block away from the Empire State Building, Monarch Rooftop is another rooftop bar that has close-up views of the iconic building. This rooftop has both outdoor space and an indoor lounge serving cocktails and light bites everyday.
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20. Magic Hour Rooftop at Moxy Times Square
Magical Hour is the rooftop bar at Moxy Hotel in Times Sqare. This space has a whimsical circus vibe with its decor and string lights. Come here for a magical night, as its name suggests, and enjoy the Empire State Building from the outdoor lounge.
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What did you think of my selection of hotels and rooftop bars with a view of the Empire State Building? Have any more to add? Leave them in the comments below!
If you are visiting New York then you mustn’t miss these posts:
12 Most Instagrammable Cafes in New York
16 Most Instagrammable Restaurants in NYC
Thank you so much for sharing this list of amazing hotels! <3 🙂 Can't agree more – the Empire State Building is one of the most iconic buildings in NYC! Definitely bookmarking this, so I can visit some of these hotels the next time I'm in New York!
XO, Elizabeth T.
http://clothestoyouuu.com