Luxury Family Holidays Handpicked for Parents

New York

  • The Trump Soho New York suite

  • Le Parker Meridien New York indoor pool

  • The Greenwich Hotel New York courtyard

  • The Surrey, New York

New York is a haven of grown-up pleasures with luxury family hotels, a tightly packed hive of rooftop bars, hip restaurants and culture fixes. And, trust us, it's jam-packed with kid-friendly fun. The renaissance of the city’s waterfronts has left swathes of greenery and playgrounds in its wake, and the emergence of Brooklyn as a more laid back counterpoint to Manhattan has opened up a whole host of gems (Prospect Park and The Brooklyn Children's Museum to just name two). There are countless options for giving your family its kicks amidst sensational luxury, child and parent-pleasing accommodation both in and around Manhattan.

Loews Regency New York bedroom

Loews Regency New York

Having reopened after a generous $100 million refurb, the stunning Loews regency New York resides just steps away from Central Park, Madison Avenue, and Museum Mile.

Having reopened after a generous $100 million refurb, the stunning Loews regency New York resides just steps away from Central Park, Madison Avenue, and Museum Mile. With no less than 328 apartment-styled guestrooms and 58 suites that are ideal for those travelling with children, the views of the infamous skyline,...

Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
The Muse Hotel New York exterior dining

The Muse Hotel New York

A boutique bolthole in the centre of Manhattan, The Muse accommodates parents, children and even pets with open arms.

The Muse Hotel new York is a beautiful boutique bolthole just moments from Big Apple's theatre district and Times Square. It is a fabulous, utterly personal hotel in the heart of Manhattan with lots of luxurious touches as well as family (and pet) friendly facilities...

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Crosby Street Hotel entrance

Crosby Street Hotel

Crosby Street Hotel is an urban oasis with large rooms, a fabulous SoHo location and even a rooftop garden complete with chickens.

This may not be the most in-your-face family-friendly hotel but we’ve picked Crosby Street Hotel for it’s room size (which is enormous by New York standards) and its excellent location. Locate on Crosby Street in Manhattan’s fabulous Soho district, it’s surrounded by great shopping and delectable restaurants,...

Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Hotel & Book »
The Surrey, New York

The Surrey

An original 1920s Upper East Side residence, today The Surrey is a luxury family-friendly hotel right on the edge of Central Park.

Once home to JFK and Bette Davis, amongst others, The Surrey was originally built in the 1920s as a residence in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Today, it serves as a seriously fabulous boutique hotel a hop, skip and jump from the city’s galleries, museums, restaurants and, of course, Central...

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The Wythe Hotel bedroom

Wythe Hotel

Rock it riverside at Brooklyn's hippest hotel, The Wythe.

This former textile mill, The Wythe Hotel, is just a few blocks back from the Williamsburg waterfront and has been given a faultlessly cool do-over. Expect eye-popping Manhattan views from the L-shaped roof terrace, striking design (think hand-printed wallpaper and salvaged industrial features) and spectacularly good...

Baby-friendly / Pre-Teen friendly / Summer Sun / See this Hotel & Book »
Le Parker Meridien New York indoor pool

Le Parker Meridien New York

The luxe central park-side stay, Le Parker Meridien, is a long-standing family favourite.

“Uptown not Uptight,” is the slogan of this slick but fantastically hospitable hotel, Le Parker Meridien New York. It welcomes families with open arms and the location is also spot on: it is just a few blocks from the southern edge of Central Park so the likes of the Moma, Times square, and toy Mecca FAO Schwarz...

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The Greenwich Hotel New York suite dining room

The Greenwich Hotel New York

The Greenwich Hotel is a discreet home-away-from-home in peaceful TriBeCa.

The Greenwich Hotel New York, an 88-room boutique beauty is something of a celebrity (the owner Robert De Niro is a frequent guest and his input is everywhere). Rooms at this New York hotspot are made homely and elegant with Tibetan silk rugs, English leather couches and stacks of art tomes. The neighborhood’s most...

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Four Seasons New York exterior

Four Seasons New York

The tallest five star hotel in Manhattan, the Four Seasons will thrill both food lovers and young movie lovers alike

A towering, quintessential midtown Manhattan skyscraper, the Four Seasons New York must be visited when in New York, even if you don’t stay there. Children (and parents, too) will absolutely adore The Garden, a restaurant overlooking the hotel’s grand lobby that makes one feel as though they are literally dining...

Baby-friendly / Family-friendly Spa / Pre-Teen friendly / See this Hotel & Book »
The Trump Soho New York suite

Trump Soho New York

The Trump Soho offers plush 5-star digs in the heart of downtown Manhattan.

A soaring 46-story glass behemoth wedged between TriBeCa, Greenwich Village and Soho, the Trump Soho New York does everything with luxurious aplomb, from its soaring lobby lined with lava from Pompeii to the seventh floor, 6000 square foot pool deck. Better still, it’s bend-over-backwards...

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Balthazar

80 Spring Street, New York, NY10012

Of course, travelling families after something a little more upscale have a number of dining options at their fingertips. One that we love is the resolutely family-friendly Balthazar, a great option for those after a well-made Martini and steak frites but also impressively equipped to host kids. Buggies can be checked, crayon kits provided, and kids are even treated to bread from the bakery next door. Those in need of an early dinner can also stop by in the late afternoon, where dishes like the Balthazar Burger and macaroni au gratin will suit young palates nicely.

Hill Country

30 West 26th Street, New York, NY 1001

Another New York venue offering large open spaces and a friendly ambiance is Hill Country. Those in the know value the eatery as Manhattan’s barbeque Mecca; named after the region in Texas that’s famed for its BBQ tradition, you can bet that the food here is worth writing home about. The original location on West 26th Street is a buzzing and popular option, and the volume means kids’ voices won’t bother fellow diners. In addition to the brisket and chicken, a number of sides – from mac and cheese to cornbread – are perfect for children.

Fornino

See website for multiple locations.

No trip to New York would be complete without sampling the city’s famous pizza – and we don’t mean the $1 slice shops that abound across the city. For a taste of authentic, traditional New York pizza, made with fresh ingredients and more than a touch of Italian inspiration, families should head to Fornino. Its Brooklyn Bridge Park location – a huge space, outfitted on the inside with picnic benches – is particularly family-friendly, while add-your-own-toppings allow everyone to customize their perfect pizza. Its location right on the park also means kids can let loose after their meal.

Egg Restaurant

135 North 5th Street, Williamsburg 

The narrow entrance and all-white interiors of Egg restaurant might smack of 20-something hipster territory, but step inside and you’ll see why families adore this New York favourite. Waiters gleefully whip away chairs so you can park your stroller along side you; tables are laid with paper and a can of brightly colored crayons. And the food is comfort personified: pillowy brioche drenched in Vermont maple syrup, apple-sized hash browns and, of course, eggs any way you want them. Weekend brunchers also get complimentary “starter” mini donuts to wet their pallets.

The Standard Grill bar

The Standard Grill

848 Washington St. Meatpacking District

Spliced beneath the High Line in the Meatpacking District and a moments walk from Chelsea market, this eatery at the Standard hotel is a sanctum for glamorous diners and their little ones.  The Standard Grill doesn’t shout out as being family-friendly, but it very much is. High chairs materialize at a moment’s notice and, although there’s not a kid’s menu, we’ve never known the likes of buttermilk pancakes with Nutella and cheeseburgers with fries to get a thumb’s down. The dining space is vast, spread between a cosy, banqueted inner room, a sun-soaked bar area, and a patio that’s a people-watching gem. In winter, the hotel sets up a divine mini ice skating rink and parents who don’t have their ice legs can watch, hot chocolate in hand, on any of the complimentary blankets. On warmer days, take the steps up to the High Line for an ice-cream sandwich.

The Standard Grill bar

Smorgasburg

See website for location details

Blessed with a family of pickier eaters? Well don’t despair because everyone will find something at Smorgasburg, a ridiculously popular outdoor food market which has various locations. The emphasis is on small Brooklyn–born food companies, and there are normally well over 70 to choose from. Keep an eye out for People’s Pop’s (healthy but totally scrummy ice pops in flavors like Red Plum Basil), The Red Hook Lobster Pound who do a worth-the-price-tag Lobster roll, and Dough, a donut-ery which, thanks to mouthwatering options like dulce de leche with toasted almonds and magenta hibiscus, normally sells out by lunch.

Brooklyn Farmacy

513 Henry St. Carroll Gardens 

Housed in a revamped 1920’s pharmacy, this soda fountain-meets-ice cream emporium is the stuff childhood fantasies are made of. Towering ice-cream sundaes bearing names such a Cookie Monster, Mr. Potato Head and Makin’ Whoopie are served up by beaming counter staff who look like they stepped off the set of Grease (there are also more substantial dishes such as oozing-with-cheese toasties and homemade tomato soup if you’re refueling). A quirky selection of locally made goodies – cuddly toys refashioned from vintage sweaters and Brooklyn-themed coloring books – demand a little peruse. It may be wise to avoid the post school crunch in the late afternoon when this place (which is slap bang in the centre of one of Brooklyn’s prettiest neighborhoods) heaves with kids craving a sugar fix.

New York's history museums

The whole family will love digging a little deeper into New York’s history at the atmospheric Tenement Museum and the New York Historical Society.

Jane's carousel

Stop off in Dumbo for a ride on Jane’s Carousel – an impeccable restored 1920’s carousel that overlooks Manhattan – then grab post-ride Whoopie Pies at One Girl Cookie.

The New York ferry network

Also get clued up on the city’s expanding Ferry network (which is the dream mode of transport for those getting about with a stroller). Our favorite is the East River Ferry that will take you to Manhattan, Williamsburg, Dumbo, Wall Street and, in the summer, Governor’s Island.

New York's parks

Whatever the weather, hit the city’s green spaces. There’s Central Park of course (home to 21 playgrounds) but its wilder sister, Prospect in Brooklyn, makes you feel like you’ve left the city, with its miles of woodland trails and excellent sledging hills for snowy days.

About

Dial 911 for emergencies. Weill Cornell Medical Center on the Upper East Side is widely regarded to have the best pediatric accident and emergency in the city (+1 212-746-5454). Other excellent hospitals include NYU (+1 212) 263-7300 and Mount Sinai (+1 212-241-6500). A priceless resource when in New York – well, Brooklyn in particular – is Pip & Pea – a new website dedicated to news, events and inspiration for resident parents and visitors alike.

When to go

The best time to hit New York is the shoulder seasons. April to June is normally blissfully warm and pleasant, the streets are full of flowers, and the fug of summer hasn’t set in.  September to November is another great all-rounder when you can expect pretty fall leaves, balmy warm days and blue skies. If you can face the crowds, December is magical for all things Yuletide.

Currency

American Dollar

Language

English