10 New York City Hotels With Private Balconies—and Stunning Views
Square-footage comes at a premium in New York City—and all the more so when we're talking about outdoor space. Rooftop bars and restaurants have their charms, but who among us wouldn't love our very own place to lounge, read, or dine al fresco, somewhere to soak up the sun and admire the skyline far from the city crowds? And at these 10 top-tier hotels, you’ll find just that in a selection of rooms and suites with private balconies and terraces. From furnished spaces large enough to gather with friends, to patios spacious enough to practice yoga, to spots with unbeatable views of city landmarks, these hideaways are perfect places from which to check out the city once you check in.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Courtesy The LowellThe Lowell
The view: Rows of tiny Upper East Side townhouses
The vibe: Personal, bespoke local hangout
The area: A block from Central Park on East 63rd Street and Madison AvenueThis Upper East Side classic is set in a former 1920’s apartment building—which may be why The Lowell has so many regulars that treat the hotel like a second home. Part of what contributes to that homey vibe are the rooms, many of which have fully outfitted kitchens or kitchenettes, working wood-burning fireplaces and—in 14 of the suites—private terraces. These private outdoor sanctuaries are available in various categories, from Deluxe Junior Suites to the Penthouse; the latter actually has four separate terraces. Most of these al fresco areas are furnished with chairs and tables, but the Garden Suite takes it to another level with a full outdoor dining set, a settee, coffee table, and a fountain. The views are mainly of other buildings, many of them historic, in this residential part of the Upper East Side.
Rooms from: $848
Nikolas Koenig/Courtesy Times Square EDITIONThe Times Square Edition
The view: Energy-packed, colorful Midtown
The vibe: Dynamic, dazzling
The area: The Theater District, at 47th Street and 7th Avenue, one of the most bustling slices of New York CityWith its uncluttered, futuristic style, extensive indoor landscaping, in-house performance venue, and six dining outlets developed under the direction of a Michelin-starred chef, this 452-room hotel brought a new level of luxury to the Times Square area when it opened in 2019. For its location, the hotel has a surprising amount of outdoor space, from the terraces of its restaurants and bars to the balconies of its 26 suites and penthouse. The suite balconies have a couple of chairs and are framed with greenery, while the 40th-floor Penthouse’s 400-square-foot terrace has been furnished with couches, chairs, and tables. While the hotel’s location doesn’t afford views of where the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, the balconies do offer a good look at Times Square and the Hudson River.
Rooms from: $605
Michael Weber/Courtesy the LanghamThe Langham, New York
The view: A vast landscape of skyscrapers
The vibe: Luxuriously spacious, with a residential feel
The area: On an iconic stretch of Fifth Avenue, a couple blocks from the Empire State BuildingOne of the few luxury New York hotels that has continuously stayed open during the pandemic, The Langham New York has been attracting safety-minded guests by offering rooms with handy amenities like private kitchens or outdoor space. The latter includes three fifth-floor Terrace Suites (rooms 516, 517, and 519), each of which has about 650 square feet of furnished space outside. Designed by NYC-based landscape and horticulture company Blondie’s Treehouse Inc., each terrace is lined with hand-crafted wooden walls covered with faux English ivy and accented with evergreen shrubs, real ivy, and great laurels, while furnishings include a couch, two armchairs, a coffee table, and two ottomans. In addition to serving as a private sanctuary for each room, the terraces can be combined to create one large, 2,000-square-foot space for a group of family or friends who book all three rooms; the hotel can even arrange for things like private yoga sessions or cocktail classes on the terrace.
Rooms from: $556
Courtesy Mr. C Seaport33 Seaport
The view: Packed with the city's most iconic landmarks
The vibe: Classy, secluded, European
The area: Brooklyn Bridge—adjacent and a block from the water, in the Financial DistrictWhen it opened in 2018, this intimate, Leading Hotels of the World-member property ushered in a new era for the historic Seaport district of downtown Manhattan, which has been undergoing a revitalization these last few years. Guests who check in to the quiet haven will find plenty of nods to Italy, from the imported linens to the menus at the Bellini restaurant. You’ll never forget you’re in New York, though—particularly when you can spy things like the Brooklyn Bridge, East River, and Financial District skyscrapers from the balconies of select rooms. To enjoy private outdoor space, book one of the Premier Peck Slip King Terrace or Premier Front Street King Terrace rooms, which are located on the sixth and seventh floor and have furnished terraces ranging between 147 to 185 square feet. Also on the sixth floor, the corner Signature Suite has a furnished, 721-square-foot wrap-around terrace, while the seventh-floor of 33 Seaport's wrap-around space is 558 square feet; both look out over the east side of the building, toward the Brooklyn Bridge and the water.
Rooms from: $339
Photo by Floto+WarnerBoro Hotel
The view: The Empire State Building and Manhattan's East Side
The vibe: Sleek, ideal for young people and working remotely
The area: Queens, just skip across the river from MidtownThere are a lot of welcome touches to be found at this Long Island City hotel, from the eye-catching design and the fireplace-equipped lobby lounge to the Strand Bookstore—curated library and the accommodations’ oversized bathrooms. Best of all, though, are the views—of the city and the evening sunsets—that can be enjoyed from the rooftop lounge, the floor-to-ceiling windows and, in many of the rooms, the balconies. Rooms in the King or Queen Balcony category have a small outdoor space looking out at Queens and Brooklyn, while the Manhattan View Balcony options have views of the East River and midtown Manhattan skyscrapers. The Penthouse also has a private balcony, along with a separate indoor seating area and a wet bar.
Rooms from: $323
Courtesy 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge/James Baigrie1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
The view: A postcard image of the Brooklyn Bridge, stretching across the East River before the sparkling blue skyline
The vibe: Tranquil and upscale, with a fun rooftop bar
The area: Right on the water in the charming and relaxing Dumbo/Brooklyn Heights area, just a subway stop or so from ManhattanThoughtfully designed 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is where you should stay when you want the true New York experience without the commotion or over-stimulation. With calming neutrals, huge windows, leafy plants, and lush greenery inside the waterfront property, this is as calming as a hotel gets in New York City. Given that aesthetic, and its spacious outdoorsy-for-the-city location fringing Brooklyn Bridge Park, it should come as no surprise that the hotel aims to bring the outdoors in by offering rooms with wide, glass sliding doors and stunning wall-to-wall, city views—letting you turn your room into a makeshift terrace. Trust us, the city doesn't look better from anywhere than it does from here—especially when you're at just a far enough distance to admire its image without any of the crowds. Room service anyone? Plus, don't miss the hotel's dream lifestyle pool, beautiful farm-to-table restaurant, or ritzy rooftop bar, Harriett's.
Rooms from: $380
Courtesy The BenjaminThe Benjamin
The view: In the middle of things and oh-so-Manhattan
The vibe: Like your very own apartment
The area: Midtown East, near Grand CentralAn official New York City landmark, The Benjamin was originally designed as a residential-style hotel for long-term guests—which is why many of the rooms have terraces large enough for entertaining (or at least having over a friend or two). On the smaller end of the private outdoor space front are the Balcony Suites, which are located on the hotel’s top floors and have narrow, 32- to 45-square-foot unfurnished balconies. Also on the higher floors, the Terrace Suites’ 90- to 150 square feet of outdoor space come with seating and tables, while the Signature Suites—billed as having “the best views from the hotel”—have either smaller balconies or larger terraces (so ask before booking). For the ultimate retreat, book the 22nd-floor Benjamin Suite, a true pied à terre with a dining room, free-standing tub, seasonal garden and two private terraces on which you can enjoy al fresco meals from Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s The National restaurant.
Rooms from: $207
Read McKendree/Courtesy The William ValeThe William Vale
The view: Immaculate
The vibe: Hip crowd, outdoor pool, let us say no more
The area: The waterfront in trendy North BrooklynStaying in this gently curved, 23-story glass tower in Williamsburg feels somewhat like you’re on a cruise ship—mainly because all 183 rooms have balconies on which you’ll feel like you’re floating high above Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. The only differences between the various balconies are their size and what they look over; entry-level rooms have a small, outer borough-facing outdoor space big enough for two chairs, for example; while Gotham category options face Manhattan; and some corner rooms and suites have wrap-around decks furnished with more seating and tables. The duplex Vale Garden Residence, though, offers the ultimate in outdoor city living, with a 1,632-square-foot terrace with a lounge area, a dining table and—truly rare in NYC—an al fresco hot tub.
Rooms from: $320
Courtesy Andaz 5th AvenueAndaz 5th Avenue
The view: Literary 41st Street, home to the beautiful NYPL
The vibe: Design-forward but low-key
The area: Near Bryant Park in the heart of MidtownDesigned by noted architect Tony Chi, this 5th Avenue hotel is located a short walk from city icons like Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, and the main branch of the New York Public Library—the latter two of which can be seen from many of the rooms’ oversized windows. To enjoy the views even more, book one of the suites with private outdoor space. The One Bedroom Balcony Suites have step-out balconies overlooking 41st Street (a.k.a. Library Way), while the One Bedroom Terrace Suites have furnished terraces with the same view. Up a couple categories, the 5th Avenue Terrace Suite sleeps up to four guests and has a furnished terrace overlooking the library—lion statues and all. The library and the Empire State Building are the stars of the show on the furnished wrap-around terrace of the Empire Terrace Suite, a two-bedroom, two-bath corner option that also has a living room and kitchenette.
Rooms from: $645
Courtesy Renaissance ChelseaRenaissance New York Chelsea Hotel
The view: Sixth Avenue, one of NYC's best catwalks
The vibe: Boutique, with a ballroom
The area: 25th Street and Sixth Avenue, a block from Madison Square ParkLocated on the former site of the legendary Antiques Garage flea market, Renaissance New York Chelsea occupies a building that rises 39 floors—making it one of the tallest in the neighborhood. As a result, the hotel offers great views from spots like its rooftop pool (one of the highest in the city) and from the 10 rooms and suites with private balconies. That collection includes three suites on the fourth floor that have larger terraces outfitted with planters and teak furnishings, and seven standard rooms on the 12th floor with smaller balconies. All have city views overlooking 25th Street and part of 6th Avenue.
Rooms from: $179
