Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids

There's no shortage of hotels in NYC, and as a born and bred New Yorker raising children here myself, I often find myself handing out recommendations for family-friendly hotels in NYC to friends and family who are planning their own NYC vacations. New York City is, of course, loaded with hotels, many of which are kid-friendly. And, while it's nice to have options, there are so many it can feel overwhelming.

That's why we've compiled this list of 20 hotels in NYC for families based on a combination of personal experience, trusted recommendations from friends, and great reputations. These NYC hotels offer kid-friendly amenities, including pools, kids-friendly welcome treats, and even bunk beds. A number of our choices are located right next to top kid attractions; some are budget-friendly, and others are a splurge.

Our picks aren't all in Midtown Manhattan either. We've included places to stay with kids in Lower Manhattan, on the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and even hotels in Brooklyn.

Once you've nailed down your hotel choice, check out our parent- and kid-tested recommendations for top attractions in NYC, our favorite children's museums in NYC, and much more in our NYC Visitors Guide for Families.

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Top Family-Friendly Hotels in NYC

1. The Peninsula New York – Midtown East

Looking for a splurge? Kids and grown-ups receive the celeb treatment at this luxe Midtown spot, which offers plenty of family perks and specialty packages. Its Camp Peninsula package includes a tent pitched inside your suite. Kids get their own robe and slippers, plus a hotel scavenger hunt, and a special welcome amenity. A glass-enclosed swimming pool makes for a perfect way to unwind when you return home.

2. Pendry Manhattan West – Midtown West

Families arriving by train can practically walk out of Moynihan Train Hall and into the Pendry's lobby. Located in the lush, new Manhattan West complex, this luxe hotel offers a range of rooms and suites to accommodate families of all sizes. Be sure to book a dinner reservation at the on-site Zou Zou's, a modern restaurant that transports guests with its Eastern Mediterranean fare. Served family-style, kid-pleasers include crudites and flatbread served with multiple dips and Moroccan fried chicken. The hotel is steps from Hudson Yards, close to Madison Square Garden, and seemingly in the center of all the fun on Manhattan's west side, including The High Line with an entrance just steps from the hotel.

3. Hotel Beacon – Upper West Side

Located on the super-family-friendly Upper West Side, Hotel Beacon is close to the neighborhood's top family attractions, including Riverside Park, Central Park, Lincoln Center, the Children's Museum of Manhattan, and the American Museum of Natural History. One- and two-bedroom suites are available with a sofa bed in the living room. There are also small kitchens, so you can save money by preparing your own meals with groceries you buy from Fairway Market or Trader Joe's—both are within easy walking distance.

4. The Roxy – Tribeca

Located in the heart of downtown's most family-friendly neighborhood, Tribeca, rooms here feature midcentury decor with a bit of Hollywood glam and are designed for ultimate comfort. Music lovers appreciate not only the spacious suites, but also the fact that each comes with a turntable and curated vinyl collection. Speaking of entertainment, the on-site options are seemingly endless. Don't forget to make reservations for its famous weekend brunch.

5. InterContinental New York Times Square – Midtown

Along with its sister hotel, the InterContinental New York Barclay, these two locations offer fantastic kid-friendly stays and packages for families with a variety of accommodations to choose from. On East 48th Street, the InterContinental New York Barclay welcomes guests with its Kid at Heart package, which includes coloring pages and crayons for little guests, plus an FAO Schwarz gift card.

6. Loews Regency New York – Upper East Side

The Loews Regency puts you just steps from some of our favorite Central Park playgrounds, the iconic Central Park Zoo, and more. When you're tired of exploring the urban jungle, head back to the hotel with its refurbished rooms, ranging in size from a standard hotel room to expansive suites meant for long-term stays. Its Loews Loves Families program caters to kids no matter their age. Enjoy on-call amenities from the safe (bed rails and baby-proofing supplies) to the soothing (nightlights!) Partnerships with Hello Bello and Little Spoon keep the youngest guests well-groomed and well-fed. Concierges can help arrange family-friendly outings or procure tickets.

RELATED: 100 Things To Do with NYC Kids Before They Grow Up

Even little ones are treated like royalty at the Lotte New York Palace. Photo by Jody Mercier

7. Lotte New York Palace – Midtown East

At this luxury NYC hotel, the family can enjoy spacious two-room suites, soaking tubs for bubble baths, and turndown treats fit for a king. Speaking of kings, the hotel has recently revived its Little Royals package, which includes a palace playhouse set up in your room, a gift card to FAO Schwarz, and sweet treats delivered to your room. Check the website for more special deals like packages including Yankees tickets, Bronx Zoo visits, or simply book a third night FREE. Read our full review of our staycation at Lotte New York Palace.

8. New York Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge – Downtown Brooklyn

This Marriott makes the ideal base camp to explore Brooklyn and Manhattan. Located minutes from the Brooklyn Bridge, you're close to many attractions and neighborhoods, dining options, and major subway lines. There are several different rooms to choose from, including 1-2 bedroom suites, and you can also combine rooms for more space. All rooms come with plush bedding, flat-screen TVs, and small refrigerators.

9. NU Hotel – Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Live like a local family in this stroller-packed Brooklyn neighborhood. Located near four family-friendly neighborhoods (Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, and Cobble Hill), the NU Hotel gives guests an authentic NYC experience. Breakfast, loaner bikes, and an all-day coffee and snack bar are available for a nominal fee. The Bunk Bed Room, which comes with a queen bed, twin bunk beds, an eat-in area, and a chalkboard in the bathroom is just one family-friendly room option. Plus, the hotel is close to the A, C, F, and G subway lines so you can get to Manhattan (or Queens!) in a jiffy.

10. Millennium Times Square – Times Square

This hotel puts you right in the thick of the action in Midtown West, and some rooms give you spectacular views of Times Square below. Whether you choose a basic room or upgrade to a family-friendly suite, all rooms here (and at its sister hotel next door) come with the Ask Alfred children's perks, which include a keepsake teddy bear, kid-friendly toiletries, jelly beans upon check-in, and kid-friendly menus, plus some parent-friendly perks to help you plan your stay.

11. The Rockaway Hotel + Spa – Rockaway Beach, Queens

The Rockaway Hotel + Spa provides an "urban beach getaway." Just one block from the beach, the hotel also has a heated, outdoor pool and snack bar. There are a variety of rooms to choose from, including suites and bungalows, which have kitchenettes. Combine its bunk-bed room with a standard king room for a perfect family crash pad. All rooms offer views of the Atlantic Ocean or Jamaica Bay and the Manhattan skyline. The hotel offers a concierge program to assist with any need or activity. If you're searching for a staycation, take note of its event calendar, which often features kid-friendly activities over school breaks.

12. Freehand New York – Flatiron

This artsy spot offers rooms ranging from the basic to the bunk bed-equipped. Families might opt for a suite or choose to stay in a "Three's Company" room with a twin bunk over a queen bed or a room with two sets of twin bunks. All rooms feature one-of-a-kind murals, thanks to a partnership with Bard College. On-site restaurants include Comodo and a Smile To Go coffee shop. Plus, you're steps away from the fun in the Flatiron District and an easy crosstown bus ride from Chelsea.

13. Thompson Central Park New York – Midtown

Located steps from Central Park, the Thompson Central Park New York makes it easy for families to get out and start exploring NYC's beautiful backyard. Upper Stories reservations include perks like access to the 2,000-square-foot lounge, stunning Central Park views, elevated bathroom products, and more. There is a trio of on-site restaurants, though the most kid-friendly is the once-secret Burger Joint. It's walk-ins only, and yes, the line is worth it!

14. Virgin Hotels New York City – NoMad

You don't rent a room at the Virgin Hotels NYC property—no, these supersized accommodations are dubbed "chambers." We enjoyed a stay here and loved the sliding doors separating the living and sleeping areas, plus storage benches to keep all the kid gear organized. Its gorgeous rooftop pool and terrace adds to the family-friendly feel, and its location near subway lines, the Flatiron District, and must-visit Harry Potter New York only up the fun factor.

RELATED: Best Children's Museums for Families to Visit in NYC

Take a dip in the infinity pool at the TWA Hotel.

15. TWA Hotel – Jamaica, Queens

Pack your bags and head to JFK, not to board a flight, but to enjoy a stay at the '60s-inspired TWA Hotel. Families can choose to stay in one of 512 midcentury modern-designed rooms and enjoy museum exhibits curated by the New-York Historical Society, Jean-George restaurants, a "sunken" lounge, and a rooftop infinity "pool-cuzi" heated to 95 degrees. You can even request a room with views of the runway. There always seems to be something fun popping up here, too.

16. Smyth Tribeca Hotel – Tribeca

Come enjoy a family- and pet-friendly stay at the Smyth Tribeca Hotel. This downtown oasis boasts large suites with ample space for the whole family, plus new, exciting packages for everyone to enjoy. On-site dining at the Smyth Tavern is a nice perk, as is its proximity to the family-friendly things to do in Tribeca.

17. Residence Inn New York Manhattan – Midtown East

Rooms with two beds, plus a sofa bed, full-size refrigerators, in-suite kitchenettes, and a FREE hot breakfast make this Midtown NYC hotel a favorite among families. Kids can also enjoy board games in the Hearth Room. Parents might especially like the 24-hour grocery delivery, FREE pack-and-plays, and overall value. It's located a short walk from Grand Central and a shuttle ride from Times Square.

18. TRYP By Wyndham Times Square South – Midtown West

Family-style rooms at this hotel, conveniently located near Penn Station, offer bunk beds, a separate queen or king bed, and sleeping sofas in oversized rooms outfitted with refrigerators. In some cases, there are even two bathrooms! Enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout, and, in the TRYP Family rooms, two LED TVs. Easy train access means you can head uptown or downtown quickly, and Times Square attractions are just a few blocks away.

19. The William Vale – Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Located in the heart of hip Williamsburg and right across the East River from Manhattan, The William Vale is perfect for exploring both worlds. The hotel offers 1-2 bedroom suites for families, all with floor-to-ceiling windows, smart technology, custom artwork, and open-air balconies for the best views of the city. You can relax at the rooftop bar, play in Vale Park—an elevated public green space—or take a dip in the pool or glide on the rooftop ice skating rink, depending on the season. Work on your short game at the on-site mini-golf course, which is included with your stay.  There's no shortage of dining options—from the best restaurants in Williamsburg to the hotel's own restaurant helmed by an award-winning chef. Manhattan is a quick stop away on the L train.

20. New York Marriott Marquis – Times Square

At this classic NYC hotel, a thrilling glass-enclosed elevator ride is just the beginning of the fun. Book Family Connector rooms to net enough space no matter how big your family is. Rooms have recently been redesigned and renovated and many offer floor-to-ceiling views of Times Square. A selection of amenities can be pre-ordered to enhance your stay.

Getting a Babysitter To Go Out in NYC

Chances are, you need a hotel in NYC because you don't live in NYC. And if you don't live here, your babysitter doesn't either. So, we've partnered with Care.com to make it easy to find background-checked caregivers on our directory, or through Care.com directly, no matter where you are. Go ahead. Get a sitter so you can see a show, have dinner at one of the best restaurants in the world, or just get a night out alone to explore the city. The kids will be perfectly happy with room service, hotel TV, and an easy-to-find babysitter.

Unless otherwise noted, photos courtesy of the hotels

A version of this article was first published in 2014, but it has since been updated. Jody Mercier contributed additional reporting.

This article contains some affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you book a hotel or activity. There is no extra cost to the reader. We only recommend hotels and services that we have personally used or have thoroughly researched.