Despite what Home Alone 2 might have taught us (best film ever), New York City is a wonderful place for families, with an endless list of attractions and the best kid-friendly hotels in which to let the littlies lay their heads after a hard day’s exploring.
If you’re planning on traveling to NYC with your family this year, let Urban List take out the stress with a round up of the perfect spots for the whole gang to stay (small peeps included).
Read on for our picks of the best family-friendly hotels in New York worth booking in 2026.
700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street, New York
The Peninsula New York
Duck off Fifth Avenue into the elegant doorway of The Peninsula and let the bustle of Midtown melt away. This New York hotel has been holding court since 1905, and it wears its Beaux-Arts bones with quiet confidence rather than flash.
Inside, it’s newly renovated, with polished marble and soaring ceilings. If you’re feeling thirsty, roll on up to the Gotham Lounge and delve right into the “Decade of Distinction” cocktail collection. Other top spots to hang include the hotel’s rooftop bar where you get drinks with a skyline view, and the Peninsula Spa—which comes complete with a glass-enclosed pool that looks out over the city too. Phew!
Families will love the Camp Peninsula package for the kids. Available as an add-on to any room reservation, it turns a polished Midtown stay into a pint-sized adventure. The fun kicks off with a personalised welcome card and s’mores (because what’s camp without a sweet treat?) Then comes the showstopper: a tent, pitched right inside your renovated suite.
At turndown, the kids get their own robes and slippers, adding a dash of grown-up glamour to the cosiest part of the day. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any more fun, there’s also a hotel-wide scavenger hunt, designed to help littlies explore their surroundings.
768 5th Avenue, New York
The Plaza
First things first: we can confirm that this iconic stay overlooking Central Park is the very same hotel that featured in the 1992 film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. With its instantly-recognisable white façade and green awnings, The Plaza is a New York landmark that’s been a top pick for royalty and movie stars since it opened in 1907.
Trundle on in and expect to see chandeliers, stained glass and marble columns (told you it was fancy). But there’s a secret room here that makes this hotel the best family-friendly New York stay. Step through the one pink door down the corridor and you’ll be in Eloise’s room. She’s the fictional star of a beloved 1955 book series by Kay Thompson and she lived in the “”tippy-top floor” of this very hotel.
Inside, little ones will find everything exactly how Eloise likes it—pink and white, with just the right amount of sparkle. Her clothes hang in the closet, favourite books and dolls line the shelves, and the bed features a glittering pink headboard that practically demands a pillow fight. A zebra-print carpet adds to the vibe, while a glowing neon sign overhead spells out the little girl’s name.
It’s delightfully over the top—a stay designed for little guests (and grown-up fans) who frankly believe more pink is always a good idea. (It’s worth noting that an optional attached one-bedroom Nanny Suite can also be booked.)
50 Central Park S, New York
Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park
If the thought of a souped-up Central Park picnic with the kiddies floats your boat, then a stay at the Ritz-Carlton should be on the cards. Located just steps from the grassy New York icon, the hotel gives you concierge-crafted maps you can use to navigate your way around.
Pack the picnic rug and grab a cheese platter, or take advantage of an actual Picnic in the Park experience featuring gourmet eats by the hotel’s Executive Chef. (The second option seems a little more tempting if we’re being totally honest).
The Ritz has everything you’d expect from a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five Diamond Hotel: an all-day gastro lounge, the first stateside La Prairie Spa and innovative Movement Studio, and yet it caters for little ones too. Kids get a dedicated check-in area, welcome toy, special dining options and candies and games in the Club Lounge.
246 Spring Street, SoHo
The Dominick
Outdoor pool? Check. On-site spa? Yup that too. What about eateries? There are three to choose from. There, in a nutshell, is the reason that The Dominick is SoHo’s only AAA Five Diamond hotel. Check in here and you’ve got a mix of King rooms, Penthouses and Suites to choose from, all situated perfectly where Hudson Square meets SoHo.
The handy thing about this place for families is the ability to bunk up together: the hotel offers sofa beds in Sohi One-Bedroom suites and some Skyline One-bedroom suites, and rollaways can be requested for an additional fee (availability depending). Children under 13 also stay free when sharing a room with a parent or guardian.
Depending on the season, you might want to toddle up to Terrace on 7 where you’ll find the Hawaiian restaurant El Ta’Koy, that outdoor pool and the Sisley Spa where you can treat yourself to one of those Hydrafacials everyone’s been talking about. The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness centre if you so need, or you can join a professionally-led group class in the hotel’s SoHi space, a sky-high venue on the 46th floor.
345 W 35th St, New York
TRYP by Wyndham New York City Times Square, Midtown
Soaring ceilings, bold wallpaper and easy access to Broadway, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, and the Empire State Building—there’s a lot to love about TRYP by Wyndham New York City Times Square, Midtown. It’s the place to come when you’ve got kids who are keen to get out and about, given you’ve got so much fun stuff within spitting distance.
Having said that, if you’re bringing the crew, you might fancy checking out the Tryp Theatre room. It sleeps six (courtesy of a king bed, sofa bed, and bunk bed) and it’s got two large LED TVs with a Hi-Fi sound system which means the shake and rattle of a movie soundtrack is a real drawcard after a day spent pounding the streets.
With the youngsters sorted, perhaps it’s time some of the bigger humans headed up to Gasto Bar at 35th, the on-site restaurant, where they can tuck into an Indian feast washed down with a well-earned glass of beer .
27 Barclay Street, New York
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown is perfectly placed for those partial to a day spent toddling the trendy streets of TriBeCa or soaking up the waterfront vibes. Those with littlies in tow will be pleased to discover they can ask the in-the-know staff to reserve tables at family-friendly restaurants, and help them plan stuff to keep the small ones happy (bike trip along the Hudson anyone?) Kids also get a welcome gift on arrival which is a nice touch.
If you’ve got cash to splash, you might like to book one of the Suites with a Terrace—there’s three of varying sizes sleeping kids and adults in a space with a coveted outdoor escape. There’s a shared 23-metre lap pool to roam around later, and an infrared sauna available at the on-site spa.
While you can of course dine in your room, there’s also the option to check out Cut located just off the hotel lobby. It’s something of a hotspot serving up dishes with ingredients sourced from local fishermen and farmers.
60 Furman Street, Brooklyn
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Oh hello rooftop pool, we’ve missed you. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a true waterfront hotel, offering sweeping views of the East River and Manhattan skyline, all while giving full eco-friendly energy thanks to having a water filtration system in each room so you don’t need to buy that bottled stuff.
There’s suites here that can sleep six which is handy for families, and when you book a stay you can opt for a kids experience that includes a tent set up, in-room galaxy star projector, freshly baked cookies and milk as well as popcorn & candy. Yum.
Add in a massage at the Bamford Wellness Spa for Mum and Dad and we reckon that’s your New York holiday sorted.
120 W 41st Street, New York
LUMA Hotel Times Square
Voted #1 hotel in NYC in TripAdvisor’s Best Of The Best Awards 2025, LUMA Hotel gives you light-filled spaces right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. But before we move on, we need to dedicate some time to discussing the on-site robot butler. Yup. She’s New York’s first virtual valet (named after the ancient Greek word for “light”) and she’s here to help you.
Craving a midnight snack? That’s no issue. Need fresh towels? She can sort that too. You just place your request and watch her glide her way directly to your door. (Oh and ask her about family-friendly amenities too, she can help with stuff such as games, carousel tickets, and more).
If you need a drink after all that gadgetry, head over to AperiBar. It’s the hotel’s cocktail bar, delivering easy share plates like Neapolitan-style pizzas, fresh seafood and housemade pastas, along with beers, wines and cocktails.
