Bucket List/Budget List: New York

Theatrical speakeasies, Art Deco icons, hot restaurants and floating gardens – there’s nothing like a trip to New York City. Make it yours, whatever you’re spending.

Best for Luxury

Where else but New York could you wander through a 100-room theatrical experience, complete with speakeasies, detective agencies and taxidermists, and still get a great dinner after? Sleep No More is the city’s immersive theater sensation – a film noir version of Macbeth with a cast of hundreds and stories unfolding on five floors. The restaurant is just as dramatic – New York’s favorite chef Lee Hanson has turned vintage railway carriages into the city’s latest must-visit eatery.

The Beekman for Jazz Age Vibes

Nothing says New York like a skyscraper and The Beekman is a perfect example. It’s a ten-story masterpiece topped with a glass pyramid that looks over some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Inside, the décor reflects 1920’s glamour while the restaurants are deliciously modern. New ventures by two of the city’s most talked-about restaurateurs, Tom Colicchio and Keith McNally, have New Yorkers lining up around the block.

The Roxy Hotel Tribeca for Old-School Cool

Maybe it’s the classic design pieces in the guest rooms, the live jazz in the cocktail bar, or the guest-only private screening room that makes this NYC hotel icon seem very 1950’s Madison Avenue. In reality, Midtown is blocks away but Tribeca, right on the tip of Manhattan, is one of its coolest art gallery and shopping districts.

11 Howard for Scandinavian Calm

Nestled between the hustle of Little Italy and the bustle of Chinatown, 11 Howard blends members-only club pampering with hi-tech touches. Rooms are cool, quiet and minimal with tablets and organic minibars. Indulge in serious people watching at the stylish bar, the blond, or let New York come to you at The Library, where complimentary wine is served for an hour every Saturday, and where you just might see the latest pop-up shop.

Best for Budget

The freshest view of the city comes from New York’s islands. Try the aerial tramway ride over to Roosevelt Island. It offers million-dollar views for the price of a subway ticket. Better yet, this summer is all about the Floating Farm island. This city-block sized sustainable orchard is just outside pretty Brooklyn Bridge Park and provides fresh and free organic produce along with incredible skyline views.

The Jane for Sunsets and Sailboats

The golden age of travel is still alive and well at this nostalgic waterfront hotel. From the retro rooms decked out like cabins on a ship to the grand ballroom with its speakeasy-style bar, everything here takes you back to a more romantic era. Join the local crowd who line the rooftop bar to watch sunsets over the river skyline (and throw back some seriously good Old Fashioneds). The very Wes Anderson-esque bellmen can point you in the direction of the Highline elevated walkway routes, then Lower Manhattan is your oyster.

Hudson New York for an Urban Oasis

Even locals don’t know about the secret garden hidden away in this cool Hell’s Kitchen boutique hotel. The Hudson has surprises around every corner. The raised lobby garden is filled with the chatter of urban explorers. Hammocks swing in the shade at the rooftop sangria bar with views as far as the Statue of Liberty. Guests sip cocktails and browse art books in the library bar with its antique billiards table and comfy sofas – making this ivy-covered urban oasis the perfect base for exploring one of NYC’s hippest districts.

Pod 51 for Premium Skyline Views

Visitors to New York spend a lot of time looking up, but Pod 51’s vibrant roof terrace lets you see Manhattan from a different perspective. Times Square, Fifth Avenue and Broadway theaters are just blocks away. And if you want to get the most out of Manhattan, try one of the hotel’s free walking tours where local guides bring you insider tips from SoHo to Brooklyn.