11 Best Hotels in Union Square NYC

Sitting at the junction of Broadway and Fourth Avenue (formerly Bowery Lane), Union Square is one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods. It’s not only an important subway junction and hub, but has a gorgeous green park, some of NYC’s best markets, and is a creative hotspot. So, we thought, why not stay in Union Square during our NYC sojourn? Since it covers just a few blocks, it’s one of the city’s smallest neighborhoods. However, the best thing about the best hotels in Union Square, NYC, was that they lay across a range of budgets and vibes. Moreover, the stays we found also spilled into the adjacent neighborhoods. It was fine since Union Square itself was small. Moreover, the neighborhoods surrounding it, like West Village, Greenwich, NoHo, East Village, Flatiron, and Chelsea, also happen to be some of the best in Big Apple.

Staying in Union Square also put us squarely in the heart of the city, close to some of the top things to do in New York City. If you’re planning to visit the Big Apple, here’s a guide to staying in the best stays in Union Square.

Walker Hotel Greenwich Village

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We begin with the Walker Hotel Greenwich Village, which sat a five-minute walk from Union Square. For a minute, it felt like we’d entered a cozy pre-war townhouse on the street-level floor, complete with lots of lounging nooks, huge windows, and high ceilings.

On the inside, the Art-Deco style draws inspiration from the 5th Avenue of the 1920s. So, we’d listen to soulful live jazz in the lounge on some evenings. What’s more, the massive hotel library thrilled us bookworms to bits, while the fireplace was the perfect place to curl up with a glass of wine and a book. We didn’t have to go far for food either; the lobby’s Parlor Bar was where we’d enjoy nightcaps and aperitifs, while the Society Cafe served delicious American cuisine.

Choose from 113 rooms and suites, all with interesting quirks like custom-made Macassar Ebony furniture, black-and-white-tiled wallpapers, bold printed wallpapers, and working rotary phones. Free Wi-Fi and Frette linens are modern additions.

The Inn at Irving Place

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Best B&B. Imagine finding an alluring B&B right in the very heart of Manhattan! Sitting just a block from Union Square Park was the gorgeous Inn at Irving Place, a 1834-built Georgian brownstone on a leafy boulevard and bursting with oodles of charm. It felt peacefully so removed from the bustle that we didn’t believe that we were right next to Union Square Park.

The grandeur of the architecture and exterior extends to the interiors, complete with a sweeping staircase topped with Persian rugs. The fanciful Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon and parlor was perfect for the hearty five-course afternoon tea that we’d dig into after a long day of being on our feet. Later on, drinks at the kitschy cocktail bar were standard before we stepped out to enjoy the Big Apple’s nightlife.

Since there were just eight rooms and four extended-stay residences, staying here was as exclusive as it was intimate. Moreover, they all had ornamental fireplaces, four-poster beds with embroidered linens, wooden shutters, and antiques. Our digs, the stunning Edith Wharton suite, was perfect for our anniversary stay in NYC.

Washington Square Hotel

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The Washington Square Hotel sits on the northwestern edge of the eponymous Washington Square Park. Located a mere 10-minute walk from Union Square, the hotel, much like the Marlton hotel on this list, has been a haven for the creative types for more than 100 years. In fact, it’s housed the likes of Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, and many other amazing artists over the years.

The 1902-built hotel boasts a distinctly 1960s Art Deco vibe, with its vintage Hollywood photos and period art. Choose from close to 150 rooms and suites, all of which boast Art Deco-inspired furniture and similar photographs of stars from the black-and-white era, like Audrey Hepburn. While the entry-level rooms are excellent, we chose the Deluxe Room for its natural light. If that wasn’t enough, all bathrooms boasted slippers, robes, and the likes.

We’ve never seen a boutique hotel in an urban area, that that too Manhattan, with a spa, but this hotel had it. The Serenity Suite Spa was just the ticket after a long day of exploring Manhattan on our feet, and we enjoyed much-needed massages. Wrapping up the amenities, and our day, was the North Square Restaurant and Lounge, where we enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Freehand Hotel New York

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Best hostel. The title might say ‘hotel,’ but the Freehand Hotel New York is actually a hostel. Formerly the George Washington Hotel, this Flatiron District gem was just a 15-minute walk from Union Square. In fact, it happens to be one of the best hostels in New York, so we knew we had to stay here.

Custom artwork everywhere is the hostel’s way of paying homage to its historic popularity with writers and other creative creatures. As we mentioned earlier, the official tag might be that of a ‘hostel,’ but it is anything but that. Choose from a crock of upscale private rooms and dorms, which range from private corner rooms with skyline views to the slickest bunk rooms you’d have ever seen. All bathrooms were equally amazing, with great lighting, sleek green tiles, and blonde wood.

Did you know that the Freehand NYC has not one or two, but five drinking and dining destinations? Yes! Besides a tiki-style rooftop bar, there’s also a grab-and-go breakfast place and a seafood American restaurant. Since they didn’t have in-room minibars, a lobby shop served snacks and drinks, along with candles, throw blankets, designer toothbrushes, and whatnot.

Moxy NYC East Village

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Moxy NYC East Village also happens to be one of the one of the best hotels in East Village, NYC. Located less than a 10-minute 4th Avenue walk to Union Square, this East Village outpost boasted many dining venues. Aside from the low-key rooftop bar, there was also a late-night lounge, a French-Mediterranean fusion restaurant, and an all-day restaurant. Our favorite, though, was the outdoor terrace, lounge, bar, and cafe, which was perfect to hang out when the weather was nice. Oh, and the hotel even gave us discounts for many local hotspots too!

We had the choice of 300 hi-tech rooms and suites, all of which boasted travel steamers, flatscreen TVs, plush beds, and huge industrial-style windows with great views. What was interesting was that while the toilet and shower cubicle were cordoned off, the sink was in the sleeping area. Did you know that you could even request a curated vinyl collection and retro-style turntables to be delivered to your room? Yep.

The Marlton Hotel

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Since we’re literary enthusiasts, we were thrilled to be staying at the 1900-built icon where Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady once stayed. We’re talking about the Marlton Hotel, where the famous writers reportedly holed up in to work on their iconic manuscripts. Moreover, the picturesque Greenwich Village location was just a 10-minute walk from Union Square. That’s why, camping out by the fireplace in the clubby lobby was one of our favorite things to do here. We’d people-watch, soak in the greenery, and enjoy a glass of wine on chilly NYC evenings. While the Margaux restaurant serves delicious all-day European food, it also has cocktail and espresso bars, which was important for us!

The 100+ rooms are all on the cozier side but were done up extremely beautifully. Think Côté Bastide bath products, beds draped in faux-fur blankets, free wi-fi everywhere, brass light fixtures, the like. We especially loved the marble accents and the black-and-white floors in the bathroom, which boasted C.O. Bigelow bath products.

The New York EDITION

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One of the best Marriott hotels in New York City is the inimitable New York EDITION, which overlooks the lush green Madison Park. Sitting a 10-minute walk from Union Square, this hotel sits within the 1909-built Met Life Tower, once the tallest building in the world.

On the inside, it’s all about a hyper-modern decor, despite the staircases looking like contemporary art sculptures. The vibe extended to the minimalistic digs, which had huge floor-to-ceiling windows with incredible city views. What’s more, all rooms and suites boasted neutral hues, white wood floors, and thoughtful touches. Plush beds with Frette linens, free Wi-Fi, luxe bathrooms with Le Labo bath products, and minibars made our stay all the better.

Downstairs, we loved clicking pictures and digging into food and drinks at the Jason Atherton-helmed Clocktower Restaurant/Bar. It had gold-framed white-and-black vintage photographs of NYC on the walls, so we couldn’t help it! Do take out time to play a fun game of billiards at the restaurant’s game room.

The Evelyn NoMad

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Best boutique hotel. We found modernity, history, and everything in between at the Evelyn NoMad, a historic Art Deco-inspired luxury hotel sitting just a 15-minute walk from Union Square. The 1903-built hotel boasted loads of history; it was the Gershwin Hotel earlier and continues to be a Beaux-Arts architecture gem even after its multi-million-dollar renovation. How did the hotel get its name? It draws inspiration from the inimitable Evelyn Nesbitt, whose photographs are all over the place.

After a smooth check-in process at the Art Deco lobby, we were no less impressed by the spacious rooms and suites, complete with porcelain bathrooms. Moreover, all rooms had Frette linens, coffeemakers, plush robes, and Wi-Fi, as well as vintage vibes and musical touches alluding to the hotel’s history.

Even though it was a boutique hotel, it had a superb Italian cafe/restaurant Leonelli Bakery, where we’d indulge in cookies, pizzas, and lattes, even bringing them up to our rooms! Our favorite, though, was the cool bar and the fact that we had complimentary breakfasts at the Brooklyn Diner Pop-Up from 7-11 am every day.

Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection

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Best value-for-money. The seriously and unbelievably affordable Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection in the Flatiron District was a mere 10-minute walk from Union Square. After a breezy check-in was a breeze, we were shown to our Queen Room, which had the most delightful Juliet balcony ever! Besides all the fresh air and the free Wi-Fi, the rooms also boast a slew of mod-cons, such as bathrooms with bathtubs, slippers, and robes, dark shades, and gadget-controlled fixtures. Moreover, they even gave us two complimentary water bottles and we could even request tons of other amenities in the room, such as even a coffeemaker.

Like other Library Hotel Collection properties, this outpost hosted excellent wine-and-cheese receptions in the evenings that we wouldn’t miss for the world. Our days began equally amazingly with continental breakfasts, ending with meals at the in-house restaurant, Bread & Tulips. Did you know that they even had complimentary 24/7 coffee service in the lobby? Yep.

W New York Union Square

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W New York Union Square, which sits at Union Square Park’s northeast corner, is also Marriott’s W Hotels’ flagship branch in NYC. This design-focused hotel sits in a 1911-built Beaux Arts structure was the headquarters of Guardian Life Insurance earlier. In its second life, the W sure brings trendy living to Union Square, and how.

First of all, the amenities at this W outpost are excellent, particularly the dining and drinking scenes. For instance, the ground-floor restaurant served all sorts of Italian and Mediterranean delights. Plus, there was also the Mexican restaurant, which hosted drag and karaoke nights, besides serving amazing cocktails. Rounding up the facilities was another cocktail lounge and a 24-hour fitness center.

If you were impressed by the amenities, wait till you see the rooms and suites. In true W fashion, they were all decked out with pops of red and cobalt walls and Bliss bath products in the spa-like luxe bathrooms. While entry-level rooms are average-sized, the suites are very spacious. But they all have high-tech mod-cons, dark wood furnishings, and luxe bath products.

Hyatt Union Square New York

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Best location. We were hard-pressed to find a more convenient hotel than the amazing Hyatt Union Square New York. It sits right in the heart of south Union Square, which meant that the best things and places to do and see in Manhattan were all around us.

“Staying at a Hyatt outpost in the middle of Union Square was exactly what we’d hoped from an NYC vacation.”

WOW Travel

We were impressed by the amenities at this Hyatt outpost. Besides a 24-hour fitness center, the hotel even had a convenient tie-up with the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa and salon nearby. After exploring the Big Apple, the downtime was much needed. That said, our favorite thing to do was to borrow the free bikes, which even included maps for us to explore the neighborhood easily. Finally, there was the Bowery Road restaurant and bar, which conveniently served all meals.

Like other Hyatt outposts, all digs here were featured high-tech mod-cons, signature Hyatt Grand beds, and flatscreen TVs that were linked to the online concierges. Since ours was a higher category suite, we had the luxury of a discrete living area and splendid views of the neighborhood. Nevertheless, all rooms and suites had stone-and-wood baths and sexy, open bathrooms. The best thing, however, was that the windows at this hotel could be opened!

Our Verdict!

While we loved all of Union Square’s stays, here’s a specialized list whittled down so that it’s easy for you to choose.

• Best value for money: Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection
• Best location: Hyatt Union Square New York
• Best hostel: Freehand Hotel New York
• Best B&B: The Inn at Irving Place
• Best boutique hotel: The Evelyn NoMad

Where to Stay in Union Square?

Since it sits at a historic intersection area in Midtown Manhattan, Union Square is surrounded by some very important and prominent neighborhoods. Firstly, there’s Union Square itself, which has a holiday market, a green market, and a playground, as well as the Union Square subway station.

Coming to the neighborhoods surrounding Union Square, the first is the extremely popular Greenwich Village/West Village. This charming neighborhood has historic brownstones, shops, and restaurants. It’s as celebrity heavy as it’s quiet and leafy, making it perfect for visiting celebrities to stay here and for exploring on foot. Secondly, there’s the Flatiron District to the north, which is home to the iconic, wedge-shaped Flatiron building, which you might remember from the movie “Baby’s Day Out.” It not only has some excellent hotels but also a subway station.

On the other side sits East Village, which stretches from Ukrainian Village and Alphabet City right up to the East River. This creative Manhattan hub has some quirky yet affordable stays. Finally, there’s Chelsea, one of NYC’s most diverse neighborhoods, to the west. It’s home to amazing hotels, markets, parks, museums, and the High Line, an elevated railway line-turned-public park.

What is the most affordable hotel in Union Square?

That would be the Hotel Giraffe by Library Hotel Collection, a fantastic hotel by any standards.

Which is the best Union Square hotel for families?

For traditional hotels, we’d recommend the best of the lot, the Hyatt Union Square New York, which offers the comforts along with the familiarity of a chain hotel.

Which is the hotel nearest to Union Square?

While Hyatt Union Square New York and the W sit right in Union Square, the next closest is the Inn at Irving Place, which literally sits on its northeastern edge.