11 Best Hotels in NYC Near Lincoln Center

You’ll find no one in NYC who wouldn’t know of the famed Lincoln Center, the Big Apple’s version of Hollywood. The multi-venue complex is NYC’s premier entertainment destination and the world’s leading performing arts venue, but it’s so much more than that. What’s more, it’s home to many internationally renowned performing arts organizations, including Julliard, the NYC Ballet, the New York Philharmonic, and more. As culture vultures, we were very excited to explore this massive complex in the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood at the southwestern corner of Central Park. So we thought, why not stay in one of the excellent hotels in NYC near Lincoln Center too?

Staying in these hotels not only saved us the time of traveling across the city but also varied across budgets and styles. Hence, we enjoyed a well-rounded, indulgent, and memorable cultural stay without burning a hole in our pockets. To that end, here’s a detailed guide to staying around Lincoln Center and the Lincoln Square neighborhood.

The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown

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Since sightseeing was our primary objective in NYC, we chose to stay at the Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown, formerly the Conrad New York Midtown. It was a mere 15-minute walk and a less than 5-minute drive to the Lincoln Center. What’s more, it was within walking distance of a bunch of other major NYC tourist attractions including Carnegie Hall, Times Square, the Rockefeller Center, and MoMA. Despite being a chain hotel, we loved the welcoming lobby with Greek-inspired and contemporary artwork. We were impressed by the rooms at this all-suite hotel too, which featured neutral color hues, Carrara marble bathrooms, herringbone wood floors, and views of either Central Park or the city’s skyline. We chose a higher-floor room, which also had mini-fridges and Shanghai Tang/Crabtree and Evelyn bath products.

Coming to the amenities, we enjoyed digging into American classic fare and New York-inspired cocktails at Dabble, the all-day restaurant and bar. We had two choices for breakfast, which was payable; we could enjoy it at Dabble or have it delivered to our room, which we did one way. Wrapping things up were the fourth-floor fitness center and complimentary headphones and bottled water for the same.

Trump International New York

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Best location. Trump International New York was one of the closest hotels to Lincoln Center which was also luxurious. Lying just a seven-minute walk from the performing arts theater, the hotel’s location on Columbus Circle at Central Park’s southwestern edge meant we were a stone’s throw from practically every amazing sight and attraction.

There are no half-measures here in terms of amenities, as we expected. We were thoroughly impressed by the 6,000 sq-ft-huge fitness center. It boasted a heated indoor lap pool where we’d enjoy leisurely swims, followed by a visit to the state-of-the-art spa. There was even a swanky fitness center for those who wanted to work off those Big Apple calories. Even the concierges were superb, and the Trump Attaché program documented our tastes and requests to ensure that we didn’t have to ask on our next visit. The main restaurant was a three-Michelin-starred one serving French cuisine, while the other was a sleek bistro, both of them doing in-room dining as well. We also tried signature cocktails at the alfresco Terrace.

All rooms boasted high ceilings, sweeping Central Park views, and a ton of mod-cons, including 55-inch TVs, Blue Lounge The Sanctuary charging boxes, and marble bathrooms. We especially loved the small European-style kitchen in ours and the brand’s signature Serta mattress.

Hotel Beacon

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Best value for money. Sitting in the heart of the Upper West Side neighborhood is Hotel Beacon, which was a 15-minute walk northwards from the Lincoln Center. Moreover, we were right next to the Beacon Theater and a short walk from the American Museum of Natural History too.

We loved the 24-story Beacon due to its long and storied history. It opened in 1928 and towered over all the other buildings around at that time. What’s more, its name was derived from the airway beacon on the roof, which was the largest in the world at the time. Despite this, the Beacon is quite affordable and even comes with a long list of amenities to boot. Not only did it boast the dimly lit Beacon Bar, but it also had a small but well-equipped fitness center.

The generously sized rooms and suites surprised us, especially thanks to NYC’s usual standards. What’s more, they all came with full kitchenettes, marble bathrooms, and huge closets, with the higher floor ones boasting spectacular views of Central Park, the Hudson River, and the Midtown skyline.

The Wallace

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A 16-minute walk from the Lincoln Center brought us to The Wallace, an Upper West Side gem that offered a welcome reprieve from the madness of Midtown. What’s more, the neighborhood is also home to some of NYC’s most revered landmarks such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Dakota. Plus, two of Manhattan’s, and ours, favorite green spaces: Riverside Park to the west and Central Park to the east.

Stellar service began the moment we stepped inside the hotel, right from the reception and doorman to the restaurant and housekeeping teams making us feel more than welcome. The stylish lobby lounge was a great place to meet other travelers and wait for our tour guide to pick us up. In the evenings, it would turn into a bar and restaurant where we’d enjoy a few aperitifs. Besides the around-the-clock fitness center, the hotel also allowed neighborhood restaurants to deliver food to our rooms. The presence of many restaurants around was also great since the hotel didn’t offer any breakfast.

The rooms and suites boasted an upscale residential vibe with tranquil color schemes of mauve, muted grey, and blue. We especially loved the all-white bathrooms with rain showers and herringbone marble floors, while the rooms had a bevy of creature comforts. Think locally crafted snacks, complimentary bottled water, mini-fridges, kettles, Nespresso machines, and William Roam bath products. The best bit? There was a curated book collection that featured titles such as “My First New York” from the editors of NY Mag.

Hotel Belleclaire

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Imagine being close to Central Park and a mere 15-minute walk away from the Lincoln Center! That’s Hotel Belleclaire for you. We fell in love with the hotel at first sight, right from when we saw the gorgeous skylight in the lobby. The European vibe was impossible to miss, especially the large atrium, the coffee bar, and the original mosaic tiling, complete with lots of natural light. It was the perfect place to read the New York Times and have a spot of tea, all complimentary before we’d hit the city for a round of exploring. We’d begin our mornings with simple breakfasts at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in the lobby. Besides that, there’s a 24-hour fitness center, a media center with arcade games, and a Mac computer and PC with charging stations too.

We had the choice of 240 rooms across 9 floors, all of them boasting flatscreen TVs, plush linens, laminate wood floors, and neutral hues with bright pops of bright red. We especially loved the themed suites, Babe Ruth and Mark Twain, as they offered a different and unique way of staying in what was a culture-filled neighborhood. The best bit? Some rooms overlooked Broadway.

Arthouse Hotel

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We couldn’t ask for a better location for the Arthouse Hotel New York City. It sat right down the street from Central Park and was a 15-minute straight walk from the Lincoln Center. In fact, it’s one of the best hotels near Central Park. What could be better? The actual stay, of course! The rooms and suites might have been on the smaller side since the building was historic, but many of them had furnished Juliet balconies or terraces. What’s more, they all offered views of Central Park or the Hudson River. If that wasn’t enough, they all had Pure bath products, HDTVs, Keurig coffeemakers, pale wood surfaces, and tall windows.

The 100-year-old structure that the hotel sits in has had former lives as an SRO accommodation, a bunch of apartments, and even the hip NYLO hotel. So, we could see the remnants of the past everywhere, like the original fireplace and the 1920s-era elevator. Aside from the friendly and helpful staff, the hotel even had a 24-hour fitness and business center, daily bottled water, Wi-Fi, and unlimited domestic calls, all included in the USD 39/night urban fee.

What’s more, we didn’t have to leave the hotel to enjoy food or drinks either, thanks to the Arthouse Bar in the lobby. It was a coffee spot by the day and a speakeasy-inspired lounge come evening. But our favorite was the cozy library with live piano music and drinks, followed by a quiet nightcap at the fireplace. Rounding things up were the restaurants RedFarm and Serafina, of which the latter even offered room service.

Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Central Park

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Best family-friendly hotel. We were looking for a family-friendly hotel near the Lincoln Center, which is why we chose the Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Central Park. It was just a seven-minute short walk away, making it the perfect base to enjoy the cultural side of the city. We loved the comfortable rooms, all of which came with mod-cons like fridges, flatscreen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and plush beds. What’s more, some of the rooms offered excellent views of Central Park from the higher floors. Since we were staying with kids, the double room suited us perfectly, albeit there were larger suites too for those who wanted more space.

We liked that the Marriott outpost offered a range of convenient amenities, which included alfresco furniture, luggage storage, and a 24-hour front desk. Besides the fitness center, we loved the delicious complimentary breakfasts we enjoyed while staying here. Since there was parking, we could park our rented car on the property easily, since we were a family traveling together. Rounding up the features was the bar/lounge, where we could have some drinks before turning in for the night.

JW Marriott Essex House New York

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We wanted to stay in the luxurious Central Park South but also wanted to be close to the Lincoln Center. The stately JW Marriott Essex House New York perfectly fits the bill, sitting less than a 15-minute walk from the Lincoln Center. At the same time, this gorgeous ’20s Art Deco treasure boasted a fabulous Central Park South address overlooking the verdant expanse. So, we were away from the chaos of Times Square but still in a vibrant and energetic neighborhood.

There was a long list of amenities at this Marriott outpost, and we were impressed, to say the least. It started with a 24-hour fitness center, topped by the PRIMP spa, where we enjoyed some lavish and indulgent body treatments. While the onsite restaurant/steakhouse served all meals, including cocktails, the JW Executive Lounge in the main hall of the lobby provided an honor bar, snacks, tea, and coffee. They also did extensive breakfast buffets starting as early as 6:30 am (complimentary only for Gold/Platinum Marriott Rewards members).

Even the entry-level rooms were spacious by NYC standards, but all rooms came with minibars, slippers, proves, and those uber-comfy Marriott pillows and beds. Some of the higher-up rooms even offered sweeping Central Park views.

Nap York Central Park Sleep Station

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If your idea is to be out as much as possible and head back to your perch only to sleep, then Nap York Central Park Sleep Station might be right up your alley. Perched at the corner of 8th Avenue and West 56th Street in Central Park South, it lay less than a 15-minute walk from Lincoln Center.

Calling itself a “premiere wellness club,” the pod hotel was an oasis-like, plant-filled environment that offered 24/7 nap pods that could be rented by the half-hour. We, of course, rented them for longer, but this new concept was perfect for us as we’d be out the entire day, heading back to the hotel only late at night. Besides the easy check-in and check-out, we also loved the quiet and clean environs, luggage storage options, and complimentary water, coffee, and tea throughout the day. There was also a well-equipped kitchen, where we could whip up quick meals saved us quite a pretty penny.

“Staying at a pod hotel in one of NYC’s best neighborhoods was an experience beyond words!”

WOW Travel

That being said, we loved the concept of “pods” to sleep, which originally came from Japan’s capsule hotels, which are some of the world’s smallest hotels. The standalone pods here have been developed specifically for Nap York and span 8 x 4 x 6 feet, thus accommodating a wide variety of body types and sizes. What’s more, they all had Airweave mattresses wrapped in vegan leather and linens, fresh blankets, and pillows. The most magical feature, though, was the “starry sky” ceiling display consisting of hundreds of twinkling lights. It certainly made it feel like we were sleeping under the stars! 

6 Columbus Central Park Hotel

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Staying at 6 Columbus Circle meant that Lincoln Center was less than a 10-minute walk away. That also put Central Park a stone’s throw away, as well as the delights of Columbus Circle, Times Square, Broadway, and more. This 2007-opened, futuristic 88-room hotel was convenient, beautiful, and came with a ton of high-end and sleek style comforts which we loved. Even the small lobby felt retro-futuristic, like the Jetsons meets Blade Runner, with sky-blue mod chairs and a cool, glowing glass desk. While there are no amenities per se, there is Above 6, which is a hopping rooftop bar.

The rooms and suites are also pod rooms available across more than 10 categories. Nevertheless, they all came with sleek touches like C.O. Bigelow bath products, 400-count sheets, and plush beds. While the smallest rooms only have enough space for double-size beds, the Deluxe and Superior ones are larger with desks. Finally, there are the suites and penthouses, which boast full kitchens. That didn’t mean that all rooms didn’t have minibars, Kiehl’s bath products in the sleek bathrooms, and TVs. That being said, there’s virtually no natural light in the rooms due to the opaque glass windows that are locked shut, like many of NYC’s buildings.

Mandarin Oriental, New York

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Most luxurious. Staying at the Mandarin Oriental, New York, was one of the city’s most quintessential five-star hotel experiences. It lay just off Columbus Circle, which meant that we were a less than 10-minute walk from the Lincoln Center. At the same time, we were close to Central Park, Central Park South, Broadway, Times Square, and Midtown Manhattan too.

This outpost of the Mandarin Oriental is a cornerstone of NYC’s five-star hotel scene and boasts fantastic amenities, elite service, and some of the most impressive vistas ever. Even in the entry-level and most affordable rooms (USD 750/night onward!), we were treated to the lavish views that the higher-up rooms enjoyed. While most rooms and suites were categorized by vantage point (Manhattan/Central Park views), they all were decked out in rich hues, decadent curtains for privacy, modern artwork, and marble bathrooms.

Our Verdict!

While we loved all the hotels on this amazing list, here’s a specialized list to help you choose the best of the lot for yourself.

• Best value for money: Hotel Beacon
• Best family-friendly hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Central Park
• Best location: Trump International New York
• Most luxurious: Mandarin Oriental, New York

Where to Stay near Lincoln Center?

Lincoln Center sits in the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood, sandwiched between Central Park and the Hudson River. To its north lies the upscale and leafy Upper West Side and to its south sits Hell’s Kitchen, which is part of Midtown Manhattan. To its southeast sits the sleek and posh Central Park South.

We begin with Lincoln Square, which is a blend of high-end condos and hotels and cultural interests. What’s more, the neighborhood is home to charming streets with statues and sprawling courtyards, as well as Michelin-rated restaurants. So, Lincoln Square is all about luxurious real estate with the convenience of Manhattan. Next, there’s the Upper West Side, which is one of the quieter parts of NYC. It boasts a great bunch of bars and restaurants, along with the American Museum of Natural History. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the biggest and most popular family neighborhoods in the city. There was also Midtown West, also known as Hell’s Kitchen. Aside from the fancy condos and other kinds of upscale stays, it boasted a ton of chic restaurants and vibrant bars.

Finally, there’s Central Park South, which is just three blocks long and is one of the most prominent areas around Central Park. While one side has all the lush shrubbery and trees of Central Park, the other side has a bunch of pricey and glamorous apartments and condos. In fact, it’s also home to some of the most expensive hotels in New York City. 

Is there a dress code for Lincoln Center NYC?

The objective of Lincoln Center is to showcase the world’s great performances to everyone, so while you could dress up or dress down as you like, the dress code is usually formal, including smart formals.

What are the three buildings at Lincoln Center?

The three buildings are the Metropolitan Opera House, the David H. Koch Theater (earlier the NY State Theater), and David Geffen Hall (earlier Avery Fisher Hall, originally called Philharmonic Hall).

Which hotel is closest to the Lincoln Center?

That would be Trump International New York and Fairfield Inn and Suites New York/Central Park.