5 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in NYC for Families with Kids

There’s something particularly magical about watching your kids experience New York City for the first time. I’ll never forget my son being pushed around Times Square for the first time, looking around, taking it all in. As a native Michigander, it was so cool to watch him digest the fast-paced city culture. By the end of the trip, he was chiming in with the door closing sound on the subways and, to my total Midwest embarrassment, telling people to “move!” 

Perhaps one of the hardest parts of the trip, though, was finding a hotel that would work well for not one, but two cribs. The hotels I knew and loved from work travel were far too small to fit a single crib… so down the rabbit-hole of family-friendly stays I went. Through that research and personal trial and error, we present Kidgo’s top 5 NYC hotels for families with littles. Read on to see our faves – and why they made the list!

The Peninsula New York ($$$)

The Peninsula is a fabulous option for those with a more flexible budget looking to stay in Midtown or close to Central Park. Its modern design stands out, as well as its larger suites and rooms – especially for being in Manhattan! It also has a nice indoo pool that can help burn some toddler energy off. 

Looking for a little something extra for the kiddos? You can add on the “Camp Peninsula” package ($200 for up to 2 children), which includes a hotel scavenger hunt, a special in-room tent set up, and welcome amenities for the kiddos. Even if that’s a little steep and you don’t opt for that, it really speaks to how the hotel welcomes families with open arms! Imagine how magical this stay would be during the holidays….

Hampton Inn Manhattan-Times Square North ($)

For those wanting to stay in the center of all the action, the Hampton Inn at Times Square is a great option. This is actually where we stayed on our first trip to NYC with kids (it was under $100/night at the time we went!). We figured we wanted to be as close as possible to attractions, since the goal of our trip was really to “show the kids” the tourist-y things in the city. When naptime and bedtime creeped up, we were able to quickly and easily retreat to the hotel. Despite being just off of Times Square, I don’t remember it being loud. We were able to fit two pack-n-plays (it was tight, albeit) in the room and the free breakfast was a hit for our kids!

The Greenwich Hotel ($$$)

For a great option in Tribeca (near SoHo as well), we love The Greenwich. Again, it runs on the higher end, but some things are just worth the splurge. Reviews on the internet frequently report celebrity sightings at the hotel bar!

If the hotel bar isn’t your scene (generally speaking with the kiddos, it’s not mine either), allow us to share some other aspects of the hotel you might like. The hotel offers extremely spacious suites, with a crib and twin bed available upon request. Additionally, the hotel’s car will drive you around the city, depending on availability. The staff is reported to be extremely accommodating to children, and they have game consoles (Wii, etc.), DVDs, and video game systems available on request, as well as kid-focused food available on site. Perhaps the biggest drawback to me is the fact that the pool is only intended for kids ages 4+ at certain times. I’m all for family hours at the pool, but I’m not sure I understand the age restriction. All things considered, that’s pretty minor.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Midtown ($$)

Homewood Suites is a great option for those looking for a more moderately priced Midtown hotel. Rooms include a kitchenette (praise!) which I love for heating up quick snacks or bottles. Because they are suites, this does mean a separate area for eating and sleeping, which can be handy if you don’t want to have to pretend like you’re asleep at 7 pm! I’m a sucker for a free breakfast, which this hotel does offer. There’s no pool here, but you’re so walkable to so much in Midtown, we bet you’ll hardly miss having it!

The Whitby Hotel ($$$)

And for our final Midtown hotel, we have The Whitby! Perhaps their website sums it up best: “families are very welcome at The Whitby Hotel.” Could they be any more clear? We love that. To put their money where their mouth is, The Whitby offers larger beautifully decorated rooms and suites so that you can sleep separately from the kiddos.

Special for kids, the hotel offers Children’s books and board games, bathrobes, slippers, and evening turn-down treats (with the family packages). For me, it’s not the free crib that always makes or breaks the experience; it’s the little things.

Honorable Mentions

• Loews Regency NYC – Perfect for little ones, the hotel offers cribs, baby bath toiletries, and a library of kids’ books and toys. Plus mini kitchens in the rooms make mealtime a breeze.
• Lotte New York Palace – Kids are treated like royalty here with cupcakes, bedtime storybooks, and even a playhouse, while parents can count on stroller rentals and babysitting support.
  
  

Ready to plan your family getaway? Check out all our kid-friendly stays in The Big Apple here.

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