Profile

The trouble with many hotel chains—luxury ones included—is that once you’re ensconced in the guest rooms, you could be anywhere. The Ritz-Carlton’s Battery Park property, however, doesn’t have that problem. Though guests enjoy impeccable amenities and service, there’s little chance of waking up and thinking you’re in Phoenix. The site’s spacious gold-and-green rooms boast sweeping views of the Staten Island Ferry, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the New Jersey and downtown skylines. (In the case of some corner suites, you can spy all of the above; harborside rooms come with their own telescopes.) All rooms have works by local artists, plush bedding, Bulgari toiletries, and access to services like butler-drawn baths and a fourteenth-floor spa and gym. Upgrade to the club level (typically about $100 extra) and you’ll get DVD players and entry to a private lounge with its own concierge and five complimentary drinks and meals. The fourteenth-floor Rise bar is the spot for fresh air and martinis, while the 2 West steakhouse does American bistro fare. Though the island’s-end location makes this a bit of a trek for mid- and uptown attractions, guests (a mix of business, leisure, and laying-low celebs) appreciate the space, the quiet, and the view. Significantly lower weekend rates make the luxury surprisingly accessible. — Veronica Mullen

New York’s only waterside hotel; spacious rooms; quiet location; top-notch service; substantially lower weekend rates.

Cons 
Remote location; limited nearby conveniences and dining options.