There's nothing quite like the thrill of spotting a famous face — a not-so-rare occurrence in New York — and the experience can turn a trip to New York from good to can't-stop-talking-about-it great. If you're dying to rub elbows with celebrities, here are our recommendations for the best places to stay — or to pop into for dinner or a quick drink.
Soho Grand continues to attract its fair share of celebrities with its hip boho-industrial design and lounge party scene. Red-carpet-worthy visitors have included Reese Witherspoon, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lindsay Lohan, Kirsten Dunst, and George Clooney.
Ashley Olsen, Blake Lively, and Rachel Bilson have all reportedly stayed at The Bowery Hotel, and Keifer Sutherland was snapped by the paparazzi as he stumbled into the hotel in the wee hours of the morning. Our reporter shared an elevator with comedienne Sarah Silverman, who told her she always stays here when visiting from L.A.
The Mercer's 75 loft-style guest rooms, beautiful staff, personalized service, and swanky SoHo location make it a go-to choice for celebrities and other fashionable members of the entertainment industry—from Leonardo DiCaprio to fashion designer Calvin Klein, oddball rock star Marilyn Manson, and Russell Crowe (who made headlines in 2005 for allegedly throwing a telephone at a Mercer check-in clerk). The engineer who installed our reporter's DVD player said he'd recently fixed the electronics in the room of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.
The Hotel on Rivington is a secretive hot spot for well-heeled travelers who like their neighborhoods cool and their thread counts high. This monied group inevitably includes celebs; the bellman told our reporter that just the week before her visit, Jay-Z held a star-studded birthday party for rapper Fabolous in the three-level penthouse. Demi Moore, her former hubby Ashton Kutcher, and Edward Norton have also visited the hotel for parties.
Opened in 2009, the Smyth Hotel has quickly become popular amongst celebs. Just minutes from many of the neighborhood's high-end restaurants and a few minutes more from SoHo's shopping, the cool, modern rooms are stocked with enough name-brand amenities to please even the most discriminating starlet. Jake Gyllenhaal chose to party it up in the Smyth Lobby Bar shortly after his split from Reese Witherspoon, and Jessica Alba stayed at the hotel when in town for the Tribeca Film Festival, she set off the fire alarm when trying to make fish sticks in her room!
The Essex House is one of New York's go-to luxury hotels for notable names. Sheryl Crow has been photographed walking out of its golden doors, and Angelina Jolie is rumored to own a penthouse here. Our reporter saw former slugger Reggie Jackson and Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan at the South Gate bar.
Since 1930, the Carlyle has been a discreet host to artists, presidents, and local and international celebrities. In fact, its expert discretion—photos aren't even allowed in the restaurants when people are present—has earned the hotel its status as a vault to some of the city's biggest secrets, scandals, and intrigue. Even JFK and Marilyn Monroe trusted their trysts to their strict security.
The Standard became popular with celebrities and the fashion crowd almost overnight. Madonna and Lindsay Lohan attended the opening of the Boom Boom Room, the new glam mirrors-and-brass cocktail lounge, and the Standard Grill's back room has also drawn its fair share of celebrities.
An elegant, historic hotel across the street from Central Park, the Pierre offers a taste of grand old New York to guests staying in any of its 189 freshly renovated guest rooms. Famed residents of yore include Natalie Wood and Elizabeth Taylor, and nowadays, The Pierre draws everyone who's anyone — from reality stars to politicians. (When our reporter was visiting, Mayor Bloomberg attended a benefit at the hotel.) Saturday Night Live cast members Kristen Wiig and Seth Meyers were once spotted at an event hosted by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and Romano Singer, of Real Housewives of New York City fame, held her vow-renewal ceremony in The Pierre's extravagant, Rococo-inspired rotunda.
The Palace is one of the main shooting locations for the TV show Gossip Girl, which typically films at the hotel one to two days per month. Many other celebrities, royalty, and well-to-do guests regularly stay at the hotel, particularly in the VIP Towers section. In fact, until recently, the hotel was even owned by royalty -- the sultan of Brunei.
This 1925 boutique hotel has been redesigned with bold art and velvet interiors, synonymous with old Hollywood. The Rose Bar remains a celeb magnet—recent visitors include Sting, Janet Jackson, Kid Rock, and Chace Crawford.
Currently reopening (after a $1 billion renovation set to finish in spring 2025), this Art Deco icon has hosted presidents (most recently Barack Obama), royalty, and celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Brad Pitt. The Peacock Alley bar and Bull & Bear are still drawing attention.