Where to stay

Midtown is the place to reserve a hotel to be near all the biggest names in sightseeing. This district in central Manhattan is unofficially divided into Midtown West and Midtown East, which also have their own sub-neighborhoods. A hotel in Midtown West's Theater District is perfect if a night out on Broadway is on the wish list and photos in Times Square are a must. For convenience, Midtown East is a good place to stay because it includes the famous transportation hub of Grand Central and iconic landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center and Chrysler Building. The Wall Street-Financial District, part of the wider Lower Manhattan area, is the business heart of the Big Apple, a good place to book accommodation if you want to mingle with bankers and see the New York Stock Exchange. This area also includes Battery Park, which offers a great view of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Get a closer view of the statue on the free Staten Island Ferry. The terminal is right near Battery Park.

In historic Tribeca ("Triangle Below Canal Street"), find a hotel along the cobblestone streets, which are lined with modern upscale restaurants and family-run establishments. For Michelin stars and star power, find a room in Chelsea, where big-name chefs run their world-famous restaurants. Union Square hotels are also convenient to restaurants showcasing today's most recognizable celebrity chefs. Alternatively, reserve a room in Hell's Kitchen for the best ethnic dining options, from Bolivian to Thai. In this area, which is right next to the Theater District, many of the establishments stay open late, making it a great neighborhood to stay in for pre- or post-theater dining options.

With its artsy vibe, flagship designer stores and hipster favorites, SoHo is one of the best areas to stay for shopping. This is the place to find high-fashion, popular chain stores and upscale housewares boutiques, alongside perennially popular shops. For shopping variety, Union Square is a great place to stay, with designer names, commercial favorites and the biggest farmers' market in the city: the Greenmarket. Staying in a hotel near 5th Avenue or along Madison Avenue means being close to the world's most upscale shopping - Tiffany & Co., Versace and Chanel - and near New York's legendary department stores, such as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. Brooklyn is known for its quirky shopping scene, so it's a good area to stay for browsing independent boutiques and vintage stores.

Choosing a hotel between 82nd and 105th streets on 5th Avenue puts you close to Museum Mile, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Frick, the Museum of the City of New York and several other top-name institutions. Hotels on the Upper East Side are also convenient to these popular museums and include some of the most luxurious accommodation in the world. A quick subway ride away is Greenwich Village, with a wide variety of restaurants and quiet parks. From here, take the subway to the Upper East Side or the Upper West Side museums, including the American Museum of Natural History and Hayden Planetarium. What's more, both the Upper East Side and Upper West Side are right next to Central Park.