Why it made this week's list
New York is especially interesting to search now because several very different travel windows are coming into range. Families traveling September 8–20 can take advantage of NYC Broadway Week, with participating shows offering 2-for-1 tickets. October brings comfortable sightseeing weather and fall color in Central Park, while late November and December transform the blocks around the Palace into one of the city’s biggest holiday attractions.
The hotel is unusually well placed for that season: Rockefeller Center is about a five-minute walk away. Booking before the holiday rush also gives families more time to compare room types instead of settling for whatever remains. If your schedule is flexible, late September, October, or the quieter stretch before Thanksgiving may offer a better balance of weather and crowds than peak December.
Why families may like it
The biggest advantage here is how little effort it takes to reach classic New York experiences. Rockefeller Center is about five minutes away, while Fifth Avenue, MoMA, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and several subway lines are nearby. That means fewer long transfers with tired children and an easier trip back to the room for a break.
Families also have better room options than at many Manhattan hotels. The two-bedroom Palace Family Suite sleeps up to eight and includes two bathrooms, while connecting Superior rooms can be requested but are not guaranteed. Children under 12 stay free when sharing their parents’ room, and stroller rentals and professional babysitting can be arranged.
The tradeoff: this is a sophisticated city hotel rather than a children’s resort. You are staying here for space, service, history and location—not waterslides, a kids’ club or a day at the pool.
Hotel overview
Lotte New York Palace feels distinctly New York before you ever leave the building. The hotel occupies Madison Avenue opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral and incorporates the historic Villard Mansion, giving the property grand staircases, carved details and Gilded Age atmosphere that newer Midtown hotels cannot easily recreate.
Families can choose standard rooms, double-bed rooms or larger suites. The standout is the 765-square-foot two-bedroom Palace Family Suite, with a king bed, two double beds, sleeper sofa, two bathrooms and room for up to eight guests.
Pomme Palais works well for a quick pastry or breakfast, while Villard offers a more elaborate breakfast; in-room dining is also available. Parents can use the ila Only Spa, and the fitness center is open 24 hours. The hotel can arrange babysitting and stroller rentals.
Do not choose the Palace expecting a resort-style recreation day. Its real amenity is Midtown itself: Rockefeller Center is about five minutes away, and several subway stations are within roughly 3–10 minutes on foot.
Best for
First-Time NYC Families
You can reach several “must-see” sights without spending half the day crossing Manhattan. The downside is that Midtown can feel busy and intense during rush hour and holidays.
Families With School-Age Children
Central Park, Top of the Rock, Broadway and major museums provide plenty of variety. Younger children may need more downtime between attractions.
Multigenerational Families
Larger suites, elevators, nearby transportation and the ability to return to the hotel between outings make the trip easier with grandparents. Two-bedroom suites can also eliminate the uncertainty of connecting rooms.
Families Who Prefer Exploring
This is an excellent base if your hotel is your comfortable home base rather than the main attraction. Families wanting pools, organized kids’ activities and resort-style recreation should look elsewhere.
New York
New York works best when you stop trying to “see everything.” From the Palace, concentrate first on Midtown: walk across to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, explore Rockefeller Center, see the skyline from Top of the Rock, wander Fifth Avenue and visit Grand Central. Times Square and the Broadway theater district are farther west but still easy to reach.
Then give the family a completely different side of Manhattan in Central Park. Its playgrounds, rocks, bridges, lawns and winding paths can feel surprisingly removed from Midtown; the Conservancy lists 21 playgrounds throughout the park.
Museum lovers should consider the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side, where more than 40 permanent halls are included with general admission. Older children may prefer the aircraft carrier, submarine and space exhibits at the Intrepid Museum on the Hudson.
You do not need a rental car. The Palace lists nearby access to the 6, E, M, B, D and F lines, plus Grand Central connections. Walking and subway travel will usually be easier than driving in Manhattan.
Things to do with children
Rockefeller Center — Ages 4+ | 1–2 hrs
About a five-minute walk. Explore the plaza, shops and seasonal displays; easy to combine with a hotel break.
Top of the Rock — Ages 5+ | 1–2 hrs
Skyline views from 70 stories up. Reserve timed tickets; sunset is popular.
Central Park — All ages | 2–4 hrs
Playgrounds, bridges and open space make this an excellent low-cost reset after sightseeing.
American Museum of Natural History — Ages 4+ | 3–5 hrs
Dinosaurs, animals, science and space make this one of the strongest rainy-day choices. Buy ahead for quicker entry.
Broadway Show — Ages vary | 2–3 hrs
Choose by your child’s age and attention span; check each production’s age rules before booking.
Intrepid Museum — Ages 6+ | 2–3 hrs
Explore an aircraft carrier, space exhibits and submarine areas. Some experiences require separate tickets.
Grand Central Terminal — All ages | 45–90 min
Look for the celestial ceiling, famous clock and Whispering Gallery while enjoying a free architectural stop.
Sample family itinerary
Day 1: Easy Midtown Arrival
Morning: Travel to New York.
Afternoon: Check in, settle down and explore St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center.
Evening: Casual dinner nearby and an early night.
Family note: Keep arrival day intentionally light.
Day 2: Central Park + Museum
Morning: Central Park playgrounds and a walk through the south end.
Afternoon: American Museum of Natural History; leave time for a hotel break afterward.
Evening: Dinner near the Palace.
Family note: Rainy day? Spend longer at the museum.
Day 3: Classic NYC
Morning: Grand Central and Bryant Park.
Afternoon: Rest, shop or explore Fifth Avenue.
Evening: Family-friendly Broadway show.
Family note: Do not add another major attraction before the show.
Day 4: Skyline Day
Morning: Slow breakfast and free time.
Afternoon: Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock.
Evening: Dinner and a nighttime Midtown walk.
Family note: This is the slower day.
Day 5: One Last Look
Morning: Pomme Palais breakfast and a short neighborhood walk.
Afternoon: Check out and depart.
Best time to visit
New York changes dramatically by season. May, June, September and October are especially comfortable for families who expect to spend hours walking. Central Park climate normals average about 69°F in September and 58°F in October; November averages about 48°F and December about 39°F, so late-fall visitors should expect jackets, layers and rapidly changing conditions.
September can combine warm sightseeing weather with events such as NYC Broadway Week. October brings cooler days and fall scenery. Late November through December delivers the holiday experience—Rockefeller Center decorations, skating and the famous Christmas tree—but also some of Midtown’s biggest crowds.
Summer brings long days but can be hot and humid, while January and February can offer fewer tourists at the cost of cold weather.
Best overall: September–October and May–June
Best value: January–February and selected late-winter dates
Best weather: May, June, September and early October
Best for fewer crowds: January–February
Period to approach carefully: Thanksgiving through New Year’s if crowds or high hotel prices would frustrate your family
Family travel tips
Skip the rental car. The hotel is close to several subway stations, including the 51st Street station about three minutes away. Parking at the adjacent independently operated garage currently reaches $90 for up to 24 hours, before oversized-vehicle surcharges.
Choose your room carefully. Connecting Superior rooms are requests, not guarantees. For families who must be together, the hotel recommends booking a two-bedroom or specialty suite instead.
Build in hotel breaks. New York involves far more walking, noise and stimulation than many family trips. Returning to the Palace for 60–90 minutes can make the evening much more enjoyable.
Use Pomme Palais strategically. It opens early and can be easier with children than committing to a long sit-down breakfast every morning.
Reserve the big moments. Broadway, Top of the Rock and popular restaurants are much easier when booked before arrival.
Important things to know before booking
Historic Preservation Fee: The hotel currently lists a $25 fee plus 7% tax to support preservation of the Villard Mansion. Confirm the fee attached to your specific rate before booking.
Internet: The hotel currently lists in-room high-speed internet at $15.99 per day in The Palace, while internet in The Towers is complimentary.
Rollaways: Rollaway beds cost $100 per night before tax and are permitted only in suites and king rooms—not rooms already containing two beds.
Cancellation: The hotel currently states a 24-hour cancellation policy, with cancellation by 3 p.m. local time one day before arrival to avoid a one-night room-and-tax charge. Your booked rate may carry different restrictions, so verify before paying.
Parking: The adjacent garage currently charges up to $90 for 24 hours, making a car unnecessary for most Manhattan stays.
Final thoughts
Lotte New York Palace is not the choice for a family that wants to spend four days inside a resort. It makes sense for almost the opposite reason: New York is the attraction, and the Palace puts an unusually comfortable home base in the middle of it.
You can walk out the door and almost immediately be at St. Patrick’s Cathedral or Rockefeller Center, then return to a spacious room when everyone needs a break. Larger families have legitimate suite options, while parents get the atmosphere and service of a historic luxury hotel rather than a property designed only around children.
For a first family trip to New York—especially in fall or during the holiday season—that combination is hard to overlook. The strongest version of this trip is not packed from morning until night. Pick one or two important experiences each day, leave room for pizza stops, playgrounds and unexpected discoveries, and let simply being in New York become part of the adventure.
Unlock Premium Deals & Save More
You're already a free member. Premium unlocks more deals, bigger savings, and access to travel your way — try it for 30 days for $1.
Get more deals and bigger savings.
Check live availability and book your dates.
Premium members save $100s on family stays.
Search 2M+ hotels and book at private rates.