To many people New York City is a symbol of America in much the same way the Statue of Liberty has come to represent the United States. New York is the center of trade and finance in the country, home to world class museums, Broadway, the Empire State Building, Times Square and countless other internationally known American icons that have come to shape the culture of the United Sates and brought international recognition. New York has the finest hotels, the finest restaurants, the finest shops, and all the best services that the country has to offer.

When it comes to looking for a wonderful five star hotel in New York the list is extensive. Choosing which hotel may depend on where you want to be in the city. Some of the most prestigious New York Hotels include The New York Palace in Midtown Manhattan near St Patrick's Cathedral and Rockefeller Center, The St Regis Hotel, New York, in the heart of Midtown near the Museum of Modern Art, and the famous Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park.

There is something in New York, and usually the best of it, for anyone with any interest. Music and arts lovers can choose from such famous New York institutions as the world acclaimed Broadway musicals, Carnegie Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, the Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts among many others. Even those just looking to stroll through a park can spend an entire day taking in the sights of the city's famous Central Park.

Hotels to consider in and around these attractions include the five-star boutique Michelangelo Hotel, a unique treat centrally located between the MoMA, and Times Square near Rockefeller Centre, and closer to the New York Public Library is the Iroquois Hotel. On the corner of Central Park at Columbus Circle and Broadway is the landmark Trump International Hotel and Tower. Also on Columbus Circle, with views over Central Park is the five-star Mandarin Oriental, New York.

Most people visiting New York come to see the sights of Manhattan, the island that is the heart of New York City. This is the best and most convenient place to stay but of course New York hotels here are expensive. Everything from four and five star hotels to the most basic of hotels can be found in Manhattan but even cheap hotels in New York can be very pricey. Budget travelers who are unable to find reasonably priced hotels in New York's city center may inevitably end up looking outside the city center for accommodation and then commuting into the city via trains and subway. This will save money but not time.

There are many different areas to explore and it will generally require a lot of walking. Some of the different areas include Battery Park in the south, with ferries to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. At this end of the city is the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park with views over the water to the famous statue. Moving up the island are Wall Street, home of the New York City Stock Exchange, China Town, Little Italy, Soho, Noho, Greenwich Village, and East Village. Key sights that most visitors want to see are the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Station, and the New York Public Library to name just a few.

Due to the extensive subway system all of these places are easily accessible. Deciding which area to stay really depends on personal preference as hotels in New York can be found throughout the city. If you are planning to use the subway you will likely want to find a hotel close to a subway stop.

There are several ways to see New York. One popular option is a hop on hop off bus tour. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city while taking in all the major highlights. These buses usually have stop near the major New York hotels. For the more adventurous looking to tour the city on their own, begin with a good map showing the key sights. Be sure to allow lots of time for each area and bring a sturdy pair of walking shoes.