The Knickerbocker is a legendary New York landmark reborn as the first luxury hotel in Times Square. A treasured monument among Manhattan hotels, The Knickerbocker is a haven of refined elegance created by John Jacob Astor IV in 1906. Here, famed Italian tenor Enrico Caruso and renowned American playwright George M. Cohan made their homes, and names like Rockefeller and Fitzgerald gathered in the bar, once known as the 42nd Street Country Club. Today, it has been reimagined into a sophisticated urban sanctuary mere blocks from Fifth Avenue, The Metropolitan Opera, Rockefeller Center, MoMA and Central Park. The Knickerbocker is ADA compliant under the Department of Justice ADA Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36, 1991. For information about accessible features, please view our Accessibility Statement.
The gorgeous Beaux-Arts façade of this luxury hotel in NYC is juxtaposed with a contemporary luxury aesthetic within. The stunning transformation led by acclaimed architectural design firm Gabellini Sheppard Associates invites discerning travelers to discover 330 guest rooms and suites that boast incredible views and bespoke furnishings. Cuisine by Charlie Palmer, style by Ted Gibson, exclusive spa experiences, and a robust fitness program curated for today’s modern traveler add an air of posh authenticity. Crowning The Knickerbocker’s renowned location is St. Cloud, a spectacular rooftop bar atop Times Square. Perched enviably beneath the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball, it affords the most privileged views of the most visited place on earth.
Location:
New York City is one of the world’s most dynamic destinations – new restaurants, new shows, new museums and new trends are constantly appearing. For discerning travelers looking for luxury hotels in NYC, The Knickerbocker Hotel is the prime choice, thanks to its central location, impeccable style and five-star services.
No other luxury hotels in New York have such a central location as The Knickerbocker Hotel. Situated in the heart of Times Square, NYC’s most iconic attraction, it places guests within reach of everything New York City has to offer. Broadway Shows, Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park are just a short walk away, while twelve subway lines connect Times Square to destinations further afield (Central Park, the best shopping on Fifth Avenue, and Union Square are all two stops away). The Knickerbocker is also at the center of Midtown’s business district, so guests can arrive at work meetings on time without worrying about transportation.
Style:
Built in 1906, The Knickerbocker has a rich history as one of the most luxurious hotels in NYC. The likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald hobnobbed with opera stars, journalists and politicians, and it was here that John D. Rockefeller ordered the first-ever Martini. Today, that legendary history lives on in the Knickerbocker’s style, which embraces the past while looking towards future. Design firm Gabellini Sheppard Associates curated the entire look with muted tones, sleek wood furnishings and silver accents.
Service:
Of all the luxury hotels in NYC, only The Knickerbocker can give guests such high level of service. Onsite cuisine by renowned chef Charlie Palmer and fitness from Larry Johnson ensure all guests leave New York City with memories that can last a lifetime.
Our History
Built in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV, scion of one of America’s wealthiest families, The Knickerbocker played host to the world’s biggest names in entertainment, politics, culture and high society in the earliest years of the 20th century. Its iconic Beaux-Arts design, glamorous European luxury, and welcoming American hospitality made it “the” place to be for glitterati and dignitaries, while its legendary barroom became known as “The 42nd Street Country Club.” Indeed, if something happened in New York during in the early 1900s, then it probably happened here at The Knickerbocker.
Though open for just fourteen brief years, The Knickerbocker was one of three entities—along with the New York Times and the subway (the hotel even had its own stop on the C line; while no longer functional, the hotel nameplate is still there)—whose arrival at the crossroads of 42nd Street and Broadway transformed sleepy Times Square into New York City’s biggest tourist destination. The onset of Prohibition marked the beginning of the end for the hotel renowned for its lavish parties and nightlife, and in 1920 the property was converted into offices, even becoming the home of Newsweek magazine for several years.
A true New York City icon, even the hotel’s name is steeped in history. In the early 1800s, a “Knickerbocker” was a common synonym for upper-crust, Dutch-descended New Yorkers, eventually becoming a nickname for all New Yorkers. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and designated a New York City Landmark in 1988, The Knickerbocker is reborn today as a modern urban sanctuary in the heart of a fascinating city.
Dog-Friendly Hotel in NYC
Exploring NYC from The Knick: A Dog-Friendly Hotel in NYC
Ideally situated in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, The Knickerbocker makes exploring New York City with pets easy. Bryant Park is just steps away, providing dogs—and their owners—a leafy oasis. While pets are prohibited from the central lawn, they are allowed on the outer promenades. Midtown office workers gather here during lunch hours, but in the morning it’s the daily host to countless NYC dog walkers.
Central Park is also nearby. It is here that dogs can run free and experience nature, while owners can enjoy some of the best skyline views in the city. At the southern end of the park, closest to our pet friendly luxury hotel in NYC, dog walkers will find dedicated drinking fountains and pet-friendly areas. For a truly New Yorker experience, dog owners should come here in the mornings and evenings—when locals are walking their pets before and after work.
At The Knick, pets are treated with the same respect and pampering as guests. Our concierge can also assist in coordinating dog-walking services, if needed.
The Knickerbocker gladly welcomes dogs that weigh up to 40 pounds. Guests with dogs are required to pay a non-refundable $300 deposit per stay. This fee is applied at check-in and covers the entire duration of your stay. This fee includes:
– A medium or large plush pet bed for your dog to use during their stay
– A set of two bowls
– A bag of custom dog treats to take home with you
– Deep cleaning after departure
Kid & Family Friendly Hotel in NYC
A Luxury Family-Friendly Hotel in New York with Fun for Kids of All Ages
Introducing children to New York City is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for parents. From the Broadway shows to the skyline views, NYC’s family attractions are endless. The Knickerbocker is a kid-friendly hotel, and gladly welcomes families of all sizes.
Exploring the City from The Knick: A Family-Friendly Luxury Hotel in NYC
From its central location on the corner of 42nd and Broadway, The Knickerbocker allows guests of all ages to explore the very best of New York’s family-friendly activities. Times Square, at The Knick’s front door, is a veritable children’s playground, with awe-inspiring billboards and kid-friendly stores like the M&M Store. It’s also the centerpoint for Broadway theater, where musicals like The Lion King, Matilda, Wicked and Aladdin are family standards, welcoming audiences both young and young at heart.
Bryant Park, with its carousel and expansive lawn, is a perfect escape from the lights and crowds of Times Square. Here, children can run free on the grass or enjoy a family picnic during warmer months. On certain summer weekdays, children-friendly Broadway musicals perform concerts, and on certain weeknights, the park screens kid-friendly movies on the lawn. In winter, a popular ice skating rink replaces the grass. Coupled with the rink at Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park’s ice skating is one of New York City’s most iconic family-friendly winter activities.
Further afield, Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and The Empire State Building are attractions that entertain children of all ages.
Kid-Friendly Hotel Amenities at the Knickerbocker
Ideally placing them at the very center of Midtown Manhattan, The Knickerbocker is a family-friendly hotel that happily welcomes young guests, treating them to their own special set of amenities.
Children staying at The Knick enjoy toys, coloring books, and milk-and-cookies. Select suites come with pull-out deluxe sofa beds, letting larger families stay in one room.
Ask The Knickerbocker concierges for their recommendations on kid-friendly activities in New York, and they can help arrange tickets and transportation.
