The Knickerbocker Hotel NYC: History, Reviews & Prices

Opened in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV, The Knickerbocker Hotel spent nearly a century navigating closures, office conversions, and landmark designations before reopening in 2015 as the first luxury property directly overlooking Times Square. Today, with 330 rooms including 31 suites, a rooftop bar with unobstructed ball-drop views, and an aggregate Booking.com score of 8.5 out of 10 from roughly 1,420 reviews, the hotel occupies a distinct niche: Gilded Age heritage wrapped in modern five-star design. This guide covers the property’s history, current room options, dining, location, and how it compares to other high-end stays in Midtown Manhattan.

Last checked: 2026-06-01

Hotel Name: The Knickerbocker Hotel · Location: Times Square, New York City · Room Count: 330 rooms including 31 suites · Top Amenity: St. Cloud rooftop bar with Times Square views · Dining: Charlie Palmer Steak IV · Historical Significance: A New York City landmark, originally opened 1906

Why Is The Knickerbocker Hotel Famous?

The 1906 Opening and Early Glamour

John Jacob Astor IV developed and owned The Knickerbocker Hotel when it opened in 1906 at the corner of what was then called Longacre Square, long before that intersection became Times Square. The Beaux-Arts building quickly became what contemporary accounts described as “the place to stay” for New York’s social elite. According to TravelAge West, the hotel attracted a roster of notable figures including novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald, theatrical impresario George M. Cohan, actress Mary Pickford, and former President Theodore Roosevelt.

Opera star Enrico Caruso reportedly lived at The Knickerbocker for an extended period, and his wife is said to have given birth to their daughter in one of the hotel’s suites. John Jacob Astor IV, the hotel’s owner, died in the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, an event that marked the end of an era for the property.

The 2015 Rebirth as Times Square’s First Luxury Hotel

The original hotel closed in 1921 and the building transitioned to office use, becoming known as the Knickerbocker Building. From 1940 to 1959, it served as the headquarters of Newsweek magazine. After decades of non-hotel use, the building received New York City landmark status in 1988, reflecting its Beaux-Arts architectural significance, and was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

After a major renovation in the early 2010s, The Knickerbocker reopened in 2015 as a five-star luxury property. Unlike some historic hotels that preserve original interiors, the current incarnation features modern, minimalist design inside the historic shell. The Lux Life London reviewer notes that the interiors “do not retain much of the original early-1900s character, despite the building’s historic façade and status.”

Is The Knickerbocker Hotel in NYC Good?

Guest Reviews and Ratings

The Knickerbocker holds an aggregate score of 8.5 out of 10 on Booking.com based on approximately 1,420 reviews. The location sub-score consistently ranks highest among guests, reaching approximately 9.5 out of 10, reflecting the appeal of direct access to Times Square and Broadway theaters (Booking.com).

Tripadvisor reviews emphasize several recurring positives: large rooms for New York City standards, exceptionally clean accommodations, comfortable beds, and automatic blackout shades. Time Out New York describes the mattresses as “one of the most comfortable beds” the reviewer had experienced in New York City. Expedia–AARP reviews highlight friendly and helpful staff, along with complimentary bottled water as appreciated touches for older and value-conscious travelers.

Several Tripadvisor reviewers note a downside: the Times Square–adjacent location can bring street noise and crowd congestion, which travelers sensitive to noise may want to consider. A June 2024 trip report by Shayla Jay characterizes the rooms as small by general standards but adequately roomy for two people in the New York City context.

Award Recognition

The Knickerbocker Hotel was nominated in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, placing it among properties considered by one of the travel industry’s most recognized editorial platforms.

Is The Knickerbocker in Times Square?

Exact Location

The Knickerbocker Hotel is located at 6 Times Square, on the corner of West 42nd Street and Broadway in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, according to the hotel’s official FAQ. The address places it directly at the northern edge of Times Square’s brightest commercial district.

Proximity to Broadway and Bryant Park

The hotel markets itself as sitting “atop Times Square,” positioned between the bright lights of Broadway and the green space of Bryant Park. This dual positioning is a key part of its appeal: guests have immediate access to the theater district while being steps from an 18-acre urban park that offers a quieter counterpoint.

The contrast between the kinetic energy of Times Square and the calm of Bryant Park defines the neighborhood character. For visitors attending Broadway shows, the hotel’s location puts most theaters within a short walk.

How to Get to The Knickerbocker Hotel

Subway Access

The hotel’s Midtown location places it within walking distance of several major subway stations. The nearest stops include the 42nd Street–Bryant Park station (B, D, F, M lines), the Times Square–42nd Street station (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W lines), and the 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station (B, D, F, M lines). Visitors arriving from major transit hubs will find direct subway connections: from Grand Central Terminal, take the S shuttle to Times Square; from Penn Station, the 1, 2, or 3 train provides a direct route.

Nearby Landmarks

The hotel sits within a short radius of several notable New York City landmarks. Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock observation deck are approximately 0.4 miles north. The Empire State Building is roughly 0.6 miles north. Bryant Park is immediately adjacent, and the New York Public Library’s main branch on Fifth Avenue is a two-block walk.

What Is the History of The Knickerbocker Hotel?

Original 1906 Opening

The Knickerbocker Hotel opened in 1906, developed by John Jacob Astor IV, a member of one of America’s wealthiest families and a figure known for his investments in Manhattan real estate. The building was designed by the architectural firm Trowbridge & Livingston, which specialized in Gilded Age institutional and residential projects.

The hotel quickly established itself as a social hub. Early celebrity guests included figures from literature, theater, and politics. The property’s proximity to the theater district made it a natural choice for performers and opening-night audiences.

Renovation and Rebirth

After closing as a hotel in 1921, the building served as office space for nearly four decades before Newsweek made it the magazine’s headquarters from 1940 to 1959. The property received landmark designation in 1988, protecting its Beaux-Arts exterior while limiting future redevelopment options.

The 2010s renovation returned the building to hotel use, reopening in 2015 as a luxury property. The current operator positions the hotel as “a legendary NYC hotel reborn,” emphasizing continuity with its 1906 heritage despite the long gap in its life as an actual hotel.

Notable Guests and Events

Beyond the roster of early-20th-century luminaries, the hotel’s history includes Enrico Caruso’s extended stay and the birth of his daughter in a hotel suite. Whether any of these stories influenced the hotel’s revival marketing is unclear; what is evident is that the property leverages its heritage as a differentiator in a crowded Times Square hotel market.

What Are the Prices and Rooms Like?

Room Types

The Knickerbocker Hotel offers 330 guest rooms and 31 suites across several categories. According to Time Out New York, standard room rates begin around $329 per night, with a Standard King Room starting at approximately $450 per night. These figures position the property in the luxury tier for Midtown Manhattan.

Travel blogs describe the rooms as relatively spacious by New York City standards, though still compact compared to hotels in cities with lower real estate costs. Shayla Jay’s June 2024 trip report notes the rooms work well for two guests despite feeling small by non-New York benchmarks. The interiors are described as modern and minimalist, with contemporary design rather than period preservation.

The Knickerbocker Hotel Prices

The Knickerbocker occupies the luxury price band in Midtown Manhattan. Rates vary by season, with higher prices typically during holiday periods, New Year’s Eve, and major Broadway award seasons. The hotel’s proximity to Times Square and the theater district influences pricing, particularly during sold-out periods when demand for nearby accommodations surges.

Passport & Palmtree’s review concludes that the property offers good value within the five-star Midtown category, especially considering the rooftop bar and food quality at Charlie Palmer Steak IV. For travelers prioritizing location and a recognizable heritage property, the pricing falls within the expected range for this positioning.

Where Do Billionaires Stay in NYC?

The Knickerbocker vs. Billionaires’ Row Hotels

The term “Billionaires’ Row” refers to a concentration of ultra-luxury residential towers along the southern edge of Central Park, primarily along 57th Street. Properties in this corridor, including several Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons residences, cater to ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking permanent or semi-permanent Manhattan bases.

The Knickerbocker, positioned at Times Square, is not on Billionaires’ Row. Its location and heritage positioning appeal to a broader luxury traveler demographic: theater-goers, tourists, and business travelers who value the Gilded Age narrative and rooftop access over proximity to Central Park.

Other Luxury Stays in NYC

For travelers seeking alternatives in the ultra-luxury category, New York City offers several options. The Plaza Hotel on Central Park South, opened in 1907, predates the Knickerbocker and occupies a comparable heritage positioning. The Waldorf Astoria New York, whose original iteration opened in 1893, was a direct predecessor in the Gilded Age luxury hotel category.

The Knickerbocker Hotel: A Timeline

Who Is The Knickerbocker Hotel Best For?