The Knickerbocker New York is a legendary five-star hotel offering an unparalleled blend of historic charm and modern sophistication. Located in the iconic heart of Midtown Manhattan at the corner of Broadway and 42nd Street, the Knickerbocker Hotel combines historic charm with modern luxury—now owned and operated by RLJ Lodging Trust, a Black-founded hospitality investment firm led by entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson of BET fame. This upscale, full-service hotel offers culturally significant ownership, world-class amenities, and immediate access to New York City’s arts, business, and entertainment districts.
For Rates & Availability please use our Expedia affiliate link.
Highlights & Amenities
- 330 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites
- Rooftop bar with panoramic views over Times Square
- Dining Options:
- St. Cloud Rooftop: A 7,800-square-foot rooftop bar and lounge on the 17th floor, featuring plush “sky pods” that offer unrivaled views of the Times Square Ball Drop.
- Charlie Palmer Steak IV: The hotel’s signature full-service restaurant on the 4th floor, led by the renowned Chef Charlie Palmer.
- Jake’s at The Knick: A ground-level artisanal café and espresso bar with vaulted ceilings inspired by the New York City subway.
- Akoya: A newer rooftop addition specializing in innovative temaki sushi and Japanese-inspired delicacies.
- State-of-the-art business and event facilities
- Fitness center, concierge services, and meeting/event spaces
- Iconic Beaux-Arts architecture with modern interiors
- Prime address at Broadway & 42nd Street—steps from theaters, shopping, transit
Location Highlights
- 6 Times Square / 142 West 42nd Street, Manhattan, NY – in the center of the Theatre District
- Easy walk to Bryant Park, the New York Public Library
- Easy access to major transit hubs (Grand Central & Penn Station nearby)
- Ideal for culture seekers, business travelers, arts patrons and urban explorers
- Location Highlights
- Located at 6 Times Square—steps from Broadway theaters, Bryant Park, and Fifth Avenue
- Close to African American cultural landmarks such as:
- The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture (Harlem)
- The Apollo Theater
- National Jazz Museum in Harlem
What Makes It Unique
Few hotels in the world blend such storied history, luxury service, and Black-led ownership at the same time. With RLJ Lodging Trust at the helm, the Knickerbocker stands as a powerful example of Black excellence in full-service hospitality and urban investment—making it a meaningful choice for travelers who value representation and legacy alongside premium comfort.
Traveler Tip
Book a rooftop table at sunset to enjoy one of the best skyline views in New York, paired with handcrafted cocktails. Ask about seasonal events for exclusive nightlife experiences overlooking Times Square. Originally opened in 1906 and reimagined for the modern traveler, this hotel provides a seamless mix of Gilded Age glamour and contemporary comfort.
Historical Significance…click more..
The Knickerbocker is a 5-star luxury hotel located at the iconic corner of Broadway and 42nd Street in Times Square. A designated New York City Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it stands as a “modern urban sanctuary” within a beautifully restored Beaux-Arts masterpiece.
Originally opened in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV, the hotel was a celebrated symbol of the Gilded Age before transitioning into office use for several decades, including serving as Newsweek’s headquarters. Following a meticulous restoration, The Knickerbocker reopened in 2015, seamlessly blending its historic grandeur with sleek, contemporary interiors for a refined, modern stay in the heart of New York City.
Historical Significance & Building
- Gilded Age Origins: Commissioned by John Jacob Astor IV and opened in 1906, it was once the social nucleus of New York’s elite, hosting figures like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Enrico Caruso.
- Architectural Legacy: The building is famous for its red brick and limestone facade crowned by a prominent green copper mansard roof.
- The “Newsweek Building”: After closing as a hotel in 1920 due to Prohibition, it served as an office building and was the home of Newsweek magazine from 1940 to 1959.
- Aviation & Invention: It is famously (though apocryphally) rumored to be the birthplace of the martini cocktail, reportedly created for John D. Rockefeller in 1912.
Unique Dining & Social Hubs
- St. Cloud Rooftop: A 7,800-square-foot rooftop bar and lounge on the 17th floor, featuring plush “sky pods” that offer unrivaled views of the Times Square Ball Drop.
- Charlie Palmer Steak IV: The hotel’s signature full-service restaurant on the 4th floor, led by the renowned Chef Charlie Palmer.
- Jake’s at The Knick: A ground-level artisanal café and espresso bar with vaulted ceilings inspired by the New York City subway.
- Akoya: A newer rooftop addition specializing in innovative temaki sushi and Japanese-inspired delicacies.
Luxury Accommodations & Location
- “Made to Measure” Luxury: The hotel features 330 rooms, including 31 suites with 12-foot ceilings, custom furnishings, and lavish marble bathrooms featuring rain showers.
- Prime Transit Access: A historic subway entrance—marked by an original “Knickerbocker” lintel—still exists in the basement (though now disused) leading to the Times Sq-42 St station.
- Walkable Landmarks: Guests are just steps from Broadway theaters and a 10-minute walk from Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center.
For Rates & Availability please use our Expedia affiliate link.
