The Lowell, New York CityThe Lowell in New York City, United States has a corrected score of 3.9 ± 0.1 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms), ranked 22 of 498 hotels we score in New York City. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 4.0 before correction: Booking.com 4.2, Tripadvisor 4.1, Google 4.0, Agoda 3.9. Rooms from about $1,120 a night (cached, not a live quote).The Lowell is a 17-storey boutique hotel built in 1927 on East 63rd Street in Manhattan's Upper East Side. It has 74 individually decorated rooms and suites, some arranged like private Manhattan apartments with marble bathrooms. The building sits on a quiet, tree-lined street a short walk from Central Park, with galleries and theatres nearby. Dining includes the Majorelle restaurant and Jacques Bar, and there is a fitness centre, free WiFi, valet parking and subway access close by. Renovated in 2016, it suits travellers wanting a residential, service-led stay rather than a large modern hotel. Rates start around $1,120 a night, so it is a considerable investment, and rooms tend to be booked up well ahead.What stands out

Spacious suites with fireplaces

Discreet, attentive staff

Quiet street near Central Park

Pet-friendly with valet parking

Watch out for

Rooms must be reserved early

Very high nightly rates

Better-scored in New York City

Pendry Manhattan West, New York City: 4.3 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), from $1,489 a night. Pendry Manhattan West is a contemporary five-star hotel in Midtown Manhattan, close to Hudson Yards, Madison Square Garden and the High Line.

Crosby Street Hotel, New York City: 4.3 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), from $1,294 a night. Crosby Street Hotel is a boutique property on a quiet cobbled street in SoHo, New York, opened in 2009 and part of the Design Hotels group.

The Fifth Avenue, New York City: 4.2 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), from $1,031 a night. The Fifth Avenue is a boutique hotel situated at the corner of 28th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan's NoMad neighbourhood.