Room Service Top Picks: Iconic City Stays

From Paris to NYC, where to stay in the world's most iconic cities.
waldorf astoria shanghai


The Daily Navigator strives to help you make the best decisions in travel. While we produce content according with strict editorial integrity this post may contain references to partner products. Here’s a full explanation for how our team makes money .

Whether we’re willing to admit it or not, we all love a cliche. 

Movies and books have dug romanticism so deep into us that even the most devout travel snobs get a little giddy at the prospect of a Paris love affair, a Vespa adventure across Rome, or the chance to holler “taxi!” in NYC (yelling “Uber!” just doesn’t hit the same).

Some cities just draw us in more than others, and it’s a waste to stay somewhere that doesn’t embody what they mean to you. So, to offer you the chance to live your dream, here are some of the best stays in the world’s most iconic cities.

Audrey Hepburn not included.

Our top picks: Iconic City Stays

nyc plaza hotel exterior

The Plaza

New York, NY

$$$$ | Pics →

Few cities on the planet command a reputation like the Big Apple. Its energy, dramatic cityscape, and ridiculous variety of things to do make it a dream destination for millions across the globe — especially at Christmas.

Where better to embrace every cliche than the iconic Plaza Hotel? Whether you’ve read about it in the pages of the Great Gatsby or seen it on the screen in films like Home Alone or Sex and the City, it’s an NYC stalwart. 

At over a hundred years old, it’s luxurious to a fault, enjoys stunning views over Central Park, and if you pass through its lobby in December, you’ll turn to mush.

Book your stay.

view of eiffel tower from balcony

Paris View Loft

Paris, France

$$$$ | Pics →

Drastically different from New York. Equally iconic. France is the most visited country in the world, and Paris is the reason why. Endlessly romantic with a world-class attraction on what feels like every corner, there are few people who haven’t dreamt of wasting a year sipping coffee in a street side bistro or wandering down the Seine with a bottle of wine.

If you need to know you’re in Paris from the second you wake up, look no further. Frankly, we barely looked at the photos of the inside of the loft. The balcony view is simply astonishing and worth the price tag alone. We’re sure it’s got some furniture or something.

Book your stay.

claridge's hotel exterior

Claridge’s London

London, UK

$$$$$ | Pics →

The Old Smoke is a special city. Every street, neighborhood, and borough holds its own secrets, and a life is needed to discover them all. Historic, beautiful, and stupendously international, London is far more than Hugh Grant films (no disrespect to Notting Hill, it’s a classic) and the Royal Family.

If you’re not there for long, step into some history and stay at Claridge’s. Churchill’s favorite hotel, the fabled luxury rooms have hosted Kings, Queens, celebrities, and heads of state for well over a century. Splash on an afternoon tea for the full experience.

Book your stay.

Our Other Top Picks

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone. This post contains references to products from one or more of our partners and we may receive compensation when you click on links to those products.

Stay in the know

Get expert insight into credit cards, loyalty programs, financial tips, and more with the Smart Points Newsletter.

Related Stories

Smart Points Logo

Stay in the know with
Smart Points Newsletter

Get expert insight into travel credit cards, loyalty programs, points tips, and more. Recent edition →

Get expert insight into travel credit cards, loyalty programs, points tips, and more. Recent edition →

Advertiser Disclosure

This article contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The relationship may impact how an offer is being presented. Our site doesn’t include all the offers available. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

DFC Partner Perks App Link Image
Special Discounts for Our Members

Save Big with Perks

Get $5,000+ in immediate travel savings with Perks. Unlock next level travel benefits, for life. Get discounts from the world’s best travel brands you won’t find anywhere else. No credit required.

DFC Concierge App Link Image
Special Discount for Our Members

93% off lifetime access

Save $1,200 and 10 hours of your time on every vacation. With Lifetime access to DFC Concierge, get fully customized trip itineraries to make every vacation unforgettable.

Dollar Flight Club App Link Image
Special Discount for Our Members

50% Off PREMIUM

You can save up to $500 on your next adventure without lifting a finger get email alerts when we find flights up to 90% off leaving your home airport. Just let us know your departure airport and we’ll do the rest.

The Navigator Commitment

The Daily Navigator is the cornerstone of the DFC Media family. Through each of our brands, we’re dedicated to helping our readers travel, spend, and live smarter.

With products dedicated to affordable travel, daily news, hospitality, and personal finance, we deliver the day’s essential content with none of the filler — all in a way that’s fast, easy, and fun to read. Every morning, over 2 Million travelers trust DFC to deliver the latest news and information so that they can make informed decisions faster. We hope you’ll join them.

We’re happy to have you here!