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A major part of the lure of the New York City skyline—especially for locals and repeat visitors—is its always-in-flux nature. New buildings rise into the air, defying land constraints in order to accommodate the business and residential needs of the most motley mix of people in the world. Even an established edifice such as the Empire State Building keeps people guessing, with its illuminated crown changing colors to suit the accomplishments, celebrations and whimsical moods of the City.

Daytime is best for taking in all of the minute details of the skyline, but it is the City’s nighttime vista (especially from above or afar) that has sparked all sorts of inspiration. These days New York City is going green: interior illuminations are evolving to acknowledge the realities of 21st-century energy consumption; lights are being dimmed (or turned off completely) or replaced in favor of more-efficient methods of effectively illuminating a building.

However, at the end of the day (literally and figuratively), these environmental upgrades do nothing to diminish the awe-inspiring skyline. In fact, people from around the world—and within the five boroughs—flock to the following hotels for, above all things, their amazing City views:

Bentley Hotel
This Upper East Side boutique hotel is essentially on the East River. Aside from river views, you can take in the Manhattan and Queens skylines (depending on your room’s location), or take the whole City in from the 360° rooftop restaurant and lounge.

Bryant Park Hotel
Throughout the year, and especially during NYC’s semiannual Fashion Weeks, the Bryant Park Hotel is saturated with style and media mavens (and those who aspire to be). But if you spare a few minutes from your celeb-watching, you’ll notice that the views of Bryant Park (and the surrounding area) are even more stunning.

Four Seasons Hotel
This world-renowned hotel’s view lives up to its name: no matter what time of year you visit the City, the spectacle of Central Park from your Park-View Tower Room complements the inviting aura of your suite.

Mandarin Oriental
You don’t even have to book a room to perch high above Midtown’s Columbus Circle—just make a reservation at Asiate, ask the waiter to recommend a bottle of wine from the restaurant’s selection of more than 1,300, order the miso-glazed Tasmanian salmon and enjoy one of the best restaurant views in the City.

New York Marriott Brooklyn Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge is so close you’ll feel like you could almost reach out and touch it. And the view of the Manhattan skyline across the East River is a stunner as well.

Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park
From high above the southern tip of Manhattan, you can take in the Statue of Liberty from the Rise Bar and Terrace (or from your bathtub) as well as tranquil panoramas of New York Harbor.

The Sherry-Netherland
Providing a visual antidote to the dramatic Central Park views of the Four Seasons and the Mandarin Oriental, the Sherry-Netherland, located right across the street from the park’s main entrance (Grand Army Plaza), allows for a more intimate (but no less enthralling) angle.

Westin New York at Times Square
The exterior may say Vegas, but the views are pure NYC, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable way to earn your Starwood points than a few nights here right in the middle of Manhattan. The rooms are welcoming, but once you catch a glimpse of the urban landscape from your window, you’ll be more tempted to step out and explore than to stay inside and fuss around with the LCD HDTV.