Finding the best hotels in Kingston, NY starts with knowing the city. And Kingston is one of the most underrated weekend getaways from New York City. It sits about two hours north of the city in the Hudson Valley, and unlike some of the more polished towns along the river, it still has a lived-in, creative edge that makes it genuinely interesting to explore.
There are three distinct areas worth knowing about: the Stockade District (Uptown), the Rondout waterfront (Downtown), and the Mid-Town arts corridor along Broadway. Each has its own character, and together they make Kingston one of the few Hudson Valley towns where a weekend still feels like not quite enough time. Between the restaurants, breweries, art galleries, and river access — plus easy day trips to wineries and hiking trails nearby — you could easily fill two or three days without doubling back.
Where to Stay in Kingston, NY
As for where to stay: for first-time visitors, I’d point you toward the Stockade District almost every time. It’s the most walkable part of the city and where you’ll find the best concentration of restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. Hotel Kinsley is the top pick if the budget allows — it’s spread across four historic buildings in the heart of the neighborhood and has one of the best restaurants in Kingston on site. The Wiltwyck is the smarter choice if you want the same great location for less.
If you’d rather have more space and privacy and don’t mind being away from the walkable areas, Hutton Brickyards along the Hudson River is worth a look. And if you’re really just using Kingston as a base for hiking and winery hopping around the region, there are solid chain options off Route 9W that will save you money without much sacrifice.
Planning your meals too? Check out my guide to the
best restaurants in Kingston, NY – including a full review of Restaurant Kinsley inside Hotel Kinsley.
Table of Contents
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Overview: Best Hotels in Kingston
What is the Best Area to Stay in Kingston?
Stockade District (Uptown)
This is where the best hotels in Kingston are for most first-time visitors. The Stockade District is the most walkable part of Kingston, with the best concentration of restaurants, bars, boutique shops, and historic architecture all within a few blocks of each other. Hotel Kinsley sits right in the heart of it, and the Wiltwyck is just on the edge. If you’re coming for a weekend and want to be able to walk out the door and into a good dinner, this is the neighborhood.
Rondout (Downtown / Waterfront)
The Rondout is Kingston’s waterfront district and has a completely different feel — more relaxed, more artsy, with galleries, a few good restaurants, and the Hudson River Maritime Museum. It’s worth spending an afternoon here regardless of where you’re staying. Accommodation options are limited though. A great option is Kingston Carriage House, a boutique inn with 8 suites split between the main carriage house and a separate coach house. It’s not a full-service hotel (no on-site dining or staff), but there’s a complimentary coffee and refreshments lounge on the second floor, and the charm and location put it well above the chain options on Route 9W.
Midtown (Broadway Corridor)
This is mostly a local neighborhood with some good restaurants and breweries scattered along Broadway, but it’s not a destination area for visitors and there aren’t meaningful hotel options here. Worth knowing exists if you’re exploring on foot or by car, but not somewhere you’d base yourself.
Route 9W (North of Kingston)
The Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn, and Hampton Inn are all clustered out here. They’re technically in the town of Ulster despite having Kingston addresses. These are fine if you’re primarily using Kingston as a base for driving around the Hudson Valley — hiking, wineries, other towns — and don’t care much about walking around the city itself. Perfectly comfortable places to sleep, but you’ll need a car for everything and won’t get any of the neighborhood feel that makes Kingston worth visiting in the first place.
Best Hotels in Kingston
STOCKADE DISTRICT
#1. Hotel Kinsley
Hotel Kinsley is the best hotel in Kingston and it’s not particularly close. What makes it unusual is the format — rather than a single building, the hotel is spread across four restored historic properties within a few blocks of each other in the heart of the Stockade District. The main building at 301 Wall St is a 19th century bank restoration where you check in and where Restaurant Kinsley is located. The Pearl St building from the 1680s houses the gym, sauna, and spa. The Fair St building sits above a boutique clothing shop. And the most recent addition on John St is a European-style cottage rebuilt after being burned in the Revolutionary War.
It’s my top pick for first-time visitors to Kingston who want to be walking distance to everything. The restaurant alone is worth it — check out my guide to the best restaurants in Kingston for a full review. The one real downside is price, which can spike on busy weekends. If the rate is over your budget, the Wiltwyck two blocks away is the next best thing.
STOCKADE DISTRICT | FULL RESTAURANT & BAR | GYM & SPA | UPSCALE
STOCKADE DISTRICT
#2. The Wiltwyck
The Wiltwyck is a family-owned boutique inn sitting right on the edge of the Stockade District. It’s small — just four room options: two single bed suites, a two-bedroom suite with kitchen, and a self-contained one-bedroom apartment with a living room and kitchen. No on-site restaurant or staff in the way a hotel would have, but everything you need is within a two-minute walk out the front door.
It’s the smartest choice if you want the same great Stockade District location as Hotel Kinsley but at a lower price point. The one thing worth knowing before you book: all beds are queen-sized, so if a king is non-negotiable for you, Kinsley is your only option in this neighborhood.
STOCKADE DISTRICT | BOUTIQUE INN | NO DINING | MID RANGE
HUDSON RIVER
#3. Hutton Brickyards
Hutton Brickyards is the most scenic property in Kingston, sitting directly alongside the Hudson River on a sprawling historic site. It’s also the most distinctive — accommodations are spread across three very different spaces. The Edgewood Mansion has 12 guest rooms plus the restaurant and bar. The Cottage sleeps up to four guests across two bedrooms with a king downstairs, a queen loft upstairs, a large living room, and an outdoor courtyard. And a row of cabins sits right along the river’s edge, available in king or queen.
The honest caveat: Hutton Brickyards hosts a lot of weddings and corporate events in summer, and a large event on property can disrupt the peaceful riverside experience you’re paying for — the cabins especially feel this. If you’re booking in peak season, it’s worth checking whether there’s an event scheduled during your stay. That said, the restaurant is genuinely excellent and open to non-guests, and when the property is running normally it’s one of the more special places to stay in the Hudson Valley.
HUDSON RIVER | FULL RESTAURANT & BAR | UPSCALE | NOT WALKABLE
RONDOUT
#4. Kingston Carriage House
Kingston Carriage House is a boutique inn tucked into the Rondout waterfront district with just 8 suites across two buildings — five rooms in the main carriage house and three in a separate coach house. It’s an intimate, private experience that feels nothing like a standard hotel. There’s no on-site dining or staff presence, but guests have access to a second floor Captain’s Lounge stocked with complimentary coffee, tea, and refreshments. The property can also be booked entirely for private events.
At $200-300 a night it sits between the Wiltwyck and Hutton Brickyards in terms of price, and it’s the best option if you want to be based in the Rondout area rather than the Stockade District. It won’t suit everyone — you’re away from the main walkable restaurant and bar scene in Uptown — but if the waterfront vibe appeals and you don’t mind driving or taking a short ride to dinner, it’s a charming and genuinely unique place to stay.
RONDOUT | BOUTIQUE INN | NO DINING | MID-RANGE
Other Hotels Near Kingston
If you’re using Kingston primarily as a base for exploring the wider Hudson Valley — hiking, wineries, other towns — the chain hotels along Route 9W just north of the city are a practical and affordable option. They’re about a 15-minute drive from the Stockade District, so don’t expect to walk anywhere, but they’re comfortable and reliable.
The three best options in this area are the Residence Inn (best choice — breakfast included, indoor pool, and suites available for longer stays), the Courtyard by Marriott (solid mid-range option with a business center), and the Hampton Inn (typically the cheapest of the three, breakfast included)
FAQ: Best Hotels in Kingston, NY
What is the best area to stay in Kingston, NY?
Teh best hotels in Kingston are generally found in the Stockade District for most visitors, especially first-timers. It’s the most walkable neighborhood in Kingston with the highest concentration of restaurants, bars, and shops. Hotel Kinsley and the Wiltwyck are both located here.
How far is Kingston, NY from New York City?
Kingston is about 90 miles north of New York City, roughly a 2-hour drive depending on traffic. Amtrak’s Empire Service line stops at Rhinecliff station, about 10 miles from downtown Kingston. You can then take a taxi or rideshare from there.
Is Kingston, NY worth visiting for a weekend?
Absolutely. In fact a single weekend isn’t quite enough. Kingston has three distinct neighborhoods each worth exploring, plus easy access to hiking in the Catskills, Hudson Valley wineries, and nearby towns like Woodstock and Rhinebeck.
When is the cheapest time to visit Kingston, NY?
March and the winter months of December through January tend to have lower hotel rates, while August through October sees slightly higher prices. Fall foliage season in particular drives up demand across the Hudson Valley.
Do I need a car to visit Kingston, NY?
It depends where you stay. The Stockade District is walkable enough for a car-free weekend if you’re based there. To explore the Rondout waterfront and the Midtown arts corridor, you can get by using ride share. But for day trips to wineries or hiking trails, a car is probably necessary.
Is Kingston, NY safe?
Kingston is generally safe for tourists, particularly in the Stockade District and Rondout waterfront areas where most visitors spend their time. Like any city, just use common sense at night in unfamiliar areas.
Kingston is one of those Hudson Valley towns that rewards multiple visits. There’s always something new to explore between the Stockade District, the Rondout, and the surrounding area. If you’re still planning your trip, check out my guides to the best restaurants in Kingston and the best breweries in the Hudson Valley to help fill out your itinerary.
Hudson Valley
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