In this paper, a new type of high-order finite difference and finite volume multi-resolution weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) schemes is presented for solving hyperbolic conservation laws. We only use the information defined on a hierarchy of nested central spatial stencils and do not introduce any equivalent multi-resolution representation. These new WENO schemes use the same large stencils as the classical WENO schemes in 25,45, could obtain the optimal order of accuracy in smooth regions, and could simultaneously suppress spurious oscillations near discontinuities. The linear weights of such WENO schemes can be any positive numbers on the condition that their sum equals one. This is the first time that a series of unequal-sized hierarchical central spatial stencils are used in designing high-order finite difference and finite volume WENO schemes. These new WENO schemes are simple to construct and can be easily implemented to arbitrary high order of accuracy and in higher dimensions. Benchmark examples are given to demonstrate the robustness and good performance of these new WENO schemes. •A new class of high order finite difference and finite volume WENO schemes are constructed.•These schemes are based on the multi-resolution idea, and a series of unequal-sized hierarchical central spatial stencils.•These schemes can use arbitrary positive linear weights, and are easy to implement for one and multi-dimensions.•These schemes have a gradual degrading of accuracy near discontinuities.