Unapologetically hip, the 394-room Freehand New York is the boutique brand's Big Apple outpost. The property is overloaded with buzzy features aimed squarely at the millennial market including three trendy restaurants, two bars, and a lounge space jam-packed with twenty- and thirtysomethings on their laptops. Rooms are also configured with young travelers in mind, and together with the typical Queen, King, and Suite categories, the hotel offers Bunk and Three's Company units with bunk beds suited to friend groups or the occasional family. But apart from features and rooms, the scene here is a huge reason travelers make the Freehand their home base. The nightlife scene bleeds into morning hours, with travelers and locals circling the hotel's bars. Playful social get togethers, like tarot readings or nude drawing classes gives even more incentive to stay on the premises. Those looking for an equally buzzy hotel could try the Ace.
Unapologetically hip, the 394-room Freehand New York is the boutique brand's Big Apple outpost. The property is overloaded with buzzy features aimed squarely at the millennial market including three trendy restaurants, two bars, and a lounge space jam-packed with twenty- and thirtysomethings on their laptops. Rooms are also configured with young travelers in mind, and together with the typical Queen, King, and Suite categories, the hotel offers Bunk and Three's Company units with bunk beds suited to friend groups or the occasional family. But apart from features and rooms, the scene here is a huge reason travelers make the Freehand their home base. The nightlife scene bleeds into morning hours, with travelers and locals circling the hotel's bars. Playful social get togethers, like tarot readings or nude drawing classes gives even more incentive to stay on the premises. Those looking for an equally buzzy hotel could try the Ace.
The Carlton Arms is a funky, art-driven 46-room budget hotel with unique, but very basic, rooms and few amenities. Part hotel, part hostel, some of the rooms come with private baths, the rest share showers and water closets on their designated floor. The hotel's location on the corner of busy Third Avenue and the quiet, pedestrian-only section of East 25th Street, is convenient to some of Manhattan's most desirable areas --Gramercy, Madison Square Park, the Flatiron District, the Empire State Building, and Union Square.
The Carlton Arms is a funky, art-driven 46-room budget hotel with unique, but very basic, rooms and few amenities. Part hotel, part hostel, some of the rooms come with private baths, the rest share showers and water closets on their designated floor. The hotel's location on the corner of busy Third Avenue and the quiet, pedestrian-only section of East 25th Street, is convenient to some of Manhattan's most desirable areas --Gramercy, Madison Square Park, the Flatiron District, the Empire State Building, and Union Square.
Opened in 2017, the four-pearl Public is a trendy hotel with a focus on design, located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan near numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs. Designed by Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame, everything is minimalist, chic, and Instagram-worthy here, drawing a crowd of mostly 20- and 30-somethings. The 367 rooms can be small, but they're smart and make good use of the space, outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, Bose speakers, free Wi-Fi, and steamers. Although lacking a spa and pool, a 24-hour gym is on-site and dining options are extensive. Highlights include a rooftop bar with stunning panoramic views, a living room-style Lobby Bar, and restaurant by well-known chef Jean-Georges. Minor issues such as troublesome elevators and a lack of room service are downsides. This is a great, hip pick, but nearby SIXTY LES has a pool and sauna.
Opened in 2017, the four-pearl Public is a trendy hotel with a focus on design, located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan near numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs. Designed by Ian Schrager of Studio 54 fame, everything is minimalist, chic, and Instagram-worthy here, drawing a crowd of mostly 20- and 30-somethings. The 367 rooms can be small, but they're smart and make good use of the space, outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, Bose speakers, free Wi-Fi, and steamers. Although lacking a spa and pool, a 24-hour gym is on-site and dining options are extensive. Highlights include a rooftop bar with stunning panoramic views, a living room-style Lobby Bar, and restaurant by well-known chef Jean-Georges. Minor issues such as troublesome elevators and a lack of room service are downsides. This is a great, hip pick, but nearby SIXTY LES has a pool and sauna.
The 112-room Marlton Hotel is an upscale property with an Old-World style and long history, having housed guests such as Jack Kerouac. Set in Greenwich Village, it's a couple minutes' walk from Washington Square Park, but a 15- to 30-minute drive from sights such as Times Square and Central Park. This cozy property has charming, but tiny, rooms with rainfall showers, flat-screen TVs, and bathrobes, but some are too compact to fit desks or any seating. A lobby lounge with a fireplace and cocktail and espresso bars is busy from morning until night with locals and guests alike, and the on-site restaurant serves tasty French-Mediterranean fare. All rates include breakfast with fresh-squeezed juice and coffee. It's worth considering Walker Hotel Greenwich Village, which has a fitness center and more spacious rooms.
The 112-room Marlton Hotel is an upscale property with an Old-World style and long history, having housed guests such as Jack Kerouac. Set in Greenwich Village, it's a couple minutes' walk from Washington Square Park, but a 15- to 30-minute drive from sights such as Times Square and Central Park. This cozy property has charming, but tiny, rooms with rainfall showers, flat-screen TVs, and bathrobes, but some are too compact to fit desks or any seating. A lobby lounge with a fireplace and cocktail and espresso bars is busy from morning until night with locals and guests alike, and the on-site restaurant serves tasty French-Mediterranean fare. All rates include breakfast with fresh-squeezed juice and coffee. It's worth considering Walker Hotel Greenwich Village, which has a fitness center and more spacious rooms.
The 229-room 1 Hotel Central Park is a luxurious property with an eco-conscious design and excellent location a block from the south entrance of its namesake park and within a five-minute walk of several subway lines. Stunning rooms have a nature-meets-city look, with reclaimed wood, green succulents, and brick accents. Quality in-room amenities include yoga mats that can be taken outside, Nespresso machines, and free Wi-Fi, plus some have lovely window seats and deep tubs. The all-day restaurant serves seasonal fare, plus there are a fitness center, meeting and lounge spaces, and a lobby farm stand where guests can grab free fruit. On the downside, there's no spa on-site, and some guests have complained of street noise. If a spa is important, consider the historic Hotel Plaza Athenee, though its design is more classically sumptuous than modern.
The 229-room 1 Hotel Central Park is a luxurious property with an eco-conscious design and excellent location a block from the south entrance of its namesake park and within a five-minute walk of several subway lines. Stunning rooms have a nature-meets-city look, with reclaimed wood, green succulents, and brick accents. Quality in-room amenities include yoga mats that can be taken outside, Nespresso machines, and free Wi-Fi, plus some have lovely window seats and deep tubs. The all-day restaurant serves seasonal fare, plus there are a fitness center, meeting and lounge spaces, and a lobby farm stand where guests can grab free fruit. On the downside, there's no spa on-site, and some guests have complained of street noise. If a spa is important, consider the historic Hotel Plaza Athenee, though its design is more classically sumptuous than modern.
Lower Manhattan's Sohotel is a historic-yet-trendy, mid-range boutique property with a convenient location bordering SoHo and Chinatown. The hotel's tiny, functional, and slightly aged rooms feature exposed brick, colorful and contemporary decor, Therapedic mattresses, flatscreen TVs, and iPod docks. Hotel features include 24-hour reception, free tea and coffee in the lobby, and an affiliation with an adjacent gastropub and nearby cocktail bar. The hotel's easy walking distance to trendy downtown neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, and public transportation make it ideal for guests wanting to explore on foot, though for possible celebrity sightings -- like Cher and Rihanna -- you may want to compare rates with Solita Soho Hotel.
Lower Manhattan's Sohotel is a historic-yet-trendy, mid-range boutique property with a convenient location bordering SoHo and Chinatown. The hotel's tiny, functional, and slightly aged rooms feature exposed brick, colorful and contemporary decor, Therapedic mattresses, flatscreen TVs, and iPod docks. Hotel features include 24-hour reception, free tea and coffee in the lobby, and an affiliation with an adjacent gastropub and nearby cocktail bar. The hotel's easy walking distance to trendy downtown neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, and public transportation make it ideal for guests wanting to explore on foot, though for possible celebrity sightings -- like Cher and Rihanna -- you may want to compare rates with Solita Soho Hotel.
The fashionable Arlo SoHo is a four-pearl micro-hotel in trendy Hudson Square, between TriBeCa and SoHo. It has bars, lounges, and work spaces -- and 325 rooms -- yet still manages to feel intimate and puts a focus on all things local. Artisanal goods are available in the Bodega, and the cafe sells fresh juices and La Colombe coffee. The restaurant, Harold's Meat+Three is a bustling spot serving great Southern fare, and free classes are available through fitness partners like Surfset and Yoga Shanti. Yes, rooms are tiny -- even for NYC -- but they're sharp and bright, and feature free Wi-Fi and bespoke bath products. The best have Lower Manhattan views and spacious terraces. Alternatively, travelers who'd prefer to be in Midtown should check out their sister property, the Arlo Nomad.
The fashionable Arlo SoHo is a four-pearl micro-hotel in trendy Hudson Square, between TriBeCa and SoHo. It has bars, lounges, and work spaces -- and 325 rooms -- yet still manages to feel intimate and puts a focus on all things local. Artisanal goods are available in the Bodega, and the cafe sells fresh juices and La Colombe coffee. The restaurant, Harold's Meat+Three is a bustling spot serving great Southern fare, and free classes are available through fitness partners like Surfset and Yoga Shanti. Yes, rooms are tiny -- even for NYC -- but they're sharp and bright, and feature free Wi-Fi and bespoke bath products. The best have Lower Manhattan views and spacious terraces. Alternatively, travelers who'd prefer to be in Midtown should check out their sister property, the Arlo Nomad.
Located in the bustling heart of Midtown East, the mid-range, Hotel 32 32 offers a solid rate for its excellent location -- one block from the subway, and walking distance to numerous landmarks including the Empire State Building. But there are no common areas, and aside from free Wi-Fi, in-house features are lacking. Guests must trek off-site to take advantage of a free daily breakfast and free fitness center access at affiliated establishments. Its 102 apartment-like rooms are stylish, contemporary, clean, and well-equipped with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, and marble bathrooms with free toiletries. Many rooms offer cityscape outlooks, balconies (one has a deck), and kitchenettes. Hotel 32 32 is hard to beat on price and location, but travelers seeking more on-site features could try the Bentley Hotel, which can have lower rates.
Located in the bustling heart of Midtown East, the mid-range, Hotel 32 32 offers a solid rate for its excellent location -- one block from the subway, and walking distance to numerous landmarks including the Empire State Building. But there are no common areas, and aside from free Wi-Fi, in-house features are lacking. Guests must trek off-site to take advantage of a free daily breakfast and free fitness center access at affiliated establishments. Its 102 apartment-like rooms are stylish, contemporary, clean, and well-equipped with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, minibars, and marble bathrooms with free toiletries. Many rooms offer cityscape outlooks, balconies (one has a deck), and kitchenettes. Hotel 32 32 is hard to beat on price and location, but travelers seeking more on-site features could try the Bentley Hotel, which can have lower rates.
Housed in a beautiful turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building, the 42-room HGU New York is an upscale boutique with a trendy vibe and a focus on wellness and local culture. Rooms are plush, stylish, and outfitted with a wide array of great amenities, including CO Bigelow toiletries, pillow-top mattresses, Frette towels and linens, and free Wi-Fi. Most, however, are small even by NYC standards, and some may get traffic noise or have dark interior views. The restaurant and lounge are popular among locals for its hopping atmosphere and cultural events, while its seasonal rooftop bar offers great city views and free morning yoga classes. The hotel has partnered with a local gym, a meditation center, and a spa, but there are no fitness and wellness facilities on-site. It's worth comparing rates with the equally stylish Roger Hotel, which has larger rooms.
Housed in a beautiful turn-of-the-century Beaux-Arts building, the 42-room HGU New York is an upscale boutique with a trendy vibe and a focus on wellness and local culture. Rooms are plush, stylish, and outfitted with a wide array of great amenities, including CO Bigelow toiletries, pillow-top mattresses, Frette towels and linens, and free Wi-Fi. Most, however, are small even by NYC standards, and some may get traffic noise or have dark interior views. The restaurant and lounge are popular among locals for its hopping atmosphere and cultural events, while its seasonal rooftop bar offers great city views and free morning yoga classes. The hotel has partnered with a local gym, a meditation center, and a spa, but there are no fitness and wellness facilities on-site. It's worth comparing rates with the equally stylish Roger Hotel, which has larger rooms.
Between the contemporary art (even in the guest rooms) and the high-design lobby, this luxury boutique feels as much like a SoHo gallery as a hotel. Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, and Fifth Avenue are all within a three block radius. The cheapest rooms might feel like a tight squeeze but they're spacious for New York standards and lofted suites with expansive balconies are more like luxury apartments than hotel rooms. David Chang's Ma Peche restaurant and Milk Bar are hot spots for Manhattanites and hotel guests. There isn't a fitness center but guests get free passes to a nearby gym and pool. Chambers Hotel is a rare find for the Midtown East neighborhood. Though prices are high, most hotels in this neighborhood (St. Regis New York,The Peninsula New York, Four Seasons New York) are even higher and they don't offer room service by David Chang.
Between the contemporary art (even in the guest rooms) and the high-design lobby, this luxury boutique feels as much like a SoHo gallery as a hotel. Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, and Fifth Avenue are all within a three block radius. The cheapest rooms might feel like a tight squeeze but they're spacious for New York standards and lofted suites with expansive balconies are more like luxury apartments than hotel rooms. David Chang's Ma Peche restaurant and Milk Bar are hot spots for Manhattanites and hotel guests. There isn't a fitness center but guests get free passes to a nearby gym and pool. Chambers Hotel is a rare find for the Midtown East neighborhood. Though prices are high, most hotels in this neighborhood (St. Regis New York,The Peninsula New York, Four Seasons New York) are even higher and they don't offer room service by David Chang.