The 13 best boutique hotels in NYC

The Ace Hotel New York is in the heart of the action and caters to the creative, the hungry, the young, and the adventurous with an affinity for aesthetic inspiration. In the daytime, the lobby is the perfect co-working space, with long tables lined with plentiful plug sockets and desk lamps. Come nighttime, the spot is home to endless activities — from various shopping options and an irresistible bar to an old-school photo booth and a burgeoning art space. Let’s just say you’ll never be bored (or thirsty) at the hotel. You could probably live here, let alone holiday here. Workspace aside though, when you're playing, you're a few minutes via subway to Times Square, and there's a 24-hour desk, so don't worry about the clock.

Peering up at The Beekman’s iconic nine-story atrium, you can’t help but be dazzled by its towering majesty. Its maze of gold and brown balconies are lit up by a towering glass pyramid ceiling – and those vintage flourishes feature in every room, too. The Beekman has a great rep for design excellence, but, with a phenomenal location in the Financial District, it’s also within very easy reach of Brooklyn Bridge and a generally fabulous place to stay.

The Kit Kemp-designed icon on SoHo’s Crosby Street simply oozes cool. From its exposed warehouse exterior to the lush sun-drenched courtyard for a spot of afternoon tea, there aren’t many more inviting places in the city. Unwind in the building’s breathtaking common spaces or take the cobble-stone street from the hotel out into the city. Whether you're exploring the neighborhood’s hidden gems or venturing out into the city at large, you’ve got a plush bed and majestic factory windows awaiting your return.

Looking for a room with a view? It’s hard to beat those on offer in each of William Vale’s 183 modern-luxe rooms, which feature floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air balconies looking over Manhattan’s iconic skyline. South Italian fare (think wood-fired pizza) is served up at the on-site restaurant Leuca by award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini. There’s also a 60-foot outdoor pool complete with pergolas, daybeds, and a cabana that is the ideal place for city summer lounging. Getting into the heart of the big apple is a breeze too, with a host of transport links (from ferries to subways) right at your doorstep. 

Staying in Manhattan is all well and good, but if you choose to rest your head on the other side of the East River, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of The City skyline. Opt for Long Island City’s first design-centric hotel, Boro, which touts a minimalist, industrial-chic aesthetic with light-drenched rooms that boast floor-to-ceiling windows with jaw-dropping views. Once the sun goes down, head to the lobby bar where beer, wine, and craft cocktails abound until 11pm. But we don’t blame you if you’d rather turn in early – the pillow-top mattresses and plush Italian bedding are tough to resist. Of course, you're also within the heart of Long Island City should you wish to venture out. There's a 24-hour desk, rock up back to those nice beds whenever you like! 

Originally opened in 1845 as the Gerard House, the Frederick Hotel has seen many iterations and notable guests over the years – it’s rumored that Abraham Lincoln took a snooze in the 1850s and that Vincent Gallo paid just $22 per week in the early 1980s. You can expect to pay slightly more now, but it’s worth the extra expense. It has been fully remodeled and reimagined throughout and has 130 thoughtfully-designed, vintage-meets-minimalist rooms and the three-story Serafina Italian restaurant which offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and in-room dining. The World Financial Center, Chinatown, and Wall Street are also a brief stroll away. Making this not only a luxurious stay but a convenient one, as it's right in the heart of the big apple.

Sure, you may be in New York to see the sights and experience everything the city has to offer, but with on-site programming this good, you may never want to leave the hotel. Arlo Soho offers guests “Cozy AF Knitting” classes where you’ll sip hot cocoa while being taught how to knit a pair of fingerless gloves, as well as mixology classes where you’ll learn to shake, strain and stir with some of New York’s finest. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Harold’s Meat + Three, Arlo’s on-site restaurant, for a plentiful plate of hot chicken, Japanese sweet potatoes, mac and cheese and blistered shishito peppers. Blissful. You don't have to check out the facilities every day, I mean, you're not in New York to stay indoors, are you? Fortunately, you're in Soho. So, you're really close to One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, and more.  

This Lower East Side modern mainstay is a dark existential dream, outfitted in somber-chic color schemes, plenty of wrought iron, and the occasional cowhide accent. Sink into the room’s bath and soak in some suds after a long day on your feet before enjoying a glass of wine in bed (or on the terrace). And dinner at Dirty French is not to be missed. When you decide to pop out into New York, you'll find the Lower East Side Tenement Museum just 500 yards from the hotel. There's also the New Museum 650 yards away, and the subway just down the road offers easy access to all of Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Credit cards at the ready... Tribeca’s stately Greenwich Hotel (yes, the one owned by Robert De Niro) is perfect for those seeking solitude, subtlety, and privacy with fine dining at their fingertips, but it comes at a price. With a cool $15,000 penthouse, an acclaimed full-service spa, a drawing room, and an open-air courtyard reserved for guests only, this downtown oasis is the definition of indulgence and exclusivity. You're in the Tribeca area, so if you want to leave the hotel you can be sure there's plenty to get up to right on your doorstep. 

For those after an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to staying in the city, then 11 Howard is your best bet. From minimalist-chic design built on natural materials to the hotel’s dedication to philanthropy, this is a place anyone can get behind, both aesthetically and morally, with no detail compromised in the process. The Stephen Starr restaurant is a delightful bonus. You're also incredibly close to Soho, Bowery, Chinatown and Little Italy, so who knows if you'll even be able to take in all this brilliant hotel has to offer. 

Lavish luxury might seem redundant, but that’s what happens when a crystal-laden hotel renders you utterly speechless. This Midtown hotel is as majestic as they come, featuring Parisian-inspired pied-à-terres decked out in the finest materials and amenities, which is hardly surprising given the prestige that comes with the name. And, if you want to turn the luxe dial up another notch, you can book yourself into the on-site spa and wellness centre. By way of tourism, this location is impeccable. You're steps away from the Museum of Modern Art, Radio City Music Hall and much more. 

Take advantage of one of the Time New York’s seasonal specials, and you’ll experience unique New York luxury without the guilt of a hefty price tag. Escape the hustle and bustle of the neighboring Broadway and Times Square and step into the sanctuaried reception area before relaxing in one of the 167 watercolor- and brushed metal–adorned rooms. Each comes complete with Italian Frette linens, rain showerheads, plush robes and upscale amenities courtesy of Maison Margiela Paris. When you're feeling rested, why not tackle the famed Restaurant Row, and of course Times Square itself. 

Nobody does chill quite like Standard hotels, and the East Village iteration is no exception. It’s the embodiment of low-key luxury, reflecting the grit and cool factor of its home with just the right amount of understated finesse – designer toiletries, bathrobes, and a Bluetooth speaker are included as standard—offering the perfect combination for guests in search of a true contemporary New York experience. Being in the East Village, you might even have too much to do outside of the hotel. When you need to rest up though, this is a reasonably-priced and an excellent option for you. Far from just standard.