Spanning the length of over 55 blocks is one of New York’s oldest neighborhoods, Chinatown. Established in the 1870s, the area was initially defined by three streets: Mott, Pell and Doyers. Now covering over two square miles, Chinatown is home to family-owned eateries, bars, tea shops, stores and more that cater to its population and New Yorkers as a whole. When development for Hotel 50 Bowery was initially proposed, the backlash was swift with fears that the building would change the fabric of the neighborhood. Developed by Chu Enterprises, the family-owned business was quick to ensure that their latest venture wouldn’t be just another high-rise, but rather a reflection of the community.
Opened in 2017, Hotel 50 Bowery is the first hotel from Joie de Vivre Hotels to land in New York. On the cusp of various Manhattan neighborhoods—including Soho, the Lower East Side, Tribeca and Little Italy—the hotel is firmly rooted in Chinatown with touches and inspiration found all around the hotel.
That reflection is evident as soon as I passed through the revolving door. Inside, the lobby leans industrial, with elements of concrete and brick and a half-moon frosted glass door, which once led to the now shuttered restaurant. Leather couches welcome those to wait, including a couch that circles a concrete pillar with delicate imprints of a fan stamped on its leather.
Room key in hand, I zoomed up to the 20th floor in a bronze-caged elevator. The doors opened to a darkened hallway illuminated with black metal light fixtures reminiscent of paper fans. Before swiping my card, I noticed that my door (and each one I walked by) had a small brass plate over the peephole, etched with waves that harkened back to the Art Deco era.
Walking in, the king suite was easily spacious enough for two, made even brighter with a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the length of Manhattan. Blond nightstands anchored the room while blue and white grooved walls framed the bed, made to imitate the delicate colors of antique chinaware. The bathroom was more modern, with white tiles and a rainfall shower. For an added touch, my room came with a takeout box filled with chips, chocolates and the likes.
Before I left for the workday, at the front desk’s suggestion, I stopped by the second floor to visit the lounge. Every day, the hotel’s living room hosts complimentary coffee, tea and a few snacks (mainly apples) to get you ready for what’s ahead. After snagging a coffee, I took to the lounge, filled with wooden tables and chairs for working and plush velvet couches for lounging. But beyond an ideal spot for work, the hotel pays homage to the area here. Courtesy of the Museum of Chinese in America, the back wall features a permanent 1,500-square-foot exhibition called, “The Heart of Chinatown.” Detailing the history of the area, the exhibit features black-and-white photographs and a handful of the 700 artifacts found during the construction including bottles, glassware and signage.
After a short history lesson, I took to the outdoor patio. Known as The Atlantic Terrace, the 5,000-square-foot outdoor space has a life all its own, hosting weekly yoga and tai chi classes when the weather is fair alongside games of cornhole and giant Jenga. If relaxation is more your speed, there are plenty of seats to pull up and be a quiet observer of the Manhattan Bridge.
But for a sight to see, the winner goes to the jewel perched on the 21st floor. Aptly named The Crown, the year-round rooftop bar has skyline views of Manhattan and Brooklyn with just a turn of your head. Inside, the bar has an open area made for dancing with a disco ball and a VIP lounge with a long green velvet couch and a mess of pillows. The bar continues on around the corner with red leather and velvet couches overlooked by a light fixture reminiscent of the coils of a lightbulb.
And while the hotel seems to be firmly rooted in the area, the bar upstairs seems a bit disconnected from the property below. While a few menu items blend Asian influences, like the veggie and chicken dumplings and the Pastrami Steamed Buns, most of the offerings lean generic with cocktails that are just fine for the $20 price tag. But that’s not to say the space doesn’t have its charms with a photo booth made to capture the moments.
All in all, this Lower Manhattan hotel seamlessly blends the history of the area an easy option for travelers looking to easily access the various neighborhoods of New York.
Neighborhood
Cantonese, Hunan, Szechuan and more—cuisine and cultures from the provinces of China can be found in Chinatown. But in just a few minutes walk, you can easily find yourself in Soho, the Lower East Side, Tribeca and Little Italy.
Nearby
1. Doyers Street: If you want to visit the former “Bloody Angle,” a curved street that was one of the deadliest streets in America due to Chinese gang activity. Nowadays, the curved road is a noted gathering spot, where metal tables and chairs come out in the summertime, and visitors and locals stop by to check out the restaurants and bars on the block.
2. Nom Wah Tea Parlor: If you want to eat at the oldest dim sum restaurant in New York and enjoy pillowy pork buns, plump shrimp dumplings and flaky fried crepe egg rolls.
3. Manhattan Bridge: If you want to go for walk with views, this 1903 bridge is the youngest bridge of the three bridges that connect Manhattan to Brooklyn. With fewer tourists compared to the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge is made for leisurely strolling into Downtown Brooklyn.
Time Out tip
Peep the board in the elevator to catch the weekly line-up of events, from walking tours to workout classes on the Terrace.