Downtown New York hotels: Find accommodation in NYC

If there were one word to sum up the vibe at the Greenwich Hotel it would have to be “cozy.” Located on Greenwich Street between N Moore and Franklin Streets in Tribeca, the Greenwich Hotel is not known for its skyline views, but that’s definitely not a problem. Once inside, its dimly lit atmosphere and warm wood surroundings, far remove you from the frenetic NYC chaos right outside its door. The guest rooms are impeccably sharp, from the furnishings to the overall design: high ceilings, floors planked with thick slabs of what looks like refined barn wood, plush leather chairs, beautiful paintings and sculptures; the bedroom area was fitted with a king-size bed and fully-stocked bookshelves—the perfect getaway for the traveling reader.   The hotel boasts a pool and spa on the lower level. After weaving in and out of the Tribeca cobblestone streets burning holes through your shoes, it’s nice to come back and take a dip in a serene atmosphere. Upon entering the area, past the glass-encased gym, and through the locker room, meet the floor’s focal point: a tranquil lantern-lit pool, surrounded by a 250-year-old wood and bamboo Japanese farmhouse that was actually imported from Japan and reconstructed for the hotel.   Down in the tucked away guests-only Drawing Room bar and courtyard on the street-level—yes there’s an outdoor courtyard nestled in the middle of the hotel—sip potent cocktails while listening to the crackle from the fireplace. Head over to the hotel’s restaurant, Loc

Opened in 1907 as the American Seaman’s Friend Society Sailors Home, the 14-story landmark was a residential hotel when hoteliers Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson, of the Bowery and the Maritime, took it over (some long-term residents remain). The wood-paneled, 50-square-foot rooms were inspired by vintage train sleeper compartments—there’s a single bed with built-in storage and brass hooks for hanging up your clothes, but also iPod docks and wall-mounted 23-inch flat-screen TVs. If entering the hotel feels like stepping on to a film set, there’s good reason: Inspiration came from various celluloid sources, including Barton Fink’s Hotel Earle for the lobby. The "ballroom," decorated with mismatched chairs, oriental rugs and a fireplace topped with a stuffed ram, evokes an eccentric mansion. Rooms: 208.

Known for its killer rooftop pool, the James draws crowds all summer long as an al fresco hangout stories above the buzz of the streets below, and throughout the rest of the year, the hotel continues to shine even without warm weather activities. The room views are unbeatable, as are the dining and drinking scenes—particularly at Jimmy, the aforementioned rooftop bar. With glazed brick walls, a leather-topped wood bar and working fireplaces, it makes for a cool hangout even if you can’t venture outside. Natural materials and jewel tones dominate the hotel’s decor: Reclaimed wood floors, slate tiled bathrooms and works by local artists give the hotel a plush feel. Neighborhood: Home to fashionable galleries, boutiques and their patrons, Soho might be the New York neighborhood most likely to inspire you to start a street style blog. Stroll its cobblestone streets to discover the latest fashions, up-and-coming artists and trendy bars and restaurants. Nearby: Dominique Ansel Bakery: For pastries like the original cronut and cookie shot The Ear Inn: For a drinking experience that hasn’t changed much since 1830 Opening Ceremony: For an impeccably curated shopping experience Time Out tip: The line to go up to the Jimmy, the rooftop bar and pool at the James, can be disheartening—especially on a warm summer night. Thankfully, hotel guests don’t have to queue to check out the bar for themselves. Head up to the roof before 9pm for craft cocktails sans crowds.

Visiting the Crosby Street Hotel can be a grueling endeavor: stumble into the sleek glass-and-brick structure off the picturesque cobblestone streets of Soho, and into a warm front desk area, decked white walls and woods, and adorned with modern art, sculptures and photographs. Mosey on over to the Drawing Room, guests-only, lounge for cocktails and small bites, equipped with fireplaces, plush couches and chairs with access to a private garden. Throw in a friendly and completely attentive staff and, well, you have the makings of an exceptional stay. We think you can survive. The Crosby is not short on detail. The lobby level pops with color—reds, oranges, blues, greens and pinks to name a few. The design is orderly and neat, but with exceptional style. There’s an air of sophistication when you enter the hotel and it carries through to each area. Right off the lobby lies the Crosby Bar, the hotel’s resident restaurant, and it is as cozy as one can imagine: dimly lit with striped bench seating; colorful round chandeliers hang throughout and off-set a heavy dose of oranges and browns, colors that pattern and continuously complement one another at every turn. Running a seasonal menu, we were fortunate enough to try the milk chocolate brûlée, with toasted house-made mallow and gingerbread men, which was nothing short of spectacular. The restaurant also leads to an outdoor garden. That’s the thing about the Crosby—a plethora of outdoor seating for those warm days. Between the sculp

During a stay at the Beekman Hotel, you’ll keep returning to one thing: it’s breathtaking nine-story Victorian atrium capped by an exquisite pyramidal skylight. Not only are most of the hotel’s 287 rooms located off of balconies surrounding it, but the mental image of that exquisitely renovated centerpiece will never be far from your mind. It surely ranks as one of the Financial District’s most stunning architectural treasures.  The building that is now the Beekman Hotel was originally built in 1881, and was one of Manhattan’s very first skyscrapers. Neglected for years, it was beautifully restored by Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel Architects to its former glory, and opened as The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, in September, 2016. Don’t get the wrong impression, however. A stay here feels nothing like a weekend trapped in a staid museum. Even though the attention to historic detail extends to the rooms, many of which boast original antiques, the hotel is chock full of contemporary art and surreal motifs that assure you that this seriously impressive building isn’t taking itself too seriously. The two buzzy restaurants located in the hotel draw a chic crowd that keeps the common areas buzzing. On any night of the week, you can expect packed rooms at both Fowler & Wells and Augustine (try the whisky burger). Luckily, the concierge can assist you with getting reservations at both. After a lively dinner, relax with a nightcap next door at The Bar Room. It’s perfectly located at the botto

The first thing you notice when approaching the Hotel Gansevoort Meatpacking District is the location: smack dab in the middle of the MePa. Having opened its doors in 2004 when the area started becoming the chic destination for city partygoers that it is today, the hotel is the centerpiece of the neighborhood, the timeless dame of an ever-changing and evolving nabe. The lobby has a sleek design (come to think of it everything about a Gansevoort property screams sleek), adorned with floor-to-ceiling leather ropes that create a canopy, red suede and black leather chairs and a pool table in the middle of the seating area—the perfect scene for a hotel you’d already assume would be bustling. And it is. Like the Park Avenue South locale, the minimal and modern décor in the rooms are off-set by the colorful and vibrant photographs and paintings on the walls. The main focus of the hotel though—and by focus I mean the part of the hotel that is a must-see for any visitor—is the Plunge Rooftop Bar + Lounge, where you will find the 45-foot heated outdoor pool open year-round. The indoor loft has 20-foot ceilings with 360-degree views of the city, perfect for that nighttime drink and dip in the water. The ground level boasts Chester, an American eatery with al fresco dining to people watch all day and all night long (if need be and we highly recommend it). With a valet service, fully-equipped gym, pet program, even a Prieto Select hair studio and Exhale Spa situated right in the hotel, yo

The Ludlow Hotel has the feel of a downtown bachelor’s pad—but it’s one a modern bachelorette wouldn’t mind waking up in. Nestled in the nightlife haven of the Lower East Side, the hotel’s clean lines and somewhat gothic interiors are a fitting tribute to the neighborhood. Though many of the rooms scarcely fit more than a bed (a large, heavenly one), the bathrooms are queen-sized, and views of One World Trade and on down to Brooklyn on a clear day are visible from your terrace.  You should explore the bustling neighborhood around you (the New Museum and Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral are streets away, as well as hot spots like Beauty and Essex and Back Room), but you don’t even have to leave the hotel for excellent libations. Have a more casual drink and bite in the leather-bound Lobby Bar lounge—and step into the garden during nice weather—but be sure to make time for a sumptuous dining experience at Dirty French. This French restaurant with a decisively friendly-but-firm New York City vibe serves up buttery meals of substance, beginning with memorable, airy house flatbread and smooth ricotta drizzled with olive oil; the smell of which alone will bowl you over. Gorgeously plated tuna tartare, tender pork chops and delicious sea bass and wine pairings followed by the Opera peanut butter and chocolate cake—topped with dreamy banana ice cream—made us fall silent from satisfaction and gluttony. Call for 24-hour room service if you’re much too full to order that last glass of wine b

A lot of hotels claim to offer all the sights and sounds of New York City at their doorstep. But at Moxy's new Lower East Side location, the fun is literally just steps from your room because there’s a Japanese restaurant, a piano lounge, a subterranean club, and a rooftop bar all on-site.  The new hotel, which opened in late 2022, feels lively from the moment you step inside and enter through its catwalk-style entrance. The 303-room hotel located at the crossroads of the Lower East Side and Soho was designed to evoke the neighborhood’s long history as a hub for entertainment and culture, and you’ll see that inspiration in its bold whimsical design. Photograph: By Michael Kleinberg | The exterior of Moxy LES. Rooms, ranging from 165-195-square-feet, include kings, executive kings, double-doubles, and quads. Though the square footage is compact (like many Manhattan hotel rooms), Moxy’s thoughtful design makes smart use of the space with hooks, hangers, a fold-up desk and under-bed storage. With the hardwood floors, it's easy to slide a suitcase under the bed. I was charmed, in particular, with the fold-up desk, which fit my laptop perfectly but tucked away after I'd caught up on work. Plus, if you’re doing a trip to NYC right, you won’t be spending much time in the room anyway. If you are staying for multiple days or have bulkier luggage, definitely book a larger room so you can spread out a bit more. Introductory rates start at $199/night, but we’ve seen prices even lower t

The true test of whether a New York hotel is cool? Whether actual New Yorkers want to go there! The Roxy easily passes that test. Beyond being a place to stay in Tribeca—one that manages to be swanky but not pretentious or intimidating—it’s a place to go in Tribeca. At any given time, there are honest-to-goodness New Yorkers hanging in the lobby (or at least chic tourists who pass for them). And speaking of chic: Super-stylish celebs with rock-star cred stay there, too; The fashion darlings of the 2016 Costume Institute Gala, Haim, hung their hat at The Roxy after spending all night with their bestie Taylor Swift. Upon check-in, you’ll get a glass of sparkling rosé (yes, please!) and a questionnaire that asks for your choice of morning paper and pillow type. (Who knew there were multiple pillow types? And why hasn’t anyone ever asked us our preference before?!? Rude.) The inside of the hotel has one of those perimeter balcony setups that’s more reminiscent of a convention-center Marriott than a downtown boutique hotel, but for the most part, the Roxy does its Tribeca Grand past proud: Comfy eclectic couches dot the lounge, a pool table sits invitingly off to the side. Everything is brown and gold and white—nothing screams, everything calms. And most important, when you retire to your room and collapse into one of the most comfortable beds you’ve ever had the pleasure to sleep in, the windows and doors are amazingly soundproof, crucial because of the all-hours hubbub outside o

Hello there, tons of natural light and sweeping views. The super chic rooms here feature wall-to-wall windows. But be warned: The views infamously go both ways, so be careful of giving an inadvertent peep show—unless you’re into that. The Standard sits on giant concrete stilts above Manhattan’s famous High Line. It feels a little bit like floating above the city as you soak in the view of the Hudson River, all the way to the World Trade Center. (You can also literally soak in your bath while you admire the view.)