Downtown New York hotels: Find accommodation in NYC

Nine Orchard occupies the iconic Jarmulowsky Bank, a deeply historic building restored using its original 1912 blueprints. The Neo-Renaissance architecture has been brought back to life with care: vaulted ceilings, pink Tennessee marble floors and Botticino marble walls create a backdrop for bold artworks and patterned banquettes.  It’s a hotel that works just as well for coffee, dinner or drinks as it does for an overnight stay. It’s also a magnet for celebrities and tastemakers—on my way out, I clocked model Lucky Blue Smith and his social-media-star wife Nara Smith gliding in to check in—proof, if any were needed, that Nine Orchard is one heck of a swish place to stay.  Why should you stay at Nine Orchard? Let me count the reasons. Firstly, the location is spot on: just off the beaten path in the Lower East Side, with an indie edge and some of the city’s best boutiques on the doorstep. The design is genuinely swoon-worthy, and the dining options deliver, with the ground-floor Swan Room calling for a cocktail once evening rolls around.  What are the rooms like at Nine Orchard?  There are 113 rooms across six categories, starting with classic and studio spaces with queen or king-size beds. At the top end, there are two-bedroom suites ideal for families, plus a rooftop terrace suite and the aptly named Supreme View Suite, with skyline vistas.  While the public spaces lean into opulent maximalism, the bedrooms feel calm and relaxed, drawing on mid-century modern influences....

Staking its claim as New York City’s first-ever sleeper cabin hotel, Now Now is designed solely for solo travelers. So, if, like me, you’re experiencing the city for the first time, you’re getting your needs met with bare necessities (don’t worry, there’s no compromise on quality or cleanliness) in a setting that combines the coziness of European train cabins and the simplicity of a Japanese capsule hotel. Looking beyond the rooms, Now Now NoHo fosters a sense of camaraderie and, through communal wellness classes, pop-ups with local businesses and an ‘IRL connections board’, it offers guests the opportunity to meet and mingle at their own pace. Most importantly, the hotel itself is found on one of Manhattan’s most popular locations, on the historic Bowery, so you’re always just moments from the shops, restaurants and museums that are essential for the city’s newest visitors. Why stay at Now Now? Now Now is the seventh hotel from experiential real estate developers Dovetail + Co, whose mission is to build design-oriented properties, with the ethos of being ‘designed for curious minds and creative spirits’. The property itself was originally built as a lodging house in 1917, and has lived several lives since then, including time as a tavern and a dry goods store. Inside, you’re greeted by a selection of self-check-in machines and a cool, young, local concierge team. The reception is also the central hub for socializing, so it’s where you’d meet up with other visitors, should...

Prior to 2023, a cursory Google search for the phrase “FiDi hotel” would bring up plentiful options, from luxury outfits (The Beekman, The Wall Street) to your standard hotel-chain fare (Radissons, Holiday Inns and the like). But it wasn’t until March of that year that a singular hotel took on that SEO search as its official name, with the 131-room FiDi Hotel aiming to be “a welcome harbor for business travelers and holidaymakers in New York City’s Financial District.”  And welcome it is: Though similarly priced, the FiDi Hotel is immediately substantially cooler than the DoubleTree by Hilton rooted right across the street, with friendly, recommendation-ready staffers at the concierge desk and some rogue disco balls pepping up the industrial rawness of the lobby space. (Though there’s little in the way of seating downstairs, but more on that in a bit.) Designed by the New York-based firm Kroesser + Strat Design, the Stone Street building itself features a multi-colored, Piet Mondrian-inspired glass façade, hinting at the modern sleekness highlighted within.  Ranging from 151-square-foot Superior Queen accommodations to 283-square-foot Executive King suites, each guest room is edgily dressed with wood-motif wallpaper, brass light fixtures and bold black-and-white artwork, along with thoughtfully luxe touches like SMEG mini-fridges, high-fashion art books and sumptuous white linens. Though clean and spacious, the bathrooms are slightly less than tranquil with their dizzying,...

Walking out of your room at the Beekman to see its nine-story Victorian pyramidal atrium immediately places you back to the time of authors Edgar Allan Poe, Mark Twain and Ralph Waldo Emerson—who frequented the space when it was an annex for the New York Mercantile Library in the mid 1800s—and newspaper giant William Randolph Hearst, who once had an office in the building.  This architectural gem with eight tiered galleries served as the atrium to one of Manhattan’s very first skyscrapers—Temple Court—when it was built in 1881. Today, you can still see its original cast iron railings and balustrades, gorgeous millwork around its doorways and encaustic tiles featuring reds, browns and golds thanks to its successful restoration in 2016 by Gerner Kronick + Valcarcel Architects. Finally in 2024, the gorgeous atrium was made an interior NYC landmark. The atrium sure is the star of the show at the Beekman, but it’s not the only one. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel as of 2022, offers a cozy but stylish stay with 287 rooms to book out (from studios to Queen, Deluxe and King suites with and without terraces as well as two turret penthouses), a 24-hour gym and an incredibly comfortable lobby that greets you with its own luxurious branded scent, Beekman 1802! Fresh Air. It boasts two highly-rated restaurants—Le Gratin by Chef Daniel Boulud and Temple Court by Tom Collichio—and the stunning Bar Room under the atrium. On the ninth floor, my studio suite faced an inner courtyard so the...

Is the role of a hotel to shield its guests from the outside world or render them participants to the goings-on of the city they get to temporarily call home? If you’re leaning towards the former, then the Greenwich Hotel, the eight-story luxury abode near Tribeca that's partly owned by actor Robert De Niro, is where you’ll want to stay while in town.  Nestled on the corner of North Moore Street and Greenwich Street right by the West Side Highway, the building boasts 73 rooms, some of which overlook an interior courtyard, 11 suites and two duplex penthouses that are aptly named The Greenwich and The North Moore.  On a recent visit while staying in a luxurious suite on the second floor, I was struck by one aspect of the experience: I forgot I was in New York. When looking out the window and into the courtyard, I noticed the absence of the very things that make the city what it is on a visual level. There were no buildings, no people rushing down the street and all was… quiet?  Despite the disconnect from its surroundings, the hotel offers a premium experience when it comes to your actual stay: the beautiful bathroom, complete with a shower and a bath, was stocked with Red Flower products developed specifically for the hotel and the bed, by British company Savoir, was particularly comfortable.  But there’s more: guests receive a complimentary newspaper every morning and the mini bar is filled with non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to be enjoyed completely gratis (keep in mind...

You know you’re in the Lower East Side when you’re walking back from dinner, a little tipsy from too many cocktails, and there’s still a full-blown street carnival unfolding outside your hotel. This isn’t just the city that never sleeps, it’s the neighborhood that refuses to even nap. And from my room at the Moxy Lower East Side, I could practically hear the rhythm of it all: the muffled bass from the hotel’s subterranean club, the hum of live music drifting up the hall and the unmistakable call of a city that lives for the night. A lot of hotels promise the New York experience, but the Moxy NYC Lower East Side actually delivers. Opened in late 2022, this 303-room stay by the Marriott-owned Moxy brand sits at the crossroads of SoHo and the Lower East Side, and comes fully loaded with a Japanese restaurant, piano lounge, underground club, and rooftop bar. The design channels the LES’s with a catwalk-style entrance that sets the tone for the mischief inside. Why stay at Moxy Lower East Side? If you love nightlife, art, and a bit of chaos with your morning coffee, Moxy LES is your playground. But beyond the buzz, there’s substance. Every corner feels considered—from the candy stand curated by LES institution Economy Candy (sweets for 5¢ a piece, old-school style) to the curated cultural programming featuring local DJs, artists, and pop-ups. What are the rooms like at Moxy Lower East Side? Like most Manhattan hotel rooms, these ones are small but smart. I stayed in a King Room...

With its hulking concrete frame towering over NYC’s elevated park, The Standard, High Line is one hell of a building. And though it’s one I’ve walked past frequently, it wasn’t until my recent stay that I passed through the canary yellow revolving doors and could truly appreciate this iconic hotel.  Why stay at The Standard, High Line?  If you’re looking for sweeping city vistas, this hotel more than delivers. Every single one of its 338 rooms features a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows with views of Manhattan or the mighty Hudson River—sometimes both, as I was lucky enough to discover in my Studio Suite.  Nestled in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, steps away from Little Island, Chelsea Market and (of course) the High Line itself, this is a cool alternative to the saturated hotels of Midtown if you’re in New York for the first time. The Hotel debuted way back in 2009, and other than a couple of dings in the room’s furniture, it still feels pretty fresh.  What are the rooms like at The Standard, High Line?  The hotel offers a wide variety of room types, and whether you need a room with two double beds, a standard queen room, a deluxe king or a suite, there are plenty of options. However, no matter which you choose, you’ll be treated to floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows with sweeping city views.  Expect comfortable beds with Italian sheets, fluffy down pillows and cozy, moody lighting. Wood paneling around the bed area makes for an elevated and warm design...

  Michelin is known for awarding restaurants with stars but it recently expanded its expertise by awarding hotels with Michelin Keys. The Bowery Hotel in East Village was recently awarded one Key, ranking it as a “Very Special Stay,” and the organization was right.  Walking through the double doors of The Bowery Hotel felt like I was walking into a different period. The decor was classy and masculine—with antique couches and chairs placed throughout the large space. I was greeted by the kind bellhops and checked into my room.  The lobby was quiet and comforting—it seemed like the perfect place to get some work done or relax before venturing out for the day. Guests were scattered throughout the space reading, working or talking amongst themselves. The lobby spans four rooms, including two rooms with plenty of spots to sit, a cozy bar with stools and an outdoor terrasse. Attached to the hotel is Gemma, an Italian Trattoria with seasonal dishes, an extensive wine list and a comfortable dining room. I took the dimly lit (and old but well-maintained) elevator up to the 12th floor and walked into my room, which had breathtaking views of Manhattan and Brooklyn (I had a perfect view of the newly renovated Domino Sugar factory!) I stayed in the Bowery King room which included a large desk with drawers for clothing, a table and two chairs, a loveseat sofa, a coffee table, a king-size bed with a nightstand on each side and a bathroom with a walk-in rainfall shower.  The room was...

If you’re hunting for a unique place to hang your hat near Soho and Little Italy, Arlo’s one of your best bets. Opened in September of 2016, Arlo brings a soon-to-be futuristic lobby (the hotel is working on digital check-in kiosks at the moment), plus a small bodega, a lounge area, a study area, conference spaces, a tasty food hall-style restaurant (Harold’s Meat + Three) and a rooftop indoor-outdoor bar.  Guests should be aware that its reputation as a micro hotel isn’t exactly exaggerating—these rooms feel pretty tight even for one person. But what it lacks in room space, it makes up for in location and amenities. While Arlo is still trying it nail down its vibe/clientele, the brand new lounge spaces are relaxed and welcoming, and they have attentive servers and bartenders. The rooftop bar is also especially beautiful and offers stunning views, indoor seating and outdoor bench-style seating, plus Arlo plans to host yoga and other fitness classes there in warmer months. Inside the compact hotel rooms, you’ll find beds nestled inside wall-to-wall wood paneled nooks, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi (throughout the hotel), Somfy smart system shades and a space-saving desk—great for folks who plan to spend much of their day out and about and just need a comfy spot to return to in the evening. The bed, shower and bathroom are in one room with a glass separation, and guests are offered pump-style shampoo, conditioner and body wash plus hand soap. You won’t find your usual hotel...

The Meatpacking District has managed to achieve the New York impossible: It’s stayed consistently cool for decades, ever since the west-side neighborhood traded slaughterhouses for stylish designer boutiques. And arguably no MePa destination is as indicative of that trendy  makeover as The Gansevoort, an area centerpiece since 2004. The Gansevoort hasn’t lost its cool since the days Carrie B. and co. were stopping across cobblestones in Manolos, but the downtown property did give things a sleek top-to-bottom spiff-up last year, a four-year-long $40 million renovation well-timed to celebrate the hotel’s big 20th anniversary. And though it still harbors its Cosmopolitan-loving, party-girl ways, it’s looking like the Gansevoort is finally growing up: The 186 guest rooms have been given a refined refresh, with the loft-like interiors (some with 20-foot-high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling fireplaces, dramatically large bookcases and double balconies overlooking the Hudson), contemporary-art touches (Banksy coffee-table books, Mick Rock photography) and tech-y amenities — Google Nest Hubs, Mirror home gyms and the like — of the ideal New York apartment none of us can actually afford. (Rooms range from a very comfortable 250 square feet to two-bedroom suits and the duplex penthouse, an elegantly minimalist 1,700-square-foot sprawl of of brushed concrete walls, slate floors and panoramic views.) Outside of your main dwellings, the property’s public areas have also been glamorously...