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....

Michelin recently started awarding hotels with Michelin Keys, awarding one Key to this East Village spot. Just south of busy Houston Street, The Ludlow Hotel, is a trendy spot to spend a night (or a few.)  During my stay, I was greeted by the friendly doorman and walked into the large lobby, which boasts a fireplace and plenty of spots to sit and a small bar and an outdoor terrace that is perfect for enjoying a meal, sipping on a drink or relaxing.  My room had a balcony and sweeping views of Lower Manhattan as well as a loveseat sofa, coffee table, TV, desk and king-size bed. The room was on the smaller side, which made it feel a bit cramped at times, but that’s to be expected in most New York City hotels. That being said, the large floor-to-ceiling windows next to the bed let in lots of natural light.  The location of the hotel was the real selling point for me. No matter what direction you walk in, you’ll find an iconic NYC restaurant or bar—making it pretty easy to find somewhere good to eat whether it’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  The Ludlow Hotel is a great stay for visitors to the city who want to experience downtown Manhattan and explore areas rich in food and shopping.  Neighborhood: Right off of Houston Street, The Ludlow Hotel is near tons of shops, restaurants and bars in East Village. It’s also a short walk from Soho. Nearby: Prince Street Pizza, Rubirosa, Katz’s Delicatessen and Russ & Daughters: For iconic NYC food.  Tompkins Square Park: For a glimpse...

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...

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...

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...

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...

  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...

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.

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...

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...