Why choose a boutique hotel over a large chain hotel

31 Best Boutique Hotels in NYC

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New York City’s Premier Boutique Hotels: Where Style Meets Soul

 

The finest boutique hotels in New York City are far more than just places to rest your head; they are distinct, intimate havens brimming with individual character. Unlike the often-standardized offerings of sprawling mega-properties, boutique hotels – much like NYC’s most cherished local spots – distinguish themselves through audacious individuality and captivating design. Whether it’s the thoughtful subtle touches and premium amenities, or a full-on maximalist aesthetic paired with a lively lobby bar, each of these accommodations offers a unique perspective into the city’s vibrant energy, alongside convenient access to its surrounding neighborhood.

The very concept of the boutique hotel was practically born in NYC in the 1980s, a movement widely attributed to Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager. His now-closed Morgans Hotel in Midtown is often recognized as the world’s first true boutique hotel – exuding a palpable vibe, maintaining intimacy, and fundamentally unlike anything that preceded it. To earn the designation of a boutique hotel, properties typically feature 120 rooms or fewer and possess a strong, singularly focused design identity. That spirit continues to flourish today, with independent hotels spanning all five boroughs – from enduring Manhattan favorites to chic new outposts in Brooklyn and beyond. This year, properties like The Surrey and The Mark Hotel have been at the forefront, hosting numerous celebrities attending the recent Met Gala. Notably, The Surrey was also featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s prestigious 2025 Hot List.

For both out-of-town visitors and New Yorkers on a staycation, read on to discover 31 of the best boutique hotels in New York City, where no two stays are ever quite the same.

 

Upper Manhattan

 

The Lowell

  • Location: Upper East Side
  • Key Features: 300-thread-count Frette sheets, fresh bedside flowers, in-room fireplaces
  • Ideal For: A sophisticated city trip with a distinct residential feel

At The Lowell, where the bathrooms gleam with marble, the service is commendably discreet, and the floral centerpieces likely surpass the cost of your attire, five-star hospitality is delivered with refined taste and understated elegance. Its timeless restaurant, Majorelle, bursts with magnificent flower arrangements and offers exquisite French and Moroccan cuisine. Located just a block from Central Park on East 63rd Street, the hotel’s setting is akin to a quintessential New York City postcard. This 74-room hotel maintains a focused approach, consciously foregoing additional amenities like a spa to perfect its core offerings.

The Mark

  • Location: Upper East Side
  • Key Features: Premier dining and concierge services, Central Park picnic setup
  • Ideal For: Food enthusiasts, park lovers, and those prioritizing sleek sophistication

The polished black-and-white tiled floor that greets you in the lobby serves as the initial indication that The Mark offers an extraordinary hotel experience. Contemporary light fixtures, furnishings, and modern art are effortlessly combined by designer Jacques Grange, imbuing the hotel with an air of cool elegance. The on-site restaurant, led by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, embodies high-end New York dining in every way. The classic Upper East Side location, perfectly fused with its contemporary, Art Deco-inspired design, ensures an unforgettable stay. Furthermore, The Mark’s food and beverage offerings are truly top-tier, with The Mark Bar serving as a natural, inviting entry point. This intimate space just off the hotel’s lobby features a retro-futuristic decor, its playful mood set by cozy, cowhide-patterned couches and chairs hugging the perimeter.

The Surrey

  • Location: Upper East Side
  • Key Features: Extensive spa and gym facilities, impeccable white-glove service
  • Ideal For: Fashion-conscious guests seeking a refined, stylish crowd

Originally constructed in New York City in 1926, The Surrey stands as a historic Art Deco treasure, once a residential hotel favored by luminaries like JFK and Bette Davis. It has since undergone a complete renovation and is now managed by the global luxury hotel group Corinthia. Despite its new corporate affiliation, the hotel has remarkably retained its renowned residential ambiance. Guests are immediately welcomed by elegantly uniformed doormen into what resembles the lobby of a sophisticated Manhattan townhouse, complete with an art collection worthy of Museum Mile. These subtle nods to The Surrey’s storied past are partly thanks to interior designer Martin Brudnizki, the creative force behind The Beekman and The Fifth Avenue Hotel (both featured on this list), among other distinguished properties. Instead of the vibrant maximalism for which Brudnizki is best known, The Surrey opts for subtle geometric patterns and muted pastels, with just a hint of the designer’s signature textures sprinkled throughout. The overall effect is one of expensive tranquility and a discreetly elevated taste, perfectly in line with the Upper East Side ethos. The leading ladies of Sex and the City and Breakfast at Tiffany’s would feel entirely at home here.

 

Midtown Manhattan

 

The Chatwal

  • Location: Times Square
  • Key Features: Infinity saltwater lap pool, personal butler service (on request), wellness center, pet-friendly
  • Ideal For: Being at the heart of the action, with an immediate escape option

Located in the core of Midtown’s Theater District, The Chatwal is a sleek, luxury boutique hotel boasting an Art Deco aesthetic. Its 76 rooms, inspired by early 20th-century travel, feature custom furniture designed by Despont, suede-upholstered walls, tinted floor-to-ceiling mirrors, rainfall showers, and in-room wardrobes and vanities that evoke vintage luggage. Historically, the building housed the Lamb’s Club—a prominent social club for New York City’s theater community, established in 1874. Today, the hotel’s 80-seat restaurant carries the same historic name.

High Line Hotel

  • Location: Chelsea
  • Key Features: Intelligentsia coffee bar, charming private garden, oversized beds, locally sourced furniture
  • Ideal For: A celebratory weekend, a city staycation

The 60-room High Line Hotel offers a glimpse into the past within Chelsea’s contemporary gallery district. The Gothic red brick building it occupies was once a cloistered Collegiate Gothic Seminary, built in 1895, and famously where Clement C. Moore composed “The Night Before Christmas.” Rooms offer views of the city’s celebrated elevated park, the High Line, and are furnished in an estate style, complete with Gothic moldings, hardwood floors, and antique pieces. Guests are encouraged to borrow the hotel’s bicycles for exploring the neighborhood.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel

  • Location: Midtown Manhattan
  • Key Features: Award-winning chef, house car service, dedicated butler service
  • Ideal For: Unabashed opulence and impeccable white-glove service

Opened in late 2023, The Fifth Avenue Hotel quickly garnered attention, landing a coveted spot on last year’s Condé Nast Traveler Hot List for the world’s best new hotel openings. Condé Nast Traveler‘s Global Digital Director, Arati Menon, provided a favorable on-the-ground review, highlighting the hotel’s white-glove service—including bespoke martini room service from 5-7 p.m.—as well as its spacious bathtubs, state-of-the-art in-room technology, and lavish interiors. The building itself boasts a rich history, situated on the former estate of Gilded Age socialite Charlotte Goodridge, with the property encompassing her former mansion and an adjacent 24-story glass tower. Located at 28th Street and Fifth Avenue, its address serves as a vibrant crossroads for Midtown neighborhoods, including lively Koreatown and NoMad.

The Hotel Chelsea

  • Location: Chelsea
  • Key Features: Legendary El Quijote restaurant, atmospheric lobby bar, marble bathrooms, rainfall showers, selected rooms with soaking tubs and balconies
  • Ideal For: Wishing you were part of its storied past

The Hotel Chelsea, famously associated with icons like Andy Warhol and Bob Dylan, reopened in 2022 following an 11-year closure. Its new features include a refreshed lobby bar, renovated rooms, and a revitalized food and beverage program. A rooftop spa, fitness center, and the French-American restaurant, Café Chelsea, have also since debuted. While the legendary creatives of its past may be gone, an undeniable edginess persists, as do a handful of permanent residents who were permitted to remain in their apartments—some of whom may have indeed been present during its most fabled eras. In her memoir, Just Kids, Patti Smith evocatively described, “The Chelsea was like a dollhouse in the Twilight Zone, with a hundred rooms, each a small universe.” Even today, one might sense the presence of echoes from its past within its halls.

The Whitby Hotel

  • Location: Midtown
  • Key Features: Mini-bars stocked with Casamigos, BeautyRest Beds, stand-alone bathtubs
  • Ideal For: Art enthusiasts seeking a central location

For an art-focused trip to the city, including hours spent at MoMA (just a short walk away) and The Met, The Whitby is an exceptional choice. A vivid, artistic, and design-forward aesthetic defines its interiors, which are remarkably photogenic. The hotel itself actively integrates art, even offering a Firmdale Art Tour and Workshop, which, as of December 12, 2022, included a tour of the hotel’s private art collection, a complimentary glass of wine, and an exclusive drawing class. Another highlight of The Whitby is its Champagne afternoon tea, where scones, macarons, finger sandwiches, and homemade jams are elegantly presented on triple-tiered tea stands from the drawing room. The hotel also features a small theater that screens films and hosts Negroni and jazz nights on Fridays at The Whitby Bar.

 

Queens

 

Boro Hotel

  • Location: Long Island City
  • Key Features: Library with books from the famed Strand bookstore, newsstand, fitness center, dry cleaning
  • Ideal For: Sleek business travelers

Our top pick for a boutique hotel in Queens, The Boro Hotel distinguishes itself with a spectacular rooftop bar offering sweeping city views and Negronis on tap, a lobby cafe perfect for co-working and socializing, and a highly convenient location—just a short ride across the river to Midtown via the 7 train. Guests of The Boro Hotel can easily access popular Queens attractions like MoMA PS1 (the James Turrell Light and Space room, where visitors can recline and gaze at a cut-out of the sky, is a hidden NYC gem) and Socrates Sculpture Park. When the hotel first opened in 2015, Traveler contributor Lilit Marcus noted, “The neighborhood’s proximity to LaGuardia Airport has meant plenty of hotel development in the past few years, but most of them are impersonal mega-chains. The Boro, however, is a boutique hotel that would be just as well placed in Manhattan or Brooklyn.”

The Rockaway Hotel

  • Location: Rockaway Beach, Queens
  • Key Features: Balconies, ocean views, complimentary bikes
  • Ideal For: A beach vacation, without leaving the five boroughs

It turns out you don’t need to leave the state, or even New York City, to enjoy a genuine beach vacation, thanks to The Rockaway Hotel. Centrally located on one of the main thoroughfares of Queens’ lively Rockaway Beach – a spot known for hot dogs, surfers, skaters, and excellent sand and waves – the hotel is perfectly positioned between the ocean on one side and a ferry stop on the other. Inside, we particularly appreciate the fresh and vibrant design, the private balconies, the swimming pool, the rooftop dining, and much more. This is how you escape the city without actually departing from it.

 

Lower Manhattan

 

The Bowery Hotel

  • Location: East Village
  • Key Features: 24-hour room service, concierge, and fitness center; complimentary New York Times and New York Post; in-room spa services upon request
  • Ideal For: Staying in a vibrant, creative neighborhood, within a hotel integral to its fabric

This 17-story, old-world-inspired hotel at 335 Bowery, characterized by its dark wood, velvet, and Oriental rugs, exerts a powerful allure, and not just for securing one of its 135 rooms—simply try to find a seat in the lobby or outdoor terrace for a drink to experience its popularity. Its many A-list guests have included Jennifer Lopez (who hosted Marc Anthony’s 40th birthday party here in 2008), Liv Tyler, Kate Hudson, Blake Lively, Jonah Hill, David Beckham, and Kristen Stewart. Fun fact: The founder of The Bowery Hotel, Eric Goode, is also the director and producer of Tiger King.

The Beekman

  • Location: Financial District
  • Key Features: Luxury house car, two-level fitness center, morning lobby coffee service, valet parking
  • Ideal For: Soaking in the atmosphere of The Bar Room

Opened in 2016, The Beekman has commanded attention from its inception and remains one of the Financial District’s most popular and distinctive hotels. The landmark 1880 building it occupies was among New York City’s earliest skyscrapers, and it is dramatically bisected by a sparkling nine-story kaleidoscopic atrium—a light-reflecting spectacle that inspires awe. The classic ambiance extends into the dimly lit, opulent Bar Room, a setting where significant deals are struck and rare bourbons are savored. Rooms are outfitted with vintage furniture, beds featuring distressed leather headboards, gourmet mini-bars with cocktail tables, in-room dining, and turndown service.

Casa Cipriani

  • Location: Financial District
  • Key Features: 24-hour doorman, on-site laundry, common outdoor space
  • Ideal For: Elegant waterfront action

This New York hotel is a Cipriani property, guaranteeing luxury at its utmost, yet delivered with an effortlessly chic Italian sensibility. Imagine presidential suites adorned with cashmere-covered walls by Loro Piana Interiors—that’s the caliber of luxurious detail you’ll discover in every corner of Casa Cipriani’s guest rooms. The bed linens are from Rivolta Carmignani, a 150-year-old luxury linen house based in Macherio, just outside Milan. Perhaps it’s the Art Deco light fixtures or the carefully chosen artwork, or the soft jazz playing in the background, or the way the setting sun illuminates the lacquer furniture and gleaming brass knobs. However, perhaps the most remarkable feature of Casa Cipriani’s guest rooms are the private terraces—spacious private terraces. Be sure to request a river-facing room, as this view is truly unparalleled in the city: Adjacent to the hotel, you’ll see the Staten Island Ferry arriving and departing from Whitehall Terminal; Governor’s Island lies directly ahead, with Brooklyn beyond. To your right, the iconic Statue of Liberty stands. But there’s also so much happening within Casa Cipriani itself that no one would fault you for spending your entire stay on premises: the Club restaurant, the Jazz Café, the Pickering Room, the Promenade Bar, and the Living Room. Adding to all this, the hotel service is attentive yet completely unobtrusive, genuinely making you feel like the most important person in the room—and who wouldn’t desire that for a few nights?

Crosby Street Hotel

  • Location: SoHo
  • Key Features: Crosby Bar, private garden, 99-seat screening room, fully-equipped gym
  • Ideal For: A dedicated weekend of shopping in the city

On cobbled Crosby Street, a tranquil side street nestled in the vibrant, highly walkable heart of SoHo—where elegant models, local indie rockstars, and tourists mingle on the same sidewalks—awaits the visually captivating Crosby Street Hotel. Its whimsical decor, featuring splashes of color, bursts of fresh flowers, and inventive light fixtures, is an absolute feast for the eyes, arguably more photographable than even the sheep’s milk agnolotti you ordered and Instagrammed at Lilia. The rooms themselves resemble works of art. Abundant natural light streams in through generous windows, and the colorful, contemporary, floral design scheme continues throughout. Inside, you’ll also find heated towel racks, plush Frette bathrobes, charming vintage side tables, and Tivoli radios.

Fouquet’s New York

  • Location: Tribeca
  • Key Features: Restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef, Biologique Recherche spa, white marble indoor pool, gym
  • Ideal For: Francophiles, couples seeking a romantic NYC getaway

Timeless Parisian elegance converges with ritzy, celebrity-frequented Tribeca in this new property from the French hospitality group Groupe Barrière, which opened its doors in September 2022 to much anticipation. Upon entering, the soft palette of sage and mint greens and subtle pinks evokes a case of macarons, while wallpaper patterned with pigeons comically flying off with baguettes playfully winks at both NYC and Paris. The hotel’s French restaurant currently holds esteemed accolades, including Two Keys from Michelin Guide’s Key Awards. Condé Nast Traveler‘s Destinations Editor, Shannon McMahon, provided a first look and reviewed the hotel upon its debut: For the Boston-based editor, Fouquet’s proved an excellent fit for an elevated city trip. “Fouquet’s makes the perfect place to post up for a weekend getaway (or longer) in a cozy and iconic corner of New York’s downtown,” she writes.

Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC

  • Location: Meatpacking District
  • Key Features: Heated rooftop pool, private karaoke rooms, spa
  • Ideal For: Art and design enthusiasts, explorers keen to venture out

Situated at the corner of Ninth Avenue and 13th Street, the Gansevoort Meatpacking is just a short stroll from the art galleries of Chelsea, the brasserie-style restaurants of the West Village, and the chic boutiques of the Meatpacking District. Highlights include its 45-foot-long, heated rooftop swimming pool with underwater lights; the expansive Poliform Penthouse Suite featuring a wall of windows offering views towards the Hudson River; the on-site restaurant Le Coin; and its remarkably attentive service, exceptional for a boutique hotel. On the rooftop, savor classic dishes and shareable plates, or head to the secluded Saishin at the Gansevoort Rooftop for exquisite à la carte and omakase sushi, all with a stunning view of the downtown skyline.

Greenwich Hotel

  • Location: Tribeca
  • Key Features: Exemplary spa, Swedish Duxiana mattresses, mini-fridges stocked with complimentary Mexican Coca-Cola
  • Ideal For: Five-star treatment

Owned by Robert De Niro, the 88-room, eight-story Greenwich Hotel occupies the charming cobblestone Tribeca corner where Greenwich Street and North Moore Street meet, adjacent to the Tribeca Film Center. During the renowned film festival, as well as New York Fashion Week, you can expect rooms here to be occupied by A-listers. This five-star hotel boasts a reputation for being top-of-the-line—a former Traveler editor, John Wogan, reviewed the hotel and asserts that its swimming pool might just be the very best in New York City, making the same claim for its spa.

Hotel Hugo

  • Location: West SoHo
  • Key Features: Popular glass-enclosed rooftop bar, charming coffee shop, spacious desks
  • Ideal For: West Side adventures

The luxurious Hotel Hugo, ideally situated by the Hudson River, is conveniently bordered by the West Village to the north, SoHo to the east, and Tribeca to the south. This excellent positioning allows for easy exploration of a dynamic section of Manhattan, catering to various interests: vibrant nightlife, diverse dining, premier shopping, people-watching, tranquil strolls, and virtually anything else imaginable. Guests can commence their evening, before potentially venturing out, at Azul Rooftop or Bar Hugo Rooftop, mingling with young New Yorkers. These spots offer tacos, refreshing frozen drinks, and unobstructed river views. After the night’s festivities, you’ll return to a room adorned with midcentury-modern furnishings, walnut lacquered wood, and classic black-and-white photographs.

33 Hotel, NYC Seaport

  • Location: Financial District
  • Key Features: Complimentary house car, fitness center with Technogym equipment, dedicated kids’ program
  • Ideal For: Families seeking a sophisticated yet child-friendly stay

For those desiring a relaxed yet high-end residential hotel experience in NYC, the calmer atmosphere and vibe of 33 Hotel perfectly fit the bill. The service is white-glove, the river and skyline views are spectacular, and the Italian food and wine offerings are refined. For children, the standout “Little C” program provides delightful touches like coloring books and homemade cookies topped with Nutella. Rooms are secluded, furnished with Italian-made pieces and linens, and offer views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, or the Manhattan skyline, with select rooms boasting wraparound terraces, verandas, and outdoor spaces.

The Ludlow

  • Location: Lower East Side
  • Key Features: 24-hour fitness center, available terrace and loft rooms
  • Ideal For: Staycationers and stylish travelers

Seamlessly integrated into its Lower East Side setting, The Ludlow strikes the perfect balance of cool and hip without overdoing it. You’ll find exposed brick walls, low-slung leather sofas, a crackling fireplace, and a lively crowd of attractive people sipping wine or working on their laptops. In essence, it perfectly embodies its neighborhood. While perhaps not as intensely buzzy as when it first opened in 2014, the on-site restaurant, Dirty French, remains perpetually fabulous and a vibrant spot for dinner and weekend brunch (the spicy pork chop with celery remoulade comes highly recommended).

The Manner

  • Location: SoHo
  • Key Features: In-suite retro-style speakers, rooftop bar, complimentary breakfast
  • Ideal For: A romantic escape, design-forward travelers

Immersed in shades of ochre and warm reds, and featuring diverse textures of ceramic, cement, and tile throughout, The Manner in Manhattan’s SoHo is, as its architect Hannes Peer describes, a “nostalgic utopia.” It masterfully combines Gio Ponti-esque Milanese midcentury modernism with glamorous New York flair. What does this truly mean? It’s undeniably sexy, in the way a truly great jazz song is. And its guests effortlessly embrace their roles within this atmosphere. From twenty-somethings attending Fashion Week parties to chic married couples engrossed in books by the fireplace, everyone here is either striking, intriguing, or both. Perhaps it’s the hotel itself that bestows this mysterious cinematic aura upon its inhabitants. Whatever the case, the sex appeal of this place is never intimidatingly aloof, exclusive, or oddly dim-lit. To borrow a line from the film Crazy, Stupid, Love, it achieves the perfect blend of sexy and cute—an ideal home base where you can rest your head after dancing late into the night or tuck in early with a burger and a good book.

The Marlton

  • Location: Greenwich Village
  • Key Features: Luxurious custom linens, plush towels and bathrobes, LED TVs
  • Ideal For: Those seeking timeless elegance and escape from modern eras

Stepping into The Marlton feels like a journey back to the 19th century, where signs of modern technology are minimal, and guests and locals alike gather in the dimly lit, fireplace-warmed lobby, adorned with rich dark wood and antique rugs. The true beauty of a stay here lies in forgetting what era you’re in. Rooms, though compact, are exquisitely designed, and if you ever feel a bit too confined, you are perfectly situated in the heart of Greenwich Village, with all its vibrant offerings. Hotel guests receive priority seating at the in-house restaurant, Margaux—a definite advantage, as you’ll want to sample their Amish rotisserie chicken with smashed sweet potato and burnt lemon. Enjoying a glass of wine by the fireplace in the stunning lobby is an ideal activity on chilly evenings, made even better by the convenience of a direct elevator ride upstairs to your room afterwards.

The Mercer

  • Location: SoHo
  • Key Features: On-site gym (by appointment), Mercer Kitchen restaurant
  • Ideal For: People-watching, fashion inspiration

The Mercer is practically synonymous with SoHo. The Romanesque Revival building itself, constructed in 1890, stands as an icon of the neighborhood. Once inside, it delivers precisely what one would expect from a cool yet sophisticated downtown luxury hotel: muted color palettes, sleek modern furniture, a wall brimming with coffee table books, and guest rooms that appear to be flawlessly outfitted by the ultra-chic furniture showrooms dotting the area. It all culminates in a quintessential downtown Manhattan experience. The staff at The Mercer are known for going above and beyond to fulfill any guest request, a significant reason why guests consistently return for repeat visits.

ModernHaus SoHo

  • Location: SoHo
  • Key Features: Rooftop pool, spa, soundproof rooms, Frette linens
  • Ideal For: Experiencing Manhattan comfort without compromise

Outdoor space is a precious commodity in New York City, even more so in bustling SoHo, with its narrow streets and predominantly diminutive apartments. However, at ModernHaus (formerly The James), there’s a generous 11,000 square feet of it. This space manifests as abundant greenery and a well-appointed, comfortable rooftop pool and accompanying pool bar, Jimmy. Yet, this is not the 114-room hotel’s sole distinction among Lower Manhattan’s boutique hotel landscape: its highly coveted art collection is gallery-worthy, featuring futuristic, towering mouse sculptures by Kaws, vibrant paintings by kinetic artist Alexander Calder, and an impressive work by George Condo. Before guests encounter this art as they head out of the hotel in the morning, they awaken in quiet, spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, expansive views of SoHo, and refreshing rainfall showers.

Nine Orchard

  • Location: Lower East Side
  • Key Features: 40-seat bar serving bistro fare; lobby cocktail lounge; mini-bar with Tony’s chocolate and Kings County Distillery Brooklyn-made bourbon; custom speaker system
  • Ideal For: Discerning adults seeking a cool, sophisticated atmosphere

Formerly the century-old Jarmulowsky bank building, Nine Orchard is a piece of living history nestled on New York City’s Lower East Side, where the crowd is young and the roots run deep. Step inside, where the meticulously restored vaulted ceilings will impress even the most jaded guests, then proceed past reception to the main event: the Lobby Lounge. This is downtown glamour personified. An original clock majestically presides over the stately, symmetrically designed bar space, offering a curated list of 20 cocktails and classic martini service. The waitlist for walk-ins is famously long. And the rooms? Warm, inviting, and reminiscent of stylish New York City apartments. There are 116 of them.

Walker Hotel, Greenwich Village

  • Location: Greenwich Village
  • Key Features: Room service, 24-hour front desk, dry cleaning
  • Ideal For: A charming, comfortable base in the vibrant village

With its narrow, discreet brick facade on 13th Street and Sixth Avenue, tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined stretch, you could easily walk right past the Walker Hotel en route to Washington Square Park without noticing it. In the evening, however, when it emanates a warm glow through stained glass windows and luxurious drapes, it will capture your attention and draw you in. Should you enter, a fireplace will likely be crackling in the lobby. Staying here feels akin to having your own bedroom in a cozy Greenwich Village townhouse—rooms feature custom-designed desks and armoires, C.O. Bigelow bath products, plush towels, same-day laundry and valet services, and complimentary newspapers upon request.

The Wall Street Hotel

  • Location: Financial District
  • Key Features: Rooftop bar with events, gym, in-room dining
  • Ideal For: Timeless elegance and business travelers

In a part of the city often overlooked by travelers—at least when it comes to choosing a home-base—The Wall Street Hotel stands as a unique boutique stay in downtown Manhattan, its interiors subtly nodding to the area’s rich history and Beaux-Arts architecture. The Wall Street Hotel not only adds to the existing landscape but also provides a compelling reason to reconsider Wall Street as your landing pad for a trip to the city. Nearly every subway line runs through the nearby Fulton Center, ensuring easy access to virtually anywhere in Manhattan (Brooklyn is just a couple of stops away, as is Jersey City). The neighborhood itself is steeped in history dating back to the 17th century, and a bit of Googling or a knowledgeable tour guide can help reveal fascinating stories hidden within its landmark buildings (George Washington himself frequented the nearby Fraunces Tavern, to give you a sense of its historical depth).

Warren Street Hotel

  • Location: Financial District
  • Key Features: Afternoon tea, in-room terraces with gardens, iconic skyscraper views
  • Ideal For: An authentic neighborhood feel with a distinct special factor

The only other New York City hotel to make this year’s Hot List is the Warren Street Hotel, personally scouted by Condé Nast Traveler Articles Director and Women Who Travel podcast host, Lale Arikoglu. She praised the boutique hotel’s visual appeal, highlighting its artistic and original interiors, its stylish in-room kitchenettes and integrated technology, and its vibrant restaurant. “Kit Kemp loyalists and design obsessives will have already bookmarked this hotel for its eclectic interiors and extensive art collection,” she writes, “but anyone who wants to find a quiet moment amid the mayhem of Manhattan—without losing any of its color—will find their needs met here.” Located at a peaceful intersection between Tribeca and the Financial District, the hotel is also exceptionally accessible to the city’s main transportation arteries.

 

Brooklyn

 

The Wythe Hotel

  • Location: Williamsburg
  • Key Features: Le Crocodile restaurant, Davines bath products, screening room with plush red seats
  • Ideal For: In-the-know business travelers, slow travelers

As you wander through North Williamsburg, it’s impossible to miss the industrial-chic boutique Wythe Hotel—it stands out prominently on the waterfront at the corner of North 11th Street and Wythe Avenue, with its retro, glowing cherry-red letters vertically spelling out “hotel” on the former factory’s brick facade. Its French restaurant, Le Crocodile, is a beloved local institution, serving classic escargots and Burgundy duck with pear and pancetta. The light-filled rooms are luxurious, offering unobstructed views (a rarity for many Manhattan spaces), and feature heated concrete floors. Some rooms are even split-level.