The Coolest Boutique Hotels in New York City Right Now

 

1. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

New York doesn’t have many hotels that serve as a proper social hub and an urban resort, and that exact combination is precisely what makes 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge so special. This luxury property sits on the East River in Brooklyn’s picture-perfect DUMBO neighborhood, offering awesome views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Lower Manhattan. Major perks include a rooftop bar and pool with jaw-dropping city views, plus free yoga classes, a great coffee shop, an upmarket new-American restaurant, a co-working space, and a beautiful spa. While the amenities here are serious, rooms shouldn’t be overlooked, as they’re some of the most spacious in New York. Even entry-level units feature banquettes and windowside seating plus king beds, Nespresso machines, and handsome bespoke touches.

2. The Ludlow

The Lower East Side is a hip and artsy neighborhood, with top-notch nightlife venues, trendy shops, and delicious dining destinations. Much like the surrounding neighborhood, The Ludlow New York City plants itself at the crossroads of all things cool — and largely succeeds. The 175 rooms at this upscale property have an industrial-chic look plus amenities like Tivoli radios, down duvets, and copper details that add vintage charm. Some rooms have soaking tubs and sprawling terraces, though you’ll find many units to be on the cozy side. Downstairs, the scene at Dirty French — the hotel’s restaurant — is a destination in and of itself, while the adjacent Lobby Bar has a crackling fireplace and spills out onto a lovely garden courtyard.

3. MADE Hotel

Are cool local twists and refined bohemian style your thing? If so, head to Manhattan’s newly trendy NoMad neighborhood and grab a room at the MADE Hotel. The hipster trappings at this hotel run deep and include a great neighborhood coffee shop, an open co-working space, and — perhaps the hotel’s crown jewel — an intimate rooftop bar that hosts DJs and has great skyline views. All 108 rooms are tricked out in vintage brass, shabby-chic fabrics, and rough-hewn hardwood accents that create a picture-perfect — if incredibly compact — retreat in a busy part of town. Rainfall showers, king beds, local snacks and drinks, and great Bluetooth sound systems come standard as well. The hotel is also a good fit for business guests in town on a short stay and looking to sample something a bit more authentically New York than the typical Midtown options.

4. The Broome

The Broome is an elegant boutique hotel with just 16 rooms and suites, most of which are set around a beautiful courtyard. It also happens to have a prime address just one block off of Broadway, where SoHo begins its transition into hip Nolita. Each impeccably detailed room includes superb amenities like full minibars, iPads, bathrobes, slippers, and free fruit and Evian bottles. Other rare-in-New-York extras range from walk-in closets to bathrooms with full-size toiletries custom-made for the hotel. The Broome’s main feature is its tucked-away outdoor patio and straight-from-Paris cafe, where a gourmet breakfast (included in the rates) is served every morning. Otherwise, features are slim, but the location puts nightlife, dining, and shopping literally outside your door.

5. The Marlton Hotel

For Old-World style and some seriously impressive history, the classic Marlton Hotel is a great option. It even hosted the likes of Jack Kerouac back when Greenwich Village was a bohemian paradise. These days, the neighborhood is one of New York’s poshest, though the hotel still maintains its signature charm. The location is prime for checking out the Village’s cafes, bars, restaurants, and boutiques, and both Washington Square Park and NYU are just a few minutes away by foot. Rooms are cute and compact, with rainfall showers, flat-screen TVs, and bathrobes. Downstairs, the lobby lounge is a great place for cocktails and coffee, and it stays busy from morning until night with locals and guests alike. There’s also a delicious French-Mediterranean restaurant. Added bonus? All rooms include breakfast with fresh-squeezed juice and coffee.

6. Freehand

Unapologetically hip, the Freehand New York marks this brand’s first foray into New York City. While it’s a bit larger than typical boutique hotels, the style and vibe here are tapped into a scene that’s so cool you didn’t even know it was trendy yet. The property is overloaded with millennial features like three buzzy restaurants, two bars, and a lounge that’s usually packed with locals on laptops. The rooms are also configured with young travelers in mind — guests can choose from Bunk and Three’s Company units with bunk beds in addition to more traditional room layouts. Even so, the atmosphere here is the main draw, with nightlife bleeding into the morning hours, as travelers and locals hit up the hotel’s bars. Playful social get-togethers, like tarot readings or nude drawing classes, add even more cool to this hipster-packed property.

7. PUBLIC

Also a bit larger than a typical boutique hotel, the PUBLIC‘s design-savvy interiors are enough to merit inclusion on this list. When you add the prime location amid the Lower East Side’s boutiques, restaurants, and bars, it’s hard to argue with this hotel’s coolness credentials. Designed by Ian Schrager — of Studio 54 fame — interiors here beg to be photographed, and the hotel mostly draws a younger set. The small rooms are equally smart when it comes to design and include floor-to-ceiling windows and perks like Bose speakers. There’s also a 24-hour gym plus a number of destination dining and drinking spots on-site. The views from the rooftop bar alone are worth checking into the hotel, while the restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten draws plenty of locals and tourists alike.

8. The William Vale

While it commands a large presence near Williamsburg’s East River waterfront, the luxe William Vale has only 183 rooms, making its massive set of features all the more surprising. Those extras aside, the views of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn throughout the hotel are a major draw and can be had from the popular rooftop bar. The Italian eatery Leuca receives excellent reviews, and the outdoor pool with food service is a rarity in New York City. Rooms are perfect for Williamsburg (with a splash of South Beach in the decor) and are outfitted with eye-catching local art plus amenities like flat-screen TVs, Keurig coffeemakers, L’Occitane toiletries, and furnished balconies.

9. 11 Howard

With one of the best addresses in the city — right at the intersection of SoHo, Nolita, and Chinatown — 11 Howard does minimalism right. The decor and overall vibe are impeccably hip without the pretense you might find at other on-trend Manhattan hotels. We love the chic decor, as well as extras including coworking space and an intimate bar, The Blond. Rooms are mostly spacious for Lower Manhattan, with towering windows that only add to the bright interiors. The bathrooms, with marble and brass details, come stocked with high-end products, while amenities like digital concierges, Bluetooth speakers, bespoke minibars, and 48-inch Smart TVs are standard. Did we mention the beds? They’re easily some of the most comfortable in the city, particularly for those who prefer a softer night’s sleep.

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