New York has an intense passion for creativity, and many places to stay in the Big Apple are nothing short of spectacular. From intimate boutiques to modern high rises, here are my favorite spots in the city…
1. Hotel on Rivington
Housed in a very striking 20-story glass tower near trendy SoHo in Lower East Manhattan (just one block from the subway and within walking distance of Tribeca, Nolita, Little Italy, and the East Village), this sleek, chic, and ultra-cool hotel was once voted New York’s sexiest hotel.
I stayed in a spacious minimalist, ultra-modern but romantic room with a Tempur-Pedic bed adorned with Frette linens, free WiFi, a flat-screen TV with on-demand movies, and gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows. I particularly loved the extraordinary views of the Manhattan skyline.
Upgraded rooms had balconies and sumptuous Japanese-style soaking tubs. I’d recommend booking an Executive King Room as they have privileged corner placements on the higher levels with wow-inducing city views, including Downtown, SoHo, and even Brooklyn.
Other highlights included a hip Mediterranean restaurant with outdoor dining, a funky juice bar, a trendy tequila and mescal bar which also doubles as a late-night lounge with potent cocktails created by some of the city’s leading mixologists, live DJs, and the very Instagrammable, sky-lit atrium which is just a dream.
Address: 107 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
2. YOTEL
Fun, funky, and highly innovative, just like the Japanese culture that inspired it, this is a 4-star, highly rated choice perfect for fans of technology and design and the young at heart.
Located in lively Times Square, I experienced a first-class hotel stay in the center of all the action without the designer price tag—think space-age minimalism combined with futuristic technology and quirky decor, unlike anything I’d seen before!
One of the most popular Midtown West hotels, it’s also affordable with funky cabins featuring motorized beds (which transform into handy sofas), an innovative ‘techno wall’ with a flat-screen TV, a work desk with iPod connectivity, sublime city views, free WiFi, and local phone calls. As a tech fan, I couldn’t get enough of all this!
If you can afford it, I would recommend upgrading, as then you’ll find private terraces, soaking tubs, and sofas! Some of the upgraded rooms come with incredible floor-to-ceiling windows and seriously spectacular city views that could almost be from a movie, which I loved!
Other fun features include automated check-in kiosks, self-service amenity machines on each floor, and a rooftop terrace that functions as a restaurant and nightclub.
- To book, check prices or availability for YOTEL
Address: 570 Tenth Avenue, W 42nd St At, New York, NY 10036
3. Moxy NYC Chelsea
One of the best hotels to stay in the highly sought-after Chelsea District NYC, this hip botanical-themed hotel in Midtown Manhattan enjoys a fabulous central location in the beautiful and sought-after Flower District.
I loved that it was just a short walk away from 28th St Station, Broadway, and Madison Square Gardens, so the 4-star highly rated spot is well-positioned for traveling all over the city. It is also close to trendy bars and more than 200 art galleries set in former factories in this hip and lively District. The artisan food hub, Chelsea Market, is also close by.
I was a big fan of this gorgeous, one-of-a-kind hotel, which beautifully fits into the neighborhood’s style and features fabulous floral decor with a traditional twist.
Modern elements and immaculate design details offset the classical botanical themes, giving the hotel a luxurious feel with subtle lighting. This was combined with upscale service, which didn’t feel too intimidating.
The trendy bedrooms have a cool ‘New York Loft’ industrial style and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered truly incredible views of the city’s famously gasp-inducing skyline (which included the neighboring Empire State Building)!
I’d strongly suggest heading up to the rooftop restaurant and dining on Hot Pink Cotton Candy pancakes at their popular ‘Magic Hour’ – pure bliss!
Address: 105 W 28th St, New York, NY 10001
4. Standard High Line
Sleek, glossy, stylish, and attracting trendy types by the bucket load, the glamorous 4-star spot offers sexy minimalist interiors and spectacular cityscape and river views.
One of the stand-out Greenwich Village hotels, the striking 18-story tower rises above the High Line urban park (a former elevated train track) within a stone’s throw of the Meatpacking District nightspots, the West Village, Chelsea Market, and the subway.
Greenwich Village is a superb place to base yourself in the city, and I was surrounded by hip bars, funky cafes, creative restaurants, and awesome cultural venues such as Jazz Clubs and Broadway Theaters. Back at the hotel, I’d suggest taking advantage of their afternoon happy hour, where they have big discounts on a range of drinks.
As well as being the place to be seen, I loved the roof terrace with a hot tub, floor-to-ceiling windows in the retro-modern rooms, the German beer garden, rooftop crêperie (which turns into a club at night, but in the day make sure you sample a few of the delicious crepes which were my favorite!), free bicycles on loan, and even cheeky exhibitionist bathrooms…definitely a hotel that will impress, it did me!
Address: 848 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
5. The Box Hotel
This is one of the most endearing places I have stayed in the city, and in a city like the Big Apple, that’s saying something! Housed in a converted factory, it’s now filled with art-adorned, industrial-chic style interiors.
My room was more like a cool apartment and came with a fully equipped kitchens, a cozy living room space, and a pull-out couch if needed for an extra bed.
Funky suite-like bedrooms were also available, and all come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee-making facilities, balconies offering superb city views, a communal gym, a dry sauna, and a steam room.
It’s located just across the road from Pulaski Bridge in trendy Brooklyn, only a 9-minute walk from the Greenpoint Avenue subway station and 6 miles from the Empire State Building.
I had easy access to Manhattan and was surrounded by incredible waterfront views, fun brewhouses, and plenty of hipster-friendly bars, clubs, and restaurants. I took their awesome shuttle service to the subway which was a seriously fun ride in a 1970s checker cab!
Address: 77 Box St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
6. Hotel Hugo
I experienced high-end amenities such as flatscreen TVs, iPod docking stations, luxury bathrobes, and Argan bath toiletries to complement the custom mahogany details, hardwood floors, and classic New York-style furnishings. If you can, I’d suggest opting for a loft suite, as the huge bathrooms and soaking tubs make it easily worthwhile!
The SoHo District is a great location with independent boutique shopping, trendy bars, upscale restaurants, and scenery, including atmospheric cobblestone streets and beautiful cast-iron facades.
One of my favorite highlights included the incredible glass-enclosed rooftop bar, which serves tasty cocktails and tacos with panoramic river and city views; their on-site Italian restaurant, where tables spill out onto the Greenwich Street sidewalk; and Café Hugo, which serves seasonal farm-to-table fare.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Hugo
Address: 525 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013
7. Arlo SoHo
We all know that the best things come in small packages, and this 4-star exceptionally rated gem is a perfect example! It’s billed as a micro-boutique hotel and set in one of the trendiest locations in town, just two blocks from the boutique stores and trendy bars and restaurants of SoHo, central Manhattan, and within easy walking distance of other fabulous hipster-friendly neighborhoods such as Tribeca and Greenwich Village.
I personally think it’s one of the best places to stay in Soho Manhattan. The inside is seriously cute! My cabin-style room was thoughtfully – and uniquely – laid out and combined with contemporary furniture such as solid walnut alcove beds.
I was a big fan of the handy, efficient storage spaces and playful touches (including some great tech – make sure you try it out before leaving)! Upgraded rooms feature large outdoor terraces.
My other favorite hotel highlights include supping on cocktail and craft beers on the very hip rooftop bar, sinking into a sheepskin-clad sofa or ergonomic armchair in the onsite library, or feasting on fine international fayre in the 24-hour artisan pantry Bodega.
I also recommend heading down to the hip and atmospheric speakeasy-style ‘Foxtail’ bar for a creative cocktail whipped up by one of their mixologists!
Alternatively, Arlo has another fabulous boutique hotel in the city, the NoMad neighborhood hotel version, which has an equally funky design.
- To book, check prices or availability for Arlo SoHo
Address: 231 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
8. The Jane
Friendly, unique, and with an edge, staying at the highly regarded and much-loved budget boutique The Jane was an experience. It is located on the edge of the fun and hipster-friendly Meatpacking District‘s nightlife hub (and only six blocks from High Line Park and a subway stop).
I loved that the vintage-style boutique hotel has a quirky, time-warp feel that features rooms endearingly inspired by old-fashioned train cabins.
I stayed in a compact cabin/room with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi and iPod docks, and all rooms have either Hudson River views or terraces. Larger upgraded rooms are also available and there’s a popular onsite restaurant which is a local’s favorite for brunch, and – my personal favorite – an opulent Victorian-style lobby bar that also doubles as a hipster hotspot. I’d recommend trying their famous brunch, I found out it was popular for a reason!
The decor is exceptionally unique, with authentic old-school bellhops, maids in black-and-white uniforms, carved moose heads, and stuffed monkeys adorned with fez hats! I honestly thought this was one of the city’s most intriguing hotels.
Address: 113 Jane St, New York, NY 10014
9. The Ludlow Hotel
This 4-star boutique is located in the heart of one of the trendiest neighborhoods in town! The Lower East Side of Manhattan has risen over the years from a slum to an urban center of arts, boutique shopping, and dining and is only a minute’s walk from the subway and 2 miles from the Empire State Building. I thought it was a trendy place but still had an edge.
This spot reflects the hip urban environment surrounding it and feels like a beat poet just left the room whenever you walk in! I experienced sophisticated artwork, vintage furnishings, four poster beds, dark woods, and boutique details like Moroccan Rose-scented toiletries.
If you can, I’d recommend opting for Queen Studio, which has its own cute little private terrace. I also loved the include attentive service and the delicious French-inspired fare at the in-house restaurant ‘Dirty French’, a popular spot in town.
Throw in lashings of faux fur, beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows, rainfall showers, mosaic bathrooms, sublime city views, fabulous mod cons, and a trendy industrial chic design, and I had a one-of-a-kind experience!
Address: 180 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
10. M Social Hotel Times Square
A hotel perfect for Gen Zs and Millennials! I thought this upbeat and colorful hotel epitomizes its buzzy Times Square surroundings. Of course, its Times Square location is a huge draw in itself, and here I was at the center of all the action surrounded by incredible bars, restaurants, theaters, and blingy bright lights galore.
I was a big fan of the contemporary style at this 4-star spot, filled with creative, quirky details. The lobby and other shared spaces offer a wow-inducing modern design and feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows for some of the best views in Times Square.
I stayed in a bright, modern guest room with fabulous city views (and I had a choice of direction) and some upscale amenities.
My favorite highlights include the cutely named Beast & Butterflies restaurant and bar which serves up world cuisine, wine, and signature drinks (I’d suggest trying the tasty Butterfly Kisses cocktail!) all while offering fabulous city views and the impressive heated outdoor terrace where you can dine alfresco or again sip on cocktails.
Like its name suggests, there’s an emphasis on being social here, and I made some new friends during my stay, too!
Address: 226 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019
11. Hotel Alameda, Highline
Located in the heart of Manhattan’s buzzing restaurant and art gallery-strewn Chelsea district (a 6-minute walk from High Line Park and a 10-minute walk from a subway station), I was a big fan of this ultra-chic and highly rated 4-star trendy hotel that rocked a modern minimalist style.
With more than a nod to Japanese culture, all 56 rooms at the 4-star gem are very zen-like. I stayed in a tranquil room that featured wooden platform beds, an ultra-modern design, trendy bean bag chairs, an iPad (which was loaded with handy recommendations for the best local galleries, restaurants, and shops), fabulous city views, and even handmade denim bathrobes.
If you can afford it, I suggest getting an upgraded room, which offers Japanese-style soaking tubs.
On the rooftop, the trendy outdoor pool with incredible views is a real treat in summer. During the winter months, it transitions into the concept restaurant Arriba—genius!
Address: 518 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
12. Made Hotel
With a clever play on words, this is a place where you will feel ‘made’ if you stay! It’s nestled amongst all the fabulous bars and eateries of the ultra-hip NoMad neighborhood, Manhattan – only a 2-minute walk to the nearest subway station and a 7-minute walk from the Empire State Building.
I loved the decor at the 4-star boutique which featured raw-material interiors, industrial-chic concrete ceilings, lashings of real wood embellished with oversized floor-to-ceiling windows (offering superb views of either the NoMad neighborhood or the Empire State Building), bohemian fabrics and striking bronze fixtures. I’d recommend booking the Creative Suite for a deep soaking tub and city views.
I stayed in an ultra-chic room with free Wi-Fi, a smart radio, a flat-screen TV, and an oak platform bed with hidden storage.
I also loved the basement restaurant, which served up seasonal food, the onsite coffee shop, which also doubles as a hangout for NoMad’s creative set, and the killer rooftop cocktail bar, which serves up tiki-style drinks with a large helping of panoramic city views (including the Empire State Building).
- To book, check prices or availability for Made Hotel
Address: 44 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001
13. Dream Downtown
It’s a trendy spot in a fabulous location between the Meatpacking District and Chelsea in Downtown Manhattan (close to a subway and a 4-minute walk from The High Line).
It’s a luxury liner/maritime-themed haven in the middle of all the action with upscale amenities, spectacular views, and a glass-bottomed infinity pool that floats above the hotel lobby—giving both swimmers and arriving guests utterly unique views!
I stayed in a spacious fantasy-themed hotel room with very cute porthole windows offering amazing views of the city (one of my favorite design details). It also featured a huge flat-screen TV, luxurious linens, and free WiFi. Upgraded rooms offer HDTV projectors and surround-sound systems.
My other favorite highlights include a rooftop lounge, a fusion restaurant serving Japanese and French cuisines (I suggest trying their incredible steamed dumplings), boutique shopping in the lobby, a 24-hour fitness center, and a beach (and even a beach club!) surrounding that amazing pool.
Address: 355 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011
14. Henn na Hotel
The future is here, and you’ll find it at the 4-star, highly rated, crazy, and fun spot in midtown Manhattan. Part of the Hudson Yards revival (New York’s newest neighborhood), this tech-themed hotel combines modern comforts and whimsical fun with plenty of interesting and forward-thinking innovation.
I especially loved the quirky decor which includes an animatronic dinosaur at the check-in counter in the lobby, yes really! My Instagram and TikTok followers loved them too.
Located near Midtown Manhattan I was based near everything I wanted to see in Manhattan – Times Square, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Radio City, the Empire State Building, and more. I stayed in a modern Japanese-style-inspired room with an LG Styler closet that freshened up my clothing, a futon conditioner that regulated the mattress temperature, and a handy tablet too.
The Gosuke Akimitsu restaurant serves tasty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in genuine Japanese style. I’d suggest trying their incredible deep-fried tempura with dipping sauces. I honestly think both kids, big kids, and Japanophiles will be huge fans.
Address: 235 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
15. Freehand Hotel
This is a 4-star hipster-friendly gem with a boho vibe that put me in the heart of the funky Flatiron district, one of my favorite NYC spots!
The district is within easy reach of the city’s fabled museums, bars, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, the High Line district, and the famous Gramercy Theatre music venue. It also connected me to the city’s happening art scene.
The building has a fascinating past and dates back to the roaring 1920s being a former creative hub and popular hangout for many writers, musicians, and artists.
It’s since been lovingly renovated and added to, and I found molded ceilings, colorful decor, and impressive parquet flooring. Striking Jacobean features sat side-by-side with 1970s-style avocado-colored bathroom tiles and contemporary touches like brightly-colored walls and funky designer rugs.
Highly Instagrammable and attracting a hip, youthful crowd, it had artwork literally covering the walls, much of it from Bard College art students, which was also available for purchase, which I thought was a great touch.
I didn’t have to venture far to find fabulous food, drink, and music, and the hotel also had its onsite bar and restaurant. I’d suggest sampling their tasty Salatim Platter or the Guacamole and Chips at their funky Broken Shaker bar.
Address: 23 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010
