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 sculpture garden and terrace you’ll have plenty of space to stretch your legs.
The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows which give it a very spacious feel. An amazing view facing east with the grit of the Lower East Side below and the Williamsburg Bridge blinking in the distance, the raised cushions running along the bottom of the lead-paneled glass lends itself nicely to a late-night drink before bedtime. The hotel offers a lot of perks, but the screening room and hotel film club is a huge bonus. The 99-seat cinema holds a Film Club on Sunday nights for guests and the public, complete with dinner and cocktails before the film, a cice touch if you haven’t had a chance to go to the movies.
The hotel sits on the northern edge of Soho and is a close walk to Nolita, Little Italy, Chinatown and the Lower East Side. Around the corner you’ll find the R, W trains on Prince Street and Broadway, or the 6 train at Spring Street and Lafayette Street. For car travel there’s always the Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn off Delancey Street via Kenmare Street; just south is Canal Street and a quick zip to the Holland Tunnel and New Jersey.
TIME OUT TIP: Two blocks east of the hotel you’ll find Mulberry Street, while still home to Little Italy red sauce stalwarts, is also now a trendy strip of boutiques and restaurants that add some zip to the neighborhood. Dip into the Lilith boutique, a cute clothing shop by the French fashion house offering women’s frocks and accessories; a few stores down you’ll find beloved cosmetics brand Kiehl’s, always a go-to for hand lotion or body wash; and then head across the street for some Mediterranean-meets-Middle Eastern cuisine at Balaboosta. Stay for dinner and try the Lemon Cardamon Pappardelle with braised lamb shoulder, sundried tomato, lima beans and spicy almonds. You’ll thank us later.