Downtown New York hotels: Find accommodation in NYC

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...

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...

Opened in 1907 as the American Seaman’s Friend Society Sailors Home, the 14-story landmark was a residential hotel when hoteliers Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson, of the Bowery and the Maritime, took it over (some long-term residents remain). The wood-paneled, 50-square-foot rooms were inspired by vintage train sleeper compartments—there’s a single bed with built-in storage and brass hooks for hanging up your clothes, but also iPod docks and wall-mounted 23-inch flat-screen TVs. If entering the hotel feels like stepping on to a film set, there’s good reason: Inspiration came from various celluloid sources, including Barton Fink’s Hotel Earle for the lobby. The "ballroom," decorated with mismatched chairs, oriental rugs and a fireplace topped with a stuffed ram, evokes an eccentric mansion. Rooms: 208.

Wall Street doesn’t usually conjure up images of comfort. If anything, the mere phrase makes us think of ringing bells, bond indexes and Leonardo DiCaprio on quaaludes, none of which feel especially relaxing. But the Wall Street Hotel does a tremendous job of tweaking what you may think about the buttoned-up Financial District, allowing yourself to loosen your collar and—gasp!—turn off from work for a bit. Not that the boutique hotel has fully turned its back on the neighborhood’s banking bonafides: the 180-room accommodations stand on the site of the original Tontine Coffee House, the beaux-arts building that housed the O.G. New York Stock Exchange in the late 18th-century. (Hence the name of the hotel’s scenic rooftop, Bar Tontine.) Where stockbrokers once met to talk trade and transactions 200 years ago, now stylish travelers gather in the double-height, lobby-level Lounge on Pearl to gab over equally well-dressed oysters and brine-splashed martinis.  Speaking of bivalves, the historic space was transformed and opened as a hotel in 2022 by the Paspaleys, the family behind Australia’s oldest pearling company. Nods to that nacre past beautifully abound throughout the warmly luxurious property, from the rare pearl jewelry showcased in the lobby to the scallop-edged barstools in the lounge to the oyster-inspired watercolors that hang above the Frette-sheeted beds in each guest room.  Soothing soft blues and seafoam greens wash over the spacious staterooms—ranging in size...

  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...

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...

The first thing you notice when approaching the Hotel Gansevoort Meatpacking District is the location: smack dab in the middle of the MePa. Having opened its doors in 2004 when the area started becoming the chic destination for city partygoers that it is today, the hotel is the centerpiece of the neighborhood, the timeless dame of an ever-changing and evolving nabe. The lobby has a sleek design (come to think of it everything about a Gansevoort property screams sleek), adorned with floor-to-ceiling leather ropes that create a canopy, red suede and black leather chairs and a pool table in the middle of the seating area—the perfect scene for a hotel you’d already assume would be bustling. And it is. Like the Park Avenue South locale, the minimal and modern décor in the rooms are off-set by the colorful and vibrant photographs and paintings on the walls. The main focus of the hotel though—and by focus I mean the part of the hotel that is a must-see for any visitor—is the Plunge Rooftop Bar + Lounge, where you will find the 45-foot heated outdoor pool open year-round. The indoor loft has 20-foot ceilings with 360-degree views of the city, perfect for that nighttime drink and dip in the water. The ground level boasts Chester, an American eatery with al fresco dining to people watch all day and all night long (if need be and we highly recommend it). With a valet service, fully-equipped gym, pet program, even a Prieto Select hair studio and Exhale Spa situated right in the hotel,...

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.

Hello there, tons of natural light and sweeping views. The super chic rooms here feature wall-to-wall windows. But be warned: The views infamously go both ways, so be careful of giving an inadvertent peep show—unless you’re into that. The Standard sits on giant concrete stilts above Manhattan’s famous High Line. It feels a little bit like floating above the city as you soak in the view of the Hudson River, all the way to the World Trade Center. (You can also literally soak in your bath while you admire the view.)

Formerly a procession of piercing parlors, poster stores and shoe shops, West 8th Street has been undergoing an identity shift since the arrival of cult spots like Stumptown Coffee Roasters and an offshoot of the Parker Meridien’s Burger Joint. Joining the newly desirable enclave is the Marlton, the first solo property from trendsetting hotelier Sean MacPherson, who co-owns the Bowery, the Maritime and the Jane. The 1900 building has plenty of local history—Beat icon Jack Kerouac wrote a couple of novellas while lodging there, and the place put up would-be Andy Warhol assassin Valerie Solanas—but the deceptively lived-in–looking interior, including the lobby’s cunningly retro oak paneling, has largely been created from scratch. Here, you can lounge on a broken-in leather armchair while sipping a house-roasted Ferndell coffee, and flip through tomes on NYC history or local artists. Measuring a mere 150 square feet each, the bedrooms are miniaturized versions of a Paris grand hotel, with gilt-edged velvet headboards, crown moldings and shaded sconces held by brass hands. The bathrooms feature petite marble sinks, antiquey brass rain showerheads and products by Provençal perfumer Côté Bastide. The classic decor is offset by midcentury touches: art by Berlin-based artist Stefano Castronovo, inspired by Abstract Expressionists like Franz Kline and Robert Motherwell, and Serge Mouille chandeliers that look like Anglepoise lamps on steroids. A restaurant and bar are in the works....