Image courtesy of The Whitby Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
My definition of a boutique hotel is one that’s intimate, charming and idiosyncratic. It doesn’t have to be small, per se, but it should feel that way: more personable, more special, more character-driven.
The best boutique hotels in New York City check all of those boxes. Below, I highlight a few of my favorite boutique hotels in NYC, from a tiny West Village gem to a luxe TriBeCa classic.
NYC boutique hotels with lots of character
The Whitby, Crosby Street Hotel and Warren Street Hotel
Image courtesy of Crosby Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
These playful, vibrant properties belong to Firmdale Hotels, an ultra-chic, meticulously designed collection of luxury hotels across New York and London. Like all Firmdale properties, the Whitby, Crosby and Warren are filled with art — pieces by famed contemporary artists, antiques, global finds — bold patterns and lots of color. Head to the Whitby, in Midtown Manhattan, for proximity to the city’s top museums (hello, MoMA), Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Times Square, and to the Crosby for a glamorous SoHo moment. Choose the Warren for an intimate, stylish stay in trendy TriBeCa.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit, welcome amenity, breakfast daily, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Roxy Hotel New York
Image courtesy of The Roxy Hotel New York
Don’t be surprised if you catch many NYC locals working in the Roxy’s airy lobby. Guest rooms line the perimeter of the hotel, so the lobby feels far more communal and open, with an exceptionally high ceiling. (Think of the Roxy as a hollow, Art-Deco cylinder.) Django, the underground jazz club, is not to be missed, nor is a night in their cinema, where you can enjoy a classic movie and a cocktail.
Fora Perks:
$50 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Chelsea
Image courtesy of Hotel Chelsea
Few hotels are as steeped in New York City’s history as Hotel Chelsea, a sister property to the Greenwich Hotel in TriBeCa. Patti Smith, Andy Warhol, Janis Joplin and countless other notables frequented this colorful, eclectic West Side gem. El Quijote, its famed Spanish restaurant, recently reopened. The restaurant is yet again a magnetic spot for savvy locals and travelers alike.
The best hotels for a moment of downtown luxury
The Greenwich Hotel
Image courtesy of the Greenwich Hotel
Robert de Niro’s fashionable TriBeCa hotspot never gets old. Wooden floors, old books and bespoke objects decorate the spacious rooms. The hotel’s Shibui Spa is arguably the best in the city, complete with a serene pool area, steam showers, the softest Japanese robes and all-natural treatment products. After a day of exploring — or relaxing — make a beeline for Locanda Verde, the hotel’s sexy Italian restaurant helmed by an NYC favorite, chef Andrew Carmellini.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Mercer
Image courtesy of the Mercer
The Mercer is where locals go when they need a break — a stylish, tasteful, beautifully appointed break. With six floors and just over 70 rooms, this SoHo hideaway feels especially intimate. I also love how the Mercer’s fitness center is available by appointment only, so if training is your thing, you can do so in peace. End your day at Sartiano’s, the hotel’s dimly lit Italian restaurant.
Fora Perks:
Hotel / resort credit, welcome amenity, $30 daily breakfast credit, complimentary minibar snacks & soft drinks, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York
Image courtesy of Barrière Fouquet's New York
This luxury TriBeCa gem combines Parisian sophistication with a New York spirit. I love the feminine design (pastel hues, plush furniture, marble, fresh flowers), as well as the French-inflected dining options. There’s Titsou Bar, a tastefully opulent speakeasy, Par Ici Café, a vegetarian staple and Brasserie Fouquet's New York, a bistro-inspired restaurant serving elevated French fare.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage or spa credit, welcome amenity, breakfast daily, upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
11 Howard
Image courtesy of 11 Howard
This sleek, minimalist SoHo hotel is effortlessly cool. It’s Scandinavian-chic-meets-downtown hip. Dine at Le Coucou, the hotel’s Michelin-Starred destination restaurant, which is consistently lauded for housing one of the city’s most beautiful dining rooms. And the wellness here is top-notch. 11 Howard has collaborated with HigherDOSE, the at-home light-therapy company, to create an onsite “infrared wellness spa.” Treatments include lymphatic drainage massages, red-light facials and (of course) infrared sauna sessions.
Fora Perks:
$25 daily food / beverage credit, welcome amenity, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
Boutique hotels with a beautifully approachable price
Hotel 50 Bowery
Image courtesy of Hotel 50 Bowery
The location of this NYC boutique hotel is prime: it’s in the heart of Chinatown, within walking distance of SoHo, Little Italy and the Lower East Side. In other words, you have easy access to Lower Manhattan’s best neighborhoods. Rooms are comfy, modern and colorful, and come with some pretty spectacular views.
Fora Perks:
$75 hotel / resort credit, welcome amenity, breakfast daily, upgrade & early check-in whenever possible.
The Marlton Hotel
Image courtesy of the Marlton Hotel
No trip to New York City would be complete without a visit to the charming West Village, the idyllic setting of many a movie. The Marlton, just off of Fifth Avenue, embodies the neighborhood’s chic vibe, but with a hipster edge. You’ll encounter many local New Yorkers working remotely in the handsome lobby, fueled by coffees served from the onsite espresso bar.
Fora Perks:
$25 daily minibar credit, complimentary bottle of wine, breakfast daily, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
Freehand New York
Image courtesy of Freehand New York
This lively boutique hotel in New York’s Flatiron District has a young, buzzy and artistic vibe. Custom artwork from Bard students and alumni lines the walls, and the food-and-beverage outlets carry with them a fun, youthful energy. Don’t miss Broken Shaker, the hotel’s rooftop bar — and a past James Beard Award finalist, no less.
Boutique hotels in NYC that make excellent hipster hangouts
The Standard East Village
Image courtesy of The Standard East Village
The Standard East Village is a trendy spot, offering a laid-back, artsy atmosphere that reflects the character of the East Village. Sleek, modern rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of downtown Manhattan, and outdoor garden spaces with casual dining options capture the neighborhood’s bohemian charm.
The Standard also has a property on the High Line if you’d rather stay in the Meatpacking District. Expect panoramic views of the Hudson River and a lively, design-forward stay with great nightlife (Le Bain, on the hotel rooftop, is a must).
Fora Perks at Standard Hotels in New York:
Food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The William Vale
Image courtesy of the William Vale
The William Vale is so Brooklyn — in the best way. It’s hip, modern and vibey, with a great rooftop bar overlooking the East River and the Manhattan skyline. It’s also hyperlocal, near Williamsburg’s coolest boutiques, restaurants, bars and markets.
Fora Perks:
Exclusive rates, breakfast daily.