Boutique hotels in New York: chic NYC style

Choosing the Upper West Side as your home-base is always a good idea. It has easy access to the subway system going uptown or downtown, Central Park is nearby, and it’s one of the few areas in the city to retain a true neighbourhood feel.

The best place to both hang out and rest your head at night is the NYLO New York City on Broadway & 77th Street. The cool, industrial style lobby is contrasted by serene, spacious guestrooms with plush bedding. You won’t have to travel far for a cocktail and a good meal, either. The hotel has a great rooftop bar and is home to two of the best restaurants in the neighbourhood, Serafina and Red Farm. (Be sure to get two orders of the spicy crispy beef because you won’t want to share.)

Just a few blocks from the famed Apollo Theater, the Aloft Harlem is the perfect home base for a visit to this upper Manhattan neighbourhood. Aloft arrived in Harlem as one of the first high-end accommodations, bringing a hip, modern flair to the historic area.

Not only are the 122 rooms outfitted with luxe, comfortable amenities, the hotel is also striving to be as green as possible. Products like cork and wood veneer are integrated throughout the design and every room has a recycling bin.

The building that The Beekman calls home has been around since the 1760s, when Shakespeare’s Hamlet made its New York debut there and has hosted the likes of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Mark Twain.

After a meticulous renovation, The Beekman opened their doors again in 2016, showcasing the stunning historic architecture. The eye-catching, one-of-a-kind pyramidal skylight illuminates the sitting area where guests and visitors alike gather for cocktails and small bites.

A reservation to stay at this historic landmark is certainly one of the most sought-after for visitors travelling to New York and you can rest assured that this is one of the swankiest places in town.

There is no shortage of boutique hotels in Midtown Manhattan, but the Viceroy New York stands out for its chic, tech-focused design and prime location. Steps from both Central Park and 5th Avenue, you couldn’t ask for a more central location.

The hotel has a buzzing bistro-style restaurant, Kingside, on the first floor, and one of the best rooftops scenes in all of New York with magnificent views of Central Park. A glass of rosé is a perfect complement to the stunning views.

The Lower East Side is chock full of both models and hipsters and is quickly becoming the place to live, eat, drink, and stay while you’re in town. Much like the neighbourhood it resides in, the Ludlow Hotel oozes cool. Luckily, there is plenty of substance behind that hip façade; the rooms are both simplistic and chic, whether you choose a basic studio, a terrace room, a loft, or the penthouse.

Head to the Lobby Lounge or Garden Bar to quench your thirst and be sure to enjoy a meal at the restaurant, Dirty French while you’re there. A foodie destination in and of itself, they’re serving such delicious French fare, like coq au vin, that you’ll swear you’re in Paris.

Williamsburg’s McCarren Hotel & Pool has it all. The highly sought-after urban retreat boasts bright and airy guest rooms with Frette linens, a killer rooftop showcasing unbeatable views of the Manhattan skyline, and one of the coolest outdoor pool scenes in all of New York City.

This stylish hangout beckons travellers and locals alike and sits just steps away from some of Brooklyn’s best restaurants and shops.

Built in 1996, the SoHo Grand Hotel was Manhattan’s first luxury downtown boutique hotel. While there are plenty of other luxe options today, the SoHo Grand is still a favorite among guests who keep coming back.

The rooms feel both charming and high-end, and the rooftop space is a refreshing escape from the bustle below. The hotel’s Salon Room has been nicknamed “SoHo’s Living Room” and is a swanky area to hang out or grab a drink before dinner in the neighborhood. They boast 50 rare, American whiskeys so be sure to sample a few.

Tribeca has gone from a quiet warehouse district to one of the hottest neighbourhoods in New York City in the span of just a few years. These days the cobblestone streets are buzzing with famous faces, trendy restaurants, and boutique shops.

In the heart of the neighbourhood lies the funky, boutique Roxy Hotel. Dimly lit guest rooms boast a throwback vibe and the hotel’s jazz club attracts both guests and creative locals.

One of the things that make hotels in NYC stand out among the hundreds of options is having a great, on-site restaurant. At The Marlton, Margaux checks that box. (Get the Squid Ink Bucatini and send us your thank you cards later.)

Trendy and cozy, the Marlton is a boutique hotel in the heart of Greenwich Village. After its buyout and renovation in 2014, the hotel has been stylishly uplifted. That same year, Conde Nast Traveler named The Marlton one of “The World’s Greatest Hotels.” Despite the nod, it continues to remain pleasantly affordable and is a smart choice if you can appreciate the character found in the relatively snug accommodations.

Just outside of Manhattan in Long Island City, The Paper Factory is a stylish and affordable industrial-chic hotel. It has bigger rooms and more space than most Manhattan accommodations so you get more for your money, and travelling into the city is still a breeze.

Built where a 100-year-old paper factory once stood, the boutique hotel exudes all the things you like about industrial design without feeling cliché. It has a playful, laid-back vibe with neat antiques, like telephone booths and bicycles displayed throughout. It almost feels like you’re staying with you’re really cool cousin in their artsy downtown loft.