Whether it's a buzzy new boîte or an underground gallery, most New Yorkers have a “been there, done that” attitude which makes it hard to either impress or surprise them. But sometimes even the most jaded New Yorker will be dazzled by a hotel that's been hiding in plain sight.
While some seasoned city folks associate the Meatpacking District with crowds of selfie-carrying tourists, the Soho House has stood here as a beacon of cool for over twenty years. Located in an old warehouse, this was the first outpost of the beloved British club outside London. The rooms are understated and chic but it’s all about the stylish communal spaces. The all-day bar and lounge is filled with large tables and couches where the city’s creative class socialize and network, while the rooftop pool is an excellent escape during the warmer months. There’s also a Cowshed spa and vinyl room for listening parties and impromptu DJ sessions.
Once a United States Army post, Governors Island offers nearly 175 acres of sprawling green space. Collective Retreats, a hotel company known for its offerings in glamping, recently created a series of outdoor cabins and tents where guests can camp overnight. During the day, guests can explore the island on bikes and play games on the great lawn, and at night, sip cocktails under a starry sky with views of both Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.
From Dylan Thomas to Bob Dylan, the storied Hotel Chelsea, a Queen Anne landmarked building looming over 23rd Street, has been the de facto headquarters for some of the world’s most colorful characters. From the boho-inspired lobby adorned with artworks created by many of its famous patrons to its restaurant El Quijote which serves paella and Spanish tapas to a rock-and-roll crowd, the Hotel Chelsea is like no other place in Manhattan. After falling into disrepair over the last few decades, hotelier Sean MacPherson and his partners recently completed a major renovation. The 155 rooms have been given a slick update with wood floors and marble bathrooms while the public spaces feel luxe (chandeliers, plush seating) but still maintain that downtown vibe.
For more city hot spots, see below.
Ace Hotel New York
NoMad
There was a time when the Ace Hotels were strictly a Pacific Northwest phenomenon, and eyebrows were raised when they began work on a hotel in New York’s once-neglected NoMad neighborhood. But now the Ace Hotel New York feels like the flagship of this often-imitated hip hotel chain. Not only has it put this stretch of Broadway back on the map, it’s also got the kind of multi-purpose public space — co-working space by day, after-work drinking spot in the evening, and a full-fledged nightlife venue featuring DJs or live music as the hours tick by.
The Hotel Chelsea
Chelsea
There was never any question the legendary Hotel Chelsea would eventually face a significant update; it’s good for the Chelsea, and for New York, that it fell to Sean MacPherson to do it, along with partners Ira Drukier and Richard Born. MacPherson’s other hotels around town — the Marlton, the Bowery, the Maritime and more — help usher the romance of old New York into the modern era in a way that’s nostalgic but also authentic. And in the Chelsea, in particular, there’s much to be nostalgic about.
Collective Governors Island
Governors Island
Safe to say there’s nothing else quite like it in New York City. Governors Island, of course, isn’t exactly typical of New York neighborhoods — set between Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty, a short water-taxi ride from Pier 25 in Manhattan, it’s a city park that enjoys unparalleled views and an inimitable atmosphere, one that’s impressively pastoral given that you could swim to Brooklyn from here (in principle; don’t try it).
Soho House New York
Meatpacking District
The first Soho House outside of central London opened in the early years of the new millennium, when Manhattan’s nightlife-focused Meatpacking District still felt forbiddingly wild, and when the idea of a London-style members’ club felt intimidatingly Victorian. But New Yorkers are nothing if not social, and two decades later the Soho House New York is a bona fide downtown institution.
The William Vale
Williamsburg
In Williamsburg, whose rare high-rise buildings tend towards the nondescript, the William Vale is an immediate eye-catcher. The building, by Albo Liberis, is unmistakable, and with an exterior like that, you expect big things from what’s inside. And, in what has to be considered a leap forward for the Brooklyn hotel scene, the William Vale delivers — Williamsburg’s finally got the modern-luxe boutique hotel it was always destined to have.
Hero Image: The Chelsea Hotel
