For me, a typical morning in Brooklyn involves sitting in a cozy cafe, creamy matcha latte in hand, and surrounded by Warby Parker-clad women working on their MacBooks. Spend an afternoon on the Lower East Side in eclectic boutiques and vintage record stores. An evening in Harlem enjoying what tastes like a home-cooked meal at Red Rooster, then ending with a lively amateur night show at the iconic Apollo Theater.
With more than a dozen separate neighborhoods, each with its own unique personality, New York City looks, tastes, sounds and feels very different.
After 10 years in Manhattan and enough neighborhood hopping to wear out every MetroCard, I've narrowed down the list of cool hotels in New York City. Of course, all of them are available on our website meinhotel.com .
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Upper West Side - NYLO New York City
The Upper West Side as a base is always a good idea. It offers great access to the Uptown or Downtown subway system, Central Park is nearby, and it's one of the few parts of the city that feels like a real neighborhood.
The best place to rest and clear your head is the NYLO New York City at Broadway & 77th Street. The cool, industrial-style lobby is contrasted by quiet, spacious guest rooms with quality bedding. You don't have to go far for a cocktail and a good meal. The hotel has a great rooftop bar and is home to two of the best restaurants in the neighborhood, Serafina and Red Farm. (Be sure to make two orders of hot, crispy beef; you won't want to share it.)
Harlem: Aloft Harlem
Just a few blocks from the famous Apollo Theater, Aloft Harlem is the perfect home base for a visit to this upper Manhattan neighborhood. Aloft arrived in Harlem as one of the first high-end accommodations, bringing a hip, modern feel to the historic district. Not only are the 122 rooms equipped with luxurious amenities, the hotel also strives to be green. Products such as cork and wood veneer are integrated into the design and each room has a recycling bin.
Financial District: The Beekman
The building that The Beekman calls home has been around since the 1760s, when Shakespeare's Hamlet made its New York debut there and entertained Ralph Waldo Emerson and Mark Twain. After a careful renovation, The Beekman reopened its doors in 2016, showcasing its impressive historic architecture. The striking, unique pyramid-shaped skylight illuminates the seating area where guests and visitors gather for cocktails and small bites. A reservation for this historic landmark is certainly one of the most sought after by visitors to the city.
Midtown: Viceroy Central Park
There's no shortage of hotels in Midtown Manhattan, but the Viceroy New York stands out for its chic, tech-focused design and prime location. Just steps from Central Park and 5th Avenue, you couldn't ask for a more central location.
The hotel has a lively bistro-style restaurant, Kingside, on the first floor, and one of the best rooftop scenes in all of New York with stunning views of Central Park. A glass of rosé is a perfect complement to the breathtaking views.
Lower East Side: The Ludlow
The Lower East Side is full of models but also hipsters and is quickly becoming the place to live, eat, drink and stay. Much like the neighborhood in which it is located, the Ludlow Hotel has a cool feel. Luckily, there's a lot of substance behind this hip façade; The rooms are simple and chic, whether you choose a simple studio, a terrace, a loft or the penthouse.
Visit the Lobby Lounge or Garden Bar to quench your thirst and enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant, Dirty French. A gourmet food shop, they serve French dishes like coq au vin so delicious you'd swear you were in Paris.
Williamsburg: McCarren Hotel & Pool
Williamsburg's McCarren Hotel & Pool has it all. The coveted urban retreat features bright and airy guest rooms with Frette linens, a killer rooftop terrace with unbeatable views of the Manhattan skyline, and one of the coolest pool scenes in all of New York City. The stylish hangout attracts travelers and locals alike and is just steps from some of Brooklyn's best restaurants and shops.
SoHo: SoHo Grand Hotel
The SoHo Grand Hotel was built in 1996 and was the first luxury boutique hotel in Manhattan. While there are many other luxury options available today, the SoHo Grand is still a favorite among guests who keep coming back. The rooms feel charming and upscale, and the rooftop terrace is a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle. Nicknamed "SoHo's Living Room," the hotel's Salon Room is a chic place to relax or enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the neighborhood. They boast 50 rare American whiskeys, don't forget to try one.
Flatiron District: ACE Hotel New York
Ace Hotel New York makes living in the heart of New York possible, minutes from important points such as the Empire State Building and Macy's, but away from all the hassle. This 4-star hotel is close to Penn Station and Bryant Park. The hotel's dining options are inspiring, particularly the April Bloomfield-Helmed Breslin Bar and Restaurant, which has been awarded a Michelin star. There's also a popular hipster hangout on site, Stumptown Coffee, and a trendy oyster bar with killer cocktails.
Greenwich Village: The Marlton
One of the things that makes a NYC hotel stand out from the many options is a great on-site restaurant. At Marlton, Margaux examines this fact. (Order the squid ink bucatini and send me a thank you card later).
The trendy and cozy Marlton is a boutique hotel in the heart of Greenwich Village. After being purchased and renovated in 2014, the hotel was stylishly upgraded. That same year, Conde Nast Traveler named The Marlton one of the "Greatest Hotels in the World." Despite the acclaim, it remains pleasantly affordable and is a smart choice if you're looking for the character of relatively cozy accommodations.
Long Island City, Queens: The Paper Factory
Just outside Manhattan in Long Island City, The Paper Factory is a stylish and affordable industrial-chic hotel. It has larger rooms and more space than most accommodations in Manhattan, so you get more for your money and traveling into the city is a breeze.
Built where a 100-year-old paper factory once stood, the boutique hotel exudes everything you like about industrial design without it being a cliché. It has a playful, relaxed atmosphere with well-kept antiques such as telephone boxes and bicycles. It almost feels like you're visiting an artist in her downtown loft.