After 10 years in NYC, Compass + Twine have put together a list of the 10 best (and coolest) hotels in some of the most popular areas of New York City.
A typical morning in Brooklyn is spent sitting in a cozy café, creamy matcha latte in hand, and surrounded by Warby Parker-clad women working remotely on their MacBooks. An afternoon in the Lower East Side is spent wandering eclectic boutiques and vintage record stores. An evening in Harlem is spent devouring what tastes like a home-cooked meal at Red Rooster then catching 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 completely different depending on where you are.
After 10 years in Manhattan and enough neighborhood-hopping to tire out any MetroCard, we’ve narrowed down the possibilities and put together a list of the coolest hotels in New York City.
A Historically Cool Hotel in the Financial District
1/3
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 co*cktails and small bites. A reservation to stay at this historic landmark is certainly one of the most sought-after for visitors traveling to the city.
The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel, by Hyatt
New York
9.0 Excellent (931 reviews)
Stand-out Dining at this Cool Hotel in Greenwich Village
1/3
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.
The Marlton
Top rated
New York
9.2 Excellent (2105 reviews)
One of the First High-End Accommodations in Harlem
1/3
Just a few blocks from the famed Apollo Theater, the 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 flair to the historic area. Not only are the 122 rooms outfitted with luxe, comfortable amenities, the hotel is also striving to be green. Products like cork and wood veneer are integrated throughout the design and every room has a recycling bin.
Aloft Harlem
New York
8.4 Very good (2141 reviews)
A NYC Boutique Hotel Set in a 100-Year-Old Paper Factory
1/3
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 traveling 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.
Paper Factory Hotel
Top rated
Queens
8.5 Excellent (71 reviews)
A Chic Paradise on the Lower East Side
1/3
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 neighborhood 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 on-property 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.
The Ludlow
Top rated
New York
9.4 Excellent (2081 reviews)
One of the Coolest Hotels in New York in a Prime Location
1/3
There is no shortage of 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.
Le Meridien New York, Central Park
New York
7.9 Good (2187 reviews)
Manhattan's First Luxury Downtown Boutique Hotel
1/3
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.
Soho Grand Hotel
Top rated
New York
8.8 Excellent (2165 reviews)
Bump Into Famous Faces in Tribeca
1/3
Tribeca has gone from a quiet warehouse district to one of the hottest neighborhoods 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 neighborhood lies the funky, cool Roxy Hotel. Dimly lit guest rooms boast a throwback vibe and the hotel’s jazz club attracts both guests and creative locals.
The Roxy Hotel Tribeca
Top rated
New York
9.0 Excellent (2125 reviews)
A Cool Spot for Those Who Want to Explore
1/3
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 neighborhood feel.
The best place to both hangout and rest your head at night is the Arthouse New York City on Broadway & 77th Street. The cool, industrial-style lobby level is contrasted by serene, spacious guestrooms with plush bedding. You won’t have to travel far for a co*cktail and a good meal, either. 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 get two orders of the spicy crispy beef because you won’t want to share.)
Arthouse New York City
Top rated
New York
8.5 Excellent (5383 reviews)
An Urban Retreat in Williamsburg
1/3
Williamsburg’s 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 pool scenes in all of New York City. The stylish hangout beckons travelers and locals alike and sits just steps away from some of Brooklyn’s best restaurants and shops.
Coda Williamsburg
Brooklyn
8.0 Very good (454 reviews)
Featured image courtesy of Ruben Senor, trivago
