Discover the best boutique hotels in New York with this guide. Chic places to bed down in the city that never sleeps.
Choosing the perfect accommodation in New York is a tough gig, but apply a little bit of savvy and it can be done.
Why stay in your average, run of the mill hotel when you could stay somewhere ridiculously fun in the city of cool? These unique and stylish hotels cater to discerning travellers from far and wide seeking a cozy and chic home away from home.
From trendy neighborhoods like SoHo to classic areas like the Upper East Side and Hell’s Kitchen, read on for the ultimate guide to the best boutique hotels New York City has to offer.
Best Boutique Hotels in NYC: At a Glance
| Best Boutique Hotels, New York – Top Picks | Hotel |
| Best Overall Boutique Hotel in New York | Gansevoort Meatpacking |
| Best Boutique Hotel in SoHo, New York | ModernHaus SoHo |
| Best Boutique Hotel in Manhattan | citizenM |
| Pet-Friendly Boutique Hotel in New York | Element |
Best Boutique Hotels in New York City
Gansevoort Meatpacking
£££
Greenwich Village
I’m not joking when I say that Gansevoort Meatpacking is one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in New York. Yes, the name does sound like a butcher house, but you can’t let that fool you. Why? It’s just too beautiful to pass up.
This fashionable hotel shows off vivid and well-designed rooms with uber-luxe bathrooms. Take advantage of a fully-stocked minibar, L’Occitane en Provence bath amenities and a flat-screen TV.
Satisfy your hunger by sampling tantalising dishes at the onsite restaurant The Chester. And, as the night starts to creep in, you can head up to the vibey Gansevoort Rooftop for boozy sips and entertainment.
Ace Hotel
££
NoMad
Looking for a reasonably-priced NYC hotel in a stellar location? Let me introduce you to Ace Hotel.
With homely decor and plenty of eclectic accents, it has that cosy, personalised feeling. It’s also the perfect place to crash for digital nomads thanks to its modern amenities and a friendly cafe, Stumptown Coffee Roasters Cafe.
Each individually-designed room features an iPod dock, flat–screen TV, Wi-Fi and SMEG refrigerators. You can indulge in Parisian-meets-Viennese traditional meals whipped up by Chef Markus Glocker at the onsite Koloman Restaurant, while a fun fitness room and a trendy lobby area with live music also exist.
citizenM
£££
Manhattan
Do you find yourself drawn to vibrant and eccentric spaces? This is precisely what citizenM oozes around every corner. You’ll find the boutique hotel in New York’s Midtown, near Times Square, making it the ideal spot for your city excursions.
This lavish, fun hotel offers ultra-modern rooms with Hansgrohe rain showers, black-out blinds, complimentary toiletries and a small refrigerator. Boasting a state-of-the-art fitness centre and an exclusive rooftop bar with cityscapes and contemporary art, you may never want to leave.
I wouldn’t blame you. Especially knowing that barista-made coffee and freshly-made cocktails are part of their 24-hour food and beverage service.
The Ludlow Hotel
£££
Lower East Side
The eclectic Ludlow Hotel, with its dreamy trellis-covered garden, sports breathtaking views and superb services and amenities. These include Wi-Fi access, a stocked minibar and a 24-hour fitness centre.
The rooms feature hardwood floors and handmade silk rugs with a Moroccan twist here and there. Then, moving on to the en-suite bathroom, you’ll see marble mosaics, a rejuvenating deep soaking bathtub and a brass rain shower.
Grab a bite at their olde English pub-styled restaurant or relax in the sophisticated lobby bar and lounge with a cocktail. A quick walk can take you to the nearby New Museum or the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
The Ludlow Hotel
£££
Lower East Side
The eclectic Ludlow Hotel, with its dreamy trellis-covered garden, sports breathtaking views and superb services and amenities. These include Wi-Fi access, a stocked minibar and a 24-hour fitness centre.
The rooms feature hardwood floors and handmade silk rugs with a Moroccan twist here and there. Then, moving on to the en-suite bathroom, you’ll see marble mosaics, a rejuvenating deep soaking bathtub and a brass rain shower.
Grab a bite at their olde English pub-styled restaurant or relax in the sophisticated lobby bar and lounge with a cocktail. A quick walk can take you to the nearby New Museum or the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
Arlo SoHo
££
SoHo
Looking for a stylish boutique hotel in New York City? Thanks to its gorgeous and simplistic style, the Arlo SoHo is your best bet. Unwind on the rooftop bar, ART (Arlo Rooftop Bar) or the lobby bar with a few drinks after dining at Harold’s, the onsite restaurant.
Its pristine, minimalist rooms have working desks, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and plush beds. And some even have terraces with stunning city sweeps. The hotel features sophisticated spaces to relax in with tidbits of funky decorations.
The accommodation is a gateway to Tribeca, SoHo and West Village, with endless shopping and dining opportunities.
Hotel Belleclaire
££
Upper West Side
New York boutique hotels have never looked this elegant. The beautiful Hotel Belleclaire sits near Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. This adorable historical building offers a cosy stay in a bustling neighbourhood.
Each modish room boasts classic wooden floors, sparkly chandeliers and lovely bathrooms with complimentary amenities. However, the large windows with city views in the airy rooms turn up the charm. Wake up to toasty coffee with delectable French pastries at their onsite Mille-Feuille outlet.
Some of the hotel’s excellent facilities include room service with complimentary breakfast, laundry, heating and Wi-Fi.
The Greenwich Hotel
£
Tribeca
Let me introduce you to the best boutique hotel in NYC if you want classy on a budget. The Greenwich Hotel promises “world-class service and celebrity treatment” with concierge staff and room service. So you can’t go wrong here if you’re after ultimate relaxation.
The chic rooms are spacious and individually decorated with a minibar with complimentary snacks. You can work up a sweat in the modern fitness area, then cool down in the underground pool. If that’s too much work, the onsite Shibui Spa awaits various treatments and massages.
Hungry? The onsite restaurant, Locanda Verde, serves Italian dishes in a laid-back atmosphere.
Ink 48 Hotel
£££
Hell’s Kitchen
Nothing beats a chic environment with unmatched Manhattan panoramas. Ink 48 Hotel provides this and more to exceed your expectations of the best NYC boutique hotels.
The eco-friendly hotel is all about the views showcased in its glass-enclosed PRESS Lounge with outdoor seating and PRINT restaurant.
The bright rooms contain crisp white bedding and modish furniture, including flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations, while some rooms have massive windows allowing a lot of sunlight to pour in.
As well as this, you can keep up with your gym routine in the 24-hour fitness centre or enjoy coffee on the open terrace.
Sixty LES
£££
Lower East Side
Step into a dashing, designer hotel that’ll take your breath away. Sixty LES has everything you need for a memorable stay in the Big Apple. I’m talking about the gorgeous seasonal rooftop pool, sushi restaurant and beer garden.
Your room will have bespoke Jim Walrod interior design elements with floor-to-ceiling windows to make it feel open and even gourmet snacks. After soaking in the stunning free-standing tub using complimentary luxury toiletries by REN, you’ll slip into oversized bathrobes by Frette — need I say more?
Pop in at Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya for yummy sushi, or stop by the Make Believe rooftop bar to sample their inventive cocktail menu.
Element Times Square West
£
Hell’s Kitchen
Element is yet another budget-conscious accommodation that is a bang for your buck. Don’t believe me? Perhaps the onsite gym, laundry, heating, air conditioning, complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast might change your mind.
The hotel is also pet-friendly if you’re considering bringing your pup. The rooms are not the most fashionable on this list, but they maintain an elegant and spotless appearance. They also feature flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, microwaves and refrigerators.
The hotel serves a buffet breakfast each morning before you explore the city. Speaking of, Madison Square Garden, NBC Studios and Rockefeller Centre are all within reach.
NoMo SoHo
££
SoHo
NoMo SoHo already has a nice ring to it, but its stunning interior will take you by surprise. The hotel’s whimsical outdoor areas are why I love it so much, filled with fairy lights and lush plants.
Inside, you’ll find white rooms with plush beds, floor-to-ceiling windows and splashes of bright colours. Inspired by the Jean Cocteau Film La Belle et la Bête, you can’t help but feel like you’re in a fairytale during your stay.
Overindulge at the NoMo Kitchen, an onsite restaurant, then work off the guilt at the fitness centre. The excellence continues beyond the hotel’s walls with Little Italy and various art galleries within walking distance.
Hotel Hugo
££
SoHo
Hotel Hugo is the place to be in the emerging Hudson Square neighbourhood. Here, you’ll get a taste of SoHo’s shopping and gallery culture and Hudson Square’s picturesque scenery filled with vintage and antique furniture stores.
The hotel showcases an industrial-meets-contemporary look as intended by its renowned architect, Marcello Pozzi. It’s a sweet escape, with select rooms featuring views of the Hudson River. All rooms have air conditioning, a minibar, a coffee machine and Italian-tiled bathrooms.
Unleash your inner socialite at the dazzling glass-enclosed rooftop bar or dip into farm-to-table meals at Café Hugo.
MADE Hotel
£££
NoMad
Get ready to spice up the ‘Gram with one of the best boutique hotels in New York, MADE Hotel. Made for your convenience (see what I did there?), each room has air conditioning, flat-screen TV, bathrobes and Wi-Fi.
This hotel encapsulates earthy and beachy like no other, with airy rooms and luxurious bathrooms. On top of that, it sits 1968.5 feet from the Empire State Building, an architectural marvel.
Sip on some Tiki-inspired cocktails and craft beers on the 18th floor with city vistas at Good Behaviour lounge. That’s not all. The lobby bar offers swanky drinks and select wines, while Paper serves cups of Joe and baked treats.
ModernHaus SoHo
£££
SoHo
For something elegant, stylish and ultra-modern, experience luxury at its finest with ModernHaus SoHo. I may have saved the best for last.
You can’t deny the splendour of this boutique hotel. The rooms boast extensive cityscapes with floor-to-ceiling glass walls separating the bathroom from the living areas. The sleek bathrooms radiate spa vibes, while the bedrooms are more simplistic but gorgeous, with pops of funky art.
Relax on the rooftop lounge, Jimmy, boasting epic sweeps over the Hudson River or make your way to Jumpin Jacks for a signature cocktail as the evening unfolds.
Best Boutique Hotels, NYC: Frequently Asked Questions
Practical Tips to Consider Before Booking Your Boutique Hotel NYC
- Hotels in New York get very pricey, very quickly. Book well in advance to snag the best deals.
- Despite its size, the Big Apple is the most walkable city in the US — so I suggest you bring comfortable walking shoes. Check out my weekend away packing list for some more inspiration on what to pack.
