Jul 22, 2024 • 6 min read
14.07.2024 - 14:08 / cntraveler.com / Ian Schrager
When in New York City, there are a number of vibrant scenes to be experienced—food, art, fashion, theater—but for those who take where they stay as seriously as what they do when they travel, the city’s flourishing boutique hotel scene is as unmissable as any. If you're seeking an intimate, upscale property that's an experience in its own right, booking a few nights in a boutique hotel on this list might be for you.
For context, boutique hotels were practically invented here. Typically built with 120 rooms or fewer, and characterized by strong, focused design identities, boutique hotels sprung up in the 1980s. The phenom is widely credited to Studio 64's Ian Schrager, whose vibe-y, since-closed Morgans Hotel in Midtown is unofficially considered the world’s first boutique hotel. New on the scene this year are The Fifth Avenue Hotel and Warren Street Hotel, both featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Hot List.
Read on for our edit of the best boutique hotels in New York City for out-of-towners and staycationers alike. If you know what general area you want to stay in, jump straight there below.
Midtown and downtown are the most popular and convenient areas for travelers bopping around Manhattan. Midtown is best for first-time visitors because of its central location and proximity to tourist attractions like Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building, The Met, Grand Central, and Central Park, while downtown is great for nightlife, top restaurants, and a more local experience. Brooklyn is a good choice for visitors who have seen the Manhattan highlights and are looking to explore neighborhoods with cool restaurants, bars, and shopping.
Boutique hotels are beloved for their strong character, intimate scale, and general cool factor. Their food and beverage programs are often a special focus, too, and can be destinations in and of themselves.
Among the hotels on this list, almost all are pet-friendly, with varying weight limits allowed. Some do require a pet fee; The High Line Hotel, The Whitby, The Bowery, Warren Street Hotel, The Beekman, Crosby Street Hotel, Greenwich Hotel, One Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, Penny Williamsburg, and The William Vale, however, are fee-free. The Rockaway Hotel and Soho House do not allow pets, with the exception of service animals at the latter.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Location: Upper East Side
Top amenities: 300-thread-count Frette sheets, fresh flowers by your bed, in-room fireplaces
Best for: A trip to the city with an upscale, residential feel
At the Lowell, where the bathrooms are marble, the service is discreet, and the flower centerpieces probably cost more than your outfit, five-star hospitality is
Jul 22, 2024 • 6 min read
Jul 18, 2024 • 5 min read
Jul 18, 2024 • 13 min read
Jul 18, 2024 • 6 min read
Jul 17, 2024 • 8 min read
Jul 17, 2024 • 7 min read
While filling your shopping cart this week, don't forget to browse through the Amazon Prime Day shoe deals. Any seasoned traveler knows the value of a top-quality shoe for making it through long, walking-heavy travel days, and this week happens to be the perfect time to add some new options into your rotation. Whether you're looking for comfortable running sneakers or a go-to pair of sandals to pack on your next beach vacation, there are plenty of travel-friendly shoes on sale through Wednesday, July 17.
Jul 16, 2024 • 9 min read
When settling on a place to live, cost of living is certainly a factor. But so is the recreation opportunities.
Los Angeles has the most sleep-friendly airport in the United States thanks to an overabundance of lounges open day and night.
Jul 14, 2024 • 11 min read
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ivette Cuevas, a café owner living in Costa Rica, and her 16-year-old son, Vincent Alcampo. It has been edited for length and clarity.