10 of the most beautiful boutique hotels in New York
The loveliest hotels for charming service, stylish interiors, interesting histories and lots of character ─ in great locations
Whether you’re looking for a quirky building with an interesting history, a hip hangout bursting with character, or the old world charm of a traditional hotel, our pick of the best boutique hotels in New York is perfect for bookmarking your trip to the Big Apple.
The Jane Hotel is special for its history as a place sailors (and survivors of the Titanic) once stayed in ─ you might feel like you're staying in a ship’s cabin ─ while stylistic details at the Wythe Hotel nod to the building’s former incarnation as a factory. It’s a similar story for the Refinery Hotel which owes its industrial-chic look to the property’s past life as a Prohibition-era tea salon and hat factory.
The Roxy Hotel is the setting for authentic musical fun, with jazz nights in subterranean Django and Roxy bar, a striking space centred around a small central stage, while The Sherry-Netherland and The Beekman are more about the old world elegance and boutique charm.
See below for more enchanting places to call home for the night.
The Jane Hotel
You might feel like you're staying in a ship’s cabin at The Jane Hotel; the property was originally created in 1709 for sailors to stay in, so rooms are very small featuring a single bed or bunks. However, it’s a very quirky hotel on the edge of West Village and full of character ─ and history: some of the survivors of the Titanic in 1912 stayed here.
The good news is that larger, slightly more comfortable rooms are available which are worth the upgrade if you don’t want to share a bathroom. The lobby, with its hand-carved reception desk and beautiful green vintage tiles, is worth getting your camera out for.
Wythe Hotel
They’ve got the look just right at the Wythe Hotel, a characterful former factory in Williamsburg. Lots of original features have been kept throughout the property, like polished concrete, cast-iron pillars and exposed brick, which all combine to create that impossibly cool New-York-apartment style you see in movies.
There are a few spaces worth making time to venture to: Le Crocodile restaurant is a thriving spot, as is The Blondeau Bar (go for the Japanese fried chicken if it’s on the menu). In terms of rooms, those in The Brooklyn King category are spacious with good views.
Warwick New York
With historic features like marble floors and pilasters mixed up with contemporary furniture and modern conveniences, the Warwick New York combines old and new world elegance seamlessly. It obviously works ─ luminaries including Audrey Hepburn, Elvis, The Beatles and Elizabeth Taylor have all stayed here.
The Warwick’s proximity to Central Park and Midtown plus access to numerous subway lines make it a winner with older guests who want a slice of this glamour with comfortable lodgings in a convenient location. There’s a restaurant and lounge, plus Randolph’s, an intimate bar with an old-school clubby vibe.
Soho Grand Hotel
There’s no space for bland at the Soho Grand Hotel, which attracts trendsetters, creatives, and style-conscious couples. Expect lots of velvet, patterned fabrics, tassel fringes, potted palms, heavy drapes and black-and-white photos throughout the property, which feels both welcoming and elegant.
Rooms continue this look, with slightly more lean towards an industrial-chic vibe. There are a few choices for wining and dining, mainly American fare, and guests with four-legged friends get complimentary access to the hotel's dedicated dog park (a private membership club for local canines), plus free use of the bikes.
The Harlem Flophouse
One of the most unique lodgings in New York, this 1890s brownstone building in the heart of Harlem welcomes guests through its inexpensive doors to bed down what is essentially a shared house.
Having been sympathetically restored, The Harlem Flophouse began life as a single-family home until 1917 when it became a place for artists, musicians, writers, the homeless and people passing through for work to lay their heads. Rooms are characterful with antiques and original fireplaces, bathrooms are shared. A 15-minute walk brings you to Central Park, or you can reach Manhattan in minutes on the subway.
Roxy Hotel
A hip crowd of all ages checks into the Roxy Hotel, which resides in one of Manhattan's buzziest areas. You’ll find them quaffing cocktails at jazz nights in subterranean Django and attending performances at Roxy bar, a striking space featuring lots of exposed brick and grouped seating arranged around a small central stage. Or heading to the cinema to watch the latest indy title.
If that isn’t enough to keep everyone busy there’s also a pink Eighties-style cocktail bar, an oyster bar and a coffee counter. Dressed up in earthy brown tones and mid-century modern-style furniture, rooms are suitably funky. Little Italy, Chinatown and SoHo are nearby.
The Sherry-Netherland
An old world charm gives The Sherry-Netherland boutique credentials. It’s set in what was once New York’s largest apartment building when it opened in 1927, and has a prime Fifth Avenue address near Central Park.
Inside, walnut-lined lifts are serviced by white-gloved attendants, antique furniture is enlivened with fresh flowers in rooms every day, and the lobby is adorned in jaw-dropping Renaissance-style frescoes. Louis Sherry chocolates at turndown are a nice touch. Restaurant Harry Cipriani (after Harry's Bar in Venice) serves Venetian cuisine and guests get a discount ─ a Manhattan cocktail here is very good.
Refinery Hotel
The storied Refinery Hotel owes its swish industrial-chic look to the history of the building in which it occupies. The old former factory, which dates back to 1912, once housed a Prohibition-era tea salon and produced hats. High ceilings and distressed-wood floors remind you of the building’s heritage along with displays of milliners' tools, but decor in the rooms is slightly more contemporary, with white walls and stained oak floors.
A complimentary glass of wine (or a bottle of water) is offered to guests on arrival and there’s free coffee in the lobby. A popular jazz bar keeps things lively, as well as an American restaurant and a rooftop bar. Times Square, the Rockefeller Centre and Central Park are short walks away.
Penny
Penny is slightly different to the other hotels in Brooklyn. Rather than standard rooms the hotel offers micro-apartments complete with kitchenettes and homely touches like art books, big windows, and plush beds. The concept was dreamt up by the masterminds behind Freehand, NoMad and the LINE hotels who modelled the accommodation on homely Brooklyn apartments.
From 8am-10am, guests can head down to the lobby for complimentary coffee, and bikes are free to borrow if you want to explore the area and wider Brooklyn ─ nice touches. The rooftop bar/restaurant and courtyard are the main hangouts, and there’s some cool artwork on display throughout the property.
The Beekman
The Beekman is a temple to old world elegance with a distinctly boutique feel. Velvet seating, chintzy lampshades, wood-panelled walls, Persian-style rugs and soft lighting all combine to create a unique and incredibly stylish look. Though they carry the theme in the odd vintage piece and furnishing, rooms are slightly different ─ bright and airy rather than deep and atmospheric, but equally as lovely.
Dining spots worth making time for include The Bar Room which does a fabulous jazz brunch at weekends, fine dining restaurant led by Tom Colicchio, and a French bistro for casual fare. Turndown service, a house car and valet service are nice touches.
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