New York City’s hotel boom shows no sign of cooling off. This year, sophisticated New York hotels are showcasing subtle variations on stylish period details, primarily from the plush Art Deco-inspired 1920s. Hip design firms and well-known hoteliers opened spots where great artists and writers once slept. Slick and restored new buildings beckon with cool decor and high-end amenities, including custom “sleep experiences” and soaring rooftop bars. These 10 new hotels will transport you to a new, New York state of mind.
By Kate Donnelly
Kate Donnelly is a freelance writer based in New York. She’s the founder of the creative collaborative From Your Desks. She’s a Contributing Editor at Fathom and her work has appeared in Bon Appetit, Forbes and The Huffington Post. She travels for the food. Follow Kate on Twitter: @fromyourdesks.
Viceroy New York
The 29-story, 240 room Viceroy New York—opened in October—is a fancy uptown address with a low-key, downtown vibe. There are plenty of stunning city and park views with industrial-chic flourishes à la warm brown leathers and marble herringbone floors. The timeless lobby displays a colorful mural by artist Thomas Hart Benton. Rooms are stocked with Neil George bath products. Dock your iPod in a stellar sound system by Dr. Dre.
Insider Tip: While waiting for the 29th floor roof bar to open, slip into Chef Marc Murphy’s destination, Kingside for charcuterie and libations courtesy of Gerber Group (try the refreshing Spicy Paloma with Casamigos Blanco tequila).
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
The High Line Hotel
Opened in May 2013, this former 1912 hat factory caters to an emerging Garment District crowd. Originally built as a high-end hat factory and tea salon, the Refinery Hotel plays on 1920s industrial décor. The 197 guestrooms include custom-made furniture, high ceilings, and warm wood touches. Frette linens and Le Labo products will keep you plenty comfortable. Thirsty for a view? Nurse a “Water Tower Toddy” (brandy, English Breakfast tea) on the year-round rooftop bar with views of the Empire State Building.
Insider Tip: The Prohibition tea lounge, Winnie’s (named after Winifred T. MacDonald who ran the salon circa 1920s) features dapper mixologists and live performances.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
A welcome addition to Chelsea, The High Line Hotel quietly debuted 60 well-edited rooms in May 2013. Tucked in a mid-1800s seminary, expect stained glass windows, private gardens, oriental rugs, and in-room fireplaces. Of-the-moment designers Roman + Williams blended a mix of subway tiles and antique furniture. With such stately Gothic architecture, it’s easy to channel a Harry Potter film. Coffee by Intelligentsia is served throughout the day; beer and wine cameos in the evening. Spring promises a Champagne garden.
Insider Tip: Slip into the Refectory to observe the massive chimney, which served as inspiration for Clement Clarke Moore’s famous story, Twas’ The Night Before Christmas.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
The High Line Hotel
A welcome addition to Chelsea, The High Line Hotel quietly debuted 60 well-edited rooms in May 2013. Tucked in a mid-1800s seminary, expect stained glass windows, private gardens, oriental rugs, and in-room fireplaces. Of-the-moment designers Roman + Williams blended a mix of subway tiles and antique furniture. With such stately Gothic architecture, it’s easy to channel a Harry Potter film. Coffee by Intelligentsia is served throughout the day; beer and wine cameos in the evening. Spring promises a Champagne garden.
Insider Tip: Slip into the Refectory to observe the massive chimney, which served as inspiration for Clement Clarke Moore’s famous story, Twas’ The Night Before Christmas.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
The Quin
Originally constructed in 1926, The Quin opened in November 2013 and includes 208 guestrooms and three suites (paying homage to former guests like artist Georgia O’Keeffe and architect Emory Roth) with handsome, contemporary touches. Beds are by the divine Dux and dressed with Sferra linens, while baths are stocked with Fresh spa products. A tablet controls your climate, music, and lighting. Don’t miss the collection of Irish artist Patrick Graham’s paintings.
Insider Tip: The Penthouse suite spans 3 floors, seats a dinner party of 12, and includes a 1,200-square-foot balcony providing dramatic views of Central Park.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
WestHouse New York
Three blocks from Central Park, the newly opened WestHouse, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, pays homage to a bygone era of highly personalized service and design. Designed by Jeffrey Bears International, the lobby is moody with dark woods and a palette of gray, bronze, amber, and cobalt. The 172-room hotel adds bespoke touches à la DayNa Decker bath, and guests can tailor their sleep through Sleep│Studio with evening masks and aromatherapy oils. It’s so divine and relaxing you might not want to leave your room.
Insider Tip: Fancy a private museum visit or a coveted restaurant reservation? WestHouse has partnered with the concierge firm Luxury Attaché to create custom New York itineraries.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
NYLO
Opened in October, the stylish Upper West Side NYLO hotel is steps away from Lincoln Center and pays homage to the 1920s Jazz Age with tufted leather furniture and a red baby grand piano. The hotel’s 285 rooms, designed by firm Stonehill &Taylor (of The NoMad Hotel), are coupled with soft lighting, earth tones, and khaki carpets. The comfort abounds thanks to custom pillow-tops and down duvets. Three on-site dining options await: the exposed-brick LOCL Bar (Prohibition-era cocktails), Serafina (affordable Northern Italian) and RedFarm (contemporary greenmarket Chinese).
Insider Tip: You won’t find a mini bar in your room. Instead, the NYLO app allows guests to order online from nearby eateries.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
The Marlton
Built in 1900, this cozy boutique hotel in Greenwich Village once hosted Beat writers Neal Cassady and Jack Kerouac (who penned The Subterraneans on site). Now, The Marlton hotelier Sean MacPherson (The Bowery Hotel, The Maritime) has molded his discreet spot after a small literary hotel in pre-war Paris, noted by its original herringbone floors, brass fixtures and private marble bathrooms with products from perfumer Côté Bastide. The lobby Espresso Bar serves warm cups of Ferndell coffee, otherwise visit the neighboring favorite, Stumptown.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the debut of the cozy, olive-hued café, Margaux at the Marlton, with its seasonal menu of French-Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
Hyatt Union Square
It’s all about location at this gleaming boutique hotel that debunks any notion of a traditional Hyatt. The Hyatt Union Square (we awarded it as a 2013 Sleek City Favorite) is a clean, mod space with a lively, sophisticated lobby of white sofas and pops of red. The rooms are bright and well appointed. Turn down service affords cute fortune cookies with customized New York sayings. There’s on-site drinks and food too—from Singl Bar to the tapas-inspired Botequim. Animal lovers are appeased; their furry friends are allowed.
Insider Tip: Sip a drink on the rooftop terrace and let the city’s bustling action envelop you.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
Jade Hotel
It feels like the lavish backdrop of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Great Gatsby inside this Art Deco-inspired Greenwich Village gem. Opened in March 2013, The Jade showcases a warm lobby fireplace with 1920s style lighting evoking an old New York sense of intrigue. The library alcove stocks well-worn books and the 113 rooms are dressed in lush blues, crimsons, and golds. Expect rotary telephones, ebony desks, and C.O. Bigelow products. The full-service restaurant Grape & Vine is a perfect place to sip a Sidecar and pretend you’re a spy.
Insider Tip: Book a second-floor room with private garden terraces. The top floor Hudson Deluxe and Penthouse affords walkout balconies with stunning metropolis views.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide
Loews Regency
The long-awaited $100-million-dollar redesign of the landmark Loews Regency (helmed by the Chairman Jonathan Tisch) officially opened in January 2014. Located on Park Avenue, the sophisticated lobby boasts soaring ceilings with an elegant, gray palate. Beds are outfitted in Frette linens and baths with Julien Farel products. Chef Dan Silverman (The Standard Grill) helms The Regency Bar and Grill, which promises to bring back the famous New York “Power Breakfast” with market fresh finds. A Sant Ambroeus Milanese coffee outpost will cater to the café crowd.
Insider Tip: Come spring, celebrity hairstylist Julien Farel will debut a 10,000-square foot flagship salon.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide