The Gotham Hotel

16 E. 46 St., between 5th and Madison Aves., New York, New York 10017, USA
Luca Bravo | Unsplash

Why We Like It

Imagine for a moment that you have multiple residences across the world’s urban centers and each space is kitted out identically. The Gotham Hotel could easily be a model pad. These are modern, sleek spaces wherein everything has its place and neatly hidden from plain sight. Right in the middle of the Midtown madness, with skyscrapers all around, the Gotham Hotel is both at once modern and imbued with that quintessential Gotham feel.

Fodor's Expert Review

Discreet and anonymous, befitting its environs, is the independently-owned Gotham Hotel that bears no signage in the midst of a harried Midtown thoroughfare. Over 25 floors are 67 rooms (including an apartment-like Penthouse) of a sleek glass tower, the Gotham Hotel offers that New York apartment-living feeling of its namesake.

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Room

Spacious, boxy and modern—the urban jet-set appeal. Whether standard or skyline suites, these rooms look straight from the Ikea catalog of “cosmopolitan minimalism.” The most daring of color choices are a muted burgundy, with glass, steel, grey tones and stained oak outfitting the domestic space that bear no art on the walls (none! Not even a poster!). With hidden drawers and seamless furniture builds integrated into one another, these rooms are maximized for organization. While the building once housed the legendary Gotham Book Emporium, the owner himself has repurposed the stores’ shelving into unique furniture, like desks and storage. As an homage, each room has a sizable collection of en-suite books.

You Should Know All room features an outdoor space of sorts. Standard rooms on lower floors have juliet balconies, while on higher floors, rooms are with proper balconies (to dine in on room service!)

Bathroom

Tiled and spotless, the Gotham Hotel’s bathroom echoes the spa experience—complete with a rain shower. Large sink, warm lighting and fitted with luxury organic toiletries, the bathroom is a standout.

Lobby

The lobby is a rather transient space, quite literally the hallway for Wolfgang’s Steakhouse (more on that later) and the concierge desk bears no indication of its purpose. But yes, if you are looking at the white lacquer kiosk, then you are at the right place.

Gym

The hotel offers a voucher-like complimentary weekday Equinox Gym Passes, right around the corner on Fifth Avenue at 43rd street.

Dining

An outpost of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse (not owned by the hotel) lives in the lobby, and so too serves as the hotel’s de facto room service kitchen and breakfast joint (which really is a simple continental affair).

Drinking

Wolfgang’s supplies the hooch in the hotel (minus a well-stocked mini-bar of top-shelf liquors). But, if al fresco is more the order, the hotel touts 5 private balconies wherein Wolfgang’s can send the wine up to the 20th floor

What's Nearby

Getting Around

42nd street is two blocks from the hotel, along which every train stops, from the Eastside 4/5/6 or Westside 1/2/3 and A/C/E or B/D/F/M or crosstown 7 and S lines.

Restaurants

46th Street is an enclave of fast casual places, including a sea of food trucks (between 5th and 6th Avenues), from the upscale healthy Gotan (1-minute walk) to superior ramen chain Ippudo (1-minute walk) to the Korean delis with kimchi-blazing grannies cooking in the back. But for finer fare, try Vitae (1-minute walk) for seasonal American with a respectable wine list.

Bars

While Grand Central Station is a veritable zoo (filled with the wild beasts of New York commuters), the respite Campbell Apartment, famous for its recurring role on Gossip Girl, is the gorgeously converted office of a 1920s Railroad baron that is finally reopening in May 2017 after a dramatic lease battle. Being a commuter area, the bars in the immediate environs cater to the lot, but the wonderful Cock & Bull, which skates a fine line between authentic and kitsch, is an homage to the Great British Public House. Pints and Bangers abound! (But really, make sure to order mashed potatoes.)

Quick Facts

HOTEL INFO

Phones: 212-490–8500