Of course, New York is known for large hotels like the Palace, the Plaza, and the Waldorf-Astoria. But if you know, you know – the coolest stays are those Beautiful Boutique spots. With unique amenities, striking interiors and impeccable service, check these out for your next NYC getaway.

The Lowell

Established as a luxury hotel in 1927, The Lowell is found a block away from Central Park in the Upper East Side. The Lowell comes complete with a stylish restaurant, Majorelle and bar, Jacques, both of which are inspired by the iconic Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Marrakech. It is home to 74 rooms and suites, which offer guests the feeling of a private New York apartment. Many have spectacular views of Manhattan from beautiful terraces, gourmet kitchens and original, wood-burning fireplaces – a rare find in New York.

Beautiful Boutique

Smyth Tribeca

With only 100 guest rooms and suites, the Smyth offers an intimate city hideaway in one of the city’s most loved neighbourhoods, TriBeCa (Triangle Below Canal Street). The area is also home to the TriBeCa Film Center and the TriBeCa Film Festival.

Stay at the Smyth, and you might be able to spot acting heavyweights residents, like Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Robert De Niro. Pressed for time? Get your sweat on at the 24-hour gym. Dining options include in-room dining, the Smyth Tavern and the Galerie Bar.

The Smyth Tavern serves up American tavern fare, including deviled eggs with caviar, a raw bar, and dry-aged steaks. In the lobby of the hotel, you can find the Galerie Bar. It’s a hidden, 12-seat bar with a front lounge and two cozy fireplaces. Perfect for your next fireside chat over some light bites.

Photo Credit: Chris Sanders

MADE Hotel

On my last visit to NYC, I walked into Paper Coffee (in the lobby of the MADE Hotel) for a meeting and I made, (pun intended) a mental note to put this lovely boutique hotel on my list for my next New York stay.

Found in NoMad (29th and Broadway), this Scandi-style hotel features leafy green plants, bronze fixtures, wooden accents and bohemian fabrics that make my heart swoon. The low wooden platform beds hold comfy mattresses topped with Frette linens for the best night’s sleep. Keep your room tidy, with the foldable Maple Desk and hidden storage for your luggage in the platform bed frame.

The on-site restaurant, Debajo, is a tapas-inspired concept. Rooftop bar, Good Behaviour can be found on the 18th floor, while the Lobby Bar and Paper Coffee share the adjacent spaces on the main level.

Photo Credit: Lester Ali

Crosby Street Hotel

The first New York property for the London-based Firmdale Hotel group opened in Fall 2009 and has been a stateside jewel ever since. The 86 individually designed bedrooms and suites are spread over 11 floors, featuring floor-to-ceiling warehouse-style windows with tall headboards and sleek modern furniture. All design elements reflect Co-Owner and Creative Director Kit Kemp’s style.

The hotel is both colourful and quirky, with personally selected antique and modern elements. It is certified GOLD LEED by the US Green Building Council, making it one of the very first hotels in New York to have this certification.

The Crosby Bar serves food and drink throughout the day and is a great place to meet for breakfast, morning coffee, a casual lunch or dinner, afternoon tea or evening cocktails. Here, there is no distinction between a bar and a restaurant – guests can eat or drink wherever they wish. The bar opens onto a garden oasis with shady trees and ivy-covered walls serving guests respite from the busy city.

The High Line Hotel

From a 17th-century apple orchard to an 18th-century cloistered seminary, The High Line Hotel has transformed into Chelsea Square’s architectural masterpiece. The preserved gothic moulding and fireplaces are only highlighted by the hand-selected, one-of-a-kind pieces (like vintage typewriters) sourced from antique fairs and vintage markets alike. These fine details can be experienced in the 60 oversized, light-filled rooms.

This location is the ideal spot to explore Chelsea. Guests are welcome to borrow complimentary Shinola bicycles and a helmet for a ride to Hudson River Park or for use in the local area. Before you leave, say hello to Daisy, the 1957 London double-decker bus that is parked in the front garden. Or grab a coffee to go at Intelligentsia. When you return, switch your coffee for a cocktail at the Lobby Bar.

Photo Credit: The High Line Hotel

The Greenwich Hotel

I simply cannot write about TriBeCa and forget about The Greenwich Hotel. The hotel concept was conceived by Ira Drukier and Robert DeNiro, along with their partners Richard Born and Raphael De Niro, and created with regard to comfort and hand-crafted beauty. Look for the Moroccan tile, hand-loomed Tibetan silk rugs and hand-made Italian terracotta floors throughout the hotel.

The Greenwich Hotel has 88 rooms, thirteen suites, and two duplex suites: the Greenwich and the N. Moore. No two rooms are alike. Some suites have saunas and others have working fireplaces. The duplex suites have 30-foot skylights, chef’s kitchens, and two master bedrooms with two bathrooms, stone fireplaces, and offices with separate entrances. On the top floor, there is a 2,500-square-foot penthouse. It is complete with a rooftop garden with a private hot tub.

Eat at the adjoining Locanda Verde “Green Inn”. Its casual Italian dining offers views of the wood-burning oven and the open kitchen. In summer, Locanda Verde has outdoor cafe seating on Greenwich Street’s broad sidewalks. It also provides 24-hour room service to the hotel.

The Shibui Spa houses a lantern-lit swimming pool and lounge under the roof of a 250-year-old wood and bamboo farmhouse that has been reconstructed in the hotel by Japanese craftsmen. Try an Onsen ritual that pairs a tub soak with a soothing massage after a day exploring the city.

Photo Credit: Yoshihiro Makino for The Leading Hotels of The World

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