New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [232]
The price ratings we’ve printed are based on standard double rooms at high season, excluding holidays. Although we list all the facilities that are available at a property, we don’t specify what is included and what costs extra. Those policies are subject to change without notice, so it’s always best to ask what’s included when you make your reservation.
¢
under $150
$
$150–$299
$$
$300–$449
$$$
$450–$600
$$$$
over $600
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Financial District | TriBeCa | SoHo | East Village | Lower East Side | Chelsea | Greenwich Village | Meatpacking District | Flatiron District | Gramercy Park | Murray Hill | Union Square | Midtown West | Midtown East | Upper East Side | Upper West Side
FINANCIAL DISTRICT
Gild Hall.
$$ | Captains of Industry, here’s a boutique hotel for you. Operated by the owners of the successful, chic 60 Thompson Hotel in SoHo, Gild Hall aggressively courts clientele with a Y chromosome: beds have padded leather headboards and tartan throw blankets. Pros: central Financial District location; eye-popping lobby; stylish room design. Cons: small rooms for the price; untraditional location. TripAdvisor: “recommended for business travel,” “very nice hotel restaurant,” “great sense of customer service.” | 15 Gold St., at Platt St., Financial District | 10003 | 212/232–7700 or 800/268–0700 | www.thompsonhotels.com | 126 rooms | In-room: a/c, safe, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot | AE, D, DC, MC, V | CP | Subway: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C to Fulton St./Broadway-Nassau.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park.
$$$ | If you’re staying this far downtown, the Ritz is your top choice. The hotel provides the classic Ritz-Carlton experience—you’ll be greeted by at least one staffer each time you walk into the lobby—and the big rooms boast sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. West-facing rooms, with views of the Statue of Liberty, come with telescopes. After a $10 million renovation, rooms incorporate HD flat-screen TVs; a gold, teal, gray, and yellow color scheme; and cantilevered desks. The Club Lounge also got a refresh, with sleek and contemporary design. There’s steak-house fare at 2 West and a spa with French Carita products. Pros: excellent service; best base for downtown exploring; pet- and kid-friendly; Liberty views. Cons: removed from Midtown tourist sights; limited nighttime activities; few neighborhood options for dining and entertainment. TripAdvisor: “five star bargain,” “beautiful views,” “luxurious.” | 2 West St., at Battery Park, Financial District | 10004 | 212/344–0800 or 800/241–3333 | www.ritzcarlton.com/batterypark | 298 rooms, 39 suites | In-room: a/c, refrigerator (some), DVD (some), Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: 2 restaurants, room service, bars, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 1, R, J to Rector St.
The W New York Downtown.
$$ | Located in the heart of the Financial District, this hotel juxtaposes the gritty, unfinished feel of the surrounding area with sleek surfaces and a Lamella LED installation that boasts thousands of color-choreographed hanging lights. The glassy black-box entrance abandons the typical notion of “hotel welcome,” with the front desk an elevator ride away on the fifth floor. GRAFT Lab, the German architect and design group, used wave structuring and purposeful lighting techniques to create a contemporary, if not futuristic, feel. They took a minimalist approach in the guest rooms, where all of the Italian-crafted furniture has been custom built into the walls—the only movable piece of furniture is the chair. BLT Bar & Grill on the first and