New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [234]
Tribeca Grand.
$$ | Still popular with the glitterati lo these many years later, the scene at the Tribeca Grand centers on the eight-story atrium’s Church Lounge bar and café; now that things have cooled sufficiently, it’s a nice place to hang even if you’re not an A-lister, though it can get noisy for guests upstairs. Comfortable and stylish rooms with a retro nod have low platform beds and podlike bathrooms with aluminum consoles reminiscent of those in airplanes, complete with Malin + Goetz amenities. The special “iStudios” are premium rooms kitted with the latest gadgets from Apple. Pets are welcomed with open arms; you can even request goldfish brought to your room. Pros: great dining and bar scene; iPods in each room; fun social atrium; pet-friendly. Cons: rooms get noise from restaurant below; bathroom has slightly cold design. TripAdvisor: “very stylish,” “great location,” “lavish Sunday brunch.” | 2 Ave. of the Americas (6th Ave.), between Walker and White Sts., TriBeCa | 10013 | 212/519–6600 or 800/965–3000 | www.tribecagrand.com | 197 rooms, 6 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid), some pets allowed | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: A, C, E to Canal St.
SOHO
Fodor’s Choice | Crosby Street Hotel.
$$$ | Here in SoHo’s heart sits the Crosby Street Hotel, which is the first branch of the U.K.’s Firmdale Hotels to open in the United States. Hotel design in New York is often a man’s world of leather and dark colors; here the pieces, all handpicked by co-owner Kit Kemp, are so colorful, light, and whimsical that it’s jarring. Start with the wood-floored lobby, where solicitous staffers in gray suits with ties and vests check guests in, keeping a record of their likes and dislikes for future visits. To one side is the Moroccan-theme Crosby Bar, which has low tables with oversize hanging light fixtures in red and gold. The impressive “cocktail program” here was designed by bartender Rich Lilley. To the other side are the guest-only drawing rooms, chockablock with cushy couches and art that includes two huge oil paintings of Jack Russell terriers. A garden by the bar is open to the public, but you also have access to a separate back garden. Rooms are expansive, well lighted, and splashed with more color than those of just about any other hotel in New York. Each comes with a different set of patterns, though they all have pillows for sitting in the floor-to-ceiling windowsills looking toward SoHo; a sitting area with a fabric couch done in orange, green, or purple; fabric wallpaper; and antique vases and tables sprinkled throughout. The gym could stand to be a little bigger, though, and at this price breakfast should be included in the rate. Pros: unique design; big, bright rooms; great bar. Cons: breakfast not included; small gym. TripAdvisor: “buzzy atmosphere without being intrusive,” “deluxe bathrooms,” “great décor, service and food.” | 79 Crosby St., between Prince and Spring Sts., SoHo | 10012 | 212/226–6400 | www.firmdale.com | 86 rooms | In-room: a/c, safe (some), DVD, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, laundry service, in-room safe, some pets allowed | AE, D, MC, V | Subway: 6 to Spring St., R to Prince St.
Holiday Inn SoHo.
$$ | “SoHo” and “Holiday Inn” sure don’t sound right together, but here they are; once endangered by developers, SoHo’s odd man out is more entrenched than ever thanks to rates dwarfed by other hotels in the vicinity. Oversize arched windows, high ceilings, and a classic exterior are just some of the historical features retained in this former bank building. Rooms may adhere to Holiday Inn’s generalized standards, but they are well maintained, with touches like in-room coffeemakers and CD players. Bustling Canal Street is on the corner for bargain shopping. Pros: well-priced SoHo solution;