New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [238]
The GEM Hotel Chelsea.
$ | At this stylish, well-priced boutique hotel the modern rooms are small but designed to make the most of the limited space—they come with black-and-white photos on the wall, flat-screen TVs, white linens, iPod docking stations, Gilchrist & Soames toiletries in the bathrooms, full-length mirrors, and free Wi-Fi. And since you’re in a very handy location near some of the best of New York’s culture, bars, and restaurants, you probably won’t be spending much time in your room anyway. Pros: great Chelsea location; close to several subway lines. Cons: gym and business center, both on the lower level, feel like a work in progress; rooms may be too small for some. TripAdvisor: “extremely friendly and helpful staff,” “small rooms,” “charming hotel in great location.” | 300 W. 22nd St., Chelsea | 10011 | 212/675–1911 | www.thegemhotel.com | 81 rooms | In-room: a/c, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: gym, laundry service, Internet terminal | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: C, E to 23rd St.; 1 to 23rd St.
Hilton New York Fashion District.
$ | Open since April 2010, the Hilton is part of a neighborhood hotel boomlet that shows no signs of slowing down. Located on the upper edge of Chelsea in a zone that’s stretching the limits of what New Yorkers refer to as “downtown,” the hotel is designed with the neighborhood’s garment district past as its beacon. The lobby is appointed in rich textiles, and behind the reception bay a giant assembly of multicolored spools is mounted on a white board. Beware, you’re being watched: every day the front-desk staff determines the “best-dressed guest,” who is then awarded a prize for sartorial savvy. Rooms are modest in size but snappy, with decor that subtly evokes the hotel’s theme. There are pinstriped rugs resembling a men’s suit, and little orange ottomans that are dead ringers for an Hermès Kelly bag. An arrangement with the nearby Fashion Institute of Technology brings student art onto the walls as well; check out photography-contest winners in some of the hallways. Upstairs, the RareView rooftop bar affords stunning views of the city, including the Empire State Building looking north and an expansive collection of iconic wooden rooftop water towers. Rare, a Manhattan burger-and-steak franchise, has a cavernous location downstairs. Pros: reasonable prices for a great location; year-round rooftop bar. Cons: tiny closets; no on-site gym. TripAdvisor: “staff was particularly friendly and helpful,” “location was fantastic,” “subways are close.” | W. 26th St. between 6th and 7th Aves., Chelsea | 10001 | 212/858–5888 | www.f26nyc.com | 280 rooms | In-room: a/c, safe, Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, laundry service, Internet terminal, Wi-Fi hotspot, parking (paid) | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, B, D, F V, N, Q, R, W to 34th St./Penn Station.
Fodor’s Choice | Inn on 23rd.
$ | Friendly innkeepers Annette and Barry Fisherman welcome guests to this five-floor, 19th-century building, which also comes with its own cat/mascot. The uniquely decorated rooms include a “canopy” room with a four-poster bed and a 1940s room with a tube radio and overstuffed lounge chairs. Students from the New School’s Culinary Studies program, which holds classes here, prepare the guest breakfasts. Pros: charming innkeepers; comfy and relaxed library; affordable, given location. Cons: few business services; some older amenities; beware if you have cat allergies. TripAdvisor: “so many thoughtful touches,” “staff was very helpful,” “excellent breakfasts.” | 131 W. 23rd St., between 6th and 7th Aves., Chelsea | 10011 | 212/835-5533 | www.innon23rd.com | 13 rooms, 1 suite | In-room: a/c, DVD (some), Internet, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: laundry