MANHATTAN TRANSFER Our choice of New York hotels, from a hipster hangout with a rooftop pool to fine dining in an elegant Flatiron tower
Where to wake up in the city that never sleeps
BEST FOR… REST AND RELAXATION THE CHATWAL, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL
Despite its position in the heart of the bustling Theater District, you can be assured of a blissful night’s sleep at the Chatwal, thanks to handmade mattresses dressed with
400-thread-count Frette linens, plus sachets of Asprey bath salts. The 76 spacious rooms and suites that make up this art deco haven are decorated in rich hues of saffron,
sepia and ruby, and, in the lobby, elegant fireplaces and chrome fixtures enhance the sophisticated aesthetic. Service is exceptional; whether you
need tickets printed, an in-room blow-dry or almond milk for your morning coffee (which comes accompanied by a surprise basket of warm pastries), nothing is too much to ask. There’s also a subterranean gym, a lap pool and an Elizabeth Arden Red Door spa to help you fully unwind. The Chatwal, A Luxury Collection Hotel (+1 212 764 6200;
www.thechatwalny.com), from about £480 a room a night.
BEST FOR… BUSINESS TRAVELLERS LOEWS REGENCY NEW YORK
Any hotel that welcomes guests with a tantalising cheeseboard and a bottle of red wine in their room is off to a good start. The Loews Regency manages to maintain this standard throughout your stay, thanks to super-king-size beds, in-mirror TVs in the grey marble bathrooms and highly effective blackout blinds. Downstairs, the weekday ‘Power Breakfast’ – a term coined by the Tisch family, who founded the hotel in 1975 – lures the city’s movers and shakers to discuss work and close deals over eggs Benedict. You’ll find yourself within a short stroll of Central Park on the Upper East Side, where
New York is at its most reserved and refined with leafy streets and handsome brownstone houses.
Loews Regency New York (+1 212 759 4100; www.loewshotels.com/regency-hotel), from about £345 a room a night.
BEST FOR… SOPHISTICATED GLAMOUR THE NEW YORK EDITION
When it was first built in 1909 as the headquarters for an insurance company, the iconic tower that now houses the New York Edition was the tallest building in the city. Today, the hotel’s 273 bedrooms have a luxurious feel, with chocolate-toned walls, low lighting and oak floors, and windows that look out across the Flatiron District. Key features include a Jason Atherton restaurant, the Clocktower; a spa whose tailored treatments from Elemental Herbology are great for combating jet-lag; and dashing doormen who wouldn’t look
out of place in a Dolce & Gabbana advert. The New York Edition (+1 212 413 4200; www.editionhotels.com/new-york),
from about £425 a room a night.
BEST FOR… ART-LOVERS HOTEL INDIGO LOWER EAST SIDE
First it was the Meatpacking District; now the Lower East Side has acquired a polished air, as evidenced by its stylish restaurants including Café Medi, and Hotel Indigo, with its airy, art-gallery-inspired rooms. Interiors at the hotel feature vibrant murals at every turn, and there is even a graffiti concierge to help you find and appreciate nearby street art. The 15th-floor rooftop has a heated pool, yoga sessions in the summer and uninterrupted Downtown views. Vying for your attention, however, is Mr Purple, a bar and restaurant that champions local culinary hotspots such as 2nd Ave Deli, Russ & Daughters and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. A 24-hour fitness centre is at the disposal of the health-conscious.
Hotel Indigo Lower East Side (+1 212 237 1776; www.hotelindigolowereastside.com), from about £185 a room a night.
BEST FOR… DOWNTOWN CHIC THE LUDLOW
Undeniably hip, the Ludlow is filled with vintage furniture, handcrafted
Moroccan pendant lamps and marble mosaic floors. Charismatic communal spaces are designed for lingering in: the Lobby Lounge with its distressed limestone fireplace; the all-season secret garden, which is perfect for lavish breakfasts of bagels and croissants; and Dirty
French, a restaurant serving up an American twist on classic Parisian cuisine. The bathrooms are equally appealing, with rain showers, fluffy Maison Margiela dressing gowns and sumptuous Red Flower products, and many of the 184 rooms offer views across the New York skyline. The Ludlow (+1 212 432 1818; www.ludlowhotel.com), from
about £240 a room a night.