Traveling to New York City and looking for a hotel that matches your design sensibility? This curated selection features some of the best design hotels in NYC—ranging from affordable boutique stays to high-end luxury properties. Whether you prefer historic architecture, contemporary minimalism, or artistic, community-focused spaces, each hotel in this guide offers a distinct take on style and comfort. With a variety of price points and aesthetics, these accommodations reflect the diverse character of New York City’s design and cultural landscape.
The Ludlow Hotel
The Ludlow Hotel is located in New York City’s Lower East Side and occupies a red-brick building that reflects the area’s industrial past and cultural revival. Designed by Sean MacPherson, the hotel’s interiors combine raw materials with refined details, including reclaimed wood, mosaic-tiled bathrooms, handwoven silk rugs, and oversized factory-style windows that provide natural light and views across Manhattan.
Courtesy of The Ludlow- Courtesy of The Ludlow
- Courtesy of The Ludlow
- Courtesy of The Ludlow
- Courtesy of The Ludlow
The hotel features 184 rooms and suites, a 24-hour gym, a garden courtyard, and a fireplace lounge. Dining is available at Dirty French, a restaurant by Major Food Group known for its contemporary reinterpretations of classic French dishes.
Located in the Lower East Side, The Ludlow is within walking distance of Katz’s Delicatessen, the Tenement Museum, and art galleries along Orchard Street.
Romer Hell’s Kitchen
Romer Hell’s Kitchen, located in Manhattan’s Theater District, blends mid-century heritage with contemporary design. The hotel is housed in a 1960s building originally designed by architect Morris Lapidus. Its design was led by two New York–based firms: Goodrich, responsible for the public spaces, and Islyn Studio, which designed guest rooms inspired by the artistic history of Hell’s Kitchen.
- Courtesy of Romer Hell’s Kitchen
- Courtesy of Romer Hell’s Kitchen
- Courtesy of Romer Hell’s Kitchen
- Courtesy of Romer Hell’s Kitchen
- Courtesy of Romer Hell’s Kitchen
Communal spaces like the all-day Neighborhood Café encourage connection among guests and locals. Highlights include So & So’s, a piano bar and restaurant, as well as thoughtful touches like a “Missed Connections” board in the lobby, where visitors can post notes in hopes of reconnecting with someone they’ve encountered during their stay.
Set just west of Times Square, Romer Hell’s Kitchen offers easy access to Broadway theaters, Hudson Yards, and major subway lines. Once known as a tough, working-class neighborhood home to dockworkers and actors, Hell’s Kitchen has evolved into a vibrant area that blends long-standing local businesses with a growing arts and culinary scene.
The Hotel Chelsea
The Hotel Chelsea is a historic landmark located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Originally built between 1883 and 1885 by architect Philip Hubert, the building is renowned for its red-brick façade and wrought-iron balconies. Over the decades, it has been home to numerous artists, writers, and musicians, including Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Andy Warhol, and Dylan Thomas, cementing its status as a cultural icon.
- Courtesy of Chelsea Hotel
- Courtesy of Chelsea Hotel
- Courtesy of Chelsea Hotel
- Courtesy of Chelsea Hotel
- Courtesy of Chelsea Hotel
Following an extensive renovation, the hotel has been restored to preserve its history while introducing modern comforts. The interiors feature restored moldings, tiled fireplaces, and original hardwood floors, complemented by velvet furnishings, ambient lighting, and curated artworks. Guests can dine at El Quijote, the hotel’s Spanish restaurant, or enjoy French-inspired cuisine at Café Chelsea.
Situated in the heart of Chelsea, the hotel is steps away from art galleries, the High Line, and the vibrant cultural scene of Manhattan’s West Side.
Nine Orchard
Nine Orchard is a boutique hotel located at the intersection of Orchard and Canal Streets in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The hotel occupies the restored 1912 Jarmulowsky Bank Building, a 12-story Beaux-Arts landmark originally designed by architects William Lawrence Rouse and Lafayette A. Goldstone. The renovation, led by Studio Castellano with architect Ron Castellano, preserved key architectural features including arched windows, ornamental plasterwork, and marble floors. The building’s former banking hall has been transformed into the hotel’s signature lounge, the Swan Room.
- Courtesy of Nine Orchard
- Courtesy of Nine Orchard
- Courtesy of Nine Orchard
- Courtesy of Nine Orchard
- Courtesy of Nine Orchard
The hotel offers 113 rooms and suites, each featuring custom furnishings and built-in sound systems with playlists by local DJs. Guests can dine at the Corner Bar, a bistro-style restaurant, or enjoy cocktails and small plates in the Swan Room’s elegant setting.
Located in Dimes Square, at the crossroads of Chinatown and the Lower East Side, Nine Orchard offers direct access to art galleries, independent shops, and a wide range of dining options.
Roxy Hotel New York
The Roxy Hotel New York is a boutique hotel located at the intersection of SoHo and TriBeCa. Originally opened as the Tribeca Grand Hotel, it was rebranded in 2015 as The Roxy Hotel. The building features a red brick façade with cast-iron detailing and a dramatic central atrium, with interiors designed by Briana Stanley.
- Courtesy of The Roxy Hotel New York
- Courtesy of The Roxy Hotel New York
- Courtesy of The Roxy Hotel New York
- Courtesy of The Roxy Hotel New York
- Courtesy of The Roxy Hotel New York
Dining and entertainment options include the Roxy Bar, serving American cuisine with live music; The Django, a jazz club; the Oyster Bar, known for fresh seafood; and the Roxy Cinema, which screens independent and classic films. Additional amenities include a fitness center and complimentary bicycle rentals.
Located in TriBeCa, the hotel is within walking distance of galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
Moxy NYC East Village
Moxy NYC East Village is a 13-story, 286-room hotel located on East 11th Street in Manhattan’s East Village. Designed by the Rockwell Group with architecture by Stonehill Taylor, the hotel opened in 2019 and draws inspiration from the neighborhood’s cultural history. The interiors feature exposed concrete and industrial materials that reflect the creative energy of the surrounding area.
- Courtesy of Moxy NYC East Village
- Courtesy of Moxy NYC East Village
- Courtesy of Moxy NYC East Village
- Courtesy of Moxy NYC East Village
- Courtesy of Moxy NYC East Village
Dining and nightlife options include Cathédrale, a French-Mediterranean restaurant; Alphabet Bar & Café for casual bites; The Ready, a rooftop bar with skyline views; and Little Sister, an underground cocktail lounge. Additional amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, communal workspaces, complimentary Solé bicycles, and a rotating program of art installations and cultural events.
Located near Webster Hall, Union Square, and Washington Square Park, Moxy East Village offers easy access to the neighborhood’s music venues, art galleries, vintage shops, and independent retailers.
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