New York’s upscale residential district of the Upper East Side is home to a number of accommodation options, including several charming boutique hotels.
(Photo: voco the Franklin / Courtesy Booking.com)
Renowned for its high-end restaurants, world-class museums and designer stores lining Madison Avenue, the Upper East Side is one of Manhattan’s most popular districts. Given its glut of attractions, a large number of visitors to New York look to stay in or around the area during their time in the city. If you prefer stylish and intimate hotels over larger, more faceless establishments, then we’ve compared 5 of the best boutique hotels that the Upper East Side has to offer.
voco the Franklin
Situated on a quiet, tree-lined street and housed in a handsome brownstone oozing 19th-century glamour, this boutique hotel combines historic charm with contemporary style. All of the 50 European-style guest rooms feature crystal chandeliers and original photographic wall art, along with enclosed showers and classic styling throughout. Daily breakfasts include pastries from a downtown patisserie and there’s also complimentary afternoon wine and cheese from a gourmet cheese monger and a 24-hour cappuccino/espresso machine in the lobby. The acclaimed shopping and dining of glitzy Madison Avenue are just steps away. From $797 per night.
Lowell Hotel
(Photo: Lowell Hotel / Courtesy Booking.com)
For a similar sized hotel, the Lowell is a tranquil oasis tucked away on a leafy street between Park and Madison Avenues. Boasting a marble-floored foyer and a lounge-style Club Room filled with art and books, the hotel exudes old-world glamour. The 74 guest rooms vary in size, shape and decor, and all have hardwood floors, fresh flowers, and a bathroom with a deep tub and a flatscreen television above it, plus a walk-in shower. Some suites have four-poster beds and full kitchens, while others come with large stone terraces. As an added perk, in rooms with a working fireplace, staff will build guests an open fire on request. The genteel Pembroke Room serves breakfasts and a renowned afternoon tea, while the Marjorelle restaurant is available for gourmet lunch and dinner. From $235 per night.
Bentley Hotel
The largest hotel on our list, the 197-room Bentley is a high-rise boutique hotel overlooking the Queensboro Bridge. A stylish aesthetic blends urban-chic and classic elements, with modern furnishings decked out in a moody New York colour palette. The lobby’s white marble floors contrast grey leather sofas and cowhide chaises, interspersed with pops of bright orange. Notable hotel amenities include a lobby bar with an industrial-chic bohemian look, cement floors, exposed ductwork, and garage-style doors that roll up to reveal a large dining terrace. There’s also a two-floor restaurant, a small fitness room, and a business centre. From $211 per night.
Hotel 57
(Photo: Hotel 57 / Courtesy Booking.com)
Perched on the borders of the Upper East Side and housed in a historic red-brick building that used to be a women’s residence, Hotel 57 offers great rooftop views of the Chrysler Building and Manhattan skyline. Now part of the Renaissance chain of hotel, the lobby features minimalist design in black, red, and white hues and is dotted with leather couches and coffee tables. Guest rooms come equipped with an iPod dock and sumptuous bedding. Other amenities include the buzzing on-site restaurant, Opia, which creates a lively night-time social scene in the hotel. From $276 per night.
Concorde Hotel
Opened in 2018, this is one of the newest boutique hotels in Manhattan. Like the above hotel, its located on the fringes of Upper East Side, and each of the 37 floors of the building has no more than 4 guest rooms per floor, ensuring a peaceful stay with little hallway traffic. All rooms are designed with plenty of space and include a bathroom with a soaking tub and a rainfall shower, plus superb views over the city from rooms on higher floors. The lobby features a café serving drinks and snacks, and there’s also a private outdoor seating area, a pretty garden, and a well-equipped fitness centre that’s open 24/7. From $386 per night.
By Paul Joseph