Hudson New York

Set among the high-rises of Midtown Manhattan, the hotel’s hip vibe starts with the narrow, vibrantly lit escalators that lead from the street to the first-floor lobby level. Though the building may have opened in 1929 as a residence for young New York women and the clubhouse of the American Woman’s Association, the Morgans Hotel Group undertook a multimillion-dollar renovation, with the help of Ian Schrager (of Studio 54 fame) and renowned French designer Philippe Starck, to reopen a chic new space in 2000 that preserved many of the architectural elements of the original structure. The lobby has several dark lounge areas tucked into an airy, warehouse-inspired space that features an ivy-covered glass ceiling, brick walls, exposed ducts, and polished hardwood floors. The hotel’s ultra cool burger joint, tequila bar, and inviting cocktail lounge draw a trendy young crowd of locals, particularly on weekends. When the weather’s warmer, the roof terrace opens to offer breathtaking views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.  

The Hudson Hotel is close to some of the most popular attractions and neighborhoods of Midtown Manhattan. Both Central Park and the high-end shopping and dining of the Time Warner Center are two blocks away. There are many world-renowned theaters and performing arts venues within a 10-minute walk of the hotel, including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and several famous Broadway and off-Broadway theaters. The hip restaurants, international eateries, and popular bars of Hell’s Kitchen can all be reached on foot in under 15 minutes. There are two major subway stations nearby: Columbus Circle for the A, B, C, and D trains is a three-minute 3-minute walk from the hotel, while the 57th Street station for the N, Q, R, and W trains is seven minutes away. Guests can reach Lower Manhattan and the Financial District in about a half-hour. A ride to LaGuardia Airport can take up to an hour in heavy traffic, and JFK International Airport an hour and a half. Valet parking is available for a fee, and the neighborhood is an easy area for catching taxis. 

Impeccably designed, the snug rooms are the result of Philippe Starck’s vision to create rooms inspired by transatlantic travel. Reminiscent of high-end luxury liner cabins of days past, the walls are lined with West African cherry wood paneling, and complemented by imported African wood floors, striped rugs, and funky bedside lamps featuring the work of British X-ray photographer Nick Veasey. Studios add living areas featuring crisp white couches with sleek, minimalist lines and metal stud details. One-bedroom suites with separate living rooms are also available. While the light fixtures are cool, there aren’t many of them, making the rooms and suites feel dark once the sun sets. Amenities in all units include flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, down duvets, and fresh flowers. Small work desks and iPod docks are also standard, as are city or Hudson River views. There’s a fee for Wi-Fi, and notably no stocked minibars or coffeemakers. The standard rooms are small, and the bathrooms are even smaller. All-white tiled bathrooms feature mostly showers and a few shower/tub combos. Malin + Goetz toiletries and hairdryers are provided. 

Upgrading gets guests slightly more space, though some upgraded rooms trade river views for courtyard views. Rooms on the lower floors can get a lot of noise filtering up from the New York streets. 

Features here are as hip as the rooms. One of the hotel’s biggest draws for both visitors and locals is its seasonal rooftop bar on the 15th floor, featuring live trees, cushioned lounge chairs, and hammocks, and offering stunning panoramic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Also open seasonally is a quaint park-like area with a glass roof, ivy-covered brick walls, and antique garden furniture, which offers evening cocktail service.

New Yorkers (and guests) line up for a table at the flagship location of ultrahip Umami Burger. In addition to signature burgers, it serves up breakfast items, craft cocktails, and Coolhaus ice cream sandwiches in a warehouse-chic space with exposed brick walls, a sleek marble bar, funky light fixtures, and an industrial metal fireplace. Take-out is offered, but there’s no room service. Drinking options include Hudson Bar, a tequila lounge with a retro living room feel, complete with exposed brick columns, patterned rugs, and couches and chairs in muted colors. The Library Bar is a cozy space for sipping craft cocktails, outfitted with a wood-burning fireplace, English leather chairs and sofas, and an antique billiards table, balanced by large black and white photos of cows in quirky hats. And, yes, there are actually books to read. It also hosts regular events like Scotch and wine tastings (for a fee). 

A small but well-outfitted 24-hour gym includes Cybex cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights -- though it’s in the basement, so there are no windows. There’s no pool or spa on-site, but the hotel’s concierge will book outside spa appointments on request. Multiple posh meeting and event spaces are available. Valet parking is offered for an extra fee. All guests must pay a mandatory urban resort fee that covers Wi-Fi, phone calls, and use of the fitness center.