The Ludlow New York City

When The Ludlow opened in 2014, it was the darling of the art and fashion world. At last, here was an upscale boutique hotel with an unrivaled location on the Lower East Side. Today, it's still a hot spot for the hip, but there's competition nearby at PUBLIC and an upcoming spinoff from the Ace Hotel in 2019. Still, the hotel is about as boho-industrial chic as you can get, with a mosaic-floored lobby, curated artwork, and dim mood lighting. The primary gathering spaces are the ground-floor restaurant, Dirty French, and adjacent Lobby Bar. Dirty French is impeccably decorated with Avant Garde flair that includes red leather banquettes, exposed wood beams, and a collection of slightly creepy clown and doll sculptures. Lobby Bar offers a deliciously cozy seating area with a curated mishmash of leather sofas and tables in front of a roaring fireplace. Large doors open onto a romantic outdoor courtyard garden with additional seating. Both the restaurant and the bar get crowded with locals and guests, so just about the only place to get some fresh air and space is up on the 20th-floor rooftop terrace -- but with only two elevators expect a bit of a wait to get up there.  

Apart from design, location is the absolute highlight of The Ludlow. It's built in the heart of the Lower East Side, surrounded on all sides by independent boutique stores, famous nightclubs, trendy restaurants, and bars that stay open almost until dawn. Though the neighborhood is becoming more corporate (a Target and a Marshalls opened in 2018) it's still home to New York mainstays like Economy Candy, Essex Street Market, Pianos, and Russ & Daughters. Subway lines are also accessible, with F/M/J/Z lines located within a four-block radius from the hotel's front doors. The East Village (to the north), SoHo (to the west), and Chinatown (to the south) are all reachable in about a 10-minute walk. Midtown and Uptown destinations like Central Park, Times Square, and MoMa will require a drive or subway ride. LaGuardia Airport is about a 30-minute drive. Plan on 45 minutes in the car to reach JFK Airport and Newark Airport. 

The 175 guest rooms are divided among 19 floors, and all units have the same industrial-bohemian-chic look found in the public spaces. Expect hardwood floors, enormous windows for lots of natural light and city views, marble geode nightstands, and graphic curtains. Four-poster beds are made with white feather duvets and high quality white sheets. Some rooms have shearling-topped velvet armchairs. All rooms include flat-screen TVs with cable channels, free Wi-Fi, Tivoli radios, Nespresso coffee machines, irons, and ironing boards. Minibars are carefully curated with local items like candy from Economy Candy, canned rosé, and Montauk beer, plus electronic chargers for purchase. Notepad paper is dark black, with white chalk-like pencils for taking notes. 

The key difference between room types is space. Mini Studios will feel cramped even for one person, and the Studio Queen Rooms are a tight squeeze for two.  Closet and storage space is another problem in these rooms, with just a built-in wardrobe that accommodates little more than a single piece of carry-on luggage. Upgrading to the Studio King Room buys a small living room space and some breathing room. Upgrading to a Terrace, Loft, or the Penthouse will get you a lot more space, both indoors and out. For instance, the Skybox Loft has a full living room with three huge windows and panoramic views of the city.

Bathrooms also vary by room type. Surprisingly, most room categories offer either powerful rain showers or lovely shower/tub combos set in front of huge windows with city views. The only room type that's shower-only is the Studio Queen Room. Bathroom design is consistent across the board, with white subway tiles, copper fixtures, luxe rose-scented toiletries, and plush bathrobes. 

Features at Ludlow are minimal, thanks to the hotel's small footprint and convenient location. The main event is Dirty French, an upscale restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 24-hour room service menus of classic French fare with Cajun and Moroccan touches. Prices are high and service is tepid, but the dining room is beautifully decorated and the clientele is quite fashionable. Drinks at the adjacent Lobby Bar are a better bet, since you can enjoy them either in front of the roaring fireplace or outdoors in the garden courtyard. The 20th floor has a modern fitness center with cardio equipment, weights, water, and fruit -- plus huge windows with city views. There's also a rooftop patio area with sun loungers and a few tables. Guests are welcome to bring their own beverages up there to enjoy the view. The front desk offers concierge and laundry services. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There's no self or valet parking option, but garages are available in the neighborhood for the few guests that arrive by car.