Across the street from the F subway line, and near five others
Walking distance to SoHo and tons of restaurants, bars, and shops
Clean, functional rooms with flat-screen TVs, AC, and iPod docks
Big rooftop area with seating and wonderful panoramic views
Free high-speed Wi-Fi, and free use of a computer
Free water, lemonade, and cereal bars in the lobby 24/7
Free morning coffee and muffins
Small rooms with limited closet space and no mini-fridges
Some bathrooms could use an update
No full restaurant or gym on-site
Some complaints of traffic noise on lower floors
25-minute subway ride to most major attractions
The 42-room Ridge Hotel is a pleasant, mid-range boutique catering to couples and solo travelers who don’t need much more than a clean, comfortable place to sleep. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and individually controlled air-conditioning, but most are small and have limited storage space. Though the property lacks a full restaurant, free coffee and muffins are served daily in the lobby, and there are a computer and a microwave for guest use. The rooftop terrace is a highlight, with panoramic city views and ample seating. The hotel's Lower East Side location requires subway rides to uptown attractions such as Central Park and Times Square, but there are tons of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby, and the subway stops right across the street. Travelers willing to pay more may prefer Hotel Indigo, which is more stylish and has a trendy rooftop restaurant.
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Scene
Small, simple property with little more than a lobby and rooms
Formerly Hotel East Houston, the Ridge Hotel is housed in a typical New York brick building similar to many others in the Lower East Side neighborhood. Despite having changed hands in 2017, few things have changed here beyond fresh paint in some rooms. The lobby, though overall simple, has a few contemporary touches that make it appealing, including a golden textured wall, Mies van del Rohe-style chairs and couches in dark hues, and strategically placed lamps with warm light. The rest of the property is a tad more generic, with a dark palette throughout, some wood paneling, and either tile or carpet floors.
Given the lack of amenities and common areas -- there are no restaurant, bar, or gym -- the property is quiet during the day, as most guests are out exploring the city. In the evening, the rooftop terrace is a popular spot for a chat or a bite, though guests have to bring their own food, as there is no food or drink service.
Rates at the Ridge are competitive for a mid-range property in the Lower East Side, but travelers on a tighter budget wanting to stay in this area may want to check out the Redford Hotel, which offers the same amenities and equally tight rooms for less. Hotel on Rivington is a great alternative for those seeking something more hip and upscale. In the same price range as the Ridge, Hotel Mela is closer to major attractions and features a solid restaurant, cute rooms, and a gym.
Location
On the northern edge of the vibrant Lower East Side
The hotel is located on East Houston, a major thoroughfare that marks the border between the East Village and the Lower East Side. Though still a tad grungy, the area is lively and young, and some noise is to be expected. There are tons of bars, restaurants, and shops within a few blocks of the hotel, and SoHo’s designer boutiques, hip eateries, and chic cafes are all just a short stroll away. Though this location does not offer easy walking access to major attractions, there is a subway stop right across the street. Most sights, including the Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, and the MoMA, are about a 25-minute subway ride away. The drive to John F. Kennedy Airport takes about an hour, while LaGuardia can be reached in 35 minutes, depending on traffic.
Rooms
Small, clean rooms with up-to-date amenities but limited storage space
There are 42 rooms at the Ridge, ranging from twin rooms with a dark palette to triple units with bunk beds and a lighter color scheme. Some rooms were updated when the hotel was rebranded in 2017, but there haven’t been extensive renovations in a few years. The furniture is the same in all units, but some pieces have been painted white or gray in modernized rooms, giving them a more contemporary feel. Heavy burgundy curtains have been replaced with pull-down shades in many rooms, and worn carpets with laminate floors. Though some rooms can sleep up to three guests, most are better suited for either couples or solo travelers due to their compact size and limited storage space.
Each room is outfitted with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, air-conditioning, iPod dock, and safe. Wi-Fi is free and stable, but mini-fridges and coffeemakers are not available in any room type. Bathrooms vary between renovated and non-renovated rooms, ranging from older spaces clad in dark tiles and featuring basic fixtures, to more appealing, spacious bathrooms with green mosaic tiles and big shower/tub combos with glass doors. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided in all rooms.
Light sleepers may want to request a room on a higher floor, as there have been complaints of traffic noise.
Features
Not much beyond a great rooftop terrace with panoramic views
This small boutique offers little in terms of features. There are no restaurant, gym, or bar, and the only indoor common space is the lobby, which is outfitted with a handful of armchairs and a couch. The rooftop terrace is a definite highlight at the Ridge Hotel, though, offering wonderful panoramic city views, lots of seating, and a covered area under an awning. While there is no dining or drink service up here, guests are allowed to bring their own food and beverages, making it a popular spot in the evening.
Although there is no breakfast service either, free coffee and muffins are available every morning in the lobby, along with water, lemonade, and cereal bars throughout the day. There are also a computer and a microwave for guest use, and daily newspapers are available free of charge. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
