What it is

A boutique hotel in Soho with vibrant interiors and a blithe style.

What it isn't

Masculine. The bright colors and patterns are a feminine antidote to corporate hotel beige-ness.

What we think

If you're familiar with the Firmdale Hotels in London (Covent Garden, Charlotte Street, Hamyard) you'll recognize the Crosby. The English mini-chain's first New York outpost displays designer/owner Kit Kemp's trademark style, a fantastical mix of patterned wallpapers, brightly striped fabrics and colorful contemporary art. It's a cheerful and eclectic look that reveals its maker's touch, and that sense of handcrafted homeyness suffuses the entire property. There are plenty of cozy private spaces, some open only to guests: a drawing room off the lobby, an outdoor terrace, a plush screening room, even a rooftop garden complete with chicken coop. Each of the 86 rooms and suites varies in terms of both décor and amenities (some have full bathtubs, some have fireplaces), but all share enormous warehouse-style windows that make the already large, high-ceilinged rooms feel more spacious. If you've ever fantasized about living in a fabulously converted loft in the heart of Soho—with Balthazar right around the corner—well, this is your chance.

You're here because

For you, New York's center of gravity is definitely downtown, and you like hotels that are design-forward but accessible.

The Moment

Glass of Champagne in hand, you head up to the rooftop garden to gawk at the impressive views of the New York skyline—that's the Woolworth Building, there's the new World Trade Center—as the chef collects pale blue eggs from the Araucana chicken coop.

Restaurants & Bars

Hotel Restaurant - Serving Modern American dishes using ingredients from the hotel's rooftop garden

Hotel Bar - This high-ceilinged space is great at any time of the day

Location

On a quiet block of Soho, a cobblestone's throw from Bloomingdale's, Dean & DeLuca, the Prada flagship and the rest of the neighborhood's shops and restaurants.