If you want to rub shoulders with New Yorkers and not tourists, the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea will suit you well. Brownstones housing ground-floor coffee shops and convivial restaurants line the streets here. Denizens walk their dogs morning and night sans having to maneuver past sidewalk-obstructing NYC tour groups. Hyper-illuminated colossal ads are absent. And while Chelsea feels homely and light years away from Times Square and Hudson Yards, the neighborhood’s optimal central location on the Manhattan grid makes it a hop, skip, and a jump away from lots of the city’s best attractions, including the aforementioned.
If you’re sold on Chelsea, then we feel it’s our duty to introduce you to one of our favorite boutique hotels there: The Moore. The 81-key stay befits the tamed neighborhood — let’s start with the unflashy lobby, where light-toned millwork walls envelop an open layout with two charcoal tufted couches that curl out into opposite directions and half-huddle around their own respective coffee table. A few punchy-colored art pieces hang on the walls, bringing a bit of splash into the room. The lobby also houses Café Moore: a coffee shop and barstool-lined counter offering barista-made concoctions for both guests and locals alike.
Rooms here are functional and fitting — not meant to be ultra-expansive, but just what you need for an affordable yet stylish hotel to post up at during your New York trip. Expect queen-size beds, fine-wood headboards, and slender working desks in standard rooms. If you want to stay in the hotel’s superlative Moore Suite (sometimes called the “Penthouse Suite”), you’ll get to enjoy a king-size bed, a private terrace with views of the Empire State Building, and both an outdoor soaking tub and shower.
With a secret-garden-type feel, the rooftop bar is a great spot for sipping a glass of wine while staring out at the Manhattan skyline. Make sure to check if it’s open, as days and operational hours do vary.
Those looking to work out during their stay can do so at the hotel’s gym.
All in all, The Moore checks all the boxes if you’re looking for a hip boutique hotel stay that doesn’t break the bank and is in a local-heavy locale.
Top Takeaways
Location: New York City, NY (Chelsea)
The Vibe: A hip boutique hotel where you’ll live amongst locals.
Food + Drink: Café Moore on the ground level is great for a morning espresso. Depending on the hour and day of the week, the rooftop wine bar’s sublimity and secret garden flair make for a great place to sip and stare at the skyline.
Property Amenities: Fitness center, coffee shop, rooftop bar & patio, and sun deck.
Our favorite thing about the hotel: The Moore Suite (sometimes referred to as the Penthouse Suite) has an outdoor soaking tub that allows you to bathe surrounded by New York City’s towering skyscrapers (don’t worry — they can’t see in).
Any neighborhood recs? Yes, Café-Flor is less than a block away — when it comes to atmosphere, this coffee shop outranks: One room is moody, whereas the other has seating and tables shrouded amongst for-sale potted foliage that’s part of the café’s other half: a plant shop called Raúl. Trendsetting men looking for tight-fit, upmarket clothes should head to Mardana down the street: mesh button-downs, snug turtlenecks, and speedos are just a sample of what you’ll find at this menswear boutique.
What’s Nearby?: The High-Line, Meatpacking District (The Whitney Museum, Chelsea Market, and Little Island are here), plus Madison Square Park.
Rooms: 81
Pricing: Starting rates go for $245/night
Closest Airport: LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – 34 mins away; Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 35 mins away; and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – 54 mins away
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