The Big Apple is constantly evolving. There’s always a hot new restaurant where scoring a reservation feels akin to finishing the New York City Marathon and a buzzy bar with a line that snakes around the block. Even with hip haunts popping up left and right, the classics never go out of style.
When the Crosby Street Hotel, located on a quiet cobbled block in the heart of SoHo, opened in 2009, it brought Firmdale stateside (the boutique hospitality brand already had eight chic outposts in central London). Over the past 15 years, even as The Whitby Hotel, a hidden treasure in upper Midtown Manhattan, and the new Warren Street Hotel in Tribeca opened to deserved fanfare, the shine of the first Kit Kemp-designed Manhattan outpost—which recently received three keys from Michelin—never faded.
The open reception area is decorated with bold pops of color, vibrant prints, and eye-catching art—including an Ansel Kiefer painting and an eye-popping 3D installation by Jack Milroy—that give it a gallery-like quality befitting of its artsy SoHO environs.
Fashionistas, tastemakers, and Uptowners making their bi-monthly pilgrimage below 14th Street flock to the magazine-worthy restaurant to savor warm grain bowls, lobster club sandwiches, and grilled filet mignon in a space framed by gray oak floors, tall warehouse-style windows, and plush fabric-clad chairs.
Whether you’re celebrating something special or it’s just a Tuesday afternoon catchup with a close pal, afternoon tea is a festive affair with sandwiches and sweets. A glass of Veuve Clicquot makes it even more special.
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In the evening, the long pewter bar buzzes with well-dressed patrons who sip a signature Saint Crosby (Remy Martin V.S.O.P, St Germain, brown sugar, and Veuve Clicquot) or order a classic martini, nibble on olives, and soak in the ambiance under the glow of rounded, multi-hued light figures.
The light-flooded Orangery overlooking the quiet courtyard garden oozes sophistication and whimsy with patterned wallpaper, striped chairs, a striking chandelier, and a long wooden table that will have you finding an excuse to plan an intimate gathering. On pleasant days, you can’t beat the terrace, with its celery bistro tables and rays of sunshine.
There’s a cozy drawing room, a 99-seat cinema, and a gym (although, we’d prefer to clock steps by strolling around one of New York City’s most dynamic neighborhoods, which awaits just outside the door).
Upstairs, the rooms and suites are decked out in true Kit Kemp fashion. Bold prints and pops of color mingle with intricately painted furnishings. Because each bedroom is individually decorated, you could check in 86 times (what a life!) and snooze in a different dreamy space each time. Consistent throughout, the floor-to-ceiling windows and oversized fabric headboards (a signature across the entire Firmdale portfolio). The marble bathrooms show off large walk-in showers and delightfully scented toiletries. Some even have roll-top tubs.
While it’s hard to choose a favorite spot to stay and play, we’re partial to the Meadow Suite, an oasis on the second floor that boasts a springy palette and grassy private terrace that’s unlike anything else you’ll find in New York City.
Top Takeaways
Location: SoHo, New York City
Rating: Five-Star
The Vibe: Downtown cool meets Uptown panache with a hint of whimsy.
Food + Drink: The scene-setting restaurant—a downtown darling that attracts New Yorkers and out-of-towners—is ideal for breakfast meetings, lunch with friends, and dinner dates. It’s worth clearing your cal for the afternoon tea.
Amenities: Restaurant/bar; terrace; sculptural garden; drawing room; screening room; gym; private event and meeting spaces; concierge
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: No one does a headboard like Kit Kemp.
5 Nearby Attractions: Designer Shops; MoMA Design Store; Elizabeth Street Garden; SoHo Cast Iron Historic District; Chinatown
Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? In the mood for French onion soup and steak frites? Balthazar is around the corner. Have a hankering for tasty twists on papaya salad and pad see yew? Meander over to Thai Diner. You’re also steps away from the famous tie-dye pizza at Rubirosa.
Rooms: 86 individually decorated rooms and suites
Pricing: Rooms start at $925/night
Closest Airport: LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
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