Any newspaper or hotel booking search will turn up a slew of boutique hotels in New York City, but if you fancy somewhere a little different, a chic, off-the-beaten-path spot for a romantic weekend getaway, how about someplace? where to start?
Inn at Irving Place
Gramercy Park is a private park tucked between East 20th Street and East 21st Street in the city’s Union Square district. Tucked behind an unassuming front door is this boutique gem that offers great charm in each of the individually decorated rooms. The two 1834 townhouses perfectly capture a bygone era in the furnishings, service and friendly atmosphere of this secluded hideaway. Take afternoon tea in Lady Medl’s Tearooms on the ground floor, where antiques and china create a beautiful setting.
Library
The very name evokes a log fire, big armchairs, a favorite oversized sweater and a good book. Conveniently located between the Morgan Library and the New York Public Library, this boutique hotel is a great escape for bibliophiles. Dedicated to a discerning clientele, each level of the Library Hotel has a different theme, such as poetry, mystery or eroticism, hinting at the carefully curated delights waiting to be revealed. Furniture, pictures, and accents reflect the theme, along with a well-chosen selection of books in each room. The perfect choice for readers and writers alike.
Hotel Carlisle
Continuing to thrive on its reputation as the New York luxury hotel where JF Kennedy had a date with Marilyn Monroe, this elegant uptown hotel remains painfully low-key. With antique furniture and Audubon prints, it exudes the ambience of a luxury town house, belying the fact that it actually has 190 rooms that offer the ultimate in comfort. Mini pantries replace the usual minibar, and coupled with its luxurious spa, pet policy, and in-house shops, it’s hard to find a reason to leave.
dylan hotel
The best of the best is Dylan’s trademark. Located in Midtown Manhattan, within walking distance of Grand Central Station, Times Square, Central Park, and some of the best restaurants, one of New York’s most beautiful boutique hotels is housed in a fabulous 1903 Beaux-Arts structure. Beneath the 11-foot ceilings, interior designer Jeffrey Beers has redefined opulence with his timeless décor. Carrara marble bathrooms and American walnut furnishings make these understated rooms truly elegant for the perfect romantic weekend getaway.
Welsh
Located at the best end of the city, the Wales is a well-kept secret on the city’s Upper East Side. Quiet walks in Central Park are just a block from this charming boutique hotel, while the Guggenheim and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are nearby on what has been dubbed the ‘Museum Mile.’ Enjoy views of the city skyline from the enchanting garden, or relax in sumptuous comfort amid goose-down duvets, fresh flowers, and plush mahogany furnishings.