Over the past month we’ve been to the New York City’s Upper East Side, toured the top suites overlooking Central Park, visited the best of Midtown, and then showcased the wide swath of Manhattan between 42nd Street and Houston Street. Our five-part tour of the Big Apple’s top very best suites ends this week with a look south of Houston to Battery Park.
1. Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
2. Casa Cipriani
3. Hotel Fouquet’s New York
4. The Greenwich Hotel
5. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
6. Crosby Street Hotel
7. Conrad New York Downtown
8. The Dominick
9. Nine Orchard
10. Soho Grand Hotel
11. The Mercer
1. Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Conde Nast Traveler says, “Set in Lower Manhattan, down the block from the landmark Woolworth Building, this 82-story tower features interiors by noted design firm Yabu Pushelberg, who have infused it with a comfortable, contemporary feel. The building also houses 157 private apartments, and that hushed residential atmosphere can be felt on the 24 hotel floors, as well, resulting in luxury that is more polished and sedate than gilded or ornate. The place draws the guests you might expect—well-heeled families, business travelers.”
Forbes Travel Guide writes, “Tidal wave marble walls add striking visuals, as do a display of gilded books in the lobby and an eye-catching suspended staircase. One place where Four Seasons Downtown shines is its spa. Seven different rooms offer services like the Luxury Green Caviar, a skin-revamping treatment, and the Executive Recharge, a quick 25-minute head, shoulders and neck massage that’s ideal for on-the-go businesspeople. Swiss skin-care brand Dr. Burgener makes its American debut in the spa, which also is the only place in New York for Omorovicza of Hungary facials. Another reason to visit is the hotel’s restaurant. CUT by Wolfang Puck is the first New York City outpost owned by famed chef Wolfgang Puck offering classic steak house fare. The Lower Manhattan hotel also houses a 75-foot-long heated pool and a fitness center with a stretching apparatus, several elliptical machines and personal coaches to help guide you through all of the equipment.”
Empire Suite
Comprised of half of the top – 24th floor of the hotel, The Empire Suite spans 2,400 sq. ft. with dining for up to 10 guests. There’s an office, media room, kitchen and spa-inspired master bathroom.
More suites at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown.
2. Casa Cipriani
Selected by Forbes as Best Scene in New York, the business magazine says, “Casa Cipriani, a 47-room hotel and private member’s club, has become one of the most buzzed about hotels in lower Manhattan. The historic property, which was transformed into a chic Italian hotel and club from its original use as the ferry terminal inside the landmark Battery Maritime Building, was originally built as a steel structure to shuffle ferries traveling back and forth between Brooklyn. It still maintains its glorious beaux-arts facade post-reno, thanks to world-renowned architect Thierry Despont, with many of the original details of the iron and glass structure still at the forefront of the design.
Lavish suites inside the hotel include private balconies with phenomenal views overlooking the Brooklyn bridge and the Statue of Liberty, in addition to oversized showers, closets significantly bigger than those in most apartments in NYC, and innate lacquer furniture, nautical paint and fancy brass accents everywhere. Amenities include a glorious spa and private gym, offering everything from cryotherapy to massage to personal training sessions. Upstairs, don’t miss the jazz cafe or the Cipriani signature restaurant, where the scene is a sea of properly polished personas clinking Bellinis and nibbling on bites of house-made pasta. After dinner, grab a seat in the living room or—during summer months—on the gorgeous terrace with expansive views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River.”
Conde Nast Traveler adds, “This is a Cipriani property, so it’s luxury to the max, but in that effortlessly chic Italian sort of way. On top of that, it’s in the landmark Battery Maritime Building, a building so many New Yorkers have seen, but so few have actually ventured into. In some ways, it’s like a portal to a different era in New York City, where the action was on the waterfront and where you dressed for dinner. This sounds strange, but after a few hours (or Bellinis) at Casa Cipriani you really could mistake the East River for the canals of Venice.”
Roebling Presidential Suite
The 1,766 sq. ft. suite is one-bedroom and features lacquer mahogany custom Italian furnishings and drapes, a walk-in wardrobe and art deco touches. Located on the East end of the iconic building, this suite has an 841-sq. ft. wraparound terrace with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn, and the East River.
More suites at Casa Cipriani New York.
3. Hotel Fouquet’s New York
Forbes writes, “Tribeca has become one of the most coveted zip codes in New York City, and Fouquet’s is tucked away on a cobblestone street in the middle of it all. The understated brick building is as discrete yet glamorous as its well-heeled neighbors, with signage so small it’s easy to miss. Inside, the beauty of French culture comes alive in a luxurious amalgamation of velvet fabrics, pastel colors, art deco-inspired furniture and European chandeliers. The rooms are nothing short of fabulous with quilted headboards, lavish drapery and marble bathrooms. The divine corner suites will make you feel like you have your very own pied-à-terre in Tribeca, thanks to sunlight-drenched floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious living rooms and private dressing areas, and a gorgeous marble bathroom with soaking tub that deserves its own museum. Downstairs, the cinema is the perfect spot to host a film screening, and the underground spa is made for relaxation, run by coveted French dermo-cosmetics brand Biologique Recherche. Take a dip in the gorgeous hydrotherapy pool or get your sweat on at the onsite gym created in partnership with Dogpound, a luxury personalized training gym founded by Kirk Myers.”
Conde Nast Traveler adds, “The French hotel line known for its Paris and St. Barth’s properties arrived in the U.S. in 2022 by way of New York. At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France. Fouquet’s New York’s pastel-colored luxury includes three dining options, an indulgent underground spa (complete with a sauna, hammam, and hydrotherapy pool), and a Cannes-inspired cinema space true to Tribeca’s popular annual film festival. The theater hosts programming like screenings and film premieres, and can be reserved for corporate and artistic events. The street-level outpost of the famed Champs d’Elysee bistro, Brasserie Fouquet’s is a destination in itself, with signature red and black bar mirroring its Paris (and Louvre Abu Dhabi) counterpart.”
Fouquet’s Penthouse
Spanning 2,400 sq. ft. over two floors including, this top suite was designed by Martin Brudnizki for refined opulence and comfort of a Parisian apartment. The suite’s layout comprises entertaining and dining areas; an executive office; two large private outdoor terraces facing east and west; a master suite with an additional private terrace and an expansive bathroom.
More suites at Hotel Fouquet’s New York.
4. The Greenwich Hotel
Forbes Travel Guide says, “The Greenwich Hotel commands the cobbled corner of Greenwich and North Monroe streets in New York City’s charmed Tribeca neighborhood. Just one block from the Hudson River Greenway, its red brick facade rests among buzzing restaurants and boutiques just below Soho. In the midst of downtown vibes, the hotel is a hushed hideaway for well-known guests. Owned by Robert De Niro and opened in 2008, the 88-room luxury hotel was built from the ground up atop a former parking lot. A trove of top-notch talent —like Belgian designerAxel Vervoordt, who has a penchant for refashioning castles — melded wayfaring styles with lofty common areas, transporting you out of modern Manhattan. Akin to booking a piece of art, every room and suite is designed differently, outfitted in materials like hand-laid Moroccan or Mexican terra cotta tiles, and stocked with eclectic furnishings from Italy to Japan and beyond. The result is a rich and refined look, less trendy than it is timeless.”
TriBeCa Penthouse
There is 2,800 sq. ft. of indoor space and an additional 4,000 sq. ft. of exterior space. The living features custom stone fireplace, dining area, oversized sliding doors leading to lower terrace. There is a drawing room with fireplace. There’s an outdoor wood-burning fireplace. There are multiple seating areas including an 18-person table for al fresco dining, a large outdoor gas grill, and heated spa pool.
More suites at The Greenwich Hotel.
5. The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
The Telegraph says, “Built in 1881 as one of New York’s first skyscrapers, then serving as an office block for decades, The Beekman was abandoned for over 15 years before its multi-million-dollar renovation by British architect Martin Brudnizki, the man behind Soho House and the renovated Royal Academy of Art. Though still relatively new on the city’s hotel scene, the hotel has rapidly gained a reputation as one of New York’s most stunning – and rightly so. The central spine of the hotel is the atrium, a nine-storey riot of wrought-iron balustrades under a glass roof. On the ground floor, underneath the atrium, the atmospheric Bar Room is straight out of an Agatha Christie set, all plump sofas, fringed table lamps, green leather-topped bar stools and a long glass case stuffed with conversation-starting curios.”
Turret Penthouse
The 1,200 sq. ft. duplex penthouse has a 400 sq. ft. balcony. Inside there are aged oak floors, a separate living and dining area, 40-foot ceilings, curated artwork and a stone fireplace.
More suites at The Beekman.
6. Crosby Street Hotel
Conde Nast Traveler reports, “Pattern, color, whimsy—walking into Crosby Street Hotel is like entering a world representing the best of modern English design, as dreamed up by Brit founder and designer Kit Kemp. Everywhere you look, there’s a special artwork or piece of furniture you’d want to stare at for a while. It’s all a big visual treat in the middle of SoHo.”
Crosby Suites
The 1,500 sq. ft. Crosby Suites feature high ceilings, full length windows and views stretching across lower Manhattan. Each is individually designed with two king size bedrooms and a large living room with dining area. The bathrooms feature granite and oak with two basins, deep bath tub and separate shower.
More suites at Crosby Street Hotel.
7. Conrad New York Downtown
Forbes Travel Guide says, “Conrad New York Downtown leaves a memorable first impression. The atrium lobby is a showstopper with its 13-story, blue-and-purple Sol LeWitt mural — the respected artist’s largest work — reflecting azure hues onto the two-tiered, cable-and-aluminum sculpture by Monica Ponce de Leon. The 463 suites take a more understated but still elegant tone, but select spacious accommodations have another visual element: views of the Hudson River, Battery Park and the Statute of Liberty.”
Conrad Suite
The one-bedroom Conrad Suite is located on the hotel’s top floor and features a living and dining area with kitchenette with views of downtown and the Hudson River and New York Harbor.
More suites at Conrad New York Downtown.
8. The Dominick
Forbes Travel Guide reports, “The Dominick is a welcome addition to the downtown hotel scene with its dramatic, two-story lobby outfitted in bronze and leather and columns of brown and metallic blue Venetian plaster. Straight ahead is a second-floor library with a fireplace, wine rack and cherry-blossom wallpaper. Guest rooms have furnishings by Fendi Casa, custom-made Italian bedding by Bellino, thick wool carpeting, and in one-bedroom suites, a sliding hearth with built-in shelving that separates the sleeping quarters from the living space. Bathrooms have soaking tubs, rain showers and Turkish Marmara stone on the walls. Terrace on 7 is an indoor-outdoor bar that overflows onto the Pool Deck, which features a blue Italian mosaic-lined pool with a cascading waterfall. The 11,000-square-foot Sisley Spa includes two separate luxury hammams for men and women, offering traditional services of heat, scrub and relaxation.”
Dominick Duplex Penthouse
The 2,300 sq. ft. Dominick Duplex Penthouse offers expansive views of Manhattan from the 43rd and 44th floors of The Dominick. Double-height floor to ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace provide views of the Hudson River, Midtown including the Empire State Building, the East side of Manhattan and its lower bridges. This bi-level penthouse has a bedroom on each floor with private marble bathrooms, a separate powder room on the first floor, separate parlor areas on each level, as well as the terrace, providing an optimal space to unwind or party.
More suites at The Dominick.
9. Nine Orchard
The Telegraph says, “The building was constructed as a bank in the Beaux-Arts style in 1912, and has enjoyed some exotic incarnations since, a piano factory and kimono salesroom among them. It has been overhauled in recent times, though some original features survive. The stunning, carved marble ceiling of the Swan Room (the lobby bar) is reminiscent of the famed Grand Central Terminal interior, and the high ceilings throughout hark back to a glamorous bygone age. The plush public spaces enjoy rich fabrics and bold color palettes, evoking a decadent residential ambience. Stepping back from the building, look out for the 60 foot rooftop tempietto, lovingly reconstructed from the original plans and a strikingly romantic addition to the skyline.”
Design Suite
The 800 sq. ft. Design Suite features a living room, dining room, bedroom, walkthrough closet, and oversized bathroom.
More suites at Nine Orchard.
10. Soho Grand Hotel
The Telegraph reports, “The design pays tribute to old New York and two vital periods in SoHo’s history – the 1870s Gilded Age and the offbeat and artist-driven 1970s. Hall-of-Famer Bill Sofield was the creative mind behind the original interiors, most of which remain but have been updated. Concrete floors, leather, plush fabrics, cast-iron detailing, exquisite art from local galleries, as well as a medley of other nuances contribute to the tenor of this hotel. A grand glass-bottle staircase leads from the ground-floor entrance to the reception and lobby area on the second level. Luxe upholstered pieces decorate the salon (the main gathering area and restaurant, which feels like a lofty living room), and gentle, sheer draperies hang high, accentuating the hand-painted silver leaf ceiling and the soaring light-soaked space. If you’ve ever entered somewhere and wished you could call the place home, be prepared to feel that here.”
Loft North Penthouse
The 1,600 sq. ft. Loft North Penthouse adds a 1,200 sq. ft. terrace.
More suites at the Soho Grand Hotel.
11. The Mercer
Conde Nast Traveler says, “The Mercer is practically synonymous with SoHo. The Romanesque revival building itself, built in 1890, is an icon of the neighborhood, and once inside, it’s pretty much what you’d expect from a cool-yet-sophisticated downtown luxury hotel: muted colors and modern furniture; a wall of coffee table books; and guest rooms that seem outfitted by the ultra-cool furniture showrooms that inhabit the area. It all adds up to a quintessential downtown Manhattan experience. The staff at the Mercer will go to the ends of the earth to take care of any request for their guests. It’s a big reason people keep coming back for repeat visits.”
Penthouse Suite
The 1,375 sq. ft. features two bedrooms in a duplex loft layout.
More suites at The Mercer.
