Crosby Street Hotel

Crosby Street Hotel is the New York outpost of London's Firmdale Hotels, opened in 2010 on a quiet cobblestone block in SoHo. Designer Kit Kemp filled the building with bold fabrics, original art, sculpture and playful color, and the result is a luxury boutique that feels like a country-house hotel dropped into a converted warehouse. The rooms have large windows, high ceilings and each is individually designed, many with views over the neighborhood's rooftops. There is a garden terrace, a drawing room and bar with a lively social scene, a restaurant and a screening room for film nights, and the service has the polish and warmth that Firmdale is known for. It suits couples, design lovers and visitors who want a sophisticated downtown stay.

The design is the reason to stay. Instead of a uniform brand look, every floor, room and corridor features unique patterns, bright colors and eclectic furniture, and a large sculpture or artwork sits in the lobby and public areas. Beds are comfortable, bathrooms are generous and rooms are quiet thanks to the side-street setting. Some rooms have terraces, and suites offer more space and views. A hotel of this kind can be a treat for those who love decor and a distraction for those who prefer minimal styling, so consider your taste.

Public spaces are a highlight. The garden, a rare private green space in SoHo, is lovely in warm weather, with seating and a bar in season; the drawing room and bar are popular with locals as well as guests; and the screening room hosts films and private events. The hotel's restaurant serves breakfast and dinner, and afternoon tea has been a feature in the past, though offerings change, so check current services.

The fitness room is small, but the neighborhood's gyms and studios are plentiful. Dogs are welcomed, which is unusual for a luxury hotel in the city, and families are welcome with child-friendly touches.

The location is SoHo at its best: cast-iron architecture, boutiques and galleries, with the Museum of Ice Cream and Color Factory nearby, Washington Square Park and Greenwich Village to the north and Chinatown, Little Italy and Tribeca to the south and east. The subway at Broadway-Lafayette, Prince Street and Spring Street gives access to most lines, and the walk to the Brooklyn Bridge is about thirty minutes.

Rates are in the luxury range and vary by season, with holiday weeks the most expensive. For a downtown base that feels like a private house and delivers a sense of place, Crosby Street Hotel is a standout.