All products featured on ArtfulLiving.com are independently selected by our editors. We may earn commission on items you choose to buy.
The frigid mid-February air is a stark contrast to the warm and welcoming lobby of The Bowery Hotel. Settling into a leather armchair, I cozy up by the fireplace and observe the numerous walks of life enjoying cocktails and conversation. The Bowery, and what happens inside, is both familiar and special. Recently awarded a Michelin Key with the Michelin Guide’s debut of the new distinction recognizing the country’s most outstanding hotels, it is not “simply a room for a night” but a sophisticated hospitality experience.
Photography provided by The Bowery Hotel
Setting
Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, The Bowery Hotel is named after the neighborhood it resides in. Sandwiched between the ever-trendy Soho and East Village neighborhoods, the Lower East Side offers a blend of old school and new cool.
Upon entrance to the hotel, guests are greeted by uniformed bellhops clad in top hats and led into the dimly lit lobby to check in for their stay surrounded by hanging newspapers, ornate rugs and delicately carved wall paneling. Situated behind the concierge desk is a wall of keys adorned with red tassels; there are no electric door locks here. You’ll be asked whether you prefer a complimentary copy of the Times or the Post in the morning, paying homage to the time-honored ways of hotels of the past.
Vibe
The Bowery provides the quintessential old-school New York City experience. It’s luxurious, yet laid-back. Elegant, yet sexy. No detail is overlooked, yet it isn’t trying too hard. Sitting in front of the lobby fireplace feels like you’re at home, yet the waiter reminds you you’re not.
Amenities
The thoughtfully curated amenities offered align with the boutique hotel’s old-school ethos. Guests are welcome to peruse the Bowery’s film library to watch something in their suite, or stop by the lobby to rent a classic board game. In-room spa services include massage treatments and personal training available upon request. Complimentary bicycles remain parked outside the hotel’s entrance for a ride around the city.
The Rooms
Upon arrival to the room, guests are greeted by interiors much brighter than those found on the building’s main level. Crisp all-white beds featuring the Bowery’s signature red trim and monogram are overshadowed by the hotel’s lovable mascot seated right at the center — the famous Bowery Bear. White wood paneling and painted brick walls allow the patterned curtains to highlight the star of the show: sweeping views of the city. Marble bathrooms, rainfall shower heads and deep soaking tubs add to the elegance throughout.
Dining
Known not just for the accommodations but also top-tier dining experiences, the Bowery boasts a lobby bar and a full-service restaurant. The Bowery Lobby is always buzzing, and for good reason. The aesthetic is second to none, like you’ve been whisked away into a mahogany, velvet and leather love triangle. Fireplaces and iron chandeliers light the way to an intimate patio in one direction and a small bar to the other. The bar is a hot spot for A-List names, but don’t fret — hotel guests are given priority for seating. Rest assured you’ll get to enjoy your Bowery 75 in no time.
Right next door to the hotel on the ground floor sits Gemma, an Italian Trattoria led by chef Andrea Taormina. Gemma serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night eats. Like the hotel, the eatery also boasts a more old-world vibe, with luxe wood paneling surrounding the bar, eclectic bottles lining shelves, and wood logs stacked and ready for the pizza oven. The short rib pappardelle is a must-order, as is the calzone di Nutella for dessert.
