Review: Crosby Street Hotel

How did it strike you on arrival?
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 awhile. It's all a big visual treat in the middle of SoHo.

What’s the crowd like?
Brits looking for an über-stylish downtown hotel, editors in town for fashion week, and visitors who want a tucked-away (and high-end) spot that feels like anything but a run-of-the-mill luxury hotel.

Most importantly: Tell us about your room.
Natural light floods even the smallest rooms (which aren't actually so small, at 340 square feet) through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the theme could best be described as "unfussy chic." Pops of color are provided by an intricately patterned floral headboard and furniture is a mix of new and vintage, which gives the room a residential feel, as do the walls, which are swathed in celadon or dark pinstriped navy.

We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
Beds are some of the best in NYC, tricked out with Frette linens. Nothing could make them better.

How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?
We'd steal the Tivoli radios if we could, as well as those amazing vintage side tables, which were probably found at the best English flea markets. The locally-sourced minibar snacks are a nice touch.

Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
If you're looking for a bathtub, you won't find one in the lower level rooms here, but you will find lots of marble, heated towel racks (heaven during winter months), fluffy Frette bath towels, and heavenly, scented products from the in-house line RikRak by Kit Kemp.

We all need Wi-Fi, so what’s the word on that?
Strong, free Wi-Fi.

Anything stand out about other services and features?
The little guest-only nooks here provide a new level of privacy and quiet, like the Drawing Room, which has a fireplace and deep, comfy sofas. An entire afternoon can easily be spent here sipping tea and getting lost in a good book.

What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
There's nothing better than making it through a hectic day out and about and coming back to perhaps the city's most perfectly designed (yet supremely comfortable) guest rooms.

Bottom line: worth it, and why?
Aside from being a visual treat, the location is nearly perfect—a quiet block in the heart of SoHo, next to public transportation, but also in the most pleasingly walkable neighborhood you could find, with endless amounts of great restaurants, bars, bookstores, cafés, and shops.