New hotels in New York City

Five of the most exciting new openings, from art-filled landmarks to emerging new districts

11 Howard

11 Howard, SoHo

Art is the buzzword at the newly unveiled 11 Howard, which opened at the beginning of the month in Manhattan’s SoHo neighbourhood. Owner Aby Rosen curated the 211-room hotel’s impressive art collection, which starts on the outside with one wall sporting a huge mural created by emerging artists from the local Groundswell Group under the supervision of Jeff Koons. Inside reception, guests are greeted by one of Alexander Calder’s iconic mobiles, Untitled 1977. Created with the help of Danish design firm Space Copenhagen, the look is Scandi-chic with metal, wood, felted wool and velvet dominating the interiors and public spaces. Chef, Daniel Rose, will be manning the stoves of the hotel’s Le Coucou Restaurant when it opens in May.

11 Howard, 11 Howard Street (001 212 235 1111; designhotels.com). Doubles from $220, room-only.

Renaissance Midtown New York

Renaissance Midtown New York

Midtown Manhattan’s garment district has been enjoying something of a renaissance so it’s fitting that the latest outpost of Marriott's niche brand opened in the neighbourhood in March. It has a decidedly modernist feel; on entering the 348-room hotel’s entrance, guests are greeted with an interactive digital tapestry triggered by human movement. The fifth floor also features a huge terrace with views of the forest of skyscrapers and a retractable roof for when the mercury starts to rise.

Renaissance Midtown, 218 West 35^th Street (001 212 239 0014; renhotels.com). Doubles from $300, room only.

Boro Hotel's café

Boro Hotel Long Island City

It’s not just the wide-angle views of Manhattan that appeal at the Boro Hotel, which opened last year in the intriguingly named Dutch Kills neighbourhood of Long Island City. This is one of New York’s most hotly tipped micro 'hoods and it’s a short hop across the East River to Midtown Manhattan. The look here is evolved industrial chic with concrete, pale white oak wooden floors, steel windows and collaborations with a number of leading designers such as Jasper Morrison. The theme continues throughout the 108 rooms - the ones to book are the west facing Manhattan View Rooms.

Boro Hotel, 38-28 27^th Street, Long Island City (001 718 433 1375; borohotel.com). Doubles from $299, room only.

A guestroom at 1 Hotel Central Park

1 Hotel Central Park

It’s a case of bringing the outside in at the 1 Hotel, which couldn’t be better placed for springtime strolls in Central Park. This self-styled, environmentally-conscious hotel opened last year one block from Manhattan’s verdant green lung. Outside there’s three-story living wall of potted English Ivy on the outside, while reclaimed wood, exposed brick walls, natural materials, hemp mattresses and soft, neutral hues set the tone for the décor this nature-centric 229-room hotel. Last month, the top floor, two-bedroom Greenhouse Suite was unveiled with its panoramic views of the park. Guests also get a tree planted in their honour. The ground floor Jams restaurant is headed up by James Beard award-winner, Jonathan Waxman, an exponent of seasonal, Californian cuisine and there’s a lobby farm stand selling seasonal snacks, fruit and treats. Next up is the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge later this year.

1 Hotel Central Park, 1414 Avenue of the Americas (001 212 703 2001; 1hotels.com). Doubles from $499, room only.

The Beekman

The Beekman, Lower Manhattan

One of Manhattan’s most hotly anticipated hotels, The Beekman, will finally be opening its doors in June. Set in Lower Manhattan near One World Trade Center, the distinctive, turreted, Queen Anne-style landmark building dates from 1881 with a soaring, nine-storey internal atrium. Part of the Thomson Hotels stable, its 287 rooms and public spaces have been done by the go-to designer of the moment, London-based, Martin Brudnizki. Catering will be taken care of by two of Manhattan’s hospitality heavyweights; Tom Colicchio and Keith McNally, which will only reinforce is its status as the island’s hottest new arrival.

The Beekman, A Thomson Hotel, 5 Beekman Street (001 855 523 3562; thebeekman.com). Doubles from $619, room only.