Inside Three New York Boutique Hotels

With tonnes in the millions of concrete and infrastructure reaching skyward on Manhattan’s overcrowded land mass, you’d be forgiven for being overwhelmed by New York City and ultimately playing Russian roulette with the city’s plethora of hotels. But scattered across midtown is a collection of boutique, all connected to each other, that any discerning traveller couldn’t go past.

My trip to New York took me to three stays in the family of boutique accommodations, namely The Dream, The Night and The Stay (sensing a theme?). And as it was the first stop in the city, why not start at the beginning with The Dream? Shall we?

Parked at the upper end of midtown, The Dream is the perfect lodging for those looking to indulge in the up-market. Bathed in an electric-blue light, The Dream stands out on its street corner, situated extremely conveniently close to 5th Avenue and all of its delights (some brands like, oh, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Verdura, Bergdorf Goodman, Chanel) as well as Central Park.

Location wise you can’t beat it, but The Dream seals the deal with its gorgeous interior, right down to the platinum and gold lobby fittings and stylized guest suites. And don’t forget the adjoining bar for a touch of velvet rope glamour.

Next on our list was The Night, this time ten or so blocks south and right around the bend from Times Square but secluded enough to avoid the dawdling tourists and wandering late night crazies. Whereas The Dream grabs the eye with its glowing neon lights, The Night flips the switch and goes for scaled-back black and white minimalism, catching the eye from the thick black doors to the monochrome lobby area. Adorned with vivid black and white still photographs, The Night is like a refined adult escape. Which of course leads to the bedroom with its luxe bed spread and unmissable onyx headboard.

Completing the New York jaunt was a final couplet of evenings at The Stay, also just removed from Times Square. Charming from the start with its silver entrance and colorful reception, The Stay is the perfect synthesis of The Dream’s stylized design and The Night’s sense of chic.

While the room was admittedly handicapped without an engrossing headboard as found at The Night, the hotel has redeeming features in spades, especially with its fantastic restaurant and bar Aspen, which transforms into an after-hours fun-pit for city dwelling New Yorkers. Likewise, the hotel lobby becomes a flour-lit mini disco at night, attracting chill-hunting guests like, well, moths to glowing lights.