The Bowery’s rooms and suites are decorated in a hip combination of old and new, enhancing the appeal of the old-school industrial brick building. Settle into one of the plush antique sofas in the lobby bar and relax by the crackling fire with a craft cocktail; later, enjoy a classic Italian dinner at Gemma, the hotel’s resident trattoria. On sunny days, relax in the courtyard garden and ask the trendy staff for recommendations of the best things to do in the local area that night.

The 17-storey Soho Grand offers magnificent views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows in its newly furnished rooms and suites. Grab breakfast in the vintage diner and then, in the evening, head to Gilligan’s, an indoor-outdoor plant-filled oasis offering island inspired cuisine with an East Coast spin, like pizza and seafood. There are several hip gathering places here; the Grand Bar and Lounge is a cozy nook for cocktails, and the Club Room is a vibrant place to listen to music.

At 11 Howard you’ll find Scandinavian decor is a key part of the hotel’s ethos of conscious hospitality. Add in some New York chic and handmade ceramics and this boutique hotel makes for a fun stay. The Library – with its eclectic furniture and Japanese art – is the place to sift through your emails with a cup of tea, or join others for a pre-dinner cocktail. Dine on refined French cuisine in the elegant Le Coucou restaurant.

In the middle of SoHo, SIXTY hotel boasts rooms with wooden floors, natural textiles, and cushy beds with crisp white linens; you’ll soon feel at home here. Contemporary cuisine with a French influence can be found at signature restaurant Bistrot Leo, while Butterfly’s cozy bar is a great place to relax with a craft cocktail. Alternatively, take your drink up to the rooftop and enjoy the Manhattan lights.

Arlo SoHo Hotel, with its 325 attractively-minimalist guestrooms, is within walking distance of Hudson Square, Tribeca, the West Village and the Hudson River’s walking trails. After exploring the vibrant surrounding neighborhoods, check out in-house Harold’s for some seasonal American cuisine – or the rooftop bar where you can relax with views over Manhattan. There are light-filled common spaces where you can check your email with a coffee, or kick back outside with friends.

NoMo mixes vintage with contemporary in its architecture, decor and art collection. The rooms – which come in a crisp royal blue and white – will be your retreat after a day of exploring SoHo, and the upmarket suites on the 20th to 24th floors are ideal for impressive views of NYC. Head to the indoor-outdoor NoMo Kitchen for upscale American fare with a global influence, and craft cocktails in a plant-filled setting.

Your stay at the iconic Standard hotel starts by passing through an original red-brick tenement building before entering a modern 21-storey glass tower. Euro-chic rooms and common spaces take advantage of the city views while Café Standard provides outdoor dining and has its own indoor mushroom farm. NO BAR, the late-night gay club, draws an inclusive crowd with drag shows and contemporary beats.

PUBLIC Hotel is a neighborhood gathering place as well as a draw for travelers who enjoy a vibrant dining and drinks scene. The three bars here encourage mixing, with community tables and cushy seating, and the rooftop bar has 360-degree views of the city. PUBLIC Kitchen continues the good vibes with creative sharing plates. Get some advice on what to see and do from the t-shirt clad Public Advisors and relax in your hi-tech room with remote-controlled blackout shades.

Straddling Chinatown and the Lower East Side, the Bowery is in a plum spot for exploring SoHo, Little Italy and Brooklyn. Nods to the locale can be found at the in-house curated Chinese art gallery, while rooms come in a modern, sleek white with pops of red and black. For killer views, craft cocktails, and small plates head to the rooftop bar.

Sohotel claims to be the oldest operating hotel in New York City, dating back to 1805. Its budget-friendly standard, deluxe, and premium rooms offer a combination of convenience and artful decoration in this historic brick building. The location is ideal for exploring on foot or by public transport, but you may want to stick around; the first floor houses an art gallery, craft beer pub, organic Italian bistro and wine bar, plus a convivial cocktail bar.