Hotels in the East Village are few and far between, so trying to pick out the best hotels in East Village NYC is a fairly easy task, as there is only a handful of them. If you are keen on staying in the village, you have limited options where hotels are concerned. However, a good idea would be to check out hotels in the nearby neighborhoods of Union Square, Lower East Side, or Grammercy which are only a short walk away, to give you a wider choice. We’ve zeroed in on some of the best hotels in East Village NYC and these nearby areas to help narrow down your choices.
East Village paints the quintessential image of New York City with its skyscrapers, graffiti-strewn walls, and a healthy mix of people. From suit-clad businessmen to punks and grannies sharing the same sidewalk space, East Village is a mixed bag of cultures. Similar to the West Village, the area was once the popular hub of artists, musicians, and hippies. However, the gentrification of the neighborhood has given East Village a whole new character.
If you’re looking for a good place to have a meal, the area around Alphabet City and Tompkins Square Park has a lot to offer. You’ll find some cool boutiques east of Bowery and the streets below Houston St. Although East Village is relatively quiet during the day, the night is when the neighborhood comes to life, giving it a whole new persona.
On unrelated note, check out our list of best hotels in Hell’s Kitchen and Upper West Side as well!
The Gatsby Hotel
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For someone on a budget looking for a hotel in a good location near East Village, the Gatsby Hotel is your best bet. The hotel is located on the border of East Village and the Lower East Side along Houston Street. It’s a quieter area from most touristy neighborhoods but it’s not too far away either. The nightlife is pretty good here but if you’re looking for something more vibrant it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Bowery area of East Village. If you’re interested in exploring the other great attractions of New York, then the subway is just a block away.
In 2016, the hotel underwent a major renovation to transform it into an affordable, yet stylish accommodation. Guest rooms are small but clean and pleasant with air-conditioning and standard amenities. The bathrooms are also small but modern with shower/tub combos in all rooms. For the price you pay don’t expect any extras outside the room. The Gatsby Hotel is a great place to rest your tired head after a day of sightseeing or business.
The Standard East Village
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The Standard, East Village has emerged as one of the best hotels in East Village NYC after a major renovation. Although its sister property in the West Village enjoys an enviable location and stands out as one of the best hotels in West Village, the hotel this side of town has a cooler vibe. It attracts a relatively younger crowd because of its proximity to many hip bars and restaurants. Another reason why the younger crowd prefers the hotel is because of the vibrant, artistic neighborhood. Just beside the hotel is the popular all-inclusive NO Bar.
The 21-story tower that houses the hotel belies the charming, cozy interiors. The guest rooms are bright with floor-to-ceiling windows providing great views of the surroundings. However, the Standard rooms are quite small even by New York standards. Studios are more spacious with an area of 430-600 square feet. Stylish en suite bathrooms feature either a glass-enclosed shower or bath/shower combo. All rooms come equipped with standard amenities.
You won’t find any big amenities outside the room but The Standard does have some good dining and entertainment options. A music series Annie O’s, hosted in the Penthouse of the hotel, showcases national and international musicians. For something to eat or drink, guests can head to Cafe Standard. From homegrown mushrooms to signature cocktails and snacks, the Cafe is a good place to spend the evening. Alternatively, guests who prefer a quieter time can head to The Garden.
Moxy East Village
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One of the best hotels in East Village NYC with that extra oomph is the Moxy East Village. Like most of the Moxy brand of hotels, there’s something endearingly different about this property too. Located right in the heart of East Village, the hotel pays tribute to the various eras that the area passed through with various floors dedicated to these past times.
The 286 hi-tech guest rooms are big on comfort with a wide range of room types to choose from. Families can opt for the Quad room or a Double-Double. All rooms have over-sized industrial-style windows and come equipped with several amenities. Guests can even request retro-style turntables for their bedrooms along with a curated vinyl collection.
One of the best things about Moxy East Village is the multiple dining venues. The Alphabet Bar & Cafe is a great place to mingle throughout the day. It features a lounge, cafe, bar, and an outdoor terrace. A level below the cafe is Cathédrale, a French-Mediterranean fusion restaurant that features a grand dining room. You’ll also find a low-key rooftop bar and a late-night lounge, Little Sister. Added to all this is Suite Jane, a multi-functional room that can be booked for private parties. Hotel guests also receive discounts to several local hot spots.
East Village Hotel
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Not surprisingly, the East Village Hotel is right in the heart of East Village close to all the action. The hotel is surrounded by bars, shops, and restaurants while the historic Tompkins Square Park is just a five-minute walk away. To get to other parts of the city, the Astor Place underground station is a 10-minute walk from here.
The hotel features studio suites, each with a well equipped in-room kitchen. The rooms are tastefully designed with large windows, exposed brick walls, and polished wood floors. All rooms come outfitted with extra amenities for a comfortable stay. Apart from a coffee shop on the ground floor, there are no other extras to look forward to at the hotel. However, with so many dining and drinking options at your doorstep, you won’t miss much.
Sister City New York
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Another great affordable hotel near East Village is Sister City. Located in the Bowery area of Lower East Side, the hotel puts you within easy reach of some of the city’s best nightlife, dining, and shopping. You’ll also find a subway stop on the same block as the hotel so commuting to other NYC attractions is fairly simple. Right beside the hotel, you’ll also find the New Museum to which hotel guests get a discount.
The hotel’s chic design provides a good photo op. Retro white columns, honey-stained wood, and high ceilings define most of the public spaces at the hotel giving it a stylish yet minimalist design. Guest rooms are quite small even by NYC standards but clever use of space and floor to ceiling windows make them feel larger than they actually are. You’ll find plenty of hi-tech elements in the rooms but no extras such as robes or slippers.
Sister City is a great hotel to get away from all the noise and its Last Light Bar on the 11th floor provides just that. This chilled-out spot with its indoor and outdoor seating is popular with guests and locals who pop in for an after-work drink. There’s also an all-day restaurant, Floret, on the ground floor and a 24-hour fitness center.
Hyatt Union Square
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One of the best hotels in East Village NYC, for those wanting to be right in the midst of all the action, is the Hyatt Union Square. It’s not exactly inside East Village but on the border of East Village and Union Square. However, the area Fourth Avenue and East 13th street on which the hotel lies is one of the busier areas of Manhattan. You’ll find plenty of bars, shops, and restaurants in the area. Just outside the hotel’s doors is the L subway line which gives you easy access to other vibrant areas of the city.
You can look forward to some stylish accommodations at this high-end hotel. Guest rooms feature hardwood floors, imported Italian furniture, and oversized windows which let in plenty of natural light. The rooms are quite spacious with several amenities such as a flat-screen TV, robes and slippers, minifridge, coffee maker, and Pharmacopia argan oil bath toiletries. Some rooms and suites also feature private terraces.
Other amenities that you can look forward to at the Hyatt are a great restaurant, Bowery Road that serves seasonally-prepared dishes, and an extensive cocktail bar, The Library of Distilled Spirits. The hotel also has space for private events and meetings.
Hotel Indigo
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Hotel Indigo is an affordable, artsy hotel in the Lower East Side neighborhood, just south of East Village. The hotel’s location on Ludlow Street puts you in proximity to multiple restaurants and bars. The Tenement Museum is just a little over a five-minute walk from here while the New Museum is double that time. Commuting to other parts of the city is also fairly easy via the subway which is about a three-minute walk from the hotel.
The hotel’s lobby sits on the 14th floor. It’s a bright, open space with numerous floor-to-ceiling windows providing gorgeous views. This area is characterized by high ceilings, vintage-chic furniture, and red brick walls. It’s a bustling area with a steady flow of people throughout the day. Guest rooms are spacious and chic with large, colorful murals and smart neutral tones. You’ll find several amenities in the room from minibars to Keurig coffeemakers and robes. The en suite bathrooms are also quite spacious with walk-in showers and CO Bigelow toiletries.
One of the more popular venues of the hotel is the rooftop bar, Mr. Purple on the 15th floor. Apart from the fantastic views, the bar serves some great cocktails and locally sourced food. Another popular spot exclusively for hotel guests is the heated rooftop pool. For breakfast favorites or wine and snacks, head to the Lobby Bar & Cafe. There’s also a 24-hour business center and a fitness center.
The Ridge Hotel
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Located on East Houston, at the intersection of East Village, the Bowery, and the Lower East Side is the Ridge Hotel, a great place to use as a base. East Houston is a major thoroughfare so if you’re looking for a bit of quiet you won’t find it here. Instead, you’ll find plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops within a few blocks of the hotel. Right across the street from the hotel is a subway stop that provides easy access to other parts of the city.
Formerly known as Hotel East Houston, the name changed with a change of ownership. A change in ownership also resulted in the hotel renovating its space. Guest rooms come outfitted with signature amenities such as in-room WiFi, Bluetooth radio clock, a flat-screen TV, and an in-room safe. The rooms are clean and comfortable but quite compact. There are not many amenities outside the room except for a rooftop terrace that serves food and beverages.
Sixty Les Hotel
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If you decide to stay at the Sixty Hotel in the Lower East Side, you’ll be steps away from some of the trendiest places to dine and drink. For those interested in the nightlife you’ll find a slew of dive bars and cocktail lounges close by. Two minutes away from the hotel is Sunshine Cinemas, a popular venue for indie films. The heart of East Village is also a short walk up First Avenue. For those wanting to explore other parts of the city, several subway stops are also within easy walking distance from the hotel.
The slick hotel is a testament to the positive transformation of the area. Guest rooms are spacious with floor to ceiling windows and extremely comfortable beds. Some rooms also feature outdoor spaces. Since the hotel towers above the other buildings in the area, guest rooms offer some great views.
A popular space in the hotel is the Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya restaurant, which is renowned for sourcing fish from Japan every day. There’s also a southern-inspired beer garden Blue Ribbon Kanpai where you can enjoy barbecue food or some great brews. After dark head to Tiki Tabu, a tropical bar-cum-nightclub. Besides the dining options, guests can also unwind at the rooftop pool that has an image of Andy Warhol at the bottom or indulge in some pampering at the sauna and spa. Perhaps one of the best spa hotels in NYC?
W New York
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It’s a 10-minute walk to the East Village bars from the W Union Square so if you’re looking for upmarket accommodation in the vicinity, this is as good as it gets. Located on the northeast corner of Union Square, the hotel is in a fairly quiet neighborhood near a park. Union Square also has several notable establishments such as the famed Barnes & Noble bookstore and Regal movie theater besides plenty of shopping. You’ll also find a major subway station in the area.
The W chain of hotels is renowned for its great service and style and the one in Union Square is no different. Large windows, sleek interiors, and comfortable public areas define the hotel. Spacious guest rooms come outfitted with several high-end amenities. The Wow suites are a clear standout with 1,000 square feet of luxurious space.
Although the hotel lacks an onsite spa, guests can avail of in-room treatments. The W also has a great fitness center with high-end machines and a good business center. For dining, guests can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at the onsite restaurant, Irvington, or enjoy small bites and cocktails at the Living Room.
The Bowery
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The Bowery Hotel is one of the best hotels in East Village, located at the edge of the village on a street with the same name. The Bowery is a mile-long avenue in Lower Manhattan that was once avoided for its reputation of being a haven for drug addicts and homeless people. Nowadays, however, the street is renowned for its trendy vibe, similar to that of SoHo with lively eateries and boutiques adding a different hue to the once-shunned area. The hotel is a great place to base yourself if you’re looking to explore Manhattan with the Bleecker Street metro station a short walk away.
The 17-story Bowery Hotel looks down on much of the low-rise East Village, providing guests with some great views from the rooms. The hotel lobby is quite striking with its Gothic arched fireplace and shabby-chic vintage furniture, complete with velvet upholstered chairs and intricate tapestries on the walls. Huge factory-style windows flood the guest rooms with natural light and also provide great views of the surroundings. Rooms are bright and ultra-luxurious with dark wood furnishings and a host of modern amenities such as 40-inch LED flat screens, free Wi-Fi, iPod stereos, and coffee and tea facilities.
The trendy Italian trattoria, Gemma, on the ground floor is a destination in itself, attracting locals and guests. Although there is no spa or pool at the hotel, a small gym with free weights and several other exercise machines is adequate for those looking to work up a sweat.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in East Village:
- New York Speakeasy Cocktail Tour – On this happy hour tour you’ll get to sample some of the best libations mixed with tales of speakeasies and gangsters. You’ll also find the best tucked-away places to enjoy a drink in East Village.
- Food Tasting and Washington Square Park Walking Tour – Greenwich Village is a haven for foodies with many iconic eateries in the area. Sample some of the best food that the area has to offer on this walking tour which culminates with a tour of Washington Square Park.
Recommended Activities In East Village:
- East Village Rock ‘n’ Roll Walking Tour – East Village is where rock ‘n’ roll and a whole new genre of music emerged. Music aficionados will love this two-hour walking tour of the East Village and other nearby neighborhoods as they explore the music scene from the 60s to the present.
- East Village TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour – Many popular TV shows and films have been shot in East Village. On this tour, you’ll get a chance to visit most of these locations.