"Manhattan’s oldest street, the Bowery was once synonymous with skid row, but much like the rest of the city, it’s undergone a major overhaul in recent years. Now it’s home to the 229-room Hotel 50 Bowery, set in a gleaming glass building that towers over its low-slung Chinatown neighbors and sits across from the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge. Inside, the vibe is industrial, with cement pillars, exposed brick, and modernist furnishings, but keep your eyes peeled for subtle nods to the neighborhood outside: a retro, pagoda-topped phone booth near the elevators; in-room pieces by local artists André Saraiva, Simone Shubuck, and Lowell Boyers; and even textured plaster walls in blue and white to evoke the palette of traditional Chinese pottery. Rooftop bar the Crown pairs sweeping views of Lower Manhattan with refreshing cocktails (like the lychee-tinged Jade Rabbit) and bar snacks that feel rooted in the culture 21 floors below, including pastrami steamed buns and veggie dumplings." - Jennifer Flowers
