"Why book? For a chic, comfortable place to sleep, plenty of room to work remotely, and a restaurant and bar you’ll want to stay in for. Set the scene: The Motto is in a great part of town for first-time visitors and return business travelers alike. You’re within walking distance to Chelsea’s galleries and the High Line one way, with Madison Square Park and the Flatiron building in the other direction. The surrounding blocks lean residential, but it’s still in Manhattan, meaning there’s plenty to do and see nearby. Guests are a mix of families with elementary-age kids, business trippers, and international tourists sporting designer bags and shades. In the café and sunken lounge, you’ll find 20-somethings typing away on MacBooks, taking full advantage of remote work. The backstory: Opened in December 2021, this is the third Motto property, following locations in Philadelphia and Washington D.C., and is considered the flagship property. The Hilton brand is designed for younger travelers and those returning to business travel, which means smaller, but plenty functional, rooms, and lots of communal space to meet with friends or colleagues and work. A second New York location is in the works for Times Square, as well as a Motto in Indianapolis. The rooms: The rooms are small but maximized to the absolute fullest: think cutouts on either side of the bed to hold luggage, a small seating area and desk-meets-nightstand next to the bed, hooks on the wall in place of a closet, and a vanity outside the bathroom to allow for a roomier walk-in shower and more counter space to hold toiletries. Mirrors and floor-to-ceiling windows open up the space, and there are outlets galore. Get a south-facing room to look out towards One World Trade Center and the Statue of Liberty, and know that the views are best from floor 15 and up. The different room styles accommodate whatever group you’re traveling with—book a king bed or one with two doubles, or go for the three-connecting configuration with room for seven, and a fold-up bed that doubles as a central living area. Food and drink: When you’re in New York, eating at the hotel can feel like a waste of a meal, but Bar Cicchetti is worth staying in for. The Italian restaurant is helmed by Fabio Viviani, a restaurateur and Top Chef alum. Both the restaurant and the bar seemed to be as much a gathering spot for locals as it was hotel guests, and with unique cocktails, an extensive wine list, and delicious shared plates and family style dishes on offer (don’t skip the ricotta toast as an app), it’s easy to see why. In the morning, the coffee bar is open with coffee, pastries, breakfast bowls, and sandwiches, and the restaurant space doubles as the breakfast seating area. The neighborhood/area: You’re right between Chelsea and Flatiron—it’s a 15-minute walk to the High Line, a five-minute walk to Madison Square Park, and close to both Eataly and Chelsea Market. Slightly further afield is Hudson Yards, which is still just a half hour walk away (and of course, the subway makes everything else easily accessible). The service: Casual but very welcoming; when I visited just a few months after opening, staff were curious if I was a local and how I had heard of the property. “Motto Hosts” are on hand to offer recommendations for what to do in the city and neighborhood. For families: While there’s no pool or kids’ programming, it’s still very much a family-friendly hotel. The connecting rooms were built with families and groups in mind, and include a mix of room setups: one set of rooms I saw included one king room, a central room with a king fold-up bed that leaves a couch below when folded up, and one bunk bed with a double underneath and a single up top. There’s even a room setup with two bunk beds for all the little ones to pile into. Each room has its own bathroom, too. Eco effort: The Motto follows suit with Hilton’s efforts to reduce energy use: housekeeping is only scheduled if you ask, bathrooms are stocked with large toiletries instead of mini bottles, and extra towels are available upon request. Accessibility: ADA guidelines are met—the entrance, concierge desk and registration desk, and hotel restaurant are accessible by a level entrance, and the exercise facility and co-working space can be reached by elevator. Guest rooms have front and bathroom doors that provide 32 inches of clear width, and grab bars in the shower. Audible and visual alerts are in place in the common spaces, including elevators. Anything left to mention? Pay attention to the decor: Designed by Stonehill Taylor, a local architecture and interior design firm, the hotel pays homage to its 24th Street location in more ways than you might initially notice. There’s the blue gradient headboards, meant to signify 24 hours in a day; 24-bit color depth used everywhere from the kaleidoscopic ceiling entryway installation to the colorful artwork, books, and rugs throughout the hotel; and a mix of brass and chrome finishes on the light fixtures, art, and more, symbolizing Chromium, the 24th element on the periodic table, and 24-karat gold." - Madison Flager
