New York may be “the city that never sleeps,” but if you’re visiting here, chances are you’re going to have to get a few winks in between your day's sightseeing and nights out on the town. From the gothic halls of the Cloisters in Washington Heights to the sun-kissed boardwalks of Coney Island–and everywhere in between–New York City is a place like no other. So, it makes sense when staying here to choose a hotel experience as unique as the city you’re visiting.
With more than 80 hotels operating within the boundaries of the theater district, most have names that are easily recognizable, which means you’ll have a solid and competent stay. But you’re staying in New York and you want something more than ordinary, right?
Midtown Manhattan has a number of unique hotels, each with its own distinct personality. We’ve put together a list of 5 of our favorite unique hotel experiences near the theater district.
The Civilian
305 West 48th Street
The newest hotel on this list is also the most Broadway-specific. Located on 48th Street, this hotel was built with Broadway fans in mind. Designed by architect and set designer David Rockwell, The Civilian embraces the neighborhood’s theatrical roots at every turn. Fans of the Great White Way won’t want to miss the hotel bar that boasts a collection of original set models and props from some of Broadway’s biggest hits.
The Hard Rock
159 W 48th St
Located between Times Square and Radio City Music Hall, this new addition to the Hard Rock Hotel chain pays loving homage to many of the famed musical acts who have graced New York’s many stages. Sports fans will love the hotel’s New York Yankees-inspired NYY Steakhouse. Dog owners will love the hotel’s pet-friendly policy. And the 34th-floor rooftop bar has both north- and south-facing views of Manhattan.
Ink 48
653 11th Ave
A bit off the beaten track into Manhattan's edgy Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood stands the Ink 48 Hotel. Once a theatrical print house owned by Joseph Henry Tooker, son of a brash former newspaperman who took charge of a theatrical printing company after years of managing the Winter Garden Theatre and other venues of Victorian New York. Have dinner at a four-star farm-to-table restaurant Print before your show, and enjoy a nightcap at the rooftop bar with its uninterrupted view of both Times Square and the Hudson River.
The Algonquin
59 W 44th St
It’s safe to say that no hotel in New York is more New York than The Algonquin. Located between Times Square and Bryant Park, this turn-of-the-century gem was built in 1902 and is filled with over 100 years of eccentricities. A favorite haunt of Gotham’s early 20th-century literati, The Algonquin was home to the notorious “vicious circle” of writers who frequented the hotel for lunch every day from 1919 to 1929. In 1929, Round Table member Harold Ross won a handsome sum of money playing poker at The Algonquin, which he spent on creating the magazine The New Yorker.
Margaritaville Times Square
560 7th Ave
Walking passed the giant fiberglass sandal into this beach-themed hotel located a few blocks south of the crossroads of the world, you might think to yourself, “Is this place in on the joke?” Luckily, it is. From the “Statue of Liberty” that hoists a giant video margarita glass in lieu of a torch to its Key West-inspired beach hut bars, this place is an uninterrupted kitsch-fest. Families will love the kid-friendly fare. And on hot days, hotel guests can enjoy the only outdoor pool in Times Square.