The Best Hotels in Chinatown, New York

Set among the bubble tea shops and spirited markets of Chinatown, 50 Bowery mirrors elements of its cultural surroundings. Bold shades of fortune-symbolizing red is the main palette of the moodily lit hallways, bedside flora and satin cushions, while historic black-and-white photographs of Chinatown create a sharp contrast. The good-luck theme continues with fortune cookies in the lobby, and you’ll likely be thanking your lucky stars when you lay eyes on the plush king-size bed awaiting you in your room. After raiding the minibar, head up to rooftop bar The Crown. Its sleek setting is perfect for reclining with a glass of fizz and admiring city views that stretch out to the horizon.

Dragons, industrial machinery and horn-players hide inside the mural that twists up the facade of the 11 Howard – a physical manifestation of their socially conscious approach. Alongside their collaboration with the student artists who produced the history-inspired artwork, the boutique hotel in Chinatown has made it their mission to give back, with part of their profits going towards the Global Poverty Project. Inside, rooms are stripped back to muted tones, elevated by wooden block-style bedside tables, dusky pink armchairs and brassy golden detailing. Find a dose of feel-good endorphins in the infrared spa, or knock back seasonal cocktails on velvet lip-shaped sofas – overlooked by the menagerie of masked statuettes in the blond bar.

The Walker Hotel Tribeca puts a Golden Age-inspired twist on its former incarnation as a button and ribbon factory. Grab a cold brew or croissant from the bright lobby before descending into the cosy recesses of its mahogany-paneled reception, where you’ll find Art Deco mosaic floors that trail off into secluded library-like seating areas. The white-brick guest rooms are tailored toward the academic aesthetic with chestnut-leather professor chairs, wall-mounted working desks and herringbone wood floors, while a bathroom stocked with C.O. Bigelow products lies behind the farmhouse-style sliding barn doors. When you’re feeling parched, head down to the mysterious underground bar – housed in an old Victorian vault, it’s a much-loved hideaway for Roaring ’20s-inspired cocktails.

Situated just minutes from the Brooklyn Bridge, Hotel Mimosa sits in the beating heart of Chinatown. The interior is a classical reflection of the neighborhood – wander down metallic midnight-blue hallways stamped with Asian floral prints, and into 1950s-inspired rooms with neutral tones, shining sequin pillows and technicolor botanical art. The lobby creates a natural flow from the outside world into the hotel’s cozy setting, with bold red lanterns dangling from the ceiling and complimentary teas and espressos upon arrival. There’s no on-site restaurant, but the enticing aromas of Hong Kong eatery 88 Palace wafting from across the street ensure you won’t go hungry.

A longstanding fixture in the Bowery since 1805, the SoHotel is a product of its storied past as an ever-evolving place of respite. A wide range of restaurants and bars fringe its facade – savor hoppy brews on oak-crafted tables in Randolph Beer, or descend into the ruby-red depths of Escondido for salsa nights and open mics under a mirror-encrusted skull. The entrance to the red-brick boutique hotel hides between creeping greenery sprouting out of stone pots. Venture inside for rooms with flatscreen TVs, pillowy Therapedic mattresses and C.O. Bigelow bath products in their sun-yellow, brick and periwinkle-blue walls.

Set in the buzzing intersection between Chinatown, Little Italy and SoHo, budget-friendly NobleDen is in a prime location for those looking to immerse themselves in the cultural diversity of New York City. Rooms adopt a streamlined style punctuated by earthy toned wallpaper, pops of rainbow-sourced colors and handy amenities such as bedside minibars, extra storage and flatscreen TVs. For sweeping city views and morning coffees on a private terrace, splash out on the expansive king penthouse. And head over to Whiskey Tavern to down one or two picklebacks (whiskey shots chased by pickle juice) and feast on classic bar bites like saucy wings and loaded potato skins.

The towering glass windows of the Nolitan give you a full-blown snapshot of its narrow lobby peppered with leather booths, glowing neon signs and shelves loaded with colorful hardcover books. The lifts will whisk you up to the concrete block rooms with striking black Venetian plaster feature walls, oceanic-green velvet armchairs and rain showers set in glass closets. Treat yourself to a bite from the gourmet minibar or pay a visit to on-site French bistro Cantine Parisienne for a buffet-style breakfast and tender veal escalope dinners. If time is short, you can also hire a complimentary bike or skateboard to see more of the city.

A sound night’s sleep is guaranteed at the Leon Hotel in Chinatown, despite the blaring traffic outside. Amenities such as blackout curtains, soundproof windows and a Keurig coffee machine strike a balance between luxury and practicality. Sweeping views of the World Trade Center and Manhattan Bridge will keep your nose firmly pressed against your window. And when you do wish to explore the city, you’re in luck – Chinatown and the Lower East Side are right on your doorstep.

The entrance to Nomo Soho lies through a succession of rusted arches tangled with creeping ivy and drapings of fairy lights. In contrast to its enchanting forest-like exterior, the hotel features hot-pink-neon signs that lead to traditional royal-blue and white rooms. In each you’ll find cushions with porcelain-style designs, TVs with Google Chromecast for personalized movie nights and Malin + Goetz toiletries awaiting in the marble bathrooms. Restaurant Nomo Kitchen serves up American cuisine with a Mediterranean twist – try the pan-roasted sea bass before retiring to the Library Bar for an intoxicating Cloak and Dagger cocktail (a heady mix of dark rum, fresh lime juice and angostura bitters).