New York, the city that never sleeps, the Big Apple, the capital of the world. The metropolis that many consider to be the premier urban center of the US is one of the greatest places to stay, not only because of the cornucopia of activities, but because of the diverse range of hotels available.
I’ve stayed at about a dozen properties just in New York alone over the years, but one of that I keep on coming back to because of its location and simplicity is the Sixty LES (formerly known as the Thompson LES).
Now my general rule about finding a hotel in New York is that it’s all about neighborhood. You first choose where you want to spend the majority of your time, and then you figure out where to stay based on that. I just so happen to love downtown Manhattan. The neighborhood bodegas, the small corner stores, and the patchwork of buildings that resembles a “Where’s Waldo” picture makes me happy.
The Sixty LES is situated in an ideal corner of lower Manhattan, right on the corner of Allen and Houston (pronounced How-Sten for all you locals). It’s contemporary, simplistic, and oozes of style. Keep in mind, this is not your regular luxury hotel, this is hip, young, and edgy.
The rooms are bare concrete, and some might argue that it feels a bit cold, but here in lower manhattan, it just feels right. The lightboxes above the beds feature the work of Lee-Friedlander, and the bathrooms are just plain cool looking.
Many of the rooms have views as well, which is tough to find in Manhattan given that every other building is just as tall as the one you’re in. However, in lower Manhattan, the height of the Sixty LES helps it rise above the neighborhood. The property takes full advantage of this benefit through the rooftop patio, named Tiki Tabu. During the summer months it’s open to the outside, where you can lounge on the grass patio while sipping on a tropical drink.
Overall, this is a great place to stay and the neighborhood could keep you occupied for hours. So if you’re looking for a downtown Manhattan spot right in the middle of hipster central, then the Sixty LES is calling your name.
RATING:
Hard Product:
-Location (How close is this to top attractions in the surrounding area?)
10/10
-Cleanliness (Is the grout in the bathroom clean? How good is maid service here?)
8/10
-Upkeep (Is the hotel in need of a remodel, or is it being constantly kept up?)
8/10
-Public Spaces (How unique/inventive/useful are the public spaces?)
9/10
Soft Product:
-Service (How good is the service here?)
8/10
-Restaurants On-Site (Are the restaurants on site somewhere even the locals would go to?)
9/10
-Concierge (Specifically, how effective is the Concierge at helping you with a new locale?)
7/10
TOTAL: 59/70
(35/70 is average)
PROS:
- Wonderful location if you enjoy the neighborhood of lower manhattan
- Interior decor is really unique and contemporary
CONS:
- Could use a bit more upkeep, rooms seem to get a lot of use
SECRETS:
- This hotel has many different room types. Ask for a cheap upgrade once you get there and are checking in. More likely than not they can accommodate you.
