New York isn't one experience.
It can be energetic and iconic, tucked-away and residential, fashion-forward and downtown, or grand and glamorous. And one of the easiest ways to shape which version of the city you experience is where you choose to stay.

Recently, Liz Foster & Amberley Dough, Travel Advisors with NLT, had the opportunity to experience three of Firmdale's New York properties & the Waldorf Astoria New York.

The Whitby, Crosby Street Hotel, and Warren Street Hotel. Followed by a stay at the newly reimagined Waldorf Astoria New York.

What stood out wasn't simply how different the hotels were. It was how much the neighborhood, design, and overall personality of each property changed the feel of the trip.

If You Want the New York Icons → Stay in Midtown

The Whitby

For a first trip to New York, location can make all the difference. The Whitby sits just off Fifth Avenue on West 56th Street, putting some of the city's most recognizable sights within easy reach. Central Park, MoMA, Fifth Avenue shopping, Broadway and Midtown.

But despite being in the heart of it all, The Whitby doesn't feel like a typical Midtown hotel. The atmosphere is intimate and residential, with colorful, eclectic interiors that feel distinctly Firmdale rather than corporate or conventional.

We were particularly impressed by the entry level rooms, which feel generous by New York standards and make the hotel an especially appealing choice for travelers who want both personality and convenience.

Our take: The Whitby is perhaps the most versatile of the three Firmdale properties. It's an easy fit for first-time visitors, couples, theatergoers, shoppers, or anyone who wants to spend their days exploring the city and come back to a hotel that feels like a retreat from the energy outside.

If You Want the New York That Feels a Little Cooler → Go Downtown

Crosby Street

If Midtown feels like classic New York, SoHo feels like the city's more effortlessly cool side, and Crosby Street Hotel puts you right in the middle of it.

The hotel is tucked away on Crosby Street (no surprise there) , surrounded by some of the city's best shopping, restaurants, galleries and fashion. Yet once inside, it feels surprisingly removed from the energy of SoHo. The interiors are unmistakably Firmdale: layered, colorful, playful and full of personality.

This was our favorite of the three properties, and one of the things that stood out most was how well the hotel captures the character of its neighborhood. It feels distinctly New York without trying too hard to be “New York.”

Our take: Crosby Street is particularly well suited to repeat visitors or travelers who are less interested in checking off the traditional sights and more interested in experiencing New York through its restaurants, shops, galleries and neighborhoods. If the ideal New York trip involves wandering SoHo, finding a great restaurant and spending an afternoon shopping, this is the one we'd have at the top of the list.

If You Want to Slow Things Down → Tribeca

Warren Street

Tribeca offers a completely different pace. The neighborhood feels residential and understated, with cobblestone streets, excellent restaurants and a quieter atmosphere than nearby SoHo or Midtown. Warren Street Hotel is Firmdale's newest New York property, and the design feels fresh, whimsical and distinctly modern while still carrying the personality that defines the brand.

Rather than choosing Warren Street because it's close to a particular collection of tourist attractions, we'd choose it because you want to experience a different side of New York.

It's a particularly compelling option for repeat visitors who have already done the major sights and want a neighborhood that feels more local and relaxed. It also works well for travelers who value a quieter hotel environment but still want easy access to everything downtown has to offer.

Our take: Warren Street is less of an obvious choice for a first-time visitor, but for someone who already knows New York, or specifically wants the residential charm of Tribeca, it can be a wonderful fit.

And If the Hotel Itself Is Part of the Trip...

Waldorf Astoria

Then there is the Waldorf Astoria, which offers an entirely different interpretation of New York luxury.

After experiencing Firmdale's intimate, design driven boutique hotels, the Waldorf felt decidedly grander. The recently completed renovation manages to preserve the glamour and history that made the Waldorf iconic while giving the property a fresh, modern feel.

This is the kind of hotel where the property itself becomes part of the experience and the price point reflects that. The architecture, history, service and sense of occasion all contribute to the stay, making it particularly well suited to special celebrations or travelers who want a more traditional definition of luxury.

One detail we especially loved for families: the Waldorf offers two queen junior suites, a room configuration that can be surprisingly difficult to find in the luxury category in New York. For families who want to stay together without compromising on the hotel experience, that's a meaningful thing to note.

Our take: Firmdale is about personality, design and a more intimate boutique experience. The Waldorf is about grandeur, history, service and the feeling of staying somewhere truly iconic. Neither is inherently better, they're simply very different ways to experience New York.

The Part Travelers Don't Always Consider

When choosing a New York hotel, the most expensive room isn't automatically the best room, and the most luxurious hotel isn't automatically the best fit.

One of our biggest takeaways from the Firmdale properties was that the hotels are particularly strong in their entry level room categories. By New York standards, the rooms feel surprisingly generous, with large windows, plenty of natural light, comfortable beds and the distinctive design that makes Firmdale so memorable.

In other words

You don't necessarily need to book the most expensive room to get the best experience.

Where we think it is worth taking a closer look is when you start moving into the suite categories. At those price points, we would recommend letting your advisor compare the overall room, service and amenities with other luxury hotels in New York. In our experience, there are properties where the additional investment may deliver a more substantial suite or a higher level of service.

That's ultimately what we look for when recommending a hotel: not simply whether we like it, but whether the experience makes sense for that particular traveler and that particular trip.

So, Which New York Are You Looking For?

There is no single “best” hotel in New York. The right choice depends on how you want to experience the city.

First trip + want to see the icons → The Whitby
Midtown convenience, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Broadway and an intimate boutique atmosphere.

SoHo + food, fashion & downtown energy → Crosby Street Hotel
A stylish downtown base for travelers who want to experience the city through its neighborhoods, restaurants and shopping.

Repeat visitor + quieter neighborhood → Warren Street Hotel
A residential Tribeca setting for travelers who want to slow down and experience a different side of downtown.

Grand luxury + history & service → Waldorf Astoria New York
For travelers who want the hotel itself to be part of the New York experience, particularly for special occasions or a more traditional luxury stay.