Gautam Balasundar

Sister City

  • Where:
  • Why:A quick stay before an early morning drive to the Poconos.
  • When:November 2019
  • Who:Me, but met up with some friends to explore the restaurant and bars!
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Sister City There's an entrance on Bowery which leads into Floret's outdoor seating...

There's an entrance on Bowery which leads into Floret's outdoor seating...

Sister City ...but slightly hidden in Freemans Alley is the main entrance. It's always fun when it feels like there's something hidden in NYC.

...but slightly hidden in Freemans Alley is the main entrance. It's always fun when it feels like there's something hidden in NYC.

Sister City Plus the alley has some great street art plastered all over, this being the view directly across the entrance. Always take the alternate routes, right?

Plus the alley has some great street art plastered all over, this being the view directly across the entrance. Always take the alternate routes, right?

Sister City Though there a couple of employees to help, you check yourself in on an iPad. This little nook also houses a little shop full of snacks (from organic to Flaming Hot Cheetos), body products, and accessories like phone chargers for sale.

Though there a couple of employees to help, you check yourself in on an iPad. This little nook also houses a little shop full of snacks (from organic to Flaming Hot Cheetos), body products, and accessories like phone chargers for sale.

Sister City The lobby has a few nice seating areas where groups and individuals alike were working and hanging out, which spills into Floret throughout the day.

The lobby has a few nice seating areas where groups and individuals alike were working and hanging out, which spills into Floret throughout the day.

Sister City Following check-in I rushed up to Last Light to get a quick peek of the view before sunset.

Following check-in I rushed up to Last Light to get a quick peek of the view before sunset.

Sister City And then right back down for dinner at Floret, having had my eye on the squash risotto. It didn't disappoint.

And then right back down for dinner at Floret, having had my eye on the squash risotto. It didn't disappoint.

Sister City At this point I should have been in bed ahead of my trip upstate, but late night conversations kept the night going until Floret closed...

At this point I should have been in bed ahead of my trip upstate, but late night conversations kept the night going until Floret closed...

Sister City ...and then Last Light became the move.

...and then Last Light became the move.

Sister City Phil was not thrilled about being outdoors on this windy, frigid night. Back indoors.

Phil was not thrilled about being outdoors on this windy, frigid night. Back indoors.

Sister City Met up with our friend Adrian just as the bar was heating up. This hotel review basically turned into a standard NYC club night. Sleep would have to wait.

Met up with our friend Adrian just as the bar was heating up. This hotel review basically turned into a standard NYC club night. Sleep would have to wait.

Sister City More friends, but time to go. Violet, Kendall, and Phil off to their next adventure - bed time for me.

More friends, but time to go. Violet, Kendall, and Phil off to their next adventure - bed time for me.

Sister City The sink in the middle of the room is a bit strange at first, but I loved the design of it (the beauty light is a nice touch which will be better used by many others, I'm sure).

The sink in the middle of the room is a bit strange at first, but I loved the design of it (the beauty light is a nice touch which will be better used by many others, I'm sure).

Sister City The room is very minimal and fairly small, but the bed was cozy enough for a great sleep.

The room is very minimal and fairly small, but the bed was cozy enough for a great sleep.

Sister City The view I woke up to, right beside my bed. Sunrise over New York to conclude my stay.

The view I woke up to, right beside my bed. Sunrise over New York to conclude my stay.

Highs & Lows

  • Location. Nolita and Soho are right in front of the hotel and the buzzy Lower East Side is behind it, but you can even stay on the Bowery the whole time if you're so inclined. It's also immediately beside the New Museum and staple restaurant Freeman's.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Plastic Free

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 42/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    Hip, minimal, and modern

  • Vibe

    Modern and minimal.

  • Location

    Hard to beat for fans of the more lively side of downtown Manhattan.

  • Rooms

    200

  • Music

    A mix of tunes on the ground floor.

  • Year Opened

    2019

  • Designed By

    Atelier Ace

  • Health & Wellness

    No

  • Restaurant

    Floret, the ground floor restaurant has a selection of rich dishes and cocktails with outdoor seating for warmer weather

  • Bar

    In addition to Floret, the other big draw is Last Light, Sister City's rooftop bar with panoramic views of the NYC skyline

  • Minibar

    None

  • Children

    Yes

  • Price

    Like the location, hard to beat - accessible by New York standards though minimal on the amenities

  • Website

    Visit website

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