Editors' Picks

The Whitby Hotel

Playful, contemporary, boutique

18 West 56th Street, New York 10019

212 586 5656

See Website

Indagare Adored

At a Glance

The Whitby is a snapshot of whimsy and eclecticism in the heart of Upper Midtown Manhattan; a boutique property from Firmdale Hotels where imagination runs wild and where entering the guest rooms, designed by owner and creative director Kit Kemp, feels a bit like tumbling down Alice’s rabbit hole—in the best way. The unique design and décor come together in a cohesive, artistic fashion. The 86 rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, and many also have private terraces. Despite its distinctly “downtown” personality (which bears a resemblance to its sister property, the Crosby Street Hotel, in SoHo), The Whitby comes with all the perks of its location just off Fifth Avenue, including access to leading galleries and museums (MOMA is three blocks south) and high-end department stores and its proximity to Central Park. There’s also a 130-seat cinema, private event spaces and a fully equipped gym.

**The Standout: **The fanciful design and whimsical vibe

**Don't Miss: **The sightseeing and shopping opportunities right on the Whitby's doorstep

Indagare Loves

  • The unique and playful headboards in every room
  • The Drawing Room, complete with an honesty bar, a bespoke library collection, original art and many more gems
  • The afternoon tea service, available all day

Review

In many ways, the Firmdale-owned Whitby bears resemblance to its downtown sister property in SoHo, the Crosby Street Hotel. However, this boutique hotel on 56th street is unique in that it feels like a small, eclectic hotel but is set in the center of NYC’s bustling Midtown. Located on a street off Fifth Avenue, the hotel is surrounded by some of the city’s leading galleries, museums and luxury department stores, making it an ideal place to stay for those looking to sight-see and shop.

Entering the guest rooms feels like falling down Alice in Wonderland’s rabbit hole. Each room offers its own take on mod design and fanciful imagination. Firmdale Design Director Kit Kemp has an unrivaled knack for pairing seemingly arbitrary décor and fixtures and turning them into full-blown masterpieces. Each of the spacious 86 rooms and suites features floor-to-ceiling windows, and many have private terraces. As an added plus, the suites all feature a free-standing bath, too.

The two-bedroom Whitby Suite encompasses the entire top floor of the hotel, boasting an extensive living room and two furnished terraces. The hotel’s bar and restaurant are open to guests and visitors for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus brunch on the weekends. Additional on-site amenities include a Drawing Room with rows of books and original artwork, a state-of-the-art cinema that can seat up to 130 guests and a fully equipped gym.

Who Should Stay

Design-minded travelers seeking a quirky aesthetic in Midtown.

Written by Caroline Barry

What's Nearby

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