Lobby of the NYC Distrikt Hotel

You could easily make an argument for boutique hotels being my favorite place to stay, hands down. Send me to one of my favorite cities in the world, New York City, and you can make an even stronger argument. I was more than a little excited when the Distrikt Hotel near Times Square offered to host me for a weekend. Being a brand new hotel in New York City, I was even more excited to spend a weekend at the Distrikt.

Walking down West 40th Street in Midtown it can be easy to walk right past the NYC Distrikt Hotel, as it is tucked between a row of other new hotels near Times Square. Part of Choice Hotel’s new Ascend Collection, The Distrikt has a very sleek, contemporary feel that you experience as soon as you approach it, with automatic sliding, modern glass doors that welcome you into the lobby. As a tech nerd, my eyes lit up when sitting beside the lobby window were four brand new Mac desktop computers that were free for guests to use. Accustomed to most hotel business centers that offer a couple PCs, this was a welcome alternative that I had never seen. The lobby was compact, but had a great vibe and there were a couple different groups of people meeting together and enjoying the sitting area when I arrived.

As you walk through the lobby, you pass the elevators and come to the Collage Bistro. This small bistro offers a seating area for enjoying breakfast and a small bar that has an extensive selection of wine, beer and cocktails. Staying in line with the decor and artwork that is found throughout the boutique New York City hotel, the bistro features very contemporary decor and artwork that is representative of the Big Apple.

The most distinguishing characteristic of the Distrikt Hotel in Manhattan is the artwork that highlights the many neighborhoods of New York City. In the lobby you’ll find a unique, 12-foot living wall of Central Park. You really notice the extraordinary artwork when you head to your room. On each floor you’ll find unique collages that highlight a different New York City neighborhood. The artwork highlights the wide-variety of offerings New York City has.

Guest Room at the Distrikt Hotel

The floors of the Distrikt Hotel in New York City have more of the feeling of a condo, with just four rooms on a floor. Ideal for either business travelers or leisure travelers that want Times Square as their base camp, the rooms at the New York City boutique hotel offer the essentials. Rooms include queen, king and double-bed rooms. Not something you’ll find at most top-tier hotels, complimentary wireless Internet access is offered throughout the hotel and in all rooms. The hotel’s turndown service includes complimentary chocolates, as well as a weather card that includes information on upcoming weather in NYC. Other room amenities include 37″ flatscreen HDTVs, work desk with an ergonomic chair and a welcome gift for guests. Rates start at $319 per night.

As a traveler who was spending most of my days and evenings around Manhattan, the Distrikt was a great fit. It offered just what I needed from a hotel, without a lot of the extras that many mainstream hotels provide that I never use. Just a couple blocks from both the subway and Times Square, it provides a central location for a vacationer’s visit to the Big Apple.

My first two nights at the Distrikt were complimentary of the hotel.

Distrikt Hotel
342 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
(888) 444-5610

Photos courtesy of the Distrikt Hotel.