Crosby Bar (Image courtesy of Firmdale)
With no shortage of hotels in New York City, choosing where to stay can feel like its own production, especially during New York Fashion Week. When the schedule is packed, and downtown becomes the epicenter of shows, castings, dinners, and after-hours, your hotel is more than a place to sleep, it sets the tone for the week. For your next trip to NYC, we’ve narrowed it down to three standout downtown properties that place you in the middle of it all, without sacrificing character. Whether your taste leans toward sleek, contemporary minimalism or the layered charm of a historic landmark, each offers a distinct atmosphere designed to complement your fashion week rhythm.
Crosby Street Hotel (Image courtesy of Firmdale)
Crosby Street Hotel
Discreetly tucked between Prince, Spring, and Lafayette Streets, Crosby Street Hotel offers a quieter pocket of SoHo that feels worlds away from the surrounding rush. During New York Fashion Week, that balance becomes invaluable. You are steps from the action, yet removed enough to exhale. The arrival is unmistakable. At the entrance, “Crosby the Cat,” Fernando Botero’s monumental bronze, anchors the space and immediately sets the tone. Designed by Kit Kemp, the hotel embraces an eclectic color palette, layered textiles, and a thoughtful mix of contemporary art and collected objects. Works by Anselm Kiefer and Jack Milroy sit comfortably within interiors that feel expressive rather than ornamental. The 86 rooms and suites each carry their own personality, with soaring warehouse-style windows that flood the spaces with natural light. If you are fortunate enough to stay in one of the suites, the experience feels distinctly residential, with generous proportions, skyline views, and granite bathrooms that add a quiet polish. It is the kind of setting that makes returning between shows feel like a reset rather than a stopover. Downstairs, the Crosby Bar serves as a seamless extension of the hotel’s atmosphere, equally suited for a morning coffee before call time or an intimate dinner after a full day downtown. The property has long attracted industry regulars and high-profile guests, drawn to its privacy and character rather than spectacle.
Modern Haus Soho (Image courtesy of Magrino)
ModernHaus
Tucked into SoHo’s constant motion, ModernHaus delivers a clean, contemporary reset. Opened in 2021, the 114-room hotel feels crisp and design-forward, a downtown base that lets the city be the spectacle while the interiors stay refined. Designed by Melissa Bowers, the property nods to the Bauhaus movement through sharp geometry, balanced proportions, and oversized windows that frame sweeping city views. Art is central to the atmosphere, with works by Hans Hartung, Jean Dubuffet, Hans Hofmann, and KAWS giving the spaces a subtle edge, lending the hotel a gallery energy. The bathrooms lean into the sensory side of downtown, stocked with Le Labo Santal 33, a fragrance that has become shorthand for New York’s fashion crowd. Upstairs, Jimmy remains one of SoHo’s enduring nightlife fixtures. With sapphire tones, leather velvet seating, a working fireplace, and wraparound skyline views, it is the kind of space where a quick post-show drink easily turns into a late night. During New York Fashion Week, the location becomes part of its appeal. Close enough to move easily between castings, show venues, and late dinners, yet contained enough to decompress between meetings. ModernHaus strikes a balance that feels practical and polished. Pet-friendly with a 24-hour gym, it caters to guests who move quickly but still want their stay to feel intentional.
Nine Orchard
Set inside a 113-year-old neoclassical landmark in the Lower East Side’s Dimes Square enclave, Nine Orchard carries the architectural presence of old New York with a distinctly contemporary crowd. Formerly a bank, the building’s restoration preserves its grandeur while reimagining it as one of downtown’s most compelling stays. The hotel’s 113 rooms are labeled like classic Manhattan apartments—2A, 4F—a subtle homage to Manhattan living that reinforces its residential spirit. High ceilings and oversized windows give the rooms a sense of scale that feels rare in this part of the city, while the design balances restraint with texture. The Swan Room anchors the social scene, with rich interiors that nod to another era of New York glamour. Just downstairs, Corner Bar serves polished takes on American bistro staples, grounding the property firmly in its neighborhood. During New York Fashion Week, Nine Orchard lets you step into the week’s momentum while returning to a setting that feels intimate and rooted in the Lower East Side’s cultural fabric.
