The Whitby Hotel

The Whitby Hotel

Kit Kemp's Whitby is what happens when someone who actually understands color and comfort gets to design a New York hotel. Most Midtown properties play it safe with beige and marble, but Kemp went the opposite direction: saturated colors, bold prints, contemporary art that you'll actually want to look at. The lobby alone has more personality than entire floors of neighboring hotels. The rooms are built for people who plan to do more than just sleep there. Actual space to move around, windows that open, desks positioned where you'd naturally want to sit. The bathrooms have both tubs and walk-in showers, which shouldn't be revolutionary but somehow is in New York. Color schemes lean jewel-toned and confident. If you prefer minimalism, this isn't your hotel. If you're tired of staying in rooms that look identical from Dubai to Dallas, you'll appreciate the difference. The Orangery has a beautiful greenhouse ceiling, and breakfast here is worth waking up for. Proper English breakfast if you want it, but also adapted to what New Yorkers actually eat. Afternoon tea is done seriously without being stuffy about it. The upstairs drawing room works well for evening drinks, especially when you need a break from Midtown's relentless energy. They also have a screening room that shows actual films, not just hotel promotional videos. You're on 56th Street between Sixth and Seventh, which puts you close to everything that matters: Carnegie Hall, Central Park, MoMA, good shopping. It also puts you in the middle of Midtown's office crowd and tourist flow. The Whitby's strength is giving you a place with real character in a neighborhood that desperately needs it. It's not quiet or secluded, but it is interesting, which counts for something.