citizenM New York Bowery
by the TopOfHotel team
citizenM Bowery is the highest-scoring hotel on this list at 8.8/10 — sharp rooms and a genuinely great rooftop.
citizenM Bowery is the highest-scoring hotel on this list at 8.8/10 — sharp rooms and a genuinely great rooftop.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The Smart Rooms at citizenM are built so you run everything from an in-room iPad — the brightness of the lights, the temperature, the window curtains, and the TV. The King-size bed is very soft, the pillows are high quality, and the Rain Shower in the bathroom is the detail guests single out most. The rooms are small but, as more than one review puts it, smart — they feel more upscale than the price suggests. The TV is large with Netflix ready to go. Everything here is technology-first.
Food and amenities
The rooftop bar looks out over Downtown Manhattan, with One World Trade Center clearly in view, and serves cocktails and light food in a relaxed, modern setting. The ground-floor canteen is open 24 hours with coffee, tea, snacks, and light food on hand around the clock — exactly what you want when you roll in late and need something small. Free high-speed Wi-Fi runs throughout, and there is art all over the hotel.
Location and getting there
The Bowery is the best base for exploring Downtown Manhattan — SoHo is a 5-minute walk, Chinatown 8 minutes, NoLiTa 10 minutes, and the Brooklyn Bridge about 20 minutes away. The line 6 subway at Spring St gets you to Midtown fast, and the B, D, F, and M lines at Broadway-Lafayette connect to Brooklyn. The neighborhood is packed with renowned restaurants and cafes.
Things to know before booking
It is pricier than the other options on this list, with rooms starting around $86 a night — higher than the budget picks here, though the quality justifies it. The rooms are compact and there is no large work desk, so it is a tight setup for anyone planning to spread out and work. And the whole place leans design-first and tech-heavy, which is a draw for most but not for travelers who want a roomy, traditional room.
Our take
This is the highest-scoring hotel on the list at 8.8/10, and the score holds up: sharp Smart Rooms, a rooftop bar with a real Downtown view, and a Bowery address that puts SoHo, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side at your feet. If you can stretch the budget a little and you do not need much floor space, it is the most rewarding pick here.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A score of 8.8/10 — the highest on this list.
- Smart Rooms let you control the lights, temperature, curtains, and TV from an in-room iPad.
- The rooftop bar has gorgeous Downtown Manhattan views, One World Trade Center included.
- The Bowery location puts SoHo, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side all within walking distance.
- Very fast free Wi-Fi throughout.
- It is pricier than the other budget options on this list, with rooms starting around $86 a night.
- Rooms are compact and there is no large work desk, so it is a tight fit for anyone planning to spread out and work.
- The design-first, tech-heavy setup leans young and minimal — fine for most, but not for travelers who want a roomy, traditional hotel room.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near New York City
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Insider Tips
- The Rain Shower in the bathrooms is genuinely good — worth trying.
- The ground-floor canteen serves coffee, snacks, and light food 24 hours a day at reasonable prices, handy when you get back late.
- SoHo shopping is a 5-minute walk away — the SoHo Apple Store, Uniqlo, and the big-name brands.