Moxy Lower East Side review: This trendy downtown New York hotel won't break the bank
Like the surrounding neighbourhood, Moxy Lower East Side is a go-to urban hotel for trendy clientele... but it won't break the bank
Highlights
- Downtown location
- Cool, quirky interior design
- Clever use of space
- Friendly staff
- Rooftop bar
- 24-hour fitness centre
Moxy Lower East Side Review
Nestled among New York's eclectic SoHo and Chinatown is Moxy Lower East Side, one of the latest additions to join the Moxy family in NYC - a subsidiary of Marriott which prides itself on being playful, affordable, and stylish. Much like the surrounding neighbourhood, Moxy Lower East Side is a go-to urban hotel for trendy clientele, though unlike some of its Manhattan competitors, it won't break the bank.
Step through the glass doors and onto the catwalk-style entrance which spans the length of the lobby. Bold colours and a funky mirrored wall bring a splash of pop art to the vivid patterns and metallic detailing of the Art Deco-infused interior design. Overhead, trailing greenery is interspersed between grand chandeliers, a giant bear sculpture stands proudly beside the bar area, while a neon sign confirms to guests: "This is where the magic happens".
Check-in is best done at the desk, rather than the self-service touchscreens which are better suited to those seeking a speedy checkout.
But this is a great opportunity to speak to the friendly staff who, although willing to answer any questions and chat about their favourite local hotspots, aren't overbearing during the stay. Given how new the hotel is, some of the staff are still training, and as a result, we did experience a few admin bumps along the way.
Though the lobby area is bustling, with locals and guests enjoying the bar and coffee shop, as well as adjoining restaurant Sake No Hana and the rooftop bar, security is clearly a priority. As well as a 24-hour doorman, lift access to higher floors is only possible with a valid room key. On the way to the lifts, why not stop and grab a handful of sweets from the candy dispensers?
The eclectic style and whimsy continue along the winding hallways of guest floors, with wallpaper dotted with cartoons of skateboarding girls. And instead of your typical room number plaques, Moxy Lower East Side guides guests to their home-away-from-home with wall-mounted light fixtures.
The Rooms
Rating: 4/5
There are 303 carefully planned rooms, which though small, make incredible use of the space. For our stay, we checked into a King City View room which, if you're willing to spend a little more, is well worth it to root you firmly in the heart of the Big Apple.
If you want to splash out, the Corner King City View and Executive City View rooms offer the best vistas of the sprawling metropolis below.
Jewel tones and gold fixtures give a nod to the old-world glamour of Bowery's Vaudeville theatres, while the toilet and walk-in, rain shower are hidden away behind Art-Deco-style glass doors.
One of the first things you may notice when you open the door is the crimson sink and Hollywood-style vanity mirror. While it might seem unusual to have a sink in the bedroom, this is all part of Moxy's efforts to get the most out of the compact space.
Jewel tones and gold fixtures give a nod to the old-world glamour of Bowery's Vaudeville theatres
The shower and toilet are tucked away in two cubicles, while wall-mounted railings add character to the room, as well as providing somewhere to hang garments.
Built-in compartments beneath the bed are perfect for storing suitcases and there's even a charming, fold-out desk for those who need to catch up on work.
Although there are no tea- and coffee-making facilities within the room, the hotel offers free, unlimited coffee in the lobby each morning from 7am.
Rooms also feature built-in USB plug sockets, a hairdryer and a steamer. There's also a laundry bag should you need some last-minute dry cleaning, though this is at an additional charge.
Dining and Drinking
How does Moxy Lower East Side compare to other trendy hotels?
Rating: 3.5/5
You'll probably notice the wacky bar and cosy coffee shop area located in the hotel lobby, but Moxy Lower East Side has more dining and drinks spots than meets the eye.
The Fix is the hotel's all-day café, where we enjoyed breakfast to go each morning. There are an array of pastries to choose from - the almond croissant is a particularly sweet way to start the day - well as healthy options such as the avocado and egg bowl.
However, if you're looking for a more hearty start to the day, this isn't the spot for you.
And though there is free coffee for guests in the lobby each morning, The Fix also serves up speciality coffees and teas.
If you're after something a little harder, the hotel bar is located in the same offers a selection of wines, beers and hand-crafted cocktails.
Settle into a seat at the marble bar, or sink into one of the surrounding mismatched sofas and armchairs. Or, challenge your travel partner to a game of table shuffleboard.
As daylight turns to dusk, head upstairs to The Highlight Room, the hotel's luxe, modern rooftop bar.
This is a major hotspot for locals and visitors alike and can get busy well into the night.
Luckily, hotel guests get priority from 5pm to 9pm, which is right on time for happy hour (Tuesday through Saturday). Lush greenery hangs overhead, the bar area glows beneath curving tube lights and antique mirrors and from the corner, a DJ pumps out mixes of chart hits, getting patrons ready to party.
Head out to the viewing terrace to watch the sun go down and the city begin to sparkle. Or soak up the pastel hues from inside thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Back on the ground, Moxy Lower East Side is also home to a few other bars and restaurants, though we didn't experience any of these first-hand.
Sake No Hana is the hotel's sleek Japanese restaurant with menu features including black truffle steak tartare, crispy soft shell crab ookii and a range of sushi, including vegetarian and vegan options. There is also piano lounge Silver Lining perfect for relaxed sips, or underground nightclub Loosie's, a booming hotspot for dancing the night away.
Amenities
- Pet-friendly
- Accessible rooms
- 24/7 fitness centre
- Solé bicycles for day use
- Rooftop bar with outdoor terrace
- Ground floor cocktail lounge
- Sub-cellar nightclub
- Daily housekeeping
- Laundry and dry-cleaning service
- Co-working spaces
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outdoor street-level patio
- Studio space with private entrance
- Hospitality suite with private terrace
Location
Rating: 5/5
Moxy Lower East Side takes up residency in arguably one of the trendiest parts of town, at the convergence of SoHo, Nolita, Chinatown, and the East Village.
It's also within walking distance of Tribeca and the Financial District. The Manhattan Bridge is around seven minutes away on foot, trendy drinking and dining hotspot Dimes Square is just 10 minutes away, and the boutiques and big-name retailers of SoHo can be reached in 13 minutes.
But for those venturing further afield, Bowrey and Grand St subway stations are just a stone's throw from the hotel doors.
Value for Money
Rating: 5/5
Room rates start from $199 (approximately £156) per night. Pet-friendly rooms are available for an additional $50 (approximately £39) pet fee per night, but the total pet fee will not exceed $150 (approximately £118) per stay. Find rooms and book direct on the Moxy Lower East Side website.
Or compare deals and prices for a stay at the Moxy Lower East Side on Booking.com or Hotels.com.
Final Verdict
Moxy Lower East Side is the perfect combination of sophisticated flamboyancy for those who are after something a little bit different.
Although the hotel does offer bunk-bed rooms, the vibe of the hotel isn't necessarily family-friendly and is more suited to those travelling with older kids.
But if you're looking for a chic but affordable stay in the city, this is the spot for you.
The wealth of amenities, including a fairly well-kitted out 24-hour fitness centre and an array of dining and drinking hotspots go far beyond what you'd expect for such a reasonable nightly rate.
And even though the hotel is located in the hubbub of the city that never sleeps, you can expect a peaceful, undisturbed night.
For other Moxy locations on New York City, read our review of Moxy Times Square here and our review of Moxy Williamsburg here.
