I’ll never forget my first stay at the vibrant Crosby Street Hotel in New York. In the 80’s and 90’s, SoHo enjoyed a definitive urban renewal phase, still a bit industrial gritty, but utterly charming and convenient for wandering the hip fashion boutiques and trendy restaurants, before chain stores and street vendors.

SoHo is known for its elegant cast-iron-facades and wide cobblestone streets; the neighborhood is also an atmospheric locale for fashionable crowds clustering at high-end restaurants and nightlife hotspots. Crosby Street opened in 2009, the son of my NY friends was graduating from private school and after I had stayed with them so many times in NY, it was the perfect venue to host the family in the magnificent whimsical drawing room at Crosby Street. I felt so like a New Yorker!

The Kemp family has followed a playful pattern of successful ultra charming hotels. Oozing in bold colors and pattern heavy interior design by Kit Kemp, each hotel reflects a fresh, contemporary style. I’ve stayed in almost all of them, and we’ve reserved most as well!  Picture a Champagne sunset in New York from a wide terrace, brilliant glistening glass reflecting the sun as it drops between skyscrapers. Firmdale Groupies, yes, we certainly are of that Persuasion!

One repeated component of the imaginative hotels is floor to ceiling metal paned windows in the bedrooms, a trademark look, allowing tons of natural light and views of the neighborhood. Some bedrooms lead to small terraces, I’ve hosted Sunset champagne gatherings at The Whitby in New York! In the heart of midtown, what better location?

I’m known for taking months long sojourns performing site inspections, long wanderings around London and Scotland. Blurring time zones and cities. I awoke one morning, rolled over to look out the metal paned windows and thought I was at Crosby Street, but I was in London – the windows are exact – and the brick warehouse in the distance appeared to be SoHo…There is a Firmdale Hotel for every taste in London a Caribbean hideaway in St. James, Barbados and now a new property in Manhattan.

I’m looking forward to a stay at the newest Firmdale offering Warren Street in New York – enroute to Milano for a conference. Situated in the vibrant and creative Tribeca neighborhood,

Warren Street Hotel is a celebration of contemporary art and design, with every inch joyfully infused with Kit Kemp’s sense of fun and love of storytelling.

Each of the hotel’s 69 bedrooms, suites and residences are individually designed, some with beautifully landscaped private terrace gardens and spectacular skyscraper views of lower Manhattan and the Hudson River.

Since opening in February, the hotel has been awarded One Michelin Key, joining a small handful of hotels across the U.S. with this unique stamp of approval. Warren Street Hotel is in Tribeca, a vibrant neighborhood that’s a joy to explore. Head out from the hotel and you’ll find cobbled streets, restored red brick warehouses, artists’ studios, small galleries, independent shops and locally loved restaurants in New York’s Financial District.

My stay will be at the first days of another six-week sojourn, so there should be no confusion as to where I am when I wake up!

Firmdale Hotles offer delicious dining and cocktail bars, guest only screening rooms, and in London, a bowling alley at Ham Yard, the Croc. The Croc houses an original 1950’s bowling alley, stylish lounge, bar and dance floor. Back-lit bowling balls, vintage bowling shoes and bowling pin lamps sit alongside two large scale Howard Hodgkin artworks. The silver baby grand piano and South African made sofas give a lounge feel. Bowler’s bowl into a suspended brick wall with flickering lights and can choose to have UV pins and shoelaces.

Committed to the arts in each destination, enjoy a Private Art Walk in New York, with Willow Kemp in Spring 2025. Join Firmdale Hotels’ Art Ambassador & Design Director on a tour of the hotel’s impressive art collection and visit exciting local galleries, followed by afternoon tea in The Orangery.

Whimsy and colorful décor in bustling city locations, a collection of eleven five-star properties, we love them all. Personal service, stylish suites abound, luxury from a brand that doesn’t take itself too seriously!

Highly Recommend All Firmdale Hotels!