The Bowery

Boho luxury in a once-squalid 'hood
Word to the wise: Bowery guests can make reservations at the impossible-to-get-into Waverly Inn, co-owned by the hoteliers and the editor of Vanity Fair.

Once a grimy refuge for junkies and struggling punk rockers, Manhattan's Lower East Side is now a slightly-less-grimy haven for the hipster elite, who are drawn by the abundance of art galleries, cheap eats and storied history.
The Bowery helped accelerate the neighborhood's transformation when it opened in 2007, and while it may no longer be used for Rolling Stone photo shoots or serve as the de facto home of the cast of 'Gossip Girl', there's still plenty of buzz about the place.

With a happening bar scene, a cast of A-list regulars (from Gwyneth Paltrow to the Olsen sisters) and hyper-personalized service, the rooms themselves are almost beside the point. But there's plenty to be enjoyed once you close your door, including 400-thread-count linens and king-size toiletries from C.O. Bigelow. A night in one of the suites is worth saving for: the views from the floor-to-ceiling windows are stunning.