Walker Hotel Greenwich Village

In New York City, there aren't many places to hide. Everyone who lives there yearns for a peaceful respite from the always bustling city, which is precisely the reason to book a room at the modest boutique hotel Walker Hotel Greenwich Village.

The tiny 18-floor hotel, which is located on a lofty slice of West 13th Street in the West Village, is ideal for New Yorkers seeking a staycation in one of Manhattan's most well-liked neighborhoods. Enter the cozy lobby (the hotel refers to it as the Poets Room) from the pavement by going down some stairs. It is furnished with plush couches and a few small café tables. The eatery Society Cafe, with its wood-toned interior enlivened by teal leather booths and a large skylight, is located just beyond that.

Chef de cuisine Christopher Zabita (Bar Boulud, Marc Forgione) pushes exquisitely presented market-to-table dishes from the kitchen, such as a starter of succulent Portuguese octopus, artichokes, and crispy crushed potatoes ($18). On a recent evening, the house-made squares covered in a garlicky wine sauce with mushrooms, a unique fusion of French and Italian cuisines, were the coq au vin ravioli special ($18). The one disappointment of the evening was the $12 side of broccoli rabe with tahini, which was way too salty. Sadly, the food of Society Cafe is not matched by the service: To avoid the eager but inexperienced waitstaff, choose room service (for a modest price premium).

A standard accommodation will do you just fine if all you need are the bare necessities and you intend to spend your time seeing the city. The minimalist yet opulent Art Deco-style rooms have a large, soft bed covered in Frette linens, a TV, Tivoli Bluetooth-enabled stereos, a desk, and a bathroom stocked with C.O. Bigelow items.

Google Rating: 4.3/5.0
Address: 52 W 13th StNew York10011
Phone: 212-375-1300
Website: www.walkerhotel.com