Pros

  • Hip, luxurious rooms with bathrobes and minibars
  • Fantastic beds: form-contouring Tempur-Pedic mattresses and 500-thread-count Frette linens
  • Fun neighborhood with an endless supply of places to eat and drink
  • Incredible views
  • Rooftop penthouse space, complete with outdoor hot tub, available to rent
  • Free Wi-Fi
See More Pros

Cons

  • Relatively far from most major tourist attractions
  • Valet parking is pricey
  • Street noise at all hours
See More Cons

Bottom Line

The Hotel on Rivington is a secretive hot spot for well-heeled travelers who like their neighborhoods cool and their thread counts high. Sleek and stylish, the monied vibe doesn't exactly mesh with the Lower East Side's immigrant history, but the luxurious rooms and amazing views just might merit the attitude.

See More Bottom Line

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel on Rivington

Scene

Uber-hip and luxurious, primarily popular with couples and business travelers

Since it opened in October 2004, the 110-room Hotel on Rivington has played host to a wealthy clientele who consider the Lower East Side their after-hours playground. Guests include a mix of celebrities, hedge-fund types, European thrill-seekers, and elite members of the creative class who expect their hotels to be as cool as their careers. The hotel's public areas certainly live up to those expectations with unusual design elements like the a full-size pool table in the lobby, and the igloo-like entryway.

There always seems to be scene in progress at the Hotel on Rivington. The hotel's three-level rooftop Penthouse is a popular event space and wedding venue, complete with a hot tub and panoramic views of New York City.

The guest rooms are appropriately swank and luxurious. Highlights include fantastic beds with form-contouring Tempur-Pedic mattresses, 500-thread-count Frette linens; huge steam showers; and superb views of New York City through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls in rooms on the 7th floor and up.

The Hotel on Rivington definitely holds its own with the group of expensively hip downtown hotels that includes the Bowery, Crosby Street, and SIXTY LES.

See More Scene

Location

On the Lower East Side, which is full of great bars and eateries -- but far from most major tourist attractions

For most of the past century, the Lower East Side was the neighborhood where newly arrived immigrants packed into tenements while trying to grab a toehold here in America. Now the tenements have been transformed into pricey apartments inhabited by junior investment bankers who like to dress up as punk rockers at night. The streets are still a little grungy, but there's no shortage of party traffic. No matter the changes, the LES is too offbeat and entrenched to become 100 percent gentrified. A lot of the longtime stores, restaurants and galleries are open and thriving, as are no-frills performance havens like ABC No Rio and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

Safety isn't a big issue, but the LES isn't Park Avenue either. A nonstop nightlife scene means heavy foot traffic and noise into the wee hours.

  • On the LES, there are as many drinking options as there are designer vodkas. Three nearby local favorites: Whiskey Ward, Max Fish, and the 1970s Wisconsin family basement-themed Welcome to the Johnsons
  • The Essex Street-Delancey Street subway station -- serviced by the F, J, M, Z lines -- is a block away.
  • Two blocks from the great Tenement Museum
  • The southern edge of Central Park is four miles north, at least a $15, 20-minute cab ride.
  • 20-minute F-train ride to Times Square
See More Location

Rooms

The rooms are terrific and the views are even better.

Gorgeous, comfortable rooms with even better views. As always, higher up is better (and more expensive), but because the 21-story hotel towers over the surrounding tenements, great city views don't require being at the top; even my 4th-floor room looked out on the bustling street, which was great for people-watching.

  • 362-square-foot Regular King Room includes a soft velvet couch, a desk, coffee table, and an amusing furry ottoman that gives the impression that an English sheepdog is sleeping at the foot of the bed.
  • What a bed! The Tempur-Pedic mattress is like a formfitting, weight-distributing, sponge designed just for you. Topped with 500-thread-count Frette linens
  • The curtain and sheer window covering were operated by buttons on the wall
  • Davines toiletries
  • iPod docking station
  • Some rooms are laid out so that guests can't view flat-screen TVs from their bed
  • Readers beware, many rooms lack bedside lamps
  • Over-the-top minibars include bottles of Veuve Clicquot, Babeland products, high-end snacks, and full-size bottles of liquor
See More Rooms

Features

Except for the amazing penthouse, amenities are minimal.

The best features are the common areas like the spacious lobby with the bar and pool table, and the three-level penthouse with the rooftop Jacuzzi. The fitness and business centers are currently undergoing renovations.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free New York Times and/or New York Post
  • In-room spa service are available
See More Features

Family

The Hotel on Rivington isn't aimed at families.

Across the street is the legendary Economy Candy; but beyond that, there isn't much for kids in the hotel or on the LES.

  • Late night partiers spoil bedtimes.
  • The lobby has a pool table and there are on-demand movies.
  • Far from Central Park and most other family-friendly amenities
See More Family

All-Inclusive / Food

Plenty of local dining options

The hotel's well-regarded taqueria Viktor & Spoils serves up seasonal Mexican fare and classic tequila drinks, but is closed Sundays and Mondays. Juice Press, located on the ground floor of the hotel, serves vegan cuisine and cold-press juice, and is available for room service. The hotel's restaurant and lounge are undergoing renovations, with plans to re-open in spring of 2016.

Fortunately, the neighborhood has enough restaurants to feed whatever huddled masses end up on the Lower East Side. Spitzer's and innovative "gourmet wrap" joint Wolfnights are worth the venture next door.

  • There are also plenty of cheaper down-to-earth eateries like Katz's Deli, Shopsin's, Festival Mexicano, and Economy Candy.
  • A full breakfast is available for $20 a person.
  • Morning coffee is free in the lobby.
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Airport Transportation

Depending on traffic and which airport guests choose, a taxi ride can take from 30 to 90 minutes. Expect to spend at least $40.

New York has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Flying into JFK or LaGuardia is typically easiest and the least time-consuming. From JFK, it's a one-hour, flat-rate taxi ride to anywhere in Manhattan. From LaGuardia, it's about a 30-minute metered cab ride to downtown Manhattan. Rides from Newark cost at least $40 (plus tolls), and can take more than 90 minutes. Don't forget to tip your driver 15 percent to 25 percent.

To save some cash, guests can try the group shuttles that are available at all three airports. For more information on the shuttles, go to Super Shuttle or New York Airport Service. People can also take public transit from any of the airports, but travel can take up to two hours and involve a lot of lugging bags up and down stairs.

See More Airport Transportation

Pet-Friendly

Pets are allowed, but the smaller the better.

Under 20 pounds, pets are free. Above that, there's a charge.

  • The closest public park is six blocks away.
See More Pet-Friendly

Things You Should Know About Hotel on Rivington

Also Known As

  • On Rivington Hotel
  • Hotel Rivington
  • Rivington Hotel

Room Types

  • Basic King Room
  • Double Double Room
  • High Floor Corner King Room with Balcony
  • High Floor Corner King Room with Soaking Tub
  • High Floor King Room
  • High Floor King Room with Soaking Tub
  • King Room with Soaking Tub
  • Owner's Suite
  • Penthouse Suite
  • Regular King Room
  • Suite
  • Unique Room

Address

107 Rivington St, New York City, New York 10002-2203, United States

Phone

(212) 475-2600

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Hotel on Rivington

Scene

Uber-hip and luxurious, primarily popular with couples and business travelers

Since it opened in October 2004, the 110-room Hotel on Rivington has played host to a wealthy clientele who consider the Lower East Side their after-hours playground. Guests include a mix of celebrities, hedge-fund types, European thrill-seekers, and elite members of the creative class who expect their hotels to be as cool as their careers. The hotel's public areas certainly live up to those expectations with unusual design elements like the a full-size pool table in the lobby, and the igloo-like entryway.

There always seems to be scene in progress at the Hotel on Rivington. The hotel's three-level rooftop Penthouse is a popular event space and wedding venue, complete with a hot tub and panoramic views of New York City.

The guest rooms are appropriately swank and luxurious. Highlights include fantastic beds with form-contouring Tempur-Pedic mattresses, 500-thread-count Frette linens; huge steam showers; and superb views of New York City through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls in rooms on the 7th floor and up.

The Hotel on Rivington definitely holds its own with the group of expensively hip downtown hotels that includes the Bowery, Crosby Street, and SIXTY LES.

See More Scene

Location

On the Lower East Side, which is full of great bars and eateries -- but far from most major tourist attractions

For most of the past century, the Lower East Side was the neighborhood where newly arrived immigrants packed into tenements while trying to grab a toehold here in America. Now the tenements have been transformed into pricey apartments inhabited by junior investment bankers who like to dress up as punk rockers at night. The streets are still a little grungy, but there's no shortage of party traffic. No matter the changes, the LES is too offbeat and entrenched to become 100 percent gentrified. A lot of the longtime stores, restaurants and galleries are open and thriving, as are no-frills performance havens like ABC No Rio and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.

Safety isn't a big issue, but the LES isn't Park Avenue either. A nonstop nightlife scene means heavy foot traffic and noise into the wee hours.

  • On the LES, there are as many drinking options as there are designer vodkas. Three nearby local favorites: Whiskey Ward, Max Fish, and the 1970s Wisconsin family basement-themed Welcome to the Johnsons
  • The Essex Street-Delancey Street subway station -- serviced by the F, J, M, Z lines -- is a block away.
  • Two blocks from the great Tenement Museum
  • The southern edge of Central Park is four miles north, at least a $15, 20-minute cab ride.
  • 20-minute F-train ride to Times Square
See More Location

Rooms

The rooms are terrific and the views are even better.

Gorgeous, comfortable rooms with even better views. As always, higher up is better (and more expensive), but because the 21-story hotel towers over the surrounding tenements, great city views don't require being at the top; even my 4th-floor room looked out on the bustling street, which was great for people-watching.

  • 362-square-foot Regular King Room includes a soft velvet couch, a desk, coffee table, and an amusing furry ottoman that gives the impression that an English sheepdog is sleeping at the foot of the bed.
  • What a bed! The Tempur-Pedic mattress is like a formfitting, weight-distributing, sponge designed just for you. Topped with 500-thread-count Frette linens
  • The curtain and sheer window covering were operated by buttons on the wall
  • Davines toiletries
  • iPod docking station
  • Some rooms are laid out so that guests can't view flat-screen TVs from their bed
  • Readers beware, many rooms lack bedside lamps
  • Over-the-top minibars include bottles of Veuve Clicquot, Babeland products, high-end snacks, and full-size bottles of liquor
See More Rooms

Features

Except for the amazing penthouse, amenities are minimal.

The best features are the common areas like the spacious lobby with the bar and pool table, and the three-level penthouse with the rooftop Jacuzzi. The fitness and business centers are currently undergoing renovations.

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Free New York Times and/or New York Post
  • In-room spa service are available
See More Features

Family

The Hotel on Rivington isn't aimed at families.

Across the street is the legendary Economy Candy; but beyond that, there isn't much for kids in the hotel or on the LES.

  • Late night partiers spoil bedtimes.
  • The lobby has a pool table and there are on-demand movies.
  • Far from Central Park and most other family-friendly amenities
See More Family

All-Inclusive / Food

Plenty of local dining options

The hotel's well-regarded taqueria Viktor & Spoils serves up seasonal Mexican fare and classic tequila drinks, but is closed Sundays and Mondays. Juice Press, located on the ground floor of the hotel, serves vegan cuisine and cold-press juice, and is available for room service. The hotel's restaurant and lounge are undergoing renovations, with plans to re-open in spring of 2016.

Fortunately, the neighborhood has enough restaurants to feed whatever huddled masses end up on the Lower East Side. Spitzer's and innovative "gourmet wrap" joint Wolfnights are worth the venture next door.

  • There are also plenty of cheaper down-to-earth eateries like Katz's Deli, Shopsin's, Festival Mexicano, and Economy Candy.
  • A full breakfast is available for $20 a person.
  • Morning coffee is free in the lobby.
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Airport Transportation

Depending on traffic and which airport guests choose, a taxi ride can take from 30 to 90 minutes. Expect to spend at least $40.

New York has three nearby airports: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (in New Jersey). Flying into JFK or LaGuardia is typically easiest and the least time-consuming. From JFK, it's a one-hour, flat-rate taxi ride to anywhere in Manhattan. From LaGuardia, it's about a 30-minute metered cab ride to downtown Manhattan. Rides from Newark cost at least $40 (plus tolls), and can take more than 90 minutes. Don't forget to tip your driver 15 percent to 25 percent.

To save some cash, guests can try the group shuttles that are available at all three airports. For more information on the shuttles, go to Super Shuttle or New York Airport Service. People can also take public transit from any of the airports, but travel can take up to two hours and involve a lot of lugging bags up and down stairs.

See More Airport Transportation

Pet-Friendly

Pets are allowed, but the smaller the better.

Under 20 pounds, pets are free. Above that, there's a charge.

  • The closest public park is six blocks away.
See More Pet-Friendly

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pets Allowed

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Smoking Rooms Available

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.