The Maritime Hotel

The Martime Hotel announces its nautical theme with a narrow 12-story white-tile and cement facade lined evenly in porthole windows. The building was designed as the headquarters of the National Maritime Union in the 1960s, and in 2003 it opened, to much acclaim, as the charming luxury-liner-themed hotel it is today. In early 2016, the hotel underwent major renovations, which included a new restaurant and lobby overhaul, among other updates. Vintage, nautical charm is the name of the game here, with blue carpeting and lots of wood accents that call to mind retro ships' cabins. In the lobby, rich wood walls are topped with long ocean-themed murals, while bookshelves and red velvet armchairs gathered near a fireplace lend a cozy feel. As much as the hotel delivers on decor, it also delivers on service and amenities, which include an on-site Michelin-starred restaurant and a chic basement-level nightclub, making this hotel a haven for business travelers and couples alike. 

The Maritime is situated right across the street from the shops, famous bakeries, and restaurants in the Chelsea Market, a former Oreo cookie factory that also houses upscale offices. Nearby neighborhood attractions include Hudson River Park, Chelsea Piers, and the Highline. The hotel is equidistant from the heart of Chelsea, the swank nightclubs in the Meatpacking District, and the more quaint West Village, three of the city's most fashionable destinations. Many elements of the West Village culture -- gay clubs, art galleries, and trendy restaurants -- have migrated north to the bordering neighborhood of Chelsea over the past decade. Today, with some 350 art galleries, it's often considered the epicenter of New York's contemporary art scene. With six major subway lines an easy walk from the hotel, many of the top Manhattan tourist destinations are reachable in 20 minutes or less.

• Six-minute walk to A, C, E, and L subway stop on 14th Street
• Eight-minute walk to the Whitney Museum of American Art
• Nine-minute walk to the 1, 2, and 3 subway stop on 14th Street
• 16 minutes to Museum of Modern Art via public transit
• 16 minutes to Times Square via public transit
• 17 minutes to Central Park via public transit
• 19 minutes to Empire State Building via public transit
• 30 minutes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) via public transit
• 31 minutes to Battery Park via public transit
• One hour to JFK Airport via public transit
• One hour to LaGuardia Airport via public transit

Rooms are charming, with decor inspired by vintage ship cabins and staterooms. Blue wool wall-to-wall carpeting is paired with dark teakwood walls and furniture, and most of the five-foot porthole windows look out over the Hudson River. Details make the difference here: Beds are accented with Japanese fabric headboards; chairs are upholstered in fabric featuring vintage maps of Manhattan; and desk calendars are trimmed in stylish blue-and-white airmail patterns. Contemporary bathrooms feature green penny-tiled walls, marble sinks, and roomy walk-in rainfall showers. Rooms are generously sized, especially for Manhattan, with entry-level rooms measuring at least 250 square feet and the rooftop penthouse topping out at 1,000 square feet, with an even larger private terrace.

Rooms are air-conditioned and feature Sealy Posturepedic mattresses and Mascioni linens, sitting areas, work desks, 32-inch HDTVs, digital music players, and free Wi-Fi. Minibars are generously stocked. Though coffee/tea service is only available on request, room service is offered 24 hours. Bathrooms are stocked with high-end C.O. Bigelow toiletries, robes, and even toothpaste. Earplugs are also provided -- a clue that street noise can occasionally be an issue. 

The hotel's standout amenities include La Sirena, an Italian-style trattoria with a marble bar, tapas, and a Michelin-starred dinner menu. A la carte breakfast are available, but cost an extra fee, though coffee and tea are available at the hotel for free in the mornings. The basement-level TAO Downtown is a chic nightclub with a restaurant and bar, open until the wee hours on weekends. The hotel also has a small fitness room with free weights and a few pieces of modern cardio equipment like an elliptical and treadmill, but there's no spa or pool. The Maritime also has a small business center with a computer and printer for guest use, and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel is free. Staff offer concierge services and 24-hour room service. Family-friendly conveniences, like babysitting and cribs, are available upon request. Pets stay free.