Nine Orchard: Doubling Down on Downtown Cool

Nine Orchard hotel is where you stay when you want to be in the center of it all. But not in the way that people usually talk about staying in the heart of New York City, like under the bright lights of Times Square or steps from Central Park. Here, you’re right in the middle of the downtown scene. Look out your window and you’ll see Orchard Street, where tastemakers shop for vintage clothes; Grand Street, lined with hip art galleries; and Dimes Square, the microneighborhood that spawned a variety of reactionary media during the pandemic and is home to some of the city’s trendiest restaurants. 

And that downtown energy, the sense that you’re in the midst of the zeitgeist, doesn’t just surround the hotel. It’s palpable throughout the property, too: in the lobby, where a stylist is checking in, dropping their bags and heading to a shoot; in the East Room lounge, where an entrepreneur is hunched over their laptop, wrapping up loose ends for their brand launch that night; and in the Swan Room bar, where a group of art dealers are celebrating a big sale over martinis. Everything that matters is happening here and, as a guest, you’re part of the magic.

While the vibe is similar indoors and out, the luxe interiors at Nine Orchard are in direct contrast to the gritty streets of the Lower East Side. In a former bank from 1912, designers Reza Nouranian, Ray Azoulay and Fernando Santangelo have created a world of bright colors, sumptuous textures and cheeky details, which all enhance historic elements like the soaring coffered ceilings in the Swan Room bar and the signature cupola on the roof. It’s all very in line with the eclectic design and, like everything else about this hotel, perfectly on trend.

Rooms are slightly less dramatic, but filled with New York touches that make you feel in the know about the city. Ceramic light fixtures come from BDDW, a cult-favorite furniture and decor store in SoHo; the books in the antique wooden desks and on the shelves were curated by Leigh Altshuler of beloved Sweet Pickle Books down the street; and the bath amenities, with their clean, subtly floral scent, were custom-made for the hotel by popular boutique Takamichi Beauty Room in Gramercy Park. Most notably, Dimes—the restaurant-slash-market that’s known as the progenitor of the Dimes Square cultural phenomenon—curated the minibars, filling them with the kind of specialty snacks sold in-house, like granola, beef jerky and dried mango. Also in the minibars is the “Orchard Guide,” an illustrated map of the surrounding area with recommendations for where to eat and what to do in your downtime.

The on-site Corner Bar restaurant is a hotspot for guests and locals alike. 

If you’d rather stay on-site for meals, Corner Bar from esteemed chef Ignacio Mattos serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and is as popular with locals as it is with hotel guests. Even on a Monday night in August, when New York City is typically a ghost town, the long, narrow space was packed with stylish diners clamoring for classic bistro fare (don’t miss the trout carpaccio and the steak frites). When you’re done with dinner, head down the hall to the Swan Room for the signature martini service. 

New Yorkers may be known for their cool, aloof attitude, and while Nine Orchard does trend in that direction (once you check in, you’re mostly left to your own devices), the hotel also offers a few extras that make you feel cared for and like part of a community. Every morning, you can visit the Swan Room for complimentary coffee, tea and pastries. There’s also a free wine hour, held Tuesday to Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m., and a recurring jazz night, where guests can socialize with one another—and plugged-in locals. 

Another cool perk is Nine Orchard’s music program. In the rooms and common spaces, from the restaurant to the gym, you’ll notice all-wood, almost vintage-looking speakers, which audio artist Devon Turnbull, aka OJAS, custom-made for the hotel. Throughout the day, they softly play four different “radio stations”—essentially lengthy playlists curated by DJs and audiophiles like Turnbull and DJ Stretch Armstrong that change frequently. Minibars come with a guidebook to the stations, so you can tailor the background music to your mood. 

All these details circle back to how the hotel helps you feel part of the downtown scene. When you stay at Nine Orchard, you’re rubbing shoulders with the denizens of Dimes Square; you’re adopting their style, using their favorite products, listening to their music. Choose to stay here, and you’re just as cool. 

The Room

Rooms here feel more like stylish studio apartments than hotel rooms. High ceilings and giant windows (plus no neighboring tall buildings) make for airy spaces full of natural light, while tweed cushions, mustard bouclé armchairs, green velvet drapes and lots of warm wood create an environment that pleases all the senses. Bathrooms are equally bright—some even have showers with oversized windows (and, don’t worry, blackout shades for privacy). Expect local touches like works by New York artists on the walls, which make you feel even more at home. 

Options range from the smaller Studio and Classic rooms to expansive two-bedroom suites with private foyers. For something in the middle, try the Corner King, located in the curve of the building’s famous rounded façade. If you’re looking to splurge, the rooms to book are the Orchard Loft Suite, with its spacious living room, wraparound windows and uptown views (including the Empire State Building in the distance), or the Terrace Suite, which comes with a 200-square-foot outdoor space featuring lush plants, a mushroom-shaped table and stools, and a large stone bust that looks like it belongs in the recess of a Roman building.

The Features

The Swan Room is one of New York’s most beautiful places to grab a drink.

Don’t miss: Drinks in the Swan Room. Housed in the old bank lobby, it’s a gorgeous space, with a towering coffered ceiling, tall arched windows and a handsome dark wood and marble bar where the tellers used to stand. You enter through the hotel lobby rather than the street, which makes the bar feel like a well-kept secret, and the cocktails are top-notch. Instead of your usual dirty martini, order the San Sebastian with Basque pepper brine and anchovy-stuffed olives.

Favorite features: The “Orchard Guide” in the minibars, filled with suggestions for dining, shopping, self-care, galleries, museums and activities in the surrounding neighborhood. Both helpful and cute, the illustrated map has the feel of a list from your coolest friend, making you feel instantly part of the neighborhood scene.

Can’t stop thinking about: The striking design. It’s so nice to see hotels moving away from the neutral, Scandinavian-inspired interiors that dominated for the past decade, embracing color and texture instead. The floral upholstered banquettes in the Swan Room, the turquoise tiled fireplace in the East Room; the Gucci wallpaper in the lobby—it’s all just so much fun. 

The Lowdown

The Terrace Suite comes with a 200-square-foot outdoor space, equipped with a mushroom-shaped table and stools.

The highly specific reason you’d come here: You read the Daily Beast article “How Dimes Square Became the New York City Neighborhood We Love to Hate” and want to see what the area is all about.

What are you packing: Your best vintage cropped tees and loafers with white ankle socks. 

What’s on the speakers: A little bit of everything, which might include indie rock, underground dance, Balearic beats, uptempo soul and funk.

Are guests staying in or going out: Going out. You’ve got top restaurants (Eel Bar, Cervo’s, Casino) and bars (Le Dive, Clandestino, Parcelle) right down the street.

What you’re buying from the minibar: The St. Agrestis bottled Amaro and Spritz, made just across the East River in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Nine Orchard sits at the intersection of Chinatown and the Lower East Side, offering easy access to top restaurants, stores and museums.

Fast Facts

• Number of rooms: 113
• Number of pools: 0
• Fitness center? Yes, 24/7
• Spa?  No
• Salon? No
• Number of bars/restaurants: 2
• 24-hour room service? Room service is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Childcare and kids club? The hotel can help arrange childcare services.