Simplicity Meets Sophistication at Sister City New York
It was a summer issue of Conde Nast Traveler that first put Sister City on my radar – and its beautiful simplicity that put it on the list for my next NYC visit. But when Joni Sweet referred to it as a “sanctuary for introverted travelers” in her Forbes feature, I immediately booked a stay! And I’m pleased to share that a three-night stay turned into four nights that did not disappoint (in the slightest) and an experience that’s hard to sum up in words (though you know I’ll try).
Everything about Sister City – an Ace Hotel creative venture that opened last spring in the Bowery – is as thoughtful and intentional as it is stunning. The minimalist Scandinavian design provides an immediate and refreshing change of pace from the City’s hustle and bustle. After an early morning flight, there was nothing more rewarding than the hotel’s lobby, a mini destination in itself – a cozy, contemplative space stocked with comfy furniture, plenty of plants and just the right amount (and hue) of lighting. Beyond the lobby’s aesthetic, the musical score that plays throughout the day subtly (and beautifully, may I add) responds to changes in the environment. Seriously. Talk about a distinct sense of place! The atmospheric music, created by electronic musician Julianna Barwick, reflects real-time moments in nature, as captured by a rooftop camera and powered by Microsoft AI technology – whether it be a colorful sunrise, a storm rolling in or a flock of birds passing by. In fact, you can listen to it live here.
And yet, that’s just the beginning. In the room, the experience was equally lovely. Stripped down to the essentials, with a mix of Scandinavian and Japanese design, it was comfortable, cozy and complete with everything one may need during a stay – minus all the fluff. We especially appreciated the refillable glass water bottles (water filling stations are available on every floor, as are additional towels and toiletries), subtle light orbs by RBW Studio and purposeful furniture (read: plentiful drawers beneath the bed frame and custom valets in lieu of closets). The cherry on top was placed by the jaw-dropping city views from the terrace in our 14th-floor room (it was our anniversary trip, so we splurged a little, and it was worth every penny!). Ours overlooked lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge, granting us with perfect sunrise and sunset views and a spectacular view of Freedom Tower.
During our stay, we enjoyed a couple of espressos at Floret, the hotel’s all-day restaurant and bar, and toasted to our anniversary with creative cocktails (and another gorgeous city view) at Last Light, Sister City’s rooftop bar. The hotel’s location also afforded us the opportunity to conveniently walk from one end of the city to the other without any hassle (in fact, we ended up logging 30+ miles during this visit), and we enjoyed the close proximity to Nolita and SoHo, which we thoroughly explored.
When faced with a canceled flight on the last day of our stay, the hotel’s staff was proactively helpful and super generous – allowing us to book a smaller room at a Friends & Family Rate. To be honest, we found it extremely hard to be rattled by the change of plans, as we spoke to American Airlines from the serenity of the hotel lobby. Getting to spend an extra night had been just what the travel doctors ordered.
I’ll let the images we took elevate some of my storytelling, but to put it simply, Sister City has been able to deliver on what few hotels attempt but fail to do: provide a welcoming embrace, refresh your senses, slow down your pace and allow you to focus on the essentials of your journey. After all, isn’t that what travel should be?
As the hotel’s slogan so lyrically states, “Sister City is a hotel distilled to its most beautiful parts.” Indeed it is. On its promise, Sister City delivers divinely.
Visit it for yourself at https://sistercitynyc.com/.
