There’s nothing quite like New York’s Lower East Side.
Casually referred to as the L.E.S, this section of lower Manhattan is where you’ll find many of the city’s best beats, from Katz Deli and Russ & Daughters, to world-renowned cocktail bars like Superbueno and Double Chicken Please.
Fanning off from the narrow strip of Sara D. Roosevelt Park, you’ve got a seemingly endless selection of day-to-night favourites. And so I’m always surprised that more hotels aren’t found around the L.E.S.
There are a few. IHG has a Hotel Indigo there, The Gatsby is always fun, and then you’ve got properties from Moxy, Citizen M and PUBLIC hotel.
But with the cost of living crisis, there’s always room for more competition and a wider variety of options.
New York is, after all, one of the most expensive places to visit right now. Particularly for Australian tourists with our poorly performing dollar.
That’s why UNTITLED at 3 Freeman is such an interesting prospect. The 200-room “urban-chic” hotel hosts studio-style accommodations and dips into a hostel state of mind, with a packed social program, co-working spaces, and a cosy rooftop bar that’s now one of the most rewarding hidden gems in the area.
It’s colourful, fun, and creative with a pitch-perfect location hidden down a graffiti-covered alleyway off Rivington Street and a stone’s throw from Bowery Street, E Houston, and Spring Street. The location, on the border of L.E.S. and Nolita with a short walk to SOHO, couldn’t be better suited for a hotel as achingly hip and genuinely creative as this.
Plus, some rooms have balconies. Yes, balconies.
If you’re familiar with Marriott International’s rapidly growing Moxy brand, you’ll get a good idea of what the rooms at Untitled at 3 Freeman are like.
Following a highly functional Scandi-style design, rooms like the Sky King feature intelligent use of space. They aren’t the largest living spaces in the L.E.S., but this is elevated by modular furniture, hanging hooks that pop out of walls, and a large, supremely comfortable bed.
UNTITLED at 3 Freeman has its in-house lifestyle scene sorted, smartly offering various options that guests will want to engage with. There’s the private courtyard and large checkered-floored gound-level cafe, doubling as said co-working space with a coffee bar and a grand piano.
But the designers have gone beyond that. Head up to the 11th floor and you’ll find a dynamic rooftop bar, UNLISTED, that moves away from that expensive vibe towards something more casual. Something much more in sync with the area’s hip reputation, with a cocktail lounge that feels largely undiscovered with plush velvet banquettes and a shiny disco ball, with inspired views across Lower Manhattan.
UNTITLED at 3 Freeman is possibly the only hotel in New York that also has an in-house tattoo parlour, and a unique borrow-at-will cabinet that has everything from drum pads and guitars to cameras, tabletop mics (in case inspiration hits for a podcast recording during your stay), and picnic blankets.
Near the entrance, there’s also a quick snack shop and even iPads where you can use ChatGPT – a great way to quickly glean suggestions for things to do around New York City.
Australian travellers are generally looking at $324 per night to stay here, which for the location is a very reasonable price.
Stay tuned as we publish our full review of the hotel in the coming weeks as well as more suggestions on what to do around New York City on your next visit.
UNTITLED at 3 Freeman
Address: 3 Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002
Contact: +1 516-200-3045
The author flew to New York City on Delta Air Lines and explored the city as a guest of NYC Tourism.
