This New York City Hotel Celebrates Global Art, Craftsmanship, and Design

The Dinogo Perspective

You don't need to embrace maximalism to appreciate a Kit Kemp hotel. The British hotelier and design expert, who along with her husband Tim Kemp, has built a boutique hotel empire (three in New York and eight in London), masterfully blends colors, shapes, and patterns in a way that even minimalists can enjoy. Kemp's newest project in NYC, the Warren Street Hotel, opened in Tribeca in March 2024, and takes her signature style to an even bolder and more vibrant level than her other New York properties, the Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo and the Whitby Hotel in Midtown. This marks Kemp's first design partnership for a new hotel with two of her three daughters, Minnie and Willow Kemp.

Housed in a new 11-story building that replaced a parking lot, the hotel showcases a rich blend of international artists, local talents, and works from Kemp's own London-based design studio. As a longtime New Yorker, I often treat Firmdale’s Manhattan hotels as my personal living room for meals and evening drinks. (I’ve enjoyed the same at Kemp’s London hotels, including the renowned Ham Yard Hotel, which features amenities like a bowling alley). Whether I’m visiting as a guest or as a local, I turn to Firmdale for an intimate atmosphere brimming with personality; to my delight, the new Warren Street Hotel delivers this in abundance.

Who’s it ideal for?

In Tribeca, where hotels often favor sleek, neutral designs, the Warren Street Hotel stands out with its vibrant colors and layered patterns. With only 69 guest rooms, this hotel is perfect for those who appreciate intimate boutique experiences; travelers seeking expansive urban resorts with numerous dining options and spas might want to look elsewhere.

For instance, while there isn’t a gym on the premises, the hotel partners with Nexus Club, a large upscale gym just a five-minute walk away. (Guests receive a QR code for gym access at check-in.) There's only one restaurant, which effortlessly transforms from a cozy breakfast spot in the morning to a lively bar and dining area in the evening. The hotel offers many interconnected guest rooms, making it particularly family-friendly.

The setting

Located in the Tribeca neighborhood bordering the Financial District, the Warren Street Hotel provides guests with easy access to the area's lively dining and nightlife, along with its quaint cobblestone streets. It's perfectly positioned for those eager to explore lower Manhattan. The Hudson River Greenway and the Brooklyn Bridge are just a short walk away, while iconic neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little Italy are approximately a 20-minute stroll.

The accommodations

Each of the 69 guest rooms and suites boasts a unique design, with some featuring warm reds and fuchsias, while others are adorned with calming blues and splashes of yellow. Many rooms are adjoining, making them perfect for multigenerational families. (The three-bedroom Songbird Suite on the seventh floor combines two Warren Suites and a Junior Suite.) Two terrace suites offer private outdoor spaces adorned with greenery and are also connectable.

In my one-bedroom suite on the 10th floor, I discovered a serene palette of greens, ranging from vibrant lime and chartreuse to soft sage. Abundant light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows—double-paned to muffle the city's sounds to a gentle whisper. The teal blue mullions on the exterior were mirrored inside my room, adding a cheerful touch. Looking out, I enjoyed a quintessential Manhattan view: a tapestry of glass skyscrapers intertwined with lower brick buildings.

I spent a significant amount of time in my spacious, homey living area, complete with striped wingback chairs, wavy yellow-and-green dressers, a tufted sofa in green and white stripes, and wall coverings showcasing Kemp’s nature-inspired designs. A bouquet of fresh white chrysanthemums on the coffee table created a welcoming atmosphere, while a two-burner induction stove and a mini-fridge enhanced the residential vibe. One night, I indulged in a soak in the deep tub of my marble-finished bathroom, stocked with Kemp’s exclusive Tall Trees amenities, an enchanting blend of bergamot, citrus, vetiver, and patchouli.

All overnight guests have access to the exclusive drawing room located on the lobby level, serving as an extension of their living space. This area features an honesty bar where guests can enjoy snacks and drinks throughout the day. Tufted sofas and wingback chairs, mixing stripes with florals, encircle a marble fireplace, while a beautifully restored cupboard, repainted by U.K. decorative artist Tess Newall, stands against the wall. One of my favorite elements in this room is the wooden sculptures of renowned explorers—such as Togo-born Tété-Michel Kpomassie and Britain's Edith Durham—crafted by Isle of Man artist Henry Neville Wood.

Culinary offerings

The Warren Bar and Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a charming dining space that features a separate orangery separated by glass doors, accentuated with backlit ceramic pots glowing in vibrant orange. I visited for an evening meal and enjoyed the menu, which boasts a global flair with occasional British touches. (How about some English pea soup?) All dishes are served on exquisite bone china called Tall Trees, designed by Kemp for Spode.

I was particularly impressed by the skillful preparation of the fish dishes, including my grilled halibut served with morels in a beurre blanc sauce, and the Ora King salmon ordered by my dinner companion, perfectly crispy on the outside and tender inside. Our server recommended the guava sorbet for dessert; its refreshing taste was complemented by a coconut crumble and passion fruit coulis. Between meals, I enjoyed catching up with friends and colleagues in the lively all-day space, sipping ginger tea made with freshly chopped ginger as we chatted the afternoon away.

Service and staff

At the Warren Street Hotel, service is laid-back yet attentive. The front desk team showed genuine interest in my daily plans, and my servers in the restaurant and bar never rushed me to make a menu choice or to clear my table.

Accessibility Features

The hotel offers accessible guest rooms located in rooms 202, 206, 302, 402, 502, 602, and 703. These rooms are equipped with ADA-compliant door handles, wider entrances and bathroom doors, roll-in showers, and fixed strobe fire alarms.

A Tribute to Art and Craft

The hotel serves as a vibrant celebration of art and craftsmanship, much of which has been commissioned by Kemp and her daughters. I found myself pausing frequently as new details caught my attention. In the lobby, Ugandan artist Sanaa Gateja showcases a large, multicolored wall hanging crafted from paper beads. Nearby, Argentine artist Cristián Mohaded presents hanging baskets from the ceiling, accompanied by a Skipping Stone Table designed by Christopher Kurtz, adorned with floral arrangements by Lewis Miller Design. A striking abstract sculpture made of veined black marble by British artist Tony Cragg stands prominently near the reception. Rates from $925