Well-crafted, old-fashioned.

Sean MacPherson has a knack for crafting hotels that manage to appear simultaneously contemporary and timeless. After success with New York hotels such as the Bowery, the Marlton, the Maritime, and the Jane, he set his sights on the Lower East Side and opened the Ludlow, a rock 'n' roll-inspired hotel. The 184-room property features the well-crafted, old-fashioned details for which the hotelier is known, including casement windows and marble mosaic floors. The penthouse, on the 17th floor, is a marvel in particular, melding Moroccan chandeliers and bronzed stools with a 1,000-square-foot furnished outdoor terrace and a record player that comes complete with stash of vinyl. Dirty French, from white-hot restaurateurs Major Food Group, ensures there’s always a fashionable crowd, but a more low-key vibe can be found in the lobby bar. Here, ambitious cocktails are served amid a garden courtyard, limestone fireplace, and vintage speakers.