Overview of TRIBECA - SOHO - CHINATOWN - LITTLE ITALY New York Hotels

TriBeCa (as in "Triangle below Canal") has recently become one of the most trendy, and expensive, residential neighborhoods in all of Manhattan. This small area north of Wall Street is home to the "Tribeca Film Festival", founded to contribute to the recovery of lower Manhattan (after 9/11) and to celebrate New York City as a major film-making center. Big name actors such as Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Scarlett Johansson reside in Tribeca.

SoHo (as in "South of Houston") features more cast-iron architecture than any other city. This is one area where it's acceptable to slow down, look up and stare at the beautiful loft-style buildings--most of which were built between 1840 and 1880. Many of the local artists have moved away, but numerous galleries remain. This is a fantastic place for window shopping & celebrity spotting.

A short stroll to the East will take you to Chinatown and Little Italy.

Chinatown

Chinatown is home to the third largest concentration of Chinese population in the western hemisphere. The culture throughout the area provides an authentic look at the Asian way of life. Restaurants, hotels, shops and street vendors all contribute to the style that makes this neighborhood a unique rarity, enjoyable for visitors to explore.

Chinatown was settled in the mid-1800s, and the ethnically-specific culture grew up around Chinese cigar sellers. Now the economy of the area is largely based on green grocers, restaurateurs and street vending. For visitors exploring the area, instead of staying at a corporate chain, The Hotel 91, Mayor Hotel and Mulberry Hotel are all local and offer intimate experiences of this area of town.

A great advantage to staying in Chinatown New York hotels is found in the room-letting costs. Compared with the elevated rates throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, rooms along the East Village are significantly lower in cost. In addition, this one-of-a-kind neighborhood so close by is fun to explore. The smells, sights and sounds are unlike anywhere else on the east coast.

Little Italy

Little Italy is home to a thick density of authentic Italian culture. Amici’s II and La Bella Ferrara are two of the most popular restaurants for Italian cuisine. Their patio spaces are coveted and their food is said to represent true Italian food—not Americanized, as so many are. Retail, grocery, and gift shop culture are all prevalent along the streets.

If you are looking for great Little Italy hotels to spend a night in nearby, The Hudson and Chelsea Hotels are along the avenues that make up this neighborhood. The Gramercy Park Hotel is also nearby, and adds an exclusive class provision for people wanting top-notch service. Hotels in the area are competitively priced to those throughout the island and there is plenty of quick access to transportation nearby.

Many people enjoy walking the streets in and around the Italian hub to experience the culture shift. There are few places left in America that have such drastic shifts in such concentrated placement. One day spent walking the sidewalks and shopping the street carts is an experience worth taking your time on.