The location is everything. The Whitby Hotel – of Firmdale fame – is in the middle of the action, you’re only two blocks from Central Park. In typical style, British designer Kit Kemp has put her personal touch (contemporary English style) on each of the 86 rooms – big bold colour pops, pattern parties, and fabrics galore. Each room though has beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows for street watching. It’s comfortable, with a low-key buzz of regulars who return knowing the service is excellent, the vibe is swanky, the restaurant is always reliable and it’s a bit of a British bash but abroad.