Review: Warren Street Hotel

Why book?

Kit Kemp loyalists and design obsessives will have already bookmarked this hotel for its eclectic interiors and extensive art collection, but anyone who wants to find a quiet moment amid the mayhem of Manhattan—without losing any of its color—will find their needs met here. And while the rooms and suites are miraculously quiet, the skyline views and downtown location mean you’ll never lose touch with the energy of New York City.

Set the scene

Snuck down Warren Street, along the border of Tribeca and the Financial District, the arrival of Kit Kemp’s third New York City property is a welcome addition to the area. Yes, there’s a handful of quality hotels like The Beekman, The Greenwich, and The Wall Street Hotel, and a couple storied restaurants like The Odeon, where eavesdropping and martinis still go hand in hand at the bar, but when it comes to FiDi, at least, the area is still largely associated with soaring office buildings, suits on their lunch break, and a futuristic shopping mall. It’s not a surprise, then, that this boutique 69-room property is already brimming with well-dressed locals jostling with guests for a table at the bar and restaurant. As for the interiors, walking into the buttercup-yellow lobby means stepping into the whimsical universe of Kit Kemp: large pieces of art sourced from her many travels (a running theme throughout the property) flank a small check-in desk, while a private guests-only living room is packed with clashing patterns adorning custom-made furniture and upholstery. That sense of fun carries on throughout the entire hotel, even the carpets are done up in a limited edition batik pattern—Kemp is a master when it comes to transforming a space into a riot of color and wit, and this latest endeavor may just be her most playful yet.

The backstory

Firmdale, the hospitality group overseen by Kemp, has a knack for establishing its hotels (currently clocking in at 11) into charismatic city staples that serve the neighborhood just as much as its visitors: Ham Yard in London; The Crosby and The Whitby here in New York, for example. The Warren is no different, but the location was also chosen for its history: back in the 19th century the area was a textiles hub, a perfect fit for Kemp’s own passion and talent for the material. Every design detail, right down to pillows in the private lounge and the lampshades in the bedrooms, have been either designed or sourced by Kit Kemp Design Studio—even the fine bone china used in the restaurant is Kemp’s own range of ‘Tall Trees’ tableware, featuring patterns inspired by misty morning walks (a classic choice from the British-born designer). And while each Firmdale property is unique in feel and look, even while sharing similar design sensibilities, there’s an additional wrinkle to The Warren’s story that sets it apart: This is Kemp’s first design venture in partnership with her two daughters, Minnie and Willow.

The rooms

No two spaces are the same at The Warren. The 69 bedrooms, suites, and residences have each been designed by Kemp to exude their own personality, whether it be through the patterned headboards above king-size beds, one-of-a-kind artworks spanning all sorts of creative movements and styles, custom-made wallpaper and egg-shaped lighting, or even an occasional mish mash of antique furniture. I stayed in a Junior Terrace Suite, which meant stellar views of One World Trade Center and the surrounding area, and oodles of natural light flooding in through the turquoise framed floor-to-ceiling windows; the color palette, meanwhile, was a gentle combination of dusty blues, rose pinks, and the occasional pop of cherry red (in the stripes of an upholstered armchair, perhaps, or within a small floral print hung above the nightstand). Yet even with clashing patterns and eccentric pieces of art, the living area and bedroom always felt fresh and clean, never cluttered. Amenities included a tiny, chic kitchenette hidden behind a sleek green door, two flat screen televisions, Bose bluetooth speakers, and a record player accompanied by a thoughtfully curated vinyl selection—Bowie, Buena Vista Social Club, and Prince among them. The bathroom, meanwhile, was a gorgeous marble offering, featuring both a walk-in shower and deep bathtub as well as Kemp’s own line of bath products that blend scents of pink pepper, cedar wood, and patchouli. Few things have felt more decadent than spending a Saturday afternoon blasting Bowie’s Hunky Dory while drinking a glass of complimentary Champs in the tub.

Food and drink

On opening weekend, The Warren’s restaurant was already packed with a combination of guests and curious locals eager to try out their new neighborhood dinner spot. The space, which includes an airy second dining room called ‘The Orangery’ housing an array of eccentric British craft and ceramics, is lined with wallpaper so gorgeous it almost rivals the murals at the Carlyle’s legendary Bemelmans bar uptown. Food is brasserie-style: plates of rich foie gras terrine, crunchy Caesar salad, citrusy crudo, tender grass-fed burger, and crab cakes with a piquant sauce. Both the spaghetti vongole and grilled dover sole were excellent, but the highlight arrived at dessert, in the form of a lemon tart brûléed across the surface. There is also a long bar to pull up a stool at—I suggest rounding out the night with a cocktail there, or taking your nightcap to the private, guests-only lounge tucked away at the back of the property.

The neighborhood/area

Turn one way and you have Tribeca, home to a lovely slew of restaurants, bars, and cobblestone streets eventually leading into Soho; turn the other and you have the Financial District which, while still lacking in personality (and pretty quiet on weekends), is slowly morphing into something more interesting thanks, in part, to the brand new Perelman Performing Arts Center that opened in late 2023. There’s also an Eataly nearby, as well as easy access to ferries along the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge if you fancy strolling over the iconic landmark, and every subway line you could ever need.

The service

Service is low-key without missing a beat. Champagne was waiting in the room upon check-in and ordering breakfast to the room felt like a worthwhile indulgence due to its prompt arrival alone (and the skyline view from bed, of course). Don’t come expecting a private butler or white-glove service, but that’s not why you’re here—the draw of The Warren is in its warmth, personality, and slice of New York life.

Accessibility

All of the public spaces of the property, including the restaurant, are ADA compliant, and there are seven ADA rooms available to book. Rooms and suites are accessible via the elevators.

Anything left to mention?

Take some time to wind down in the private lounge—the design is just as exquisite as in the rooms and restaurant with plenty more custom upholstery, rugs, and interesting artworks to cast an eye over, as well as a fireplace, chess table, and shelves holding an assortment of books. This property is a jewel box, and you’ll want to get to know every nook and cranny of it.