voco The Franklin New York by IHG

I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to voco The Franklin New York by IHG on East 87th Street, I almost missed it. It’s tucked into this lovely residential stretch of the Upper East Side where you’re more likely to see dog walkers than tourists dragging suitcases. But that’s exactly what makes this place special, you know? You’re staying in a four-star boutique hotel that feels like you’ve discovered some local secret, just a few blocks from Central Park.

The building itself has this European elegance thing going on – I mean, it was actually modeled after a London townhouse, which explains why it feels so different from those massive Midtown towers. Inside, there’s this cozy, almost residential vibe with rich fabrics and darker wood tones that somehow manage to feel sophisticated without being stuffy. The rooms aren’t huge (this is New York, after all), but they’re thoughtfully designed with these great little touches like proper reading lights and windows that actually open – which is rarer than you’d think in the city. I stayed on the fifth floor and could hear just enough street life to remember I was in Manhattan, but it wasn’t the honking chaos you get closer to Times Square.

What I really appreciated was the staff’s approach – they seem to know their neighborhood inside and out. The concierge pointed me toward this fantastic little coffee spot on Lexington that I never would have found otherwise, and when I mentioned wanting good Italian food, they didn’t just rattle off the obvious places but suggested this gem on East 83rd that locals actually go to. The hotel bar downstairs gets pretty lively in the evenings, especially on weekends, but it’s more sophisticated professionals unwinding than rowdy tourists. And honestly? Being right there on the Upper East Side means you can walk to the Met in about ten minutes, hit Central Park’s quieter eastern entrance, or just wander down Madison Avenue without fighting crowds. The subway’s a short walk on Lexington, so you’re not stranded up there, but you’re far enough from the tourist madness that you can actually pretend you live in New York for a few days. It’s that sweet spot where you get the real neighborhood feel without sacrificing the hotel amenities you actually want.

To book a hotel in New York during major events like Fashion Week, travelers need early planning as this vibrant city draws visitors eager to experience its dynamic energy and world-famous skyline.