PUBLIC Hotel
Hip, tech-forward minimalism. Copper escalators, neon-orange lighting, communal laptop-friendly lobby, and a crowd that skews young and design-conscious. Schrager calls it 'the people's hotel' — and the vibe backs that up.
Book direct on publichotels.com — you get the lowest rate guarantee, complimentary continental breakfast, and upgrade priority, none of which you get through OTAs
Why It Matters
Ian Schrager — the mind behind Studio 54 and the Edition brand — built PUBLIC around his 'luxury for all' thesis. No front desk, no room service, but free Wi-Fi, complimentary fitness classes from trainers who work with pro athletes, and a rooftop bar with panoramic Manhattan views that locals queue for on weekends.
Ian Schrager opened PUBLIC in 2017 with a single big idea: luxury shouldn't require a fat wallet. The result is a 367-room tower on the Lower East Side where the design is razor-sharp minimalist, the tech is genuinely impressive, and the price point actually holds up against much blander NYC competition. Rooms are small — honestly, some are very small — but the communal spaces, rooftop bar, and nightly programming at its basement club make the hotel feel much larger than your square footage.
Where You'll Stay
14 room types available
Double Room
Two double beds in 205 sq ft — it's tight but functional. Available across floors 3–16 with varying views. Smart TV, free Wi-Fi, Bose speaker, and all standard room tech included.
Two Double Beds
King Great View
On floors 8–16 with park or city views depending on assignment. Soft king bed, dining area, 50-inch flatscreen with Apple TV and Netflix, iPod dock, wireless Bluetooth speaker, and touch-enabled curtains.
KingKing Park View
East-facing rooms on floors 3–7 with views of Chrystie Street and Sara Roosevelt Park. Slightly more breathing room than the Queens at 220 sq ft. Floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in shower, Apple TV, and Bose speaker.
KingKing with Sofa Bed
One of the more spacious non-suite options at 269 sq ft. King bed plus a sofa bed makes it a workable triple. Good for a couple traveling with one kid or a group of three.
King + Sofa BedLoft
A real step up in space at 350 sq ft with a genuine loft layout. King bed, full smart-room setup, and significantly more room to actually live in. Good option if 205 sq ft is a dealbreaker for you.
KingLoft Great View
The 350 sq ft loft footprint on floors 8–16, with city views. More space plus better sightlines — probably the sweet spot in the room lineup for most travelers.
KingLoft Park View
Same 350 sq ft loft on floors 3–7, oriented toward Sara Roosevelt Park and Chrystie Street. Quieter feel than the city-facing rooms and a pleasant green outlook.
King
Penthouse 1
The top of the building, 800 sq ft, with 360-degree views that include the city skyline and the Freedom Tower. As close to a wow-factor suite as PUBLIC gets — still smartly designed rather than traditionally opulent.
KingPenthouse 2 & 3
On the top floors, 565 sq ft with the penthouse treatment — panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Freedom Tower. Full smart-room setup. A properly special option without going all the way to Penthouse 1 pricing.
KingQueen
Entry-level rooms on floors 3–7. Small by most standards but smartly designed with the bed set in an alcove, floor-to-ceiling windows, amber-glass rain shower, and a Bose Bluetooth speaker. Touch-enabled curtains, lighting that dims to candlelight, and free bottled water. City views from lower floors.
QueenQueen Great View
Same tight 205 sq ft but positioned on floors 12–16, where the views open up properly. The bed sits right alongside soundproofed floor-to-ceiling windows — you can see the skyline from the pillow.
QueenQueen Hi-Floor
Same footprint as the base Queen but up on floors 8–11 for better city views. Queen bed in wooden alcove, 50-inch flatscreen with Netflix, rain shower, and full smart-room controls.
QueenResidential Hotel Suite
At 474 sq ft and sleeping up to six, this is clearly the family or group option. Floors 3–7. Full residential feel with distinct living zones — considerably more apartment-like than the standard rooms.
KingResidential Hotel Suite Hi-Floor
The same 474 sq ft residential suite layout but on floors 8–16, with meaningfully better views. Best bet if you're traveling as a family or a group and want more than a shoebox.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
8 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Regular programming at the basement nightclub including Tuesday Baby Tuesday, Mirari Presents on Fridays, Off the Record most Saturdays, and monthly Risqué nights. Also hosts comedy, screenings, and art exhibits.
Live music at the rooftop bar Thursday through Saturday from 9:30pm.
Live music programming at the Two Fifteen cocktail bar. Runs Wed–Sat from 10pm.
Weekly vinyl night at the 18th-floor rooftop bar. Wednesdays at 7pm.
Yoga, pilates sculpt, core sculpt, breathwork, HIIT, and stretch classes every morning. Weekdays at 7:30am, weekends at 9am. World-class trainers. Free for hotel guests — just show up.
Street-level retail shop selling books, jewelry, clothing, and accessories. Designed by bonetti/kozerski architecture.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
The lobby has wooden stair-desks and communal seating designed for working. Popular with laptop users during the day.
2,000 sq ft of event space with 3 meeting rooms, a ballroom, and banquet hall. Good for private events, conferences, and weddings.
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, including all guest rooms and public spaces. USB charging ports in communal areas.
Basement nightclub and flexible performance venue with retractable seating for 100. Hosts music, comedy, screenings, and regular club nights.
A quieter lounge space reserved for hotel guests.
Small bench-equipped gardens flank the hotel entrance. The Bowery Garden is described as a larger outdoor terrace with a European café culture feel.
All rooms have triple-glazed soundproof windows — a real asset given the LES neighborhood noise levels.
Bedside devices control all in-room lights, shades, and climate. Apple TV with Netflix in every room, Bose Bluetooth speakers, in-room steamers.
No traditional front desk. PUBLIC Advisors find you when you arrive and check you in. Mobile key and self check-in options also available.
Well-equipped gym with Peloton bikes, open around the clock. Reviewers note it's a decent size for NYC.
BUILD YOUR PUBLIC HOTEL PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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