The Whitby Hotel
Colorful, design-forward British boutique with a warm residential feel. Think eccentric English townhouse landed in the heart of Midtown — cozy corners, floor-to-ceiling windows, and no beige in sight.
Request an interior or rear-facing room if street noise bothers you — several guests specifically flag 56th Street as audible from front-facing rooms.
Why It Matters
Three Michelin Keys in both 2024 and 2025. One of only a handful of hotels in New York City to hold that distinction. The design by Kit Kemp MBE is genuinely original — not just 'boutique hotel colorful' but individually conceived room by room. The 130-seat Whitby Theater (used for film premieres and weekly screenings) and the Orangery are standout spaces you won't find elsewhere in Midtown.
The Whitby is Firmdale's midtown Manhattan outpost — a grown-up, art-forward hotel that earns Three Michelin Keys and makes absolutely no apologies for the bold color choices. Kit Kemp's fingerprints are everywhere: custom furniture, fabric-lined walls, curated bookshelves, handcrafted ceramics etched with New York landmarks, and enough statement art pieces to keep you occupied between meals. Opened in 2017, it sits on 56th Street just west of Fifth Avenue, two blocks from Central Park and a short walk from MoMA, Carnegie Hall, and some of the city's best shopping.
Where You'll Stay
12 room types available
Corner Terrace Suite
From USD4,022 / nightOne-bedroom suite with a corner terrace, one of the property's most sought-after configurations. Large private outdoor space with seating and city views. Marble and granite bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, and walk-in shower.
King
Deluxe King / Twin
From USD1,145 / nightLarger and more elaborately designed rooms with upgraded furnishings, still carrying Firmdale's signature mix of pattern, craft, and color. Good Manhattan skyline views from upper positions.
King or Twin
Deluxe Top Floor King / Twin
From USD1,260 / nightSame Deluxe category but positioned on the upper floors for better views. Higher ceilings and elevated Manhattan skyline vistas make these worth the premium over standard Deluxe.
King or TwinJunior King / Twin Suite
From USD1,375 / nightBright, open junior suites with high ceilings and oversized windows. Separate seating area, king bed, and desk. Granite bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, and walk-in shower. Heated towel bars and a built-in TV in the bathroom. Four guests can share when configured as twin.
King or TwinJunior King Terrace Suite
From USD2,293 / night474 sq ft junior suites on the upper floors with a private corner terrace overlooking Manhattan rooftops. Uniquely designed, bright and open with high ceilings and full-length windows. Granite bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, and walk-in shower. Includes a gift from Kit Kemp's RikRak range, fresh flowers, international newspapers, and complimentary clothes pressing.
KingLuxury King / Twin
From USD1,031 / nightA step up from Superior, with the same Kit Kemp-designed aesthetic but more space and elevated finishes. Twin configuration available on request. Three people sharing is permitted in this category.
King or TwinOne-Bedroom Suite
From USD3,448 / nightSpacious one-bedroom suite with separate living room, 1.5 bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows. White marble or granite bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, walk-in shower, heated towel bars, and built-in bathroom TV. Four guests can be accommodated.
KingSuperior King
From USD916 / nightEntry-level rooms with Kit Kemp's signature bold color palette, floor-to-ceiling windows, and individually designed decor. Spacious by Manhattan standards. Granite bathrooms with walk-in shower. No bathtub in this category.
KingTerrace Suite
From USD4,882 / night743 sq ft one-bedroom suite on the upper floors with a large private terrace overlooking 56th Street. High ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, separate living room with dining area, and white marble bathroom with double sinks, soaking tub, and walk-in shower. A separate guest WC is also included.
KingThe Clementine Suite (One-Bedroom)
From USD5,169 / nightA standalone one-bedroom suite on the 12th floor, which can also be combined with two Junior Terrace Suites to form the full three-bedroom Clementine configuration (entire 12th floor with kitchen). The one-bedroom version is available independently.
KingThe Clementine Suite (Three-Bedroom)
From USD10,911 / night2,023 sq ft three-bedroom arrangement occupying the entire 12th floor. Combines two Corner Terrace Suites with a Junior Suite — all three have king beds. Includes a kitchen, making it functionally a private floor. Must be requested directly through the hotel; not bookable as a standalone category online.
KingThe Whitby Penthouse
From USD11,483 / night1,840 sq ft two-bedroom penthouse occupying the entire top floor of the hotel. Two king bedrooms, a large living room, guest powder room, kitchen, and two sweeping terraces with views of New York spanning both sides of the building. White marble bathrooms with double sinks, deep soaking tub, and separate shower. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout. The terrace of The Whitby Penthouse is genuinely stunning and extremely rare for Midtown.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A book-lined Drawing Room with an original art collection, a fireplace, and a large library of curated reads. Guests can help themselves from the Honesty Bar — a self-serve drinks station common to all Firmdale properties. Good for a quiet morning coffee or a pre-dinner glass of wine.
Every Friday evening, The Whitby Bar runs its Sailor's Farewell Oyster Bar menu alongside live jazz from the Sam Taylor Trio. Open to hotel guests and walk-ins alike.
Every Saturday evening at The Whitby Bar, a vocalist-forward live music series featuring new and established New York City artists with accompanying trio.
A themed afternoon tea served daily at The Whitby Bar & Restaurant, inspired by Kit Kemp's design aesthetic and her book. Served on bespoke Wedgwood 'Sailor's Farewell' china. Features savories, pastries, scones, and champagne. Rated among the best afternoon teas in the US by Tasting Table and Vogue.
Three curated private rooms (The Orangery, Araminta Room, Reading Room) plus the Whitby Theater for screenings, launches, and dinners. The Orangery is a light-filled space for up to 60–80 guests. The Araminta Room seats smaller candlelit dinners. The Reading Room is a book-lined space ideal for intimate gatherings and meetings.
A state-of-the-art 130-seat private cinema with surround sound. Hosts a regular weekly film club, including vintage movie screenings paired with brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. Also used for private film premieres and events.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Free high-speed wireless internet throughout all rooms and public areas.
State-of-the-art private cinema with surround sound, available for private hire and public screenings. One of the most distinctive amenities in any Midtown Manhattan hotel.
A fully air-conditioned gym with a variety of cardio machines, weight equipment, and a dumbbell rack. Guests report it as one of the better hotel fitness centers in Midtown, though it is modest in size.
Color-saturated lounge filled with original art and a full library of books. Self-serve Honesty Bar for light drinks. A Firmdale signature across all properties.
Pets are welcome at the hotel. Dogs are permitted in outdoor areas; service dogs permitted everywhere.
In-house concierge team available around the clock for restaurant reservations, theater tickets, transportation arrangements, and local recommendations. Consistently praised in guest reviews.
On-site dry cleaning and laundry service.
Round-the-clock room service from The Whitby Bar & Restaurant kitchen.
Smart flat-screen TVs in every room, plus a built-in TV in suite bathrooms.
Valet parking service available at $85 per night. Note: no in-and-out privileges.
The Whitby Hotel does not have a swimming pool.
The Whitby Hotel does not have an on-site spa.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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