Greenwich Village’s Abingdon Guest House

In case you haven’t already noticed, I like to steer folks to unique lodging offerings here in NYC.  The big landmark hotels, while superb in their own right, often don’t reflect their neighborhood’s street level character. Staying in ultra posh digs isn’t likely to immerse you in what it’s like to live in “non-tourist” New York complete with local-favorite coffee shops and off-the-radar art galleries.

Ambassador Room in the Village's Abingdon Guest House

The Abingdon Guest House (map)  is another such example unassumingly tucked away on Eighth Ave. in the Village. Consisting of two landmark 1850′s Federal-style townhouses in the heart of Greenwich Village, in-room amenities include  plush bath robes, daily maid service, free WiFi, and most importantly, private bathrooms for those hectic mornings.

Each of the 9 rooms are themed such as the Martinique with a canopied four-poster bed  and skylight above.  Room prices start at an unheard of $159 per night for the rarely available Perrin Room.  This is as close as you can get if you’ve always fantasized about living in a townhouse in the Village. Each room is one of a kind with unique furnishings eliminating any traces of an antiseptic hotel.

And outside your door is the best part!  You don’t have to amble over cobblestone streets very far to explore numerous art galleries.  The Robin Rice Gallery is right next door while Artware Editions is at 327 West 11th Street, and White Columns on Horatio Street is just west of Eighth Avenue.

By subway: Take the A, C, or E to the 8th Ave – 14th Street Station and walk down 8th Avenue 4 blocks to #13.

photo courtesy of Abingdon Guest House