Lafayette House Hotel

The Lafayette Hotel in Noho is so inconspicuous as to be intriguing. There are no uniformed doormen waiting to greet you in their grand finery; there is no overwhelmingly huge lobby with flashy accents and expensive furniture to amaze you, and there isn’t even a front desk where you can register or book for a room. We told you, the hotel’s low profile is intriguing and it further adds to the charm of the place. If you can reach here without getting lost and spot the barely-to-be-seen sign outside it is quite an accomplishment. In fact, it has got such a low-key look about it that restaurants are known to leave their menu on the doorstep, mistaking it for a private residence.

As you step through the doors of the 1840 brownstone building known as Lafayette House, you feel like you’ve left the 21^st century behind and entered a slightly hipper version of a Victorian pied-À-terre – and that’s what makes the Lafayette House such an interesting place to stay in. The hardwood floors under your feet creak in protest while the burgundy walls are lit up by the muted glow of low lights. It’s difficult to visualize that the owners of this quaint hotel are the same names behind the Park and the Waverly Inn – Eric Goode & Sean MacPherson.

If you want to book one of the 15 rooms in this hotel, do so over the phone. You won’t find anybody at the front desk to cater to you. As you may remember, this hotel has done away with the front desk altogether. There is one attendant who looks after all the guest and when you arrive at the hotel, you need to buzz him from the first floor. You are handed your room key and the baggage transferred without ceremony to your room. Complimentary tea and coffee is available in the rooms and you are also treated to wine at check-in. You can order room service from restaurants in the neighborhood restaurants like BBar. While there is a Concierge service on call, know that he is not available round the clock. For most part of your stay at

The rooms at the Lafayette House are quite spacious and full of quirky jumble of furniture that you are going to love. Most of the furniture used is second hand and handpicked from various flea markets. There are scroll-arm sofas, velvet curtains, four-poster beds, and reclaimed antique fittings in wood. All rooms have their own gas fireplaces, flat-screen TV’s, free Wi-Fi, DVD players, and toiletries from C.O. Bigelow Apothecary. King rooms are equipped with kitchenettes, mini fridges, and private balconies.

Staying at the Lafayette is more like staying at a private apartment. You are guaranteed complete privacy, but at the same time, the hotel does see to it that your basic needs are met and the service is prompt and exact. If you are the kind that enjoys being pampered by an obsequious platoon of attendants, you’d do well to steer clear of this place. However, for those who don’t mind looking after themselves, the Lafayette House will be an interesting experience, to say the least.

• Address: 38 East 4th Street, East Village, New York, NY, United States
• Telephone: 212-505-8100

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