New York
Artsy, social, and decidedly millennial-coded. Think eclectic cocktail bars, rotating gallery walls, DJ nights, and tarot readings — all inside a solid 1929 bones building. A little louder at night than you'd expect from a 'boutique hotel.'
Broken Shaker closes for winter and reopens in April — confirm before you book if the rooftop is your reason for coming
Why It Matters
Three serious drinking and dining venues on-site, including the award-winning Broken Shaker rooftop bar (James Beard Award Finalist, winner of Tales of the Cocktail's Best American Hotel Bar). The Bard College art partnership is the real differentiator — every room has original one-of-a-kind murals, not generic prints.
Freehand New York occupies the former George Washington Hotel, a 1929 building in Manhattan's Flatiron District that once sheltered W.H. Auden, Dee Dee Ramone, and Keith Haring. Design firm Roman and Williams handled the interiors, and every guest room carries original commissioned murals by Bard College students and alumni. The result is a hotel that skews decidedly creative and social — rooms run small by Manhattan standards, but the bars, the rooftop, and the programming make the place hard to leave.
Where You'll Stay
13 room types available
Deluxe Corner King
The best standard room in the building. Three corner windows flood 375 sq ft with natural light, with closet space — a genuine rarity in Manhattan. Set on the corner of Lexington Avenue with city views. USB built-in outlets throughout.
1 King · 35 sqm
Deluxe Queen
At 235 sq ft, this is among the more spacious queen options and includes a dedicated seating area — a meaningful upgrade when you're staying more than a night.
1 Queen · 22 sqm
Gallery Suite
The group suite: 650 sq ft with a spacious living room, two separate bedrooms each with their own bathroom, one configured as a king room and the other with four twin bunk beds. The best option for a mixed group that wants suite-level space.
1 King + 4 Twin · 60 sqm
GW Suite
At 650 sq ft across two separate king bedrooms each with its own bathroom, plus a spacious living room, this is the top couples-or-duo suite. Named as a nod to the building's past life as the George Washington Hotel.
2 King · 60 sqm
King
A solid king room at 250 sq ft — the standard couples' option. Roman and Williams design with the full suite of room amenities. ADA options available.
1 King · 24 sqm
Premium King
At 325 sq ft, this has real extra leg room and a proper seating area. Built-in USB outlets make it a practical choice for work trips. One of the better value-for-space options in the building.
1 King · 30 sqm
Premium Quad
The upgrade on the Private Quad, adding 70 sq ft and a seating area. Four twin bunk beds with private bathroom, individual outlets, and reading lights per bunk. ADA options available.
4 Twin (2 bunk beds) · 28 sqm
Premium Queen
A step up from the standard Queen at 205 sq ft. Same Roman and Williams aesthetic, slightly more breathing room. ADA options available.
1 Queen · 19 sqmPrivate Quad
Two bunk beds for four in 225 sq ft with a private bathroom. Each bunk has individual outlets and reading lights. Best for friend groups on a budget who want their own space versus a hostel dorm.
4 Twin (2 bunk beds) · 21 sqmQueen
Roman and Williams-designed standard queen. Compact but well-considered, with Argan bath products and original commissioned artwork. ADA options available.
1 Queen · 17 sqmSolo Room
The smallest private room in the building, designed for the solo traveler who spends most of their time out. At 120 sq ft, this is honest Manhattan minimalism — everything you need, nothing extra. ADA options available.
1 Twin · 11 sqmThree's Company
A queen bed plus an overhead bunk twin — the setup for two friends who want one real bed each and one bonus sleeping spot. 250 sq ft shared among three. ADA options available.
1 Queen + 1 Twin bunk · 24 sqmTriple
Three twin beds for groups of three who want more space than a bunk room. Each bed has individual outlets and reading lights — practical for friends traveling together. ADA options available.
3 Twin · 26 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A basement gym with treadmills, weights, and benches — decorated with a street art mural. Covered by the facility fee, so no extra charge for hotel guests.
Daily happy hour at the rooftop Broken Shaker: beer $6, punch $10, wine $10, cocktails $12. Runs 4–5pm every day the rooftop is open (April through roughly October/November).
Freehand runs a rolling calendar of events including art workshops, live music, fitness classes, tarot readings, life drawing classes, themed nights (masquerade balls, Valentine's cabarets), and brand pop-ups. Open to guests and locals alike. Check the events calendar for current listings.
The Georgia Room ballroom hosts DJs and open dancing every Friday and Saturday from 10pm to 4am. The centerpiece is a large avant-garde disco ball. Open to hotel guests and the public.
A weekly DJ residency at Bar Calico every Thursday night from 9pm–1am. On the first Thursday of each month, the Dart Collective takes the booth. Happy hour runs 9–11pm on those nights.
A mezzanine-level game room stocked with retro board games (Clue, Candy Land), shuffleboard, and free arcade games including Ms. Pac-Man. Open to guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
High-speed internet included in the facility fee — the hotel states it offers 'the fastest internet available, with no extra charges for higher speeds.'
Room service is available daily.
A ballroom-style event space on the upper mezzanine level that can accommodate groups of 15–400. Four full-service bars on Broken Shaker rooftop; Bar Calico can host private dining for up to 28 or full buyouts for 60.
All rooms include Argan bath products, bathrobes, and slippers.
Pets allowed. Charges may apply.
The property does not have a swimming pool.
Basement gym with treadmills, weights, and benches, featuring a street art mural. Included in the hotel facility fee.
BUILD YOUR FREEHAND NEW YORK PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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