I Stayed There: Hotel 50 Bowery, JdV by Hyatt

I recently traveled to one of my favorite places, New York City. In the past I’ve usually stayed in midtown, but this time I decided to stay in lower Manhattan’s Chinatown so that I could experience a new-to-me brand: JdV by Hyatt. “JdV” stands for “joie de vivre” which translates to “joy of life,” and I was excited to stay at a property from this “collection of vibrant, independent hotels that are true reflections of the urban neighborhoods we call home. Embracing our namesake (joie de vivre), each hotel invites all to celebrate the joy of life and make each stay yours truly,” according to the brand’s website.

Did the hotel live up to these lofty aspirations? In a word, yes. Read on to find out how!

The Vibe

Hotel 50 Bowery felt trendy but not pretentious. As soon as I stepped foot in the lobby, I was welcomed by friendly front desk staff who were able to arrange early access to my room after I completed the online check-in on the World of Hyatt app. The hotel’s main lobby was warm yet modern with comfortable seating available and a sign advertising the available activities like neighborhood walking tours, offered as a complimentary inclusion a few times a week.

How I Felt

For me, the hotel was a comfortable and welcoming place to unwind and relax after a busy day in the city. The location made it easy to get anywhere I needed to go in Manhattan, with multiple subway stations within a 10-minute walk.  

The Digs

My room was located on the 5^th floor and offered a great view of the Manhattan Bridge promenade through the floor-to-ceiling window, which made the room feel light, airy and more spacious than many other city hotels I’ve visited. The décor was modern but not stark or sterile. The bathroom’s rainfall shower was roomy, and I really enjoyed the Jonathan Adler bath amenities.  

The Agenda

I visited the city for a one-day conference plus additional business meetings which kept me very busy, but I was able to soak in the sights and sounds on a long walk back to the hotel from midtown.

The Eats

I couldn’t visit the hotel’s rooftop restaurant/bar, The Crown, as it was undergoing renovations. Instead, I found The Living Room on the second floor to be a bright, expansive and welcoming indoor/outdoor lounge with board games and complimentary coffee and tea stations next to a large bowl of large gala apples. The terrace offered additional seating and yard games. Just like my room, it featured an expansive view of the city including the Manhattan Bridge promenade.

I really liked how I was given two complimentary reusable aluminum water bottles at check-in. I try to stay well-hydrated when I travel and the refill stations throughout the hotel made it easy to get my daily dose of H2O. I also appreciated that the bottles were recyclable instead of being single-use plastic.

Why I Would Go Back

Whether I’m visiting New York again for business reasons or on a personal trip, I would absolutely consider staying at Hotel 50 Bowery again if I wanted to stay in Lower Manhattan. I’d also like to visit the rooftop after renovations are complete for happy hour at sunset.