Reviews for The Historic Blue Moon Hotel

I just wrapped up a stay at the Historic Blue Moon Hotel, and I’m still buzzing from how incredible it was. From the moment we stepped into the lobby, it felt like walking into a living piece of New York history—thoughtfully restored with so much care and personality. The original 1879 tenement details are everywhere: exposed brick, antique doorknobs, quirky artifacts from past tenants embedded in the walls like little time capsules. It’s not just a hotel; it’s an art project and a story. Our room (a junior suite) was surprisingly spacious by NYC standards—super clean, comfy king bed that felt like sleeping on clouds, modern bathroom with great water pressure, and even a little kitchenette setup. The vibe is eclectic and artsy without feeling gimmicky; it’s authentic and warm. We loved the on-site Sweet Dreams Cafe downstairs—grabbed amazing coffee and pastries in the morning, plus Italian dishes that were spot-on. The location is unbeatable: steps from the Tenement Museum, walking distance to incredible food in Chinatown and the Lower East Side, and easy subway access to everywhere else. The staff (shoutout to the front desk team!) were genuinely friendly, helpful, and made us feel like locals rather than tourists. If you want a unique, character-filled stay that feels worlds away from cookie-cutter chain hotels, this is it. We’ll be back every time we visit NYC—no question. 5 stars aren’t enough; this place is a 10/10 experience! Highly recommend—book it before it becomes everyone’s secret favorite.

Great stay at the Blue Moon Hotel. It’s a very artsy hotel with a lot of character, and you can really feel that it’s a historically renovated building rather than a generic spot. The staff was friendly and helpful from check-in to check-out, which made the whole experience smooth and welcoming. The vibe fits the neighborhood perfectly. Would definitely stay here again.

Felt like home. This weekend was our first time staying at the Historic Blue Moon, but it won’t be our last. Bram was kind and helpful when we arrived - he welcomed us and got us settled. In the lobby we met the warm, lovely Dovid, and the insta-famous Randy, who created this gorgeous and creative boutique hotel with his whole heart and soul. Have questions about the art and artifacts you see around you? Randy can answer them. Our room was clean, comfy, well appointed, and bigger than I expected it to be. Every hall is basically a museum — we cannot wait to return and explore more floors. Also, it felt very safe. We returned in the middle of the night a few times and there was always someone in the lobby to greet us. And when we needed something, folks in the lobby were always available to help. Also the neighborhood can’t be beat - it feels like the world is within walking distance. So basically, if you want your nyc home base to be a sterile, corporate box, don’t book here. There are plenty of cookie cutter options for that. If you want to stay in a comfy and cool apartment that is part of a living love letter to the history of the Lower East Side — a totally unique building that is itself a work of art and historical memory — then this place could be your perfectly cozy nyc home base as it was ours. Tip: I highly suggest booking via the hotel’s website directly, and not through any outside site — that seems to be the way to ensure the best rate and the least confusion with your reservation. Enjoy!

This is THE hidden gem of hotels in nyc. My favorite place to stay because of the gorgeous Old New York feel, perfect location, and the most hospitable and accommodating personnel. This place has unmatched character and charm.

Brilliant family run interesting historic local hotel. Great location that's away from the crazyness and noise of midtown, really accessible with multiple subway locations within walking distance, close enough to walk to many places too (Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich, Soho, all of the bridges)! The rooms are a decent size and well set up, fast internet, beds really comfortable, and very clean - as with anywhere there is always a bit of wear and tear on furniture (the only reason for the small mark down). The team here are really friendly and helpful and take time to chat, tell you about the hotel and area or make recommendations if you ask. Lots of communications for check in, daily servicing and checkout. If you needed any help, there was always someone available.

You’re really treated like family here! David and Kane were very helpful. From dinner suggestions to making sure we had everything we needed, they did not let us down. Pro tip: try the chocolate cupcakes at the cafe!

My husband and I have lived on the Lower East Side since the 1990s and know the neighborhood very well. At various times either friends have come to visit and needed or hotel room, or we've needed a hotel room in the neighborhood ourselves, usually when having work done on our apartment. At the end of November 2025, we were unable to use our apartment for a week and wanted to stay in the neighborhood. Although we've walked by it many times, we decided to try the Historic Blue Moon Hotel at 100 Orchard Street. The reasonable room rates drew our attention, but when we looked more closely, we loved everything about it. It's an original Lower East Side tenement building that the owners seemingly spared no expense to renovate and very tastefully reposition as a hotel. The property preserves a high degree of period detail and offers unique aesthetic appeal that provides an authentic Lower East Side experience that other hotels in the neighborhood cannot match. Maybe best of all, it is a family business with owners, management and staff who genuinely care about their guests' experience. If you are looking to experience the Lower East Side in a way that really captures the historic uniqueness of the neighborhood, and is conveniently located near public transportation and within walking distance of other Lower Manhattan neighborhoods (SoHo, Chinatown, Little Italy, the East Village, etc.) this is absolutely the place to stay.

Absolute gem of a hotel. Historical, charming, super well situated, clean, comfortable, spacious, and above all, the service was above and beyond. The kindest staff, so attentive and accommodating. We ended up extending our staycation for 2 nights. Will most definitely return and recommend.

This is my second stay at the Blue Moon Hotel and I just adore it here. The history and character of this hotel along with the location, nearby shops, restaurants, and the Tenement Museum have me coming back each year. The staff are wonderful, friendly, and have great recommendations and stories to share. If you’re looking to stay in LES, I would highly recommend staying here!

The Historic Blue Moon Hotel was a great find! The room was clean and comfortable, and Dovid and Braham were terrific. They were warm and welcoming, and always available with suggestions for restaurants or places to visit. The location was very good, as the Lower East Side has a lot of history and character. As an added bonus, excellent pickles and bagels were a 5-minute walk away. Highly recommended!

The Historic Blue Moon Hotel on Orchard Street is our go-to place to stay in New York City. I grew up a few blocks away, and this hotel captures the authentic history and character of the Lower East Side. The location is excellent—just two blocks from the F train with quick access to Soho, the Village, Midtown, and connections to major attractions. Katz’s Deli, Little Italy, and Chinatown are all within walking distance. Randy, the owner, and David, the manager, provide outstanding hospitality. They make the experience feel personal, and Randy’s knowledge of neighborhood history and the nearby Tenement Museum adds tremendous value. The neighborhood is vibrant, walkable, and feels safe at all hours. There are countless restaurants, cafés, and cultural institutions nearby, including the International Center of Photography. The Williamsburg Bridge is also close if you want a great walk into Brooklyn. Rooms range from standard to penthouse and are filled with Lower East Side memorabilia, making the hotel feel unique and memorable. A microwave and improved Android TV connection would make the stay even better, but overall, this is an exceptional boutique hotel that we look forward to returning to.

Randy the owner is awesome!!!! His wife’s Lemon tiramisu was a special treat on my birthday trip. The art and personal touch to the building shows he cares. Me and my family will be coming back!!!

I came on a girls trip and from the moment I waked through the front door it felt like home. All the beautiful after work. Being welcomed with a short story of the history of the hotel everything honestly was perfect. My friend and I stayed on the 8th floor and I’d like to say the view is amazing and the room was quite beautiful.(I definitely took photos)

We wandered into the hotel for coffee before a tour at the Tenement Museum. It is beautiful-we met the owner, Randy, who welcomed us and showed us around. We will definitely be staying here for our next girls’ weekend! The rooms are huge compared to what we got in midtown, some with balconies and stunning views! We walked to Chinatown and Little Italy easily. Such a good find!!