If you’ve ever walked down Broadway near 77th Street and felt like you were accidentally stepping into a F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, you probably bumped into the old NYLO New York City Upper West Side. It was—and honestly, still is—one of those rare spots in Manhattan that manages to feel industrial and cozy at the exact same time.
But here is the thing. If you try to book a room under the name "NYLO" today, you're going to get a lot of "page not found" errors.
The hotel didn't disappear. It just grew up. In early 2019, the property officially rebranded to the Arthouse Hotel New York City. It was a massive shift from being part of a Texas-based chain to becoming a standalone "creative enclave." While the sign on the door changed, the soul of the building—a 1919 classic—stayed perfectly intact.
What Actually Happened to NYLO New York City?
The transition caught a lot of loyal guests off guard. Basically, the NYLO brand (which stood for "New York Lofts") was known for taking gritty, secondary markets and giving them a dose of big-city aesthetic. When they landed on the Upper West Side in 2013, they were the first real "lifestyle" brand in a neighborhood that was mostly known for staid, family-friendly hotels.
By 2019, the owners decided to lean harder into the local arts scene. They launched a platform called Arthouse @ NYLO, which was so successful that they just decided to make it the whole identity.
They brought in heavy hitters like Stonehill Taylor—the same architecture firm behind some of the city's slickest rooftops—to refine the space. Instead of just being a "loft-style" hotel, they wanted to be a place where you'd see a Jean-Michel Basquiat or Willem de Kooning work hanging in the lobby.
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The Vibe Check: Industrial Meets Jazz Age
Walking into the lobby today feels less like a hotel check-in and more like visiting a very wealthy friend's library. You've got the original 1920s French elevator system—which is beautiful but, let's be real, can be a little slow when you're in a rush—and an original fireplace that actually works.
The design team kept the "industrial core." We’re talking:
- Polished concrete floors that look surprisingly warm.
- Exposed brick walls that haven't been touched in a century.
- Huge steel garage doors in the bar area that open up to Broadway in the summer.
It’s a weirdly perfect mix. You have these hard, cold materials like steel and zinc, but they’re balanced out by tufted velvet club chairs and fringed lamps that look like they were swiped from a 1924 speakeasy.
The Room Situation (The Good and the Tiny)
Let's talk about the rooms, because this is where New York reality sets in.
The building was originally an apartment house in 1919. That means the layouts are... creative. You might get a "Cozy King" that feels like a high-end walk-in closet, or you might luck out with a 500-square-foot suite that has a private terrace.
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Pro tip: If you can swing it, aim for the 14th or 16th floors.
Some of these rooms have private balconies. In Manhattan, that’s basically gold. Standing out there at 11 PM with a glass of wine, watching the yellow cabs buzz down Broadway like glow-worms? That’s the "New York Moment" people pay for.
The rooms themselves ditched the carpet years ago. Honestly, that's a win for cleanliness. They use a neutral palette—lots of grays and woods—but they throw in pops of "NYLO Blue" or deep reds to keep it from feeling like a hospital wing.
Dining and Drinks
You don't even have to leave the building to eat well, which is a blessing when it's raining or you're just jet-lagged.
- Serafina: It’s a New York staple. Reliable Northern Italian food. The pizza is thin, the pasta is consistent, and the vibe is always "uptown chic."
- RedFarm: This is the real draw. It’s high-end Chinese fusion. If you haven't had their Pac-Man shrimp dumplings, have you even lived?
- The Arthouse Bar: This is where the old LOCL Bar used to be. It still has that "sidewalk cafe" energy but focuses heavily on New York state wines and craft cocktails.
Why Location Is Everything Here
The Upper West Side is a different beast than Midtown. If you stay at the old NYLO (now Arthouse), you aren't surrounded by the chaos of Times Square. You're three blocks from Central Park. You're a five-minute walk from the American Museum of Natural History.
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It’s a neighborhood where people actually live. You’ll see actors running to rehearsals at the Beacon Theatre and parents pushing strollers to Riverside Park. It’s "Real New York," but with better coffee shops.
The 2026 Outlook: Is It Still Worth It?
As of 2026, the hotel is still leaning into its "creative" identity. They recently expanded their partnership with the New York Historical Society (which just opened its new Tang Wing for American Democracy this year) to offer guest tours.
Is it perfect? No. The elevators can still be a test of patience. The rooms can be small if you're traveling with three suitcases and a golf bag. But for the price—which usually hovers around $220–$300 depending on the season—it’s one of the best values in the city.
How to Book the Right Way
If you’re looking for the NYLO experience, search for Arthouse Hotel New York City.
- Check the view: Always ask for a street-facing room if you want the Broadway energy, or an interior room if you’re a light sleeper.
- The "Secret" Terrace: Even if you don't have a private balcony, there’s a shared terrace on the 16th floor. Most guests forget it exists. Go up there at sunset.
- Pet Policy: They’re still very dog-friendly, which is a carryover from the old NYLO days.
If you want a stay that feels authentic to the history of the Upper West Side rather than a cookie-cutter glass tower, this is still the spot. Just remember: it's Arthouse now. NYLO is the history; the vibe is the future.
Next Step: Check the current seasonal rates on the Arthouse official site, as they often run "Neighborhood Resident" or "Last Minute" specials that aren't listed on the major booking engines.