When Firmdale announced plans to open a second Manhattan hotel, the pressure was always going to be on to level or even top the brilliance that owners Tim and Kit Kemp had created at the Crosby Street Hotel, a property that is firmly one of America’s best boutique hotels.

While Firmdale fans will love and feel at home with the warehouse-style floor-to-ceiling windows and designer Kit’s bespoke fabrics, furniture and bedheads, what gives the Whitby the edge is the terraces attached to many of the 86 rooms in this West 56th Street hotel.

With a glass of Cabernet from Napa’s Stags Leap District in hand – and while eating the dessert you asked the waiters from the Whitby restaurant off the lobby to bring to your room for you – on the terrace amongst the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan, you’ll get a different experience than almost any other hotel in New York City can offer.

And don’t despair when it’s last call at the bar, because there’s a drawing room with an honour bar off the lobby for all in-house guests to enjoy.

18 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019. +1 (212) 586-5656.