Harlem FlophouseEditor's Pick

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Set in a gorgeous brownstone in the heart of Harlem, the Harlem Flophouse is a rare bird of a guesthouse, an exquisitely furnished inn that balances understated luxury with a ramshackle impulse. The entryway and lounge exude classic Harlem bohemian warmth and offer just a taste of the aesthetic glories at play in guestrooms.

Décor in the guesthouse’s four rooms relies on unpredictable mixing and matching. There are many beautiful things scavenged from different corners of the world: huge classroom wall maps, oil paintings, tin Thai-language signs, Finnish candy packaging, and so on. The net result is a scattered but very attractive hodgepodge. Even the reproductions look like antiques. (One bed frame, an antique reproduction with chipped paint, was so well done that we were convinced we were looking at an original.)

In keeping with the building’s historic nature (it was originally a single family home, built in the 1890s), rooms are happily old-fashioned in the amenities department. That means no television or radio. The heat-prone should also note that rooms have fans but no air conditioning. Facilities are all shared, though each of the four rooms has its own beautiful antique sink.

The clientele is mostly American, with smatterings of European guests as well, and lots of scholars. The Flophouse publishes its own guide to the neighborhood, a pithy and knowledgeable little pamphlet that we'd bet most guests hold onto long after they've returned home.

While the Harlem Flophouse does not typically serve breakfast, the splurge-prone should be aware that a lavish Southern brunch, including champagne, is available for $100 for two

» Alex Robertson Textor

Note: This hotel was visited by a EuroCheapo editor and is recommended based on cleanliness, location, price and overall quality. EuroCheapo did not charge this hotel to be listed.