New York

A jewel-toned, theatrically decorated hotel that has quickly become a NoMad scene in its own right. Book the restaurant or a cocktail at the bar even if you're not staying the night.

A financier's private library turned public treasure, with rare manuscripts and Old Masters in sumptuous rooms. The garden addition has only made it lovelier.

Brooklyn's powerhouse of the performing arts, with a bold calendar spanning dance, theatre, music and film. The grand opera house is a sight in its own right.

A jewel of old New York inside the Carlyle, where whimsical murals, red-jacketed barmen and live piano set an unbeatable mood. Order a martini and soak up the romance.

A jewel of a museum devoted to early-20th-century German and Austrian art, Klimt included. Save time for strudel at Café Sabarsky.

A stylish two-screen cinema mixing new releases with deep-cut retrospectives. Stay for a drink and a bite once the credits roll.

A cool, design-literate base in downtown Brooklyn, with pared-back rooms and a sociable lobby that doubles as a neighbourhood hangout. Handy for the borough's best while Manhattan stays a quick hop away.

A storytelling menswear label working vintage textiles into nostalgic, one-of-a-kind pieces. The flagship is every bit as charming as the clothes.

A timeless Tribeca brasserie that has been the downtown crowd's canteen for decades. Slide into a booth for a martini and steak frites and watch the room do its thing.