Fodor's Expert Review Radio Hotel

A multihued series of stacked blocks standing out from its prewar neighbors "in the Heights," this boutique hotel knew it needed to be cool, affordable, and authentic to attract visitors all the way uptown, and it is all of these in spades. Rooms are contemporary and stylish, with polished concrete floors, light wood furnishings and sleeping spaces that are minimal in style and palette, while accent walls and bathrooms pop in one primary color pulled from the facade. There are family-friendly options with bunks, studios that are more podlike, as well as king, double, and ADA-compliant rooms with roll-in rain showers. Suites includes a pullout sofa and expansive views of the Manhattan skyline. Despite its busy location just off 181st Street and overlooking the Harlem River Drive, the Radio is quiet and calm, well, in guest rooms, at least; the on-site restaurant, Jalao, an outpost of a popular restaurant of the same name in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, offers classic and authentic Dominican food that is a huge hit with locals (the neighboring community is known as "Little DR"), which makes it a lively vibe that will want to join. Speaking of locals, hotel programming brings the neighborhood's rich culture and vibrancy in with bachata lessons in the spacious courtyard, customized pop-up shops with local artists, and neighborhood food tours. Bustling Washington Heights offers plentiful attractions, bodegas, and bars, but Midtown Manhattan is a direct and surprisingly fast subway ride on the nearby 1 or A trains. Yankee Stadium is a 10-minute cab ride.