voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel

voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel Overview

First Impressions

Walking up to voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel on East 87th Street, you immediately get that “hidden gem” feeling that’s honestly pretty rare in Manhattan. This four-star boutique property sits quietly on a tree-lined block in the Upper East Side, and I mean quietly — it’s the kind of place where you can actually hear birds chirping instead of constant honking. The building itself has this refined, residential feel that makes you forget you’re staying at a hotel rather than visiting a well-heeled friend’s apartment.

The Upper East Side Advantage

Here’s what I love about this location — you’re genuinely living like a New Yorker, not a tourist. The 86th Street subway station is just a couple blocks away, but more importantly, you’re surrounded by the kind of neighborhood spots that locals actually frequent. There’s a fantastic bagel place around the corner, and Central Park’s reservoir entrance is close enough for morning jogs without the crowds you’d find near the more famous hotel strips. Couples especially seem to get this location (they rate it 9.5, which honestly makes sense), probably because it feels romantic and authentic rather than touristy.

The Rooms

The accommodations strike that sweet spot between boutique charm and modern comfort. What struck me most was how they’ve managed to create spaces that feel spacious despite typical Manhattan constraints — clever use of mirrors and lighting, I think. The design leans contemporary but not cold, with thoughtful touches that show someone actually considered how guests move through the space. You know what’s refreshing? The rooms feel like they belong in this neighborhood, not like they were dropped in from some corporate hotel template.

Breakfast and Dining

The breakfast situation here is particularly noteworthy if you keep kosher — it’s not something you find at every hotel, and they handle it well without making it feel like an afterthought. Even if dietary restrictions aren’t a concern, the morning meal feels more curated than your typical hotel breakfast buffet. I appreciate that they’ve put thought into this aspect rather than just going through the motions, which honestly sets the tone for how they approach hospitality in general.

Why Guests Love It

Recent guests consistently rate the location at 9.4, and after spending time here, I get why. It’s that rare combination of feeling like you’re experiencing real New York while still having all the conveniences you want from an upscale hotel. The staff seems to understand that people choose this place specifically because it’s not in Times Square or Midtown — they’re here because they want something more authentic. The whole experience feels less “hotel stay” and more “temporary New York residence,” which is exactly what you want when you’re trying to get a genuine feel for the city rather than just checking tourist boxes off a list.

voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel Accommodations

Reviews of voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel

• Maria from US Virgin Islands (9/10)

  Employees very nice and helpful!

• Kris from Portugal (8/10)

  Location, proximity to subway. Very cosy hotel.
  Very clean rooms and confortável beds. Staff is amazing!
  We booked a room with city view but at arrival we were looking at a wall. Wrong information from booking.com. Fortunately the hotel gave us upgrade to room with view.

• Camilla from France (9/10)

  The staff were all smiles.
  The location perfect.
  The cleanliness exceptional!

• Kicki from United States (9/10)

  Location great, very nice place, clean, friendly.

• Thomas from United States (8/10)

  In NYC once month. Prefer the Franklin due to location & quiet area.

• Michelle from United States (9/10)

  Clean, great location, generally helpful staff.

• Robert from United States (8/10)

  Helpful happy staff.

• Elisabet from Argentina (9/10)

  location

• Ivy from United States (9/10)

  It was such a fun and unique property! The staff was great and the room was clean and large!

• John from United States (8/10)

Surroundings

Facilities