(Photo: David Allee)

Shown here are nine of the 86 individually designed rooms at the just-opened Crosby Street Hotel (79 Crosby St., nr. Prince St.; 212-226-6400), the first U.S. property by the famed British husband-and-wife hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp. Unlike the bargain-friendly, winter-travel destinations beginning on page 50, the Crosby isn’t exactly budget-conscious—the cheapest rooms start at $495 (through October). But then again: no airfare, no taxi to JFK, no currency exchange. Instead, you get a room full of original art, a plush, communal drawing room for reading or sipping wine, and the streets of Soho as your vacation playground. For money-saving vacations that actually take you out of the city, click here.

Related:

• Archive: “Best Bets”
• Table of Contents: Nov 2, 2009 issue of New York | Subscribe!