Arlo Hotel Hudson Square, New York, USA

The micro-hotel trend shows no sign of slowing down with the recent launch of Arlo Hotels' Hudson Square property. Following the success of similarly tiny-roomed brands like CitizenM and Pod Hotels, Arlo has 325 units, averaging 160 sq ft in size. What the property doesn’t have in terms of expansive personal, bedroom space, it more than makes up for with panache and a wide range of amenities.

Conceptualised and designed by Brand Bureau with interiors by AvroKo, Arlo Hotels goes for the less-is-more approach and eschews excess at all cost. The guestrooms — slick with spacious desks and custom wood-framed Jefferson Beds that occupy the entire width of the room — are meant to be a traveler’s stylish homebase in the heart of downtown New York. There are several room configurations, some with double beds, others with bunk beds, while there are those that come with outdoor patios.

It’s outside the bedrooms where Arlo truly shines. The rooftop bar offers great views of the city; while the public spaces on the main floor all lead to a relaxing courtyard. The lounge area is a mixed-use destination: Jens Risom chairs orbit around a large communal table outfitted with tons of power stations for laptop-toting guests, but there are also shelves stocked with board games and vinyl for more recreational activities. The decor here use a lot of wood and warm leather furniture with the occasional splash of colour via a large-scale painting, the pattern on the floor tiles in the restaurant, or the green of the leaves of a potted plant. Otherwise, the aesthetic is monochromatic but sleek — just how you may imagine a fabulous New York City apartment might look like.