The Harlem Flophouse, New York, USA

The Flophouse is a lovely quiet street in the heart of Harlem surrounded by other similarly-historic residential buildings. It's north of Central Park and the main Manhattan areas tourists usually frequent.

There are subway stations nearby to connect you to the rest of the city and popular sights.

By plane: London, Manchester or Edinburgh to New York takes 7 hours, after which, a taxi takes 40 minutes. Parking costs $20 per day. Book flights to New York.

This is a characterful property, reminiscent of staying in a flophouse in the 1930s. The flophouse was a low cost hotel catering to jazz musicians, artists, dancers, poets, writers and the like. With its dark-wood interiors and moody lighting, it has been lovingly restored and is definitely more comfortable than its past residents would have experienced.

There's a small shared lounge at the entrance with books and board games, however there are no other facilities, like a restaurant or bar. Bathrooms are shared. There's no reception or concierge - you make an appointment to collect the keys. But there are occasional live music nights and free parking on the street.

• Shared lounge
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are unique - but are not for everyone. There are four characterful bedrooms, identical in size - each with a sink in the room. The two bathrooms are shared, and each has a bath with antique clawfoot tubs, antique brass and chrome fixtures.

Room types: Thelonious Monk, Cozy Cole, Corky Hale, Chester Himes

Key amenities: shared bathroom, fan, radio, free Wi-Fi

No food and drink is provided on-site, as there's no restaurant/bar.

Nearby: for breakfast, the Harlem Breakfast Club offers takeaway options, including sandwiches and pancakes. Other local eateries include soul food restaurant Manna's, Babbalucci for Italian, and French bistro Maison Harlem.