The Freehand is a very chic, well designed hotel. While there, you should definitely take advantage of all the bars and restaurants. The Broken Shaker and the George Washington bar are definitely a must. The only thing I did not like was the size of the room. I was there for 3 nights and the lack of space and light started to get to me even though I was rarely in the room. The bathroom is tiny and I could not wash my face without splashing water everywhere. On the other hand, the shower was lovely--perfect temperature and water pressure.
All in all, I would recommend this hotel for short stays (2 nights max) and only if you do not plan to be in the room much. The rate is really a steal compared to other hotels in Manhattan and even other Airbnb listings. The location is great if you like the East Side (I am more of a west side kind of girl). The subway is only a block away and you can easily walk to Union Sq and SoHo.