New beds in New York

Manhattan has seen a big boom in hotel openings. Jenny Southan takes a look and finds out what’s to come Next time you visit New York you’ll have many more options for resting your head. Like London, which is experiencing its own surge of property launches and revamps (see businesstraveller.com/tags/london+hotels), the Big Apple has seen a flurry of new hotel openings. Last year close to 40 properties opened their doors, increasing the city’s room count by almost 6,650. And with overall occupancy standing at about 85 per cent despite this growth in capacity, there is a sense of optimism in the air. Thomas Mathes, general manager of Kimpton’s Eventi (see page 64), which opened in Chelsea last June at 75-80 per cent occupancy, says: “We were surprised by the number of bookings when we opened – we actually had to stop selling rooms because we didn’t have enough employees.” He puts this down, in part, to people doing more face-to-face business. “During the recession people used video-conferencing a lot more, but personal meetings are coming back,” Mathes says. Although room rates in Manhattan are on the up again, having gone down as much as 30 per cent during the financial crisis, Mathes says it will be “about two to three years until we are back to 2008 rates”. David Chase, general manager of the Trump Soho (see facing page), which opened last April, says: “The brakes were on over the period between 2008 and early 2010 but since we opened we have seen things picking up. We are getting more business travel and meetings bookings.” Hoteliers have also noticed a growing trend for travellers to combine business with pleasure by adding a few days on to their trip. Properties such as the Eventi are keen to cater to both aspects, offering a range of facilities from boardrooms to spas. “People are expecting more these days so a hotel has to offer everything,” Mathes says. The industry is also finding demand for rooms away from the usual Manhattan hotspots – Starwood, for example, has travelled north of Central Park to open the Aloft Harlem. Patricia Gilles, sales manager for the property, says: “Harlem is totally different now – it has been gentrified. Things are changing and with the addition of the Aloft it’s taking Harlem to a whole new level.” It is estimated that by 2013, over 5,000 more hotel rooms will have been added, bringing the total up to more than 91,000. So what do we have to look forward to? Hyatt was set to open the 116-room 48 Lex in Midtown, within walking distance of Grand Central station, this month, and will follow with a 175-room Hyatt near Union Square in the autumn. Other spring openings include the 91-room Four Points by Sheraton Long Island City in Queens, and the 172-room Hotel Indigo Brooklyn. Later in the year, Conrad will open its first property in the city in the financial district of Lower Manhattan, with 463 rooms, and budget brand Yotel will open a 699-room Japanese-style “capsule” hotel by Times Square. In the meantime, here is a look at some of the properties that have already starting welcoming guests…

DOWNTOWN

W NEW YORK DOWNTOWN Starwood’s fourth W hotel in New York, the new-build W Downtown was unveiled last August and overlooks Ground Zero. Once the memorial is complete in September, the view from the hotel will be more attractive. The lobby is on the fifth floor and features an eye-catching undulating LED light installation across the whole ceiling (see our cover image). Only about 100 bedrooms are available at the moment but once the higher floors have been fitted out over the next few months, there will be 217 – each equipped with showers, Munchie boxes and iPod docks. Guests have use of a 24-hour gym, a ground-floor “pub grub” eatery, and four meeting rooms. Wired/wifi internet costs US$15 a day. DJ nights are held twice a week in the Living Room bar.

• 123 Washington Street; tel +1 646 8268 600; starwoodhotels.com
• Rooms from US$266

MONDRIAN SOHO A sneak preview of the fourth New York property from Morgans Hotel Group, which opened in March in the trendy Soho district, revealed lavish interiors decked out with crystal chandeliers, custom-designed furniture, blue mirrors (to make you look more beautiful, apparently), gold banquettes and rose-patterned carpets. As there are no signs, guests must look out for a series of foliage-covered archways that frame the Crosby Street entrance, while the 270-room hotel block rises up beyond. A ground-floor restaurant serves sustainable seafood, while a Chinese-style speakeasy displays birdcages and a glowing neon sign that reads: “This is not a brothel, there are no prostitutes at this address.” Standard “sleeping chambers” are small, at 18 sqm, but have iPads and walk-in showers with city views.

• 9 Crosby Street; +1 212 3891 000; mondriansoho.com
• Rooms from US$427

TRUMP SOHO This 46-floor new-build is the second Trump property to open in Manhattan. The 391 rooms start from 39 sqm and have impressive urban panoramas, and standard amenities including Nespresso machines, microwaves, wet bars, separate baths and showers, and Fendi Casa furniture. Décor is stylish and masculine with cream marble, dark wood, glass, and glossy leather. Contemporary Italian dining room Quattro is well worth trying, with great service, delicious food and plenty of well-heeled locals to remind you that you are in New York. There is also a 24-hour gym, a spa, outdoor pool, and 1,115 sqm of meeting space. Visit businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested for a full review.

• 246 Spring Street; tel +1 212 8425 500; trumpsohohotel.com
• Rooms from US$393

THE JAMES NEW YORK Sister property to the James Chicago, the James New York, also in Soho, opened last September and is a 114-room boutique-style offering. Doormen wear tweed flat caps and waistcoats, while the Sky lobby provides a relaxing welcome for guests, with floor-to-ceiling windows, quirky light fittings, pale décor, and free coffee and pastries. Bedrooms start from 29 sqm and are well designed with glass-walled bathrooms, plenty of storage space, circular tables for dining and working, and eco-friendly bathing products. There is also free wifi, iPads that can be borrowed from reception, a 24-hour fitness centre, a rooftop plunge pool and adjacent cocktail bar, Jimmy. A garden terrace and David Burke restaurant opened last month.

• 27 Grand Street; tel +1 212 4652 000; jameshotels.com
• Rooms from US$491

 

MIDTOWN

GANSEVOORT PARK AVENUE NYC The 249-room Gansevoort Park Avenue joined its counterpart in the buzzing Meatpacking District of Manhattan last August. The hotel lobby sports mismatched furniture, a purple chandelier, and black and white striped floor, while a separate entrance on East 29th Street gives visitors direct access to the 930 sqm Asellina restaurant and bar, which is backed by a wall of Cinzano bottles. As well as a heated outdoor rooftop pool that is open year-round, the property has free wifi, a 280-capacity ballroom, open-air terraces for hire, and guestrooms measuring from 33 sqm – each of these has iPod Touches and sound-docks, well-stocked minibars, azure bedspreads, erotic fuschia pink prints, and chartreuse chairs.

• 420 Park Avenue South; tel +1 212 317 2900; gansevoortpark.com
• Rooms from US$319

EVENTI – A KIMPTON HOTEL US chain Kimpton has more than 50 hotels across the US, and the new-build Eventi opened in Chelsea in June last year. The 292 rooms and suites start from 26 sqm and features a muted palette of grey, chestnut and cream, rainshowers, large workdesks and Frette linens. Members of the Kimpton In Touch loyalty scheme benefit from free wired/wifi internet (US$15 per 24 hours otherwise). Free tea and coffee is available in the morning, as is wine in the evening. There is 2,200 sqm of meeting space, and a huge outdoor screen at the back of the hotel can also be used. Bar Basque was created by Syd Mead, set designer of Blade Runner.

• 851 Avenue of the Americas; tel +1 212 5644 567; eventihotel.com
• Rooms from US$312

THE SETAI FIFTH AVENUE Unveiled last November, the Setai is managed by Capella Hotels and Resorts. The facilities and level of service are five-star – there’s a 1,050 sqm spa with 11 treatment rooms, a classy ground-floor bar, personal assistants, free wifi, a 24-hour gym and 2,300 sqm of event space. There are no check-in or check-out times. As well as 57 apartment suites there are 157 bedrooms measuring from 36 sqm, featuring Nespresso machines, Pratesi sheets and fridges stocked with free soft drinks. The smart and sophisticated Ai Fiori restaurant (aifiorinyc.com) is a top-class option for entertaining clients, with white tablecloths, low lighting, and meat and seafood-heavy cuisine inspired by the Italian and French Riviera. A good value four-course prix fixe menu is available for US$79.

• 400 Fifth Avenue; tel +1 212 695 4005; setaififthavenue.com
• Rooms from US$686

ANDAZ FIFTH AVENUE Hyatt’s boutique Andaz brand opened its fifth hotel, and its second in New York, last July (there is another on Wall Street). Like the other properties, it has broken away from the traditional concept of a hotel reception, instead having plain-clothed “hosts” in the lobby to check guests in with tablet PCs and offer them a coffee or glass of wine. The 184 rooms and suites are minimalist in design and come with minibars stocked with free soft drinks and snacks, free wifi and walk-in rainshowers. There is also 600 sqm of function space, a gym, and a ground-floor eatery. Visit businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested for a full review.

• 485 Fifth Avenue; tel +1 212 601 1234; andaz.com
• Rooms from US$291

THE CHATWAL NEW YORK The Chatwal, which arrived on the scene last September, provides an appealing combination of renovated art deco interiors, cutting-edge technology and impeccable service. Located a short walk from Times Square, much of the 80-bedroom property dates back to 1905, and guests can avail of a modest spa, 200 sqm of meeting space, and the legendary Lambs Club bar and restaurant. This must-try eatery specialises in modern American cuisine. Bedrooms (from 28 sqm) feature free wired/wireless internet, backgammon sets, Japanese waterjet toilets, Asprey bath products, Bluray DVD players, Kashwere robes, butler service and retro radio/alarm clocks. Visit businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested for a full review.

• 130 West 44th Street; tel +1 212 7646 200; thechatwalny.com
• Rooms from US$635

CASSA HOTEL AND RESIDENCES A member of Worldhotels, Cassa debuted last August, although its subterranean bar/restaurant is not due to open until the summer. The property has 57 extended-stay units on floors 27 to 48, as well as 165 guestrooms on levels two to 26. It’s a mid-range offering in a good Midtown location, with facilities including walk-in rainshowers, large flatscreen TVs, iPod docks, Dean and Deluca snacks, and minibars (note that beds in the standard rooms are small doubles). There are three meeting rooms and a 24-hour fitness centre.

• 70 West 45th Street; tel +1 212 3028 700; cassahotelny.com
• Rooms from US$256

INTERCONTINENTAL NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE The 36-floor, 607-room Intercontinental, which was unveiled last July, is one of the largest hotels to open in Manhattan in recent times, and is an obvious choice for many business travellers. There are 12 function rooms totalling 900 sqm of space, a 24-hour fitness centre and an all-day restaurant. Bedrooms start from 33 sqm in size and have a predominantly brown, cappuccino, gold and cream colour scheme. The higher the category, the better the view. Amenities that come as standard include in-room PCs (wired/wifi access is US$13 per 24 hours), iPod docks, minibars, Gilchrist and Soames toiletries, and a free morning paper.

• 300 West 44th Street; tel +1 212 8034 500; interconny.com
• Rooms from US$264

THE PEARL Also near Times Square is the 94-room Pearl – it opened its doors in October and is a member of the Empire Hotel Group, which operates seven other properties in the city. It’s not going to wow guests but does provide everything business travellers might need for a short trip. Bedrooms have flatscreen TVs, large workdesks, triple-glazed windows and interiors that are a smart combination of chocolate, blue and beige. Wifi is free, as is a continental breakfast, and evening wine hours are held. Until the on-site steakhouse opens in June, in-room dining is provided by two local eateries. There is a small 24-hour gym.

• 233 West 49th Street; tel +1 212 245 4000; pearlhotelnyc.com
• Rooms from US$279

ELEMENT NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE WEST The first of Starwood’s eco-friendly extended-stay Element hotels in the city was launched near Times Square in November. It feels fresh and relaxed, with a free continental breakfast laid out in the foyer each morning, a store selling essentials, a business centre, free wired/wifi internet, and recycling bins and furniture made from recycled or sustainably produced materials. All of the 411 rooms come with a mini kitchen, Heavenly beds (as found in Starwood’s Westin properties), DVD players and walk-in showers.

• 311 West 39th Street; tel +1 212 6430 770; starwoodhotels.com
• Rooms from US$256

UPTOWN

ALOFT HARLEM Open since December, Starwood’s 124-room Aloft is one block from the nearest subway station or about 15 minutes’ drive cab from Times Square, and is an excellent budget option. The reception has a pool table, self-service snack bar, funky seating and welcoming staff, while therooms are at least 23 sqm and have huge workdesks, king-size beds, free wired/wifi internet, fridges, Bliss toiletries, flatscreen TVs, free water, tea and coffee. There are no meeting rooms or restaurants but there is a 24-hour gym. A second Aloft is set to open in Brooklyn this month.

• 2,296 Frederick Douglass Boulevard; tel +1 212 7494 000; starwoodhotels.com
• Rooms from US$243. Visit nycgo.com