New York has gone hotel crazy. New Yorkers now more than ever are spending time at these new hotels for the food, the ambiance and the mix of cultures they bring to the city.
Here are our top seven picks of new hotels:
1. Ace Hotel -- Breslin (AceHotel.com/NewYork): With its restoration of the old Breslin, the ACE at 29th and Broadway brings run-down chic to the hotel scene. Its restaurant, named the Breslin in honor of the former hotel's name, is packed nightly with people soaking up the atmosphere as much as the good drinks and food. They left crumbling paint on the double-high ceiling along with installing period lighting that hangs on long chains.
2. The Eventi -- Bar Basque (EventiHotel.com): The Eventi is a sleek new addition to the NY hotel scence. Its restaurant, Bar Basque, bursts into the future with a design by Syd Mead who designed the scences in Blade Runner and other post-apocalypitics. Chef Yuhi Fujinaga mixes in Spanish-French-Basque styles to come up with an ever-surprising menu.
3. The Element (StarWood.com): Starwood's newest addition to NYC is the Element on 39th street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Element is an eco-brand of Starwood and this is the 9th such hotel in their new chain. The rooms have lots of light and each one has a kitchenette for cooking up a quick meal.
The Element boasts a large gym that offers workout classes catering to the longer-stay nature of the hotel. Behind the lobby is a calm greenhouse lounge with wifi and TVs. Overall a no-fuss relaxing experience.
4. Gansevoort Park (GansevoortPark.com): The new Gansevoort is a swanky new addiiton to lower Park Avenue. Instead of the metallic feel of the Gansevoort in the meatpacking district, the one on Park features warm woods and fireplaces.
Check out the many Penthouse bar and lounge areas inlcuding a great pooldeck. The views are wonderful and the wraparound terraces give visitors lots of places to hang out.
5. Ink48 (Ink48.com): The Ink breaks new ground with its location on 11th Avenue in midtown. No one thought of putting a hip hotel among the car dealerships of the west side, but it has become a huge hit. Locals enjoy the nightclub atmosphere and the rooftop pooldeck.
6. The Chatwal NYC (TheChatwalNY.com): This restoration brings back the Lambs Club, the theater club frequented by Charlie Chaplin and Fred Astaire. Delivering new elegance to midtown, the Chatwal offers a serene atmoshere to both the traveller and the local.
7. The Setai: http://setaififthavenue.com/
The Setai is a welcome addition to midtown/5th avenue. Bringing the luxe and glamour of south beach to central manhattan, the Setai features dramatic spaces and striking design. I recently sent colleauges to stay at the hotel and they all enjoyed the experience. Don't miss the Setai Spa!