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Hotel Hype / Kimpton Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags

Kimpton's Vu Hotel is Now 'Ink48'; Taking Reservations on Nov. 1

Where: 653 11th Ave [map], New York, ny, United States, 10036

A tipster let us know that Kimpton has officially changed the name of their upcoming Hell's Kitchen hotel from The Vu Hotel to Ink48. Apparently, this new name reflects the building's previous life as a printing factory (and the hotel's address on 48th Street.) From the Kimpton site:

The new Ink48 hotel will offer guests as many ways to relax and have fun as there are ways to get things done. This new 19-story hotel will be located near centers of business and commerce, just off the beaten path in art-centric Hell's Kitchen. The hotel will be an urban oasis, with an inviting roof-top lounge, open-air gardens and whirlpools, and sweeping views of Time Square and the Hudson River.

The design concept for the hotel is based on interpretations of three quintessentially New York spaces - the pocket park, the loft, and the roof garden - to create a unique "off the beaten path" destination.

Ink48 will be taking reservations November 1. There's no word on the starting room rates but the Vu Hotel was expected to go for about $425 a night. Perhaps if they are branding this hotel as "art-centric" the rates could come down just a touch, so you know...actual artists might be able to stay here.

Sneak Peek / Hotel News / Standard Hotels / Hotel Construction / Hotel Openings / → All Tags

The First Look at the Standard NYC's Lobby and Entrance

Where: 848 Washington Street [map], New York, ny, United States, 10014

Damn, there's no chicquarium! Check out this exclusive snap of the newly-finished lobby of the notorious hotel construction site, The Standard New York. While there seems to be plenty of stonework—check out the marble at reception, the slate floors and hardcore building blocks back behind the screens—there is a serious lack of color. We only hope this will be remedied with furniture and lighting tricks to bring about needed visual interest.

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Reader Reviews / Thompson Hotels / Quikbook / → All Tags

So Far, So Good at Thompson LES As Long as Price is Right

Where: 190 Allen St [map], New York, ny, United States, 10002

We've been recommending the Thompson LES hotel to anyone hitting up New York soon for two main reasons. One, it's a brand-new hotel, meaning less people have slept in those beds. And two, the rates are seriously low (for Thompson Hotels and NYC) on Quikbook. We stayed there last week at $170 a night and were upgraded to a studio suite, which we loved.

A HotelChatter reader informed us of their stay last night which cost only $99. Other readers have reported getting rates between the $120 and $170 range as well.

Of course, with prices so reasonable you get fewer complaints. This just came into our inbox yesterday.

I just stayed at the Thompson LES over Thanksgiving weekend in Manhattan for $170/night via a Quikbook rate. While the hotel is still getting things together, no restaurant yet, no spa, the room was great and I even got upgraded to a larger room.

The perks we loved? Kiehls toiletries, free WiFi and a bomb shower which features a rain showerhead and a handheld shower. The restaurant should be opening soon as will the fitness center and the pool area. Although, you won't be needing that anytime soon.

Museum Hotels / Guggenheim Museum / Hotel Packages / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Art / Waldorf-Astoria Collection / → All Tags

Museum Hotels: Guggenheim Wants You to Sleep With the Art

Where: 1071 Fifth Avenue [map], New York, ny, United States, 10128

One of our favorite art exhibitions of the last few years was at London's Tate Modern, when installation artist Carsten Höller built silver tube slides into the museum's atrium and actually allowed patrons to experience them.

Now that Carsten is scheduled to show in New York at The Guggenheim, what kind of fun interactive toy will us Yankees get?

Höller is installing a hotel room! Like London's slides, the room will be interactive, welcoming guests nightly through a partnership with the Waldorf=Astoria Collection. Although reservations just opened, sadly they are already sold out; we will just have to hope that some lucky sleeper thinks to video blog the experience. And what an experience:

Revolving Hotel Room is an art installation comprising three outfitted, superimposed turning glass discs mounted onto a fourth disc that all turn harmoniously at a very slow speed. During the day the hotel room will be on view as part of the Guggenheim's theanyspacewhatever exhibition, which runs from October 24, 2008-January 7, 2009. At night, the art installation becomes an operative hotel room outfitted with luxury amenities.

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