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Blue Moon: In Person and Up Close

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 100 Orchard Street [map], New York, ny, United States, 10021

April 3, 2006 at 9:18 AM | 0 Comments

Honestly, we were just in the neighborhood.

On a quick trip to New York, we found ourselves on the Lower East Side right in front of the Blue Moon Hotel on Orchard and Delancey. Since we were right there, we decided to pop in for a tour. Even though we expected it to be half-finished and well, ugly, we were pleasantly surprised. (It also could have been the warm weather that put us in such a touchy-feely moond.)

The hotel has taken a long five years to build and open, as we all know too well. But actually stepping inside this former tenement building, we can understand why it took so long. According to our tour guide/concierge/front desk staffer/historian/"jack of all trades" almost everything that could have been saved or preseved from its original days was.

More on the Blue Moon after the jump.

Abandoned for nearly 60 years, the tenement building's original moldings, doors and hinges, furniture (an old Peerless stove), fireplaces, fire escapes, shutters, and some belongings left behind were preserved and incorporated into the hotel's new design. Even the building's original wood structures were saved and used to make new parts of the hotel's decoration such as picture frames places in the Eddie Kantor suite.

As for the rooms we checked out the hotel's premiere suite, the Eddie Kantor suite, (yes all rooms are named after old-time stars) which has the best views of the city and its own private balcony to step out on. The room was spacious but the bed was rather small for the room size. And it had a wrought iron headboard which kept in theme with the tenement building but looked a little scary. The bathrooms are all white tile with antique-inspired fixtures, and a good-sized tub and shower.

The rug was not as ugly or Holiday Innish up close and did fit in with the rest of the decor but still a little too grandma-ish for us. There was however its own sink by the minibar and a flat-screen TV. Plus the sunlight streaming through made it feel not like a standard hotel room but rather a cozy place to stay.

We also checked out a regular room which included a bed and a daybed so could technically sleep four people, although we wouldn't recommend since the room wasn't that huge. But if it was good enough for a family of eight, maybe you could manage.

Overall, the hotel has tremendous history that will please history buffs (tenement tours are offered next door.) Hotel guests looking for a different New York experience will like it too. One because of the location in the up and coming LES but also for the hotel's comfort, charm and the fact that it is not the average modern designed boutique hotel. However, the restaurant and room service won't be up and running for a while, so save a trip for later this summer.

But Eddie Kantor enthusiasts listen up. The hotel plans on holding look-alike concerts and the person who closely resembles Eddie Kantor will get a free night's stay.

Related Stories:
· Blue Moon coverage [HotelChatter]
· Blue Moon Open [NewYorkology]

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Author Photo: juliana by juliana

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