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Silent But Chic at The Marcel at Gramercy

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 201 East 24th Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10010

November 19, 2008 at 1:33 PM | 0 Comments

Nowhere is the hotel renovation game better played than in New York City, where not only SRO residences can become boutique hotspots, but formerly 3-star properties can reinvent themselves for four-star heaven. Fresh from a top-to-bottom renovation (literally, since they added several stories to the building), The Marcel at Gramercy is ready to battle the big boys for tourists' bucks, breaking out the animal prints and champagne in celebration of their four stars.

Curious to see what this place brings to the Gramercy area (a quiet and professional, yet extremely central neighborhood), we toured The Marcel earlier this week. Upon entering the lobby, we nearly immediately melted into one of the Eero Saarinen chairs placed conveniently in front of a fireplace, and it only got more design-y from there. Around the corner at reception you find a library of books (a ha! another one) for checking out as well as a huddle of Tam Tam stools surrounded by a glossy black patent leather sofa; this is the setting for the nightly wine and cheese reception and your welcome glass of champagne.

Ascending to the rooms, the decor remains chic but comfortable, with playful touches like striped roman blinds and a chartreuse padded headboard. Bathrooms are small, but this is more than made up for gigantic beds and desks with views in all rooms. Perhaps our favorite part of staying here would be the tenth floor's breakfast room with outdoor terrace. Unlike many Manhattan hotels, breakfast here is included and presented with a staggering view of the Empire State Building. This is also the place for free internet access, as you'll be paying $11 for it in the rooms per twenty-four hour period.

Since the hotel has just emerged from its soft opening, it has not yet had a summer for the debut of its two roof decks. One will be reserved for guests only, but another larger terrace has great potential as a chill place for Gramercy residents to rise above it all. Combined, the two roof decks easily challenge the size of the 60 Thompson's exclusive A60. But until we see some action up there, Bar Milano on the main level is open for lunch and dinner daily and will bring you room service. Seriously though, say the words "roof deck" and we are there, so we know The Marcel at Gramercy did not add those extra stories in vain.

Rooms at The Marcel at Gramercy range from $300 for a standard to upwards of $800 for a higher-floor suite with separate sitting room. Be sure to check out our video tour of room 907 here. For more photos of The Marcel, check out JetSetCD's Flickr Photostream.

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Author Photo: JetSetCD by JetSetCD

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