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Are NYC Rooftops Over? Is the Courtyard the Hot New Hotel Trend?

May 12, 2010 at 11:32 AM | by | Comments (2)


The Hudson Hotel's 'Private Park'.

It may not feel like it this week, but Hotel Rooftop season is almost upon us here in NYC. In addition to the usual heavy-hitters in the rooftop bar game (A60, Mad46, and Salon de Ning at the Peninsula), there are plenty of new spots getting outdoor drinkers excited, including Press, Upstairs, and the Sky Room at the Fairfield Inn and Suites—Times Square.

But our recent cocktail at the Hudson Hotel's Private Park got us thinking about the humble ground-level garden. Sure, rooftops are splashy and sceney, but for a more intimate, exclusive experience, could the hotel courtyard be the hot new hotel trend?

It's not just The Hudson that has one of these leafy little havens—think of the courtyard extension of Crosby Bar at the Crosby Street Hotel, and the guests-only courtyard at The Greenwich Hotel.

Then there are the public plazas on the way at Trump Soho and Eventi, the garden at Mondrian New York, and the 'urban garden' on the second floor of The James New York.

Could it be so? Have rooftop bars jumped the shark, or is it just much cooler to hide away in a courtyard with a cocktail in hand now?

Which do you prefer? What's your favorite hotel garden in NYC? Share your preferences in the comments below.

And let's hope the temperature goes up soon so we can enjoy either option.

Hotels mentioned in this story

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Return to » Are NYC Rooftops Over? Is the Courtyard the Hot New Hotel Trend?


And the Bowery...

... has a patio at the back of the bar. I know there are others in NYC, too.

Andaz Fifth Avenue will have a courtyard garden, although I think that will be on the 2nd floor. (Still, not a rooftop). Any others I'm forgetting?

MsRebecca on May 12, 2010 at 4:08 PM #Permalink

Fitzpatrick Grand Central's Patio is the best!

The Wheeltapper Pub and Patio at the Fitzpatrick on 44th and Lexington is my favorite. It's huge compared to most rooftop bars (maybe 2,000 square feet), with beautiful plantings, gas heaters if it gets chilly, and this cool awning that can be opened if it looks like rain. Very comfortable place. You don't have to wait on lines for elevators to get up to the roof and back down again, and you're not baking on a totally exposed rooftop in the heat. Nice crowd, too - mostly professionals.
Jeanine23 on May 13, 2010 at 11:02 AM #Permalink

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