HotelChatter

Overall, the minimalist design with lots of leather reminded us of European properties. The colors are rich yet understated, although we're concerned that the carpet--while not as horrible as some patterns we've seen--is veering dangerously close to the edge of good taste.

The bathrooms in Suites 1105 and 1106 are huge, with showers and separate limestone tubs. The standalone shower in 1106 is actually the size of some pod hotel rooms we've been in lately.

As for luxurious touches, the bath amenities are by Angelo Caroli, the sheets, robes and towels are Frette, the minibars are stocked by Dean & Deluca, the LG flatscreens are 42 inches, and the Geneva MP3 docking stations look like they could fly a spaceship so they must be good.

Restaurant 1945 is scheduled to open in late November (see its fellow fall hotel restaurants here), and an indoor/outdoor lounge and terrace are also in the works.

Sadly, there are no firm plans to open up the very top rooftop space for hotel guests--not yet, anyway--so we suggest you get up there now, while it's open to the public as part of the Showtime House.