Way back in November, we heard that the new Todd English restaurant at Gild Hall would debut in April. Now that it's almost the end of May, how's that coming along? We called up to find out:
In the financial district of New York City, Gild Hall had a soft opening last December--but our sources told us that the hotel was still mid-construction, bring a whole lot of down sides to staying there.
We thought it was time to check in on some recent reviews to see if the construction work is finally over or not, and what people are thinking of this place now that it's been open a couple of months.
For Gild Hall, the news is pretty good. Yes, construction still rates a few mentions (a mid-February guest didn't much like the temporary lobby), but the staff promise that by the time March is over, construction work will be history. One recent guest complained that the thick (fresh) paint on the walls had a much-too-strong smell, but apart from that, most people said they barely noticed the construction work.
Many recent guests have complimented Gild Hall on the friendly and helpful service, and everyone's satisfied with the furnishings too. The nearby parking is quite expensive if you arrive by car. A lot of people have been able to pick up very cheap stays here (as low as $117) but nobody expects to get these prices once the hotel is fully operational.
We have to give Thompson Hotels credit for getting their latest property, Gild Hall, open without epic delays. But were they able to get it open simply because it's not actually finished? Yes, says one prolific Yelp user:
*This hotel is currently under MAJOR construction.* If you were like us and can literally sleep through jackhammers, then stay here. They DO jackhammer at 9am, but are done around 4-5pm. So if you are in the Financial District and will be out of the room early and out late, THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO STAY.
Because of the renovation, there is no lobby, no restaurant, no room service, no gym, no bar, no gift shop, no business center, no periodical and CD lending libraries, on-demand movies, no video games and no coffee makers.
Despite all this, I would totally stay here again.
That speaks volumes for the service and the handy location in the Financial District. Maybe there is something to that manifesto.
The latest Thompson Hotel, Gild Hall, is officially in a soft-opening phase at $309 a night and a few days early at that too. But should you book there expecting a 60 Thompson or a Six Columbus-type of experience, most of the public spaces including the restaurant won't be open until March. A source tells us that a temporary front desk is up but there is no lobby so to speak.
We also got word on the hotel's restaurant which will come from famed chef Todd English. However, don't expect another Olive's (his restaurant inside the W Union Square as well as in other U.S. cities.) Our source says this will be a new creation from Todd English and will open no earlier than April 1.
Thompson Hotels is on fire this year (unlike 2006), even Ian Schrager has complemented Jason Pomeranc's hotelier skills. So there's little doubt Gild Hall will be a stinker. With rooms at flagship hotel 60 Thompson going for over $700 most nights, even a $400 room at a half-finished Gild Hall is a deal.
The other day we mentioned that their NYC financial district property Gild Hall would be opening on December 1st but a Thompson source stressed to us that that was just a soft opening date with only about 50 of the 130 rooms available to guests. The full opening will happen sometime around March 17th.
As with all Thompson hotels there will be some sort of exciting restaurant and bar but that has not been disclosed yet. However, the restaurant will open when the rest of the hotel does in March.
Meanwhile, the DC property Donovan House is also scheduled for a March opening as well.
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by pbb
