Since we went over to The Muse Hotel recently to check out its upcoming renovation project, it's only fitting that we scope the other Kimpton Hotel in New York City. The 70 Park Avenue has a little bit of a different look, but when we showed up, the always-free, always-popular wine hour was underway. Some things--thankfully--never change.
The first thing we noticed about the king suite we toured was the size of the bathroom. Give or take a few feet, it was about the size of a Pod Hotel room. Next up was the balcony--not the biggest we've ever seen, but it was overlooking New York City. They're nice enough that the general manager is planing some wedding festivities on the hotel's all-suite balcony-laden 17th floor.
As for the rest of the room, it was on the nice side of average. It wasn't too colorful or exciting, but the materials and amenities were nice. We also loved the Candela lamps--these are in all rooms, suite or standard. Rack rates for the 70 Park start around $350.
Another day, another Hotel Video Tour. This time we snuck into The Pod Hotel (formerly the Pickwick Arms) to check out those slick renovations we told you about last year.
The verdict? Boy these rooms are small! Then again, you won't be paying that much--at least by New York standards. This room went for $197 last night, which is pretty standard.
One thing you won't notice in the tour are the under bed storage drawers. (Then again, where will you put your unpacked bags?) Still, the free WiFi and iPod dock are good for the kids, and the mini flatscreen TV is super cute. You'll want to leave it on so you don't hear all the racket in the hall--the walls are just as mini as the rest of the place.
We stopped in at the Hilton New York yesterday to check up on the room renovations that have been progressing since late last year. Things at the midtown mega-hotel seem to be coming along nicely, as you can see in our video tour of one of the property's 1,980 rooms. (About a third of them are finished to date, and the project should wrap up by late '08.)
What might not show up in our tour are the cute little details. Things like granite counter tops, in-room safes big enough for laptops and nesting desks--surfaces that slide out of the way until you pull them out to use them. Bedside, you'll find a motion-sensitive automatic floor light on both sides of the bed to illuminate those late-night potty breaks.
You'll also find a nice little Cuisinart dual-cup coffee maker in every room--new or old--and you'll have to stay at the Hilton to try it. It's the first and only hotel that has a deal with Cuisinart.
We dropped into Kimpton'sThe Muse Hotel yesterday to get a preview of its upcoming renovation. Slated to start June 1, the project will proceed floor-by-floor until mid-fall. (Assuming, of course, the renovations go according to schedule. General Manager Thomas Mathes tells us there shouldn't be any hiccups. Somehow, we actually believe him.) So what's new in the rooms?
Lots. The rooms, which are pretty big for Manhattan anyway, will stay big but get all new decor. We're talking lucite and chrome lamps, stylish easy chairs, mirrors and porno set headboards. You'll also find flat panel TVs, cordless phones, sleek bathrooms. WiFi--as at all Kimpton Hotels--is only free to loyalty program members. (Though it's free to enroll, do we need the hassle?)
Starting August 1, the hotel will offer up a weekend package in its balcony suites. The package will include dinner and drinks served on the balcony, butler services, massages and accomodations for $1,500. After the jump, a look at the current Muse rooms.
We went down to the Lafayette House Hotel yesterday and had ourselves a good look around. We liked what we saw. There's a definite Sean MacPherson-Eric Goode vibe, with antiques everywhere and that Victorian flavor. But the effect is sort of country-lodge-in-the-big-city, which would probably be nice to come home to after a day in New York.
The overall effect--given that the hotel has only a few rooms--is that of a bed and breakfast, though as our tour guide pointed out, "without the breakfast." That's not a stumbling block for us, as the property is in easy striking distance of plenty of restaurants. Next door, B Bar handles lunch and dinner, and will even deliver room service to guests in the hotel. (The bar provides after hours support, too.)
The property itself fills the five-story building, with only a couple units per floor. (That debate about 14 or 15 rooms? One is used as an office, but can be dressed up for guest occupancy if need be.) First floor rooms, while smaller, have the benefit of soaring ceilings. Room 4 has a small balcony, and a few other rooms open onto a small courtyard. At the back of the hotel, rooms can be a bit dark. Business types looking to work in the room should book facing 4th Street.
Right now, rooms start at $350, but some rate structure changes may be on the horizon. More exclusive photos after the jump.
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by pbb
