Hotel Hugo’s rooftop lounge provides 360-degree city views.
New York’s West Village has long been the hub of cutting edge—from artists and poets in the 1960s to real estate moguls, fashionistas and foodies today. Keeping with its 24/7 cool reputation, the West Village continues to turn out A-list hotels and restaurants. Here’s a look at what VIPs can expect.
New this year, at the crossroads of fashion, film and food, is Hotel Hugo, a boutique hotel that sits where SoHo meets TriBeCa meets West Village at Hudson Square. The 122-room hotel includes two top-floor suites and a rooftop cocktail lounge with 360-degree city views. The hotel has already lured in top A-listers such as Heather Graham, Jude Law and Nicky Hilton.
The rooms draw their inspiration from the neighborhood’s iconic loft-like commercial spaces. We hear the room to beat at this hotel is No. 1705, a one-bedroom loft suite with water views, a plunge tub and full shower. Other amenities include leather furnishings and a 32-inch flat-screen TV. Good for families: There are connecting rooms on all floors from a common exterior door. For bookings, reach out to Lindsey Sears ([email protected]).
The suites at Hotel Hugo draw their inspiration from the iconic loft-like commercial spaces of Hudson Square.
Looking to make the trip extra personalized? Guests can contact Sears with any and all special requests (think customized, monogrammed sheets, Vespa rentals and reservations at all of NYC’s most “unbookable” restaurants).
But you don’t have to go far to get a great meal. Hotel Hugo is home to Il Principe Cucina Italiana. We love the industrial chic vibe of the design (think metals, wood and stone). Tip: Try the Mezzi Rigatoni, which is decadently served up with lobster and black winter truffle. Perfect for the oncoming chilly weather, we say. We also hear that Chef Carlo Bigi’s eggplant parmesan is to die for. For a great dining experience, be sure to book the private dining room with an atrium ceiling and garden wall. If this is booked, we hear table 2 by the floor-to-ceiling windows allows for the best views.
For another killer view, head to the rooftop Bar Hugo, a cocktail lounge with 360-degree views of the city skyline, including One World Trade Center, the Chrysler Building, Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building.
Getting There: Fly guests into JFK or LaGuardia. There is also the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, which is five minutes from the hotel.
Late last year, NYC scenesters got a taste of Sean MacPherson’s newest boutique project. (Those in the know will know MacPherson from The Bowery Hotel and The Jane). Today, The Marlton continues to thrive as a hotspot for the fashion world, NYC night owls and lovers of the interminably chic. The vibe is reminiscent of an old-world smoking lounge-cum-Parisian bistro with all the 21st-century touches. In fact, the restaurant Margaux is heralded among the Manhattan elite as the late night spot du jour. We hear the best seat in the house is table 103, and that diners should order the Farmer’s Board and Avocado Toast. For reservations, reach out to Eric Rosenfeld ([email protected]). Top Touch: The Marlton offers complimentary gourmet breakfast for all guests.
The Marlton’s Penthouse Suite has a living room with wet bar and rooftop terrace.
If you’re going to try the restaurant, then you must try the bar, which draws in a very fashionable crowd. Be sure to order the Greenwich Gold (Four Roses Bourbon, honey, lemon allspice dram) or the Bohemian Sidecar (NY Applejack, cognac, lemon, Royal Combier and absinthe mist).
Inside the hotel, the suite to book is the Penthouse Suite, which is outfitted with a wet bar and a private rooftop terrace that spans 450 square feet. Cool Touch: Be sure to peek inside the minibar. We hear it is stocked with local chocolates and Brooklyn-made Moonshine. For bookings, reach out to Hotel Manager Eric Jasper ([email protected]).
While the hotel does not have a concierge, the Front Desk Agents are on hand to craft all over-the-top requests. We hear Front Desk Supervisor Tommy Naples (212-321-0100) is a whiz at putting together fabulous itineraries, from helicopter rides around Manhattan to romantic engagement dinners.
Good to know: The Marlton is a boutique property, both in size and style. It is best to book 30 days in advance, and even further out for high-profile events such as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.
Last summer, The Jade Hotel caused quite a bit of buzz around Greenwich Village. What we love: Though a new hotel, the design idea behind it was to make it seem as if it had been part of the scene there for years. What resulted was a 113-room hotel with an underground club meets Art Deco vibe.
Through the sunken lobby, guests will find their way into restaurant/bar Grape & Vine. To get there, they will traverse a brick hallway that is reminiscent of a European estate. The bar lends itself to images of speakeasy-style bistros. The restaurant is open to locals and, we hear, the Fried Chicken for Two is the dish to order. For reservations, get in touch with Restaurant Manager Liam Wager ([email protected]).
The bar is also a fun spot for locals and visitors. Be sure to order the Blood Orange Cosmo and the Strawberry Basil Collins.
Of the 113 rooms, the one to book is the Greenwich Penthouse, of which there are four. These are located on floors 17 and 18 and offer a private terrace that shows off the skyline and Empire State Building. The European-designed bathroom also has a deep soaking tub with separate stand-alone showers.
If it’s views you are after, we hear that rooms on the higher floors have awesome views of the Empire State Building. From the south-facing rooms you can see the new Freedom Tower. For bookings, reach out to Director of Sales Martha Anne Parker ([email protected]).
The Jade Hotel has rooms on the higher floors that provide awesome views of the Empire State Building.
On the Town
It’s not difficult to find a good time in the West Village. It’s a dizzying experience trying to narrow the options down. Here are a few of our favorites.
Bar Sardine is a must. From the team behind Perla, Montmartre and Joseph Leonard, Bar Sardine serves up bar snacks and cocktails that will please hipsters and scenesters alike. Tip: Try the Black Pepper Grasshopper with Kringle, Cacao, Wondermint, almond milk and black pepper. To nibble on, we suggest the Gruyere Grilled Cheese with eggplant-tomato tapenade and beer mustard, or the Arctic Char Tartare with avocado and everything pretzels.
Whiskey bar meets gastro pub at a brand-new brunch and dinner spot on Greenwich Avenue. Chapter One serves nouveau comfort food and comfortable chairs from which to sip and savor more than 75 well-curated ryes and bourbons (with wine and beer, to boot!). We hear the dim dining room is perfect for snuggling up with a date, while the weekend ambiance lends itself to the ubiquitous NYC brunchers.
We love the leather-tufted banquettes, tall tables and black-and-white photographs that up the gastro pub game with flairs of hipster chic. Cool touch: The backlit bar gives the wall of high-end and classic whiskeys an autumnal caramel glow.
And then there's the menu. The list of comfort food goes on, all with a signature twist to bring it into the modern dining scene of late (think duck confit with spiced peach chutney, or monkfish with roasted fennel, squash and tomato olive vinaigrette). To start, we would recommend the charred octopus. Dining at the bar is a whole new experience with small bites like pork belly buns, house duck sausage and market oysters.
For cocktails, head over to Orient Express. Named after the passenger train, the Orient Express is detailed as such, with curved ceilings, dim lighting and cocktails themed after old rail services. Go for the Mata Hari: Bulleit bourbon, Pierde Almas Abadaan mezcal, lemon juice, agave, ginger and aloe.
The Marlton Cocktail Bar and the Margaux restaurant are hotspots for night owls.