Suite no. 57 at the Viceroy in Manhattan spans the entire north side of the 28th floor, with views of the Manhattan skyline.
New York continues to hum with the latest in luxury, especially for the trendiest travelers. Here’s a look at what heat is rising from the pavement this summer.
A new posh, presidential palace is waiting for its big debut at the Dream Downtown. Luxury Travel Advisor got the scoop on the renovation of the Presidential Suite (and when we say renovation, we mean complete overhaul). The redone, two-story suite in September will include chic over-the-top features (glass-bottom Jacuzzi, anyone?). As if that wasn’t enough, there will be a hidden bookshelf entryway, for those appropriate James Bond moments. And did we mention the views of the Manhattan skyline?
Pictured: Dream Downtown’s two-story Presidential Suite is expected to have chic over-the-top features post-renovation.
Catering to the au courant VIP, guests who book the suite will enjoy exclusive services in music and fashion, which gives a nod to the hotel’s A-list address in the Meatpacking District. Dream Downtown’s resident DJ Sommelier meets with guests for a one-hour consultation and curates a personalized playlist based on the music and experiential needs during their stay. The playlist is delivered on a USB to play throughout the visit and serves as a memento.
Are you a fab fashionista? Suite guests looking to score the latest kicks can have their own Sneaker Concierge. Upon request, guests meet with an in-house sneaker guru to browse the rarest and most limited edition sneakers in the world, who will then obtain their selections through his network. For special requests or bookings, reach out to Rob Dellibovi, regional director of sales & marketing ([email protected]; 646-625-4900).
Until the Presidential Suite is ready, we say the Platinum Suite Pool Rooms are an excellent stand-in because of their direct access to Dream Pool and Beach, and each has a private garden terrace.
Pictured: Viceroy’s The Roof is a lounge and outdoor terrace atop the hotel, and a supplement to the restaurant Kingside.
As if you needed more exclusive perks, we hear that Chef Concierge Tom Bell ([email protected]; 646-625-4848) can arrange private yoga and meditation, Hampton summer shares, private tour of the UN, access to the Knicks locker room, a personal chocolatier, and, we were told, for a special celeb guest, he was able to install personal wall-coverings over their existing wallpaper.
During the day, be sure to book a private cabana at The Beach, an outdoor pool and bar space with a glass-bottom pool and exclusive access for hotel guests only. By night, Dream guests will want to be on the list for the Electric Room, an intimate lounge on the lower level of the hotel. Discretion is the name of the game here, as a separate entrance leads you to this hidden venue. Guests are led to the gritty nightclub by a series of small, blue-neon lightning streak signs. The club is decked out with sofas and custom back-painted antique mirrors as well as photography and artwork by Sante D’Orazio. Not on the list? No entry. But talk to Tom Bell and he can see what he can do.
Late last year, Manhattan said hello to the Viceroy, which moved into a VIP spot on West 57th street alongside some swanky neighbors.
The 240-room hotel climbs 29 stories, with views over Central Park. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows, along with super-luxe amenities (think Beats by Dr. Dre Beatbox Portable audio systems, Sferra linens and illy coffee machines, among others).
Pictured: Private cabanas can be booked at Dream Downtown’s The Beach, an outdoor pool and bar space exclusively for hotel guests.
The top digs here are no doubt Suite No. 57, a penthouse spanning the entire north side of the 28th floor with views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Details inside include a seating area with sofa and coffee table, two bedrooms, each with a king-sized bed, a custom bar, flat-screen television, and a tiled bathroom with walk-in shower and Neil George spa products.
For special bookings reach out to Michael Bridges, director of sales and marketing ([email protected]).
The hottest seat at the Viceroy New York would have to be at its eatery, Kingside. This street-level restaurant offers a New American menu, including French and Italian cuisine (think roasted snails with bone marrow and garlic butter; Cervella di Vitello in a caper, lemon and brown butter sauce; and seared tuna with wild mushrooms). Carnivores will want to order the 32-ounce Cowboy Rib Eye for two ($95) with roasted bone marrow. There’s also a raw bar and charcuterie/cheese plate options.
Night owls will want to check out The Roof, a lounge and outdoor terrace perched atop the hotel. The Roof is a supplement to Kingside. From its 29th-story looking point, guests can take in views of Central Park while nibbling on small plates (think burgers, charcuterie board and grilled cheese). There is also a menu of small-batch spirits, regionally brewed craft beers, global wine offerings and sexy cocktails. Cool touch: The terrace will be open year-round and outfitted with heat lamps and wool blankets so that it can be enjoyed in the chilly months.
Newsy New York
The talk of the town is the highly anticipated Park Hyatt New York, set to open mid-August. The hotel has already generated buzz in advance of its opening, and we’ve got the skinny. First there’s the building itself…designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc, and soaring 90 stories above Midtown Manhattan. Located on West 57th Street across from Carnegie Hall, Park Hyatt New York will be housed in the first 25 floors of the One57 skyscraper.
With standard rooms starting at 475 square feet, the 210 guest rooms are billed as some of the biggest in the city, designed with floor-to-ceiling windows and all the latest technology (did we mention the free Wi-Fi?). Yabu Pushelberg was at the helm of the interior design project, envisioning a contemporary, residential look with custom décor and a collection of museum-quality artwork.
Executive Chef Sam Hazen is overseeing all F&B operations, including the Living Room bar with views of Carnegie Hall. Perhaps the most talked-about feature of all: the Spa Nalai on the 25th floor, with six treatment rooms equipped with private outdoor balconies. A 24/7 gym will overlook the “three-story aerie,” and will have a steam room, hot tub, changing rooms and a pool with underwater music.
On The Town
Restaurateur Charles Masson has been tapped by Baccarat Hotels to be the director of restaurants and bars at the brand’s flagship New York property, set to open in December. Masson will oversee the development and daily operations of four culinary outlets at the hotel. Shea Gallante, formerly of CRU and Bouley, has been named as the hotel’s head chef, and will work with Masson to develop the menu at the signature restaurant. We hear the theme will be “classic French cuisine with a modern twist.”
Word on the street is Eataly CEO Oscar Farinetti is planning to open two more branches of the popular Italian food store-cum-restaurant in Manhattan. A spot at 4 World Trade Center seems to be first on the horizon. The eatery’s (get it?!) third outpost is reportedly planned for “uptown,” but there were few other details. In fact, spokespeople for Eataly couldn’t confirm any of the development plans except to say that they were “interested” but that “nothing has been set yet.” The chain expanded last year and is now reportedly seeking to open in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
In the East Village, lounge and bar Camp David is a new nightlife venue. Drinks of choice: We suggest sampling the Airmail, with lemon, honey, Venezuelan rum and Prosecco, or the Fancy Free, with Angostura, orange bitters, Maraschino and Rye Whiskey. Spanish-style small-plates, such as La Chupeta or The Lollipop, with melted Parmesan cheese over Iberico ham are on the menu.
Racines, a popular Paris wine bar, opened in Tribeca at 94 Chambers Street, just east of Church Street. Contemporary French-style menus are determined by what’s fresh at the market and are created by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Frédéric Duca. The two wine cellars accommodate around 9,000 bottles, with 40 reds and whites available by the glass.
Brookfield Place, formerly the World Financial Center, is in the middle of a $250 million renovation set to debut next spring when One World Trade Center opens. It will include a luxury goods mall with tenants like Burberry, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michael Kors, and Judith & Charles, as well as a big outdoor event space next to the marina on the Hudson River. Le District, a French food market, is also in the works and will open later this year.