Gramercy Park Hotel :

Had I stepped into a photo shoot or my hotel?  The lobby of the Gramercy Park Hotel, with its romantic lighting, stunning original art and staff with model looks left me waiting for the flash. A strong concept was apparent from the moment I stepped into the imagination of Ian Schrager. The Gramercy Park Hotel experienced its renaissance in 2006, shedding its rock and roll past and transforming into a luxury property with a bohemian edge. Now in addition to the ever-popular Rose and Jade bars, the restaurant Maialino has brought even more attention back to the property.

Hotel Details
Gramercy Park Hotel is distinct from other New York City hotels. The 185 rooms and suites share a palate of rose, jade green, and renaissance blue. My suite on the 10th floor was jade green – a lovely backdrop to a series of black and white photographs. Finishing touches included a rose carpet over wide planked wood floors and a blue velour blanket draped across the bottom of the bed for a dose of drama.

Gramercy Park Hotel is on the doorstep of the exclusive green space, Gramercy Park. This is the only private park in New York, and a key is required to enter the gates. The gravel paths and benches are a nice spot for a walk or a morning coffee. The best part of the park however, might just be the glances from outside the gate. People walking by seem to be wondering, “Just how did you get in there?” Hotel guests are invited to utilize the park at their leisure; a key is available at the front desk.

A full 16 stories above the street commotion is the roof bar. This space is accessible by key card only – or reservations for the general public. Stepping out of the elevator, I entered a luxurious greenhouse perched on top of the hotel. Wicker chairs and couches form small seating areas. Exotic plants were almost in bloom. Although I was visiting on a rainy day, I could imagine the retractable roof open and New York City buzzing below.

Dining at Gramercy Park Hotel
The rooftop is great for breakfast. This quiet space is ideal for strong coffee and healthy options. Downstairs on the ground floor is Maialino, a neighborhood Roman trattoria from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. Every meal at this Italian restaurant has been praised by both the media and locals, from simple weekday breakfasts of a cornetto and cappuccino to elaborate, Italian inspired brunch options. This is also a destination restaurant for lunch and dinner, including popular pasta dishes.

Reservations should be made in advance to enjoy lunch, dinner, or brunch at Maialino, but there’s also other ways to snag a seat. If you don’t like to plan ahead, pop in for a weekday breakfast, or take advantage of the afternoon bar menu, available from 2 – 5:30pm each day. During these less-busy hours, you can nibble on cheese, pasta, salumi, or a handful of Italian-inspired bar bites. The happy hour menu kicks in at 5pm, so once you have your seat at the bar, you might be inspired to hang around for affordable drinks until 7pm on weekdays.

In addition to Maialino, there are other nightlife options in the Gramercy Park Hotel. The Rose Bar and Jade Bar are located on the lobby level. After 9pm, the Rose Bar transforms into a reservations-only drawing room. This will never become a crowded bar where you’re fighting for elbow room, as all space, even standing room, is reservations only. In addition, stunning original art adorns the walls, so you can gaze up at an Andy Warhol painting while sipping your cocktail.

The Artistic Side of Gramercy Park Hotel
Art is at the core of the design here. This hotel gives guests a chance to experience museum-quality work in the lobby and bars without going to a museum. You won’t need to step into an art gallery to see an original Damien Hirst painting if you choose to stay at the Gramercy Park Hotel.The collection of art at this hotel is rotating, so art enthusiasts might want to call ahead – or check the hotel website – to find out what paintings are currently on display. Beyond the work hanging on the walls, this hotel also has an artistic approach to hospitality. One evening returning to my room, I walked into a unique turndown service. There was a soft candle flickering in a red candleholder, a touch that illuminated the vibrant colors of the room. The effect was one almost of a cocoon – making the city below seem even further away.

Gramercy Park Hotel
2 Lexington Ave, New York, NY
212 920 3300