PRELUDE Hotel Review
Hotel > From Dusk to DuskIndulge your inner wild child at Manhattan’s hippest sanctuary.
words by > Bethan Ryder
Night Hotel
New York City
132 West 45th St (between 6th and 7th Ave), 212-835-9600
www.nighthotelny.com
Night Hotel is a vampish little number. You could imagine the Addams Family peering out from the wrought-iron gates of the tall black façade, were it not for the white banner bearing a giant, Gothic-scripted “N.” The welcome comes by way of chisel-cheeked young things—presumably part-time actors—which, in Manhattan, is instant confi rmation of a boutique hotel.
Upon arrival, guests are presented with bespoke business cards for their stay—a nice touch that enhances the private-residence feel of the place. In fact, entering Night is more like stepping into someone’s home (albeit someone with a strong taste for the noir) than a 72-room hotel. Inspired by “Gothic Gotham,” the small but luxurious lobby created by zeffdesign is a somber vision of monochrome, well styled with pieces from various decades to emulate the manor house of the fi ctitious dapper Mr. Knight.
It’s all very Eyes Wide Shut and unlikely to appeal to the more mature traveler, but then Night with its “rock, pop and goth” angle aims to be a crash pad for hedonists rather than anything else. Nightlife, the restaurant/bar, a 4am closing time, low lighting, smoking courtyard and menu verging on the ideal post-gig rider (Kobe beef hot dog, seared tuna with wasabi mayo, roast chicken), suggesting this is more about grabbing a late bite than early-evening fi ne dining.
The guest rooms are tiny, and the bold “N” logo carpet and Timorous Beastie “thistle” patterned wallpaper visually crowd the space further. The closets are frustratingly unlit, and although there are Dean & DeLuca treats, the mini-bars are hidden below a circular table draped in monogrammed fabric. Our room overlooked the street and the windows were not soundproof, so request a room at the back of the hotel if you’re a light sleeper.
Where they have excelled is in the beds; mammoth, comfortable beasts wrapped in Frette linen and fl anked by stylish reading lamps. The bathrobes are plush enough to encourage 24-hour wear, and there are Molton Brown products in the bathroom. The hotel is Wi-fi ($10 per day), but strangely didn’t work with an Apple iBook—perhaps they’ll rectify this in time. Black Nano iPods are available on request.
As the third hotel (following Time and Dream) developed by nightclub owner Vikram Chatwal for his family’s Hampshire Hotels & Resort’s Boutique Division, it certainly has the strongest identity—one in which party-lovin’ creatures of the night will feel very much at home.