Contributor/ Sara Henrichs
Best Known For
Co-founders Carlos Couturier and Moises Micha couldn’t have picked a better spot for their first property abroad. Their Grupo Habita hotels are not just the best you get in Mexico when it comes to contemporary, creative, fun and charming hospitality they also made their stamp on the global hospitality map. NY was the obvious choice and since Hotel Americano have opened it doors in Chelsea right next to the Highline it has attracted savvy travellers from across the globe. I came here several times for business and for leisure and both worked well. It is never too crowded during the day so safe to find a nice meeting spot to invite clients, also Hotel Americano is very popular among both New Yorkers and globetrotters.
The Good Stuff
Designed by Paris-based Arnaud Montigny, the hotel’s 56 rooms come in three variations, all inspired by traditional Japanese ryokan inns featuring a wooden box in which you find a futon mattress as night quarter. The rooms are simple but functional equipped with iPads complete with custom video art pieces. The bathroom has not enough storage to put all your amenities but they do have nice denim bathrobes. The bento box with the granola for breakfast is delicious and not to be missed. The views are epic NY and even you have the panorama you get total privacy due to architect Enrique Norton’s clever exterior metal façade. The highlight of architect Enrique Norten’s design is the dedicated exterior elevator running nine storeys up to the rooftop area, hung off his striking metal mesh façade of the building, so that foot traffic doesn’t spoil the atmosphere of the lobby. The fashion world often hijacks the roof space for private events so celebrity spotting is an average routine here. The hotel ‘s rental retro bicycle are fabulous to cycle along the Highline, while visiting the local art scene or wandering along the Brooklyn bridge.
The Vibe
The ground floor bar and restaurant is a place to be seen and great for meetings or social gathering throughout the day. On Sunday they play jazz music and you might see Carlos and Moises hosting one of their legendary brunches with lots of international friends. The rooftop has a pool bar and restaurant overlooking the Empire State building and even if the pool is small there is nothing nice during the hot summer Month. Throughout the winter the space transforms into a Swedish artic vibe with chairs covered with lamp fur, a real cosy treat.
Inside the hotel – 8/10
Sexy and sophisticated atmosphere, good social scene and design
Outside the hotel – 7/10
Chelsea latest hotel right next to the Highline, even if the area is not right midtown it offers peace yet the right vibe for atmosphere.
Visit hotel-americano.com
Images courtesy of Grupo Habita
