Contributor/ LucyWillShowYou
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As an avid follower of the Viceroy Hotels design aesthetic I’d been quietly following the building updates of this new New York design location, which opened in the final months of last year.
The Good Stuff
Husband and wife team, Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer AKA Roman & Williams are responsible for the design on the Viceroy New York. They are very clear to call themselves designers and not architects, and simply state on the front page of their website, ‘Buildings and Interiors’. This is exactly what they were instructed to create here on 57th Street. Think simple forms and complex textures. Using iron-spot black brick between the two side walls of the structure, this element defines the frame of the building and its front elevation. At night the windows glow with the dimly lit pendant lights hanging above the beds, there’s a particular glow to the building when you walk past it across the street. Very film noir. You know what they say about New York, always look up. The lobby is very deco, with boldly veined marble walls cladding nearly the whole space. The honey-toned woods and tambour panelling has created a very handsome space. Woka lamps are featured on the side tables and bespoke designed leather banquettes, armchairs and benches greet you as you arrive on street level. The wall mural to the left below, was also created by the couple. The giant metal map above the check-in desk marks the location of the hotel.
The Vibe
The bar is magnificent, complete with a killer cocktail menu. A stunning addition to the hotel, although packed when I arrived, it was a Saturday early evening so of course that was to be expected.
Inside the hotel – 8/10
A great bonus to each room is your very own handheld tablet, which allows you to control the AC in your room, order room service, go online and connect to your social media accounts. The bathrooms are beautiful, layers of textured stone, brass and mosaics. The mirrors are to die for! The sinks are Kohler and the hardware is Roman & Williams for Waterworks. The bathroom amenities are Neil George exclusively made for the Viceroy Group. I remember the packaging from my stay at the Viceroy in Santa Monica. I have to remember not all New York hotels can afford the space for baths, and man did I want a bath that night. Ah ha, perhaps why they installed the mini pool in the basement I guess? The tiles reference the colours in dollar bills. The bathrooms are beautiful, layers of textured stone, brass and mosaics.
Outside the hotel – 9/10
You’ll find the Viceroy New York on Manhattan’s 57th Street (120 west to be exact), just a short walk from The Quin Hotel and it’s sister restaurant Wayfarer (where btw you should go for lunch). Culturally you are pretty much in the heart of the city. Home to the most iconic shopping avenues, important institutions and buildings. Over the years though this east-west axis with it’s buildings built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have lost some of their sparkle, and so Roman & Williams designed the structure with particular intention.
viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/newyork
Image courtesy of Viceroy Hotels & Resorts
