New York's Gramercy Park Hotel Joins Design Hotels

Set in one of the most coveted areas of Manhattan and bordering on the city's only private park, this luxurious property's lively and ever-evolving environment has established it as a New York landmark in its own right. With its famous rooftop Gramercy Terrace and Rose and Jade bars, this chic Renaissance Revival hotel attracts fashion designers and models, celebrities and stylish Manhattanites from every generation. Known as a hotel ‘by individuals, for individuals' the former 1920s building offers a twist on the formal grand hotel with its many distinctive and eclectic spaces furnished by Oscar-nominated writer-director and artist Julian Schnabel.

Artistically Minded

Walking into Gramercy Park hotel is akin to entering an artist's studio or home. With acclaimed artist and filmmaker Julian Schnabel as its designer, the hotel's interiors live and breathe art. Schnabel assembled a mix of antiques, flea market finds and bespoke pieces from different periods, together with plush fabrics and textures and a Renaissance-inspired color palette. The result is a fantastic mix of textures and hues, including Moroccan tiles, hand-woven rugs, lush red velvet curtains and a custom Venetian glass chandelier. The hotel's art collection includes works from acclaimed artists such as Damien Hirst and Jean-Michel Basquiat. This is complemented by a regularly changing selection on loan from private collections.

From Cocktails to Author Readings: The Rose Bar and Jade Bar, Gramercy Terrace and Maialino Restaurant

The bars at Gramercy Park are two of the most vibrant spaces in New York and hearken back to the golden age of the cocktail hour. As well as being decorated with custom-made furniture by Julian Schnabel and pieces from renowned 20th century artists such as Andy Warhol, live music from world-renowned DJ's ensures guests an all-round sensory experience.

Reflecting its position at the heart of the creative Manhattan scene, the hotel regularly hosts ‘Rose Bar Sessions'. These events welcome hotel guests and select locals to enjoy art, literature, music, fashion and food events.

The hotel's 18th floor Gramercy Terrace, with its retractable glass roof, evokes the feeling of an urban country club by striking a balance between after-hours chic and the classic style of private membership clubs. In the morning the space is a great spot for breakfast and then changes into a glamorous space at night time.

For a relaxed dining experience, the hotel's Maialino Restaurant captures the warmth and comfort of a traditional Roman trattoria, with classic pasta dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the Greenmarket and local farms. The bustling bar area is a local coffee bar in the morning and later transforms into a lively wine bar. A private dining room specializes in family style, multi-course feasts.

Rooms, Suites and a Spectacular Penthouse

The hotel's individually designed 185 guest rooms and luxury suites are decorated with a distinctive collection of art and objects. The six custom suites act as luxury private residences with living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms with custom deep-soaking tubs and showers. The extraordinary Penthouse, with its library, dining room and wood paneled kitchen, is a lavish area that is also available for business meetings or social events. The space features a mahogany wood ceiling, an original Stanford White fireplace, carefully chosen antiques from around the world and a series of photographs curated by artist Julian Schnabel.

The Beginnings

Designed by Robert T. Lyons and built by the famous developer brothers Bing and Bing, the Gramercy Park Hotel opened its doors in 1925 and has lived its share of life. Humphrey Bogart married his first wife here and as a young boy, John F. Kennedy resided on the second floor with his family for several months. Over the years the hotel remained much the same until Julian Schnabel, filmmaker and designer, and John Pawson, renovation architect, completely redesigned the interiors in 2006.

Location

Gramercy Park Hotel is located next to Manhattan's only private park. This magical, private space is only accessible by residents of the park, including hotel guests, and enables all who enter to enjoy peace and space in the heart of the city. The hotel is within walking distance of the East and West Village, Union Square, the Lower East Side, SoHo, NoHo and the hip boutiques and restaurants of Nolita. It's also a quick walk directly across town to the art galleries of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District and is approximately 45 minutes by car from John F. Kennedy International Airport. Rates start at USD 425.

More information: Gramercy Park Hotel