You absolutely must…
Must Drink:
The exclusive clientele at the Rose bar and Jade bar have quickly recaptured the hotel’s reputation for high bohemia! Eclectic but sophisticated, the soaring spaces combine the intimacy of candlelight with the intensity of work by Schnabel, Warhol and Hirst. After 9pm it’s by reservation only – guests have priority.
Must Shop:
Within easy reach of both Macy’s and the hip boutiques of Nolita and Greenwich Village, plus the legendary delis of 3rd Avenue.
l The peace, privacy and privilege of New York’s only private park – for which guests have the key!
l The bohemian heritage of this 1925 landmark
l The vision of an artist instead of the blueprint of a designer
l Exclusive nightlife and a private rooftop club with garden
The Whole Story
Manhattan is famous for its skyline and its monumental grid, but except for Central Park it is unforgiving in its lack of green spaces. That’s what makes Gramercy Park so exceptional: situated in the heart of the city, it is a small, romantic park inspired by a London square. It is the kind of bold eccentricity that has attracted the city’s bohemian elite since it was first conceived by visionary developer Samuel Ruggles. Gramercy Park was rather obviously the perfect setting for a hotel, and when the Gramercy Park Hotel opened its doors in 1925 it quickly became the place for artists, adventurers and bon vivants to rub elbows. Babe Ruth liked to drink at the bar, Humphrey Bogart was married here, John Barrymore was a neighbour and Mark Twain liked to play pool in the park.
With such heritage Gramercy Park Hotel was both a challenge and an opportunity. Ian Schrager’s idea was to renew the bohemian edge and to achieve this he enlisted bohemians to help. Instead of a designer, the artist Julian Schnabel was brought on board. All the ingredients, including the art, have been chosen not because they belong or follow a scheme, but because they are irresistibly beautiful. Like a magpie instinctively attracted to shiny objects, the Gramercy was not so much designed as collected; voluptuous velvet curtains suspended from bronze rods, hand tufted rugs, polished lion stucco walls, colours inspired by the renaissance, juxtaposed with daring contemporary art, these are the hallmarks of an artist’s lair. And that is the overwhelming ambience at the Gramercy Park Hotel.
The Rooms
Rooms are described as ‘madly eclectic, beautifully appointed…each with its own vivid Renaissance colour palette’, each and every one adorned with individualistic furniture and artwork.
All rooms have Flat screen LCD TV and DVD, iPod docking station and Wireless internet plus feather beds and 400 count Linen with Mahogany paneled bathrooms with shower and tub.
Superior Rooms are approx 250 sq ft with a Queen bed on a bright courtyard.
Deluxe Rooms (approx 335 sq ft) & Loft Rooms (approx 400 sq ft) have a King bed on Lexington Avenue. Some loft rooms have a soaking tub rather than a shower.
Avenue Suites (475 sq ft) also have Living room with sofa bed and two 32" Flat screen LCD TVs.