Manhattan, a 13,5-mile-long island, is one of the biggest cities in the world — ask every New Yorker. She has it all, after all: Broadway's slew of emotional productions; Michelin-starred restaurants offer dinner well into the middle of the night; Fashion Week – people who see the streets and hotels world famous for New Yorkers' abandonment of high-rises and brownstones for their much-needed stay. Properties in Qatar for sale
Notwithstanding what some believe, New York was never dead – even after over a year of social distancing and shutting up business, the city that never sleeps is alive and well. And these brand-new Manhattan and Brooklyn hotels (and Roosevelt Island) are proof. From a historic landmark converted in 1907 on Fifth Avenue to a Beaux Arts-style former ferry terminal in downtown, these high-class hotels celebrate the colorful New York culture. Located between the bustling district of theatre, and the up-coming Hudson Yards neighbourhood, Arlo Midtown new building, opened at the end of May, is like a 26-story oasis of pale and gray heather. Arlo Midtown is a collaborative enterprise between the architecture firm Marvel, a noted interior design company Meyer Davis and the hotel owner and developer Quadrum. Arlo Midtown is an astonishing case study in story design, ranging from the entry hall with its underside made up of exposed bulbs (a node to nearby Times Square) to the eight-story woody art installation that decorates the lenght of a concrete wall (a tribute to the garment district). "This is really all about the layers," says Gray Davis, Meyer Davis' principal designer and co-founder. "The seamless mix between wood, marble, glass, unlacquered brass, and the abundance of greenery emphasize the oasis-like feeling throughout the space," he added.
Greenery makes a welcome statement especially in the lobby. A checkered arrangement of preserved mousses is right outside the heavy glass door and also suspended in whimsical, multi-purpose umbrella-shaped, dr. Seuss installations on the other side of three forest-touted, green-tone marble check-in desks. "We designed the lobby to be the hotel destination. We want guests to spend most of their time there because there is so much to do and see." Davis refers to the huge lobby with nine-story ceilings and countless convertible lounge areas. One of the most difficult was a long narrow corridor between the wonderful art installation by Mesh (which also completed the entire work of the hotel) and two rooms for conferences. Meyer Davis lined the wall against the art installation for this purpose with sitting vignettes consisting of customized seats inspired by mid-century under swanking brass arm lights. "The lights are located a little lower than usual to provide a more intimate feel with an overhead ceiling that is so large," notes Davis. In front of the charming sitting area are almost conference rooms which look nothing like what you would find in an office: They have a plush seat including a pale blue velvet sofa, a well-designed surface rug, and a gallery wall whose whimsical art is hung from metal strips. "Nothing here is too valuable. We wanted to give people a feeling of playfulness to feel comfortable in lounging and working. It's a social space entirely," Davis explains.
In social areas, the lobby has a full-service bar, a 12-person, marble-topped bar, lounges, and wooden leather and wooden bars from the new furniture line of the design firm, William Gray — a coffee shop and an Italian restaurant called Nearly Ninth (because the hotel just barely reaches Ninth Avenue).
The blue-and-white guest rooms on the upper floors are the celebration of nature's most soothing elements, without a hard overhead light. For example, above the beds is a thick fabric stripe which imitates an agate stone, and under the bed, there is a carpet designed to suit the needs of a Japanese sand garden at first sight. Some rooms even have terraces with plumbing seats, hammocks and unequaled city views.
New York Aman
If you're not involved in banking or you don't have Broadway affinity, Midtown may not be on your quarters list for exploration. But Aman New York will certainly make you reconsider when it opens in the late summer in the famous crown building, designed by the creative people behind Grand Central in 1921. Aman has 22 private residences and 5-story penthouses, as well as 83 spacious guest rooms and suites with working fireplaces and real luxury of New York (not to mention in-unit laundry machines).
Furthermore, one of the resident restaurants remains true to the Asian legacy of Aman. The Japanese restaurant serves fresh sushi and sashimi in its live cooking counter and on its outdoor terrace. There is also an extensive Italian restaurant, Arva, overlooking Central Park and a stylish cocktail and wine bar just dubbed The Bar.
In the acclaimed Wellness Centre, a three story haven with seven treatment suites and banya and hammam spa houses, the Asian influences are even more evident (both of which are complete with their own private outdoor relaxation terraces and hot and cold plunge pools). A boutique and salon are provided in the Wellness Centre, as well as a 65-foot indoor pool with twin beds and fireplaces, nearly 1 000-foot gym, a yoga room, saunas, steam rooms, ice fountains and sensory showers. There is even a classic barber for men and a hair salon for women and a nail salon for women. It was nailed by architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston.