New Hotels in New York
USA Today Reviews Six New Hotels in Manhattan
Hard times have taken a bite out of the Big Apple's skyscraper-high hotel rates. What's bad for hoteliers is good for travelers, especially since Manhattan is adding 4,500 rooms in 2009, says its NYC & Company, the city's marketing and tourism arm. USA TODAY's Kitty Bean Yancey checks out some new lodgings.
The Standard, New York 848 Washington St. at West 13th Street
•Neighborhood:Meatpacking District
•Concept:Andre Balazs, whose Standards in L.A., Miami Beach and L.A. Château Marmont are hot haunts, turns up the temperature with a built-from-the-ground-up pleasure palace. It has opened in stages and is getting big buzz as it nears completion.
Stay Up to Date on the Latest Travel Trends from ABC News on Twitter
•Rooms and suites:337
•Rates:From $195 (as with all hotels here, rates depend on demand)
•The look:A beautifully conceived glass-and-cement edifice perched atop the new High Line hiking trail. Picture-windowed rooms, done in soothing neutrals, have amazing views of the Hudson River. In-room high jinks in front of those windows have made headlines. There's also a workout room with river views and an 18th-floor lounge with sunken beige-leather banquettes and panoramic vistas that hosted Madonna, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.
•Still to come:A spa-style lounge with giant whirlpool
•Who'll like it:Design aficionados, hipsters, exhibitionists.
•Who won't:Those seeking a tranquil, conveniently located lodging.
•Inside tip:Hudson Suites ($500 off-peak) have wow! river views.
•Information:212-645-4646; standardhotels.com
Ace Hotel New York 20 W. 29th St. at Broadway
•Neighborhood:A sort of sketchy part of what's being dubbed "NoMad"(north of Madison Square Park).
•Concept:The first Eastern outpost of a Seattle-based boutique chain, Ace mixes retro and avant-garde. Some young, friendly staffers sport tattoos.
