New York, New York, it is one hell of a town and we were lucky enough to jet off to the Big Apple for a whole week. Unlike most normal folk who check into a single hotel for a full week, the team at SLiNK like to hotel hop to really get a feel for a city. We like to stay in different areas, in hotels for different budgets and with totally different vibes so that we can return with new found knowledge to share with all of you.
Our first stop this time was trendy The Row hotel on 8th Avenue, just a short walk away from Times Square.
By the time we rolled up at 9.30pm (which with time difference meant we were hurtling towards 4am at rapid pace) we were not expecting (nor in the mood for) the bright lights, pumping music and busy lobby. We must admit we gave a somewhat audible groan and mentally ticked off the fact I was here for the rst 3 nights and we’d have to somehow survive. (By the time it came to leave three days later we didn’t want to go).
The Row isn’t just a hotel with a bar and restaurant; in fact the bar and restaurant are central to this hotel’s reputation as a new New York night spot. The lobby was teeming with people and we clearly was checking into somewhere very hip and happening.
Luckily by the time we reached the room we was pleasantly surprised that the music that greeted me on a arrival couldn’t be heard at all. The room, was extremely spacious and if you’ve been to New York before you’ll know how unsual that it.
The decor bright and clean with pops of yellow to further reinforce that this is a young, fun, modern hotel. The rooms are recently modernised; in fact they have recently completed a two-year, $140 million development, The Row boasts 1,331 contemporary guest rooms.
A large, king size bed was the focal point of the room and there is ample space for suitcases, closet space and a desk, should you be having a Carrie Bradshaw moment and need to pen a piece or two.
Each room hosts a 32inch at screen TV and for the rst time in a long time we have found a hotel that actually puts eas- ily accessible plug sockets right by the bed (in the bedside table as it happens) so you can actually charge your phone nearby.
For some reason the first thing we do on arriving in a hotel room (aside from fling myself onto the bed) is hunt for the mini bar and we must admit we did miss having a mini bar (we didn’t nd out until
the following day that the hotel has a 24 hour mini store in the lobby selling drinks, snacks and magazines – very handy). However a mini bar seemed far too old fashioned for The Row that attracts a more youthful crowd. Ice buckets are provided, with ice available in the hallway but you need to bring your own drinks if you fancy a night in. There were some at packing water bottles which we must ad- mit we did love and after stocking up on water in the mini market in the lobby we used these frequently around town during the blistering New York heat.
The bathroom again was clean, bright and a good size. Signature toiletries were provided by PURE, there is a multi setting shower head and a hairdryer, ironing board, iron and full length mirror for each room (perfect for outfit selfies).
Other little things in the room that We noted and loved … Blackout blinds. We went during a particularly sunny heat wave, so this meant we could have a fan- tastic lie in!
There is also an iHome docking station and a cordless phone. We should also mention that the feather pillows were fan- tastic and the bed extremely comfortable. Arriving worried about the noise, the room became a lovely little sanctuary.
The hotel also has a 24/7 tness studio with treadmills, elliptical machines, bikes and free weights .
Over the three days we really got to know the hotel. The rhythm and vibe of The Row is electric and the room rates incredibly reasonable – in fact some friends of mine have booked in for September after We came back and told them they should stay there.
Sign up for the newsletter online as they seem to run offers relatively frequently and while staying in New York is always expensive you de nitely get a great, friendly service and comfortable space for a fantastic price.
Check the next page as we talk you through The Row’s buzzing food and drinks offering and why, even if you aren’t staying there, you need to at least stop by.
Without a doubt, the heart of the hotel is its buzzing coffee and bakery by day, cocktail, pizzeria and live music venue by night… District M.
District M made us feel at home straight away. From our first caffeine infused hit of the day, District M transported us straight back to Shoreditch, East London, with its trendy,
hipster vibe, cute barristas and chatty staff. If you aren’t one for coffee you are going to want to start. I always struggle in New York to find a decent latte or at white, but District M hit that spot straight away.
There is no breakfast service as such at the hotel, but there is a selection of pastries, cereal, fruit and sandwiches on offer. The District M bar area is a great pit stop and spot for coffee meetings. It is also a great hub for people watching and seeing the comings and goings of this busy hotel. As you head towards the evening, District M takes on a totally different persona as it switches seamlessly from coffee hang out to cocktail serving bar and we were
lucky enough to enjoy a few, possibly too many rum infused drinks. There is also a selection of freshly prepared pizzas and bar snacks on offer.
Again in the style of the hotel, the vibe is easy and low key but the tunes are full throttle. The bar also hosts live music and while it is still fairly gentle for the after work crowd, as it heads into the evening properly the noise and electricity of the venue really picks up. Open til 1am Monday to Sunday, there is always a late night tipple to be had here.
Once you’ve nished drinking though, of course food is on the agenda and The Row’s City Kitchen is putting itself on the map with a host of rave reviews. A restaurant, come bar, come food market, City Kitchen doesn’t take you around New York’s tastebuds as much as it does a global journey.
With a host of international cuisines on offer, you can dine on as the food market entertains a host of nine permanent and seasonal vendors who will offer a capsule collection of their menus.
From sushi to tacos, doughnuts to lobster the aim of City’s Kitchen is to be at its heart, more NY than NY – by bringing together some of the cities favourite foods from the East to the West Village and all the way in Brooklyn. This is a concept, pop up food restaurant/market that will surely have something for every mood. Calling on some of New York’s favourite and undiscovered hero restaurateurs, par- ticipants include ‘Luke’s Lobster’, ‘Whit- mans’, ‘Azuki’, ‘Wooly’s shaved snow’ and ‘Sigmund’s’ pretzels.
A fusion of classic, nostalgic and ultra modern dining, it is no wonder that City’s Kitchen has made The Row a sure re hit with locals and tourists alike.
Fact Box
The Row:
700 8th Avenue New York, NY 10036 http://www.rownyc.com groupsales@rownyc.com
@rownyc
District M is a European express café, serving delicious sweet and savory pastries from NYC’s nest bakeries, including Payard, Balthazar and Pain d’Avignon.
In the PM, it transforms into a chic Neapolitan pizza bar and cocktail lounge, serving hand-stretched pizzas and a curated selection of charcuterie and cheese. Specialty cocktails, local craft beers and a live music.
Breakfast hours: Monday – Friday: 6:30am – 11:30am, Saturday – Sunday: 7am – 12pm Dinner hours: Monday – Sunday: 5pm – 1am
City Kitchen: Citykitchen.nyc @citykitchenny inside The Row Hotel