The kitsch urban charmer
1 December 2018
What happens when Brit cool takes on New York?
The first thing you notice when stepping into your suite at Crosby Street Hotel is the smell.
Though that’s not often a sentence that predicates a glowing review in the world of five-star hospitality, the news is all good.
Located in the cobbled streets of Lower Manhattan’s shopping and café culture command post, SoHo, the Crosby Street Hotel is the embodiment of UK interior design guru Kit Kemp’s trademark style, with signature scent, Gardenia Greenleaf, washing over the threshold of the rooms.
Along with much-lauded London contemporaries such as Ham Yard Hotel, Crosby Street Hotel and its uptown sister, The Whitby Hotel, are part of a brigade of modern English exports from the Firmdale Hotel Group. Their intention to relegate over-stuffed Chesterfield style in favour of a more contemporary spirit has paid off in spades.
In the higher rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows showcase views that stretch across the Lower Manhattan roofscapes and the suites come furnished with urban home comforts such as a fully-stocked complimentary bar cabinet and record player with some transcontinental vinyl classics.
Like its signature scent, the alchemy of appeal comes in the form of several crowd-pleasing features, the central core of which is a bustling neighbourhood bar and bistro. Beyond it lies a charming garden terrace cosseted by a canopy of fairy lights.
Complementing the lobby’s in-crowd vibe is a private cinema in the basement that hosts screenings and industry events.
Along with the neighbourhood’s local pets, charmingly honoured in original photographs, public spaces feature works including a 12-foot bronze cat by Columbian figurative artist, Fernando Botero. Its US$1.5m value is an emblematic reminder that playfulness has a place a place amongst five-star style.
Notable Neighbours - Where to shop and flop within a few blocks
Café Gitane
Celebs with street cred and all-day French-Moroccan fare.
Bloomingdale’s SoHo
A curated concept store with health and smoothie bar Forty Carrots.
Supreme
Sneaker and skate culture with round-the-block queues.
Amazon 4-star
The physical store where everything for sale is rated 4-stars and above.
Words: Gina Johnson