Reality Check ➔
HOTEL THE CHATWAL, NEW YORK
THE HOTEL: This 83-room hotel is a gem in mid Manhattan and opened just a year ago after previous uses as a theatre and then a church, but best known as The Lambs private club, with members such as Fred Astaire and Douglas Fairbanks Junior. THE CHECK-IN: My bags were taken swiftly and I was directed into the small reception area and soon enough was in my room. THE ROOM: There’s one word for the rooms here: decadent. Walls are covered in suede, doors and bedside tables are leather, the toilet doubles as a massage unit and heating your derriere and goodness knows what else besides, while the TV disappears into the bathroom mirror. Quirky, custom-designed furniture fills the bedroom, such as a desk and vanity unit that resembles a trunk. But mod cons are not lacking either, with free wifi, iPod docking station, flatscreen TV, and laptop-size safe, all elegantly placed in a cavernous space. THE BUSINESS: There are some interesting meeting spaces at the hotel, not least the Stanford White Studio on the second floor, the building’s original library circa 1905, with book-lined walls, a working fireplace, private terrace and seating for 24. Downstairs there is The Club Room with 1,500ft2 of space and the original and dramatic semicircular oak doors.
THE FACILITIES: There's a great bar on the first floor with long cocktail menu, dramatic red leather chairs and room for up to 70 drinkers. There is a much smaller bar in the lobby lounge. The breakfast room/restaurant picks up on the theme of its illustrious past, with a single mono print of the characters that used to patronise The Lambs Club dominating the space. A spa and fitness centre is stylishly done, and includes a small lap pool, treatment rooms and hot and cold plunge pools. THE VERDICT: This is a fabulous addition to New York’s luxury accommodation portfolio.
Part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, it’s the first of several planned by the owner, Hampshire Hotels & Resorts. THE DETAILS: 130 West 44th Street, NY 10036. Rates kick off at US$695 for a classic room and US$6,000 for suites, soaring to US$1,750 for a one-bed suite with terrace and US$16,000 for the penthouse suite. All rates are subject to 14.75 per cent tax and US$3.50 guestroom occupancy and convention tax (US$5.50 for suites). Tel: 001 212 764 6200; see:
www.thechatwalny.com. GILLIAN UPTON
➔ SERVICED APARTMENT MERTON SUITES, JERSEY
THE HOTEL: Opened in June 2011, The Merton Suites are located adjacent to The Merton Hotel in St Helier, Jersey, and provide 28 units of accommodation. THE CHECK-IN: Check-in took a while as you use the same desk as guests registering to stay at the hotel. Once we were checked in we were directed to our apartment and our bags were delivered shortly afterwards. THE APARTMENT: A spacious, open-plan studio style apartment with a double bed and two bunk beds. Despite the bunk beds being situated in the lounge area the suite still felt spacious. The double bed could also be separated from the lounge area with well-designed sliding walls. The lounge area had a twin sofa and single seat around a coffee table, plus a dining table, sideboard, TV and access to a sizeable balcony with seating. The kitchen area included a fridge/ freezer, oven and hob, microwave and dishwasher. Cupboards and drawers were well stocked with a range of utensils and crockery. There was a communal area within the apartment block with washing machines and tumble dryers. THE BUSINESS: The suites have complimentary wifi throughout. While the hotel itself is primarily geared up for the
leisure traveller, there are numerous rooms that could easily be used for meetings. THE FACILITIES: The suite had everything guests could need but, for those that want to mix with others, the Merton Hotel has six restaurants, cafes and bars. There’s also a fitness centre with a range of equipment, plus an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room. THE VERDICT: The suites are extremely well furnished and their design well thought out. And being so new, of course, they were in
perfect condition. The location was good – just a short taxi ride from the centre of the island's capital, St Helier – and having access to the hotel's range of facilities was a genuine plus point. Sure to prove popular with corporate guests. THE DETAILS: Rates start from £75 per night for a minimum of three nights, not including breakfast. Tel: 01534 724 231; or see
www.seymourhotels.com/the-merton- suites for more information. DAVID CLARE
92 I FIND MORE REALITY CHECKS AT
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