No two tales of New York will ever be the same. In itself, the city is its own oxymoron: somehow both nostalgic and brand new at every turn. So much to do. So much to see. Hardly enough time in a day—in a lifetime—to absorb it all. But we all have to start somewhere. My newfound favorite ‘somewhere’ in question? Allow me to introduce you.
Picture this: You touch down in Queens on an overcast afternoon. August, in the true fashion of a lazy waning summer, seems to be on a hiatus, and autumn teases the air. Few things sound more appealing than a spiced drink and your favorite Italian dish—and it’s not the jet lag talking. Luggage in tow, you find yourself in the back of a yellow taxi, making the twenty-minute drive into lower Manhattan. Sarah Vaughan is on the radio, followed by JAY-Z, a combination that only plays well in the tell-tale concrete jungle that so many dream of visiting. Umbrellas lift as you step out onto the sidewalk, and beneath a tastefully modest black awning awaits a warm smile: “Welcome to The Greenwich Hotel.”
Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
Stepping into The Greenwich feels like revisiting a place you might have called home in youth. Nostalgic, sentimental, impossibly yours. The tension of the Big Apple melts away entirely as your feet tap across hand-cut tile floors, imagined by family in the rolling hills of Tuscany. From the reception desk to your right, a charming “hello” greets you from a staff member who hardly feels like a stranger. Adorning the lobby, you’ll find paintings by co-owner Robert De Niro’s late father, and a private drawing room filled with books and timelessly upholstered furniture. Antique rugs and cozy light fixtures embellish the completed ground level. A lush courtyard serves as a guest-exclusive dining space, featuring cuisine by Chef Andrew Carmellini. Ah yes; the Italian you were just craving.
While aesthetically mature, The Greenwich Hotel is young at heart, invoking a sense of curiosity with every detail. “It starts– quite literally– with the bones of the hotel,” says Drew Bishop Tamm, the hotel’s Director of Sales and Marketing. Every brick is hand-molded; one of a kind. Each of the eighty-six rooms and their respective ensuites are unique. “Everything is very thought out.”
The scene unfolds: after a seamless check in, you head up to– in my case– an airy Studio Suite. Your bags await you in the salon, unpacked upon request. Soft light pours in through the windows as your shoulders relax. A pace away sits a bottle of red, a handwritten welcome, and some of the most decadent cookies you’ll find in Tribeca. The effortless atmosphere is an epitome of quiet luxury, authentic only to itself. And suddenly, the only thing you can think of leaving for is a trip to the reception desk to extend your stay. But alas, New York awaits. To make the most of your time, see The Citizen’s Guide to New York City, coming soon to this fall's Issue 001.
Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
It’s no secret that New Yorkers (or frequent visitors; locals by association) all seem to have one thing in common: a love for keeping busy. Whether you find yourself in the city for work or for pleasure, every minute offers an opportunity of some sort. But with the fast-paced comes an equal need to decompress. Enter: the Shibui Spa. Upon your return to The Greenwich, unless your first instinct is to sweat the day out in the fitness center, you’ll likely find yourself wrapped in a 浴衣– Japanese bathrobe; yukata– under the roof of a 250-year-old farmhouse, reconstructed in the spa by Japanese craftsmen above a lantern-lit swimming pool. Or perhaps you still have that knot in your shoulder from pretending to throw the first pitch at tomorrow’s Yankees game (you never know who might be scouting, after all)... Schedule Shibui’s signature Omakase Ritual Massage, featuring ancient modalities from around the world. With an extensive menu of treatments ranging from facials to Onsen Rituals, there’s little in the way of escaping– in the words of Rosemary Clooney– the strain, traffic, and tension of the city.
Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
Where to next? Dinner, of course. There’s something magical about attending a well-hosted evening of cocktails, comfort food, laughter, and friends both old and new. The Greenwich Hotel’s bustling corner restaurant, Locanda Verde, is the perfect embodiment of the latter. The space itself offers a casual formality, while the cuisine boasts a home-cooked touch, though there’s no lack of ornament in quality. The location has more than earned its Michelin star.
Guests of the hotel are invited to dine in the private garden tucked within the building’s main lobby, but I found myself surprisingly more drawn to the urban taverna dining room. The rich decor and music of conversation floating about the space are classically New York, not to mention the opportunity to catch a glimpse of your favorite A-lister whispering across the bar. After all, there’s no greater intimacy than that of a large party– the late Fitzgerald would certainly approve.
Courtesy of The Greenwich Hotel
Whether you top off your night at the ballet, a walk along the Hudson River Greenway, or find yourself headed straight to bed, there’s no doubt your dreams will be sweet at The Greenwich. Every bed in the hotel is completed by a handmade Savior mattress, favored by the late King Hassan II of Morocco, and turndown service does not disappoint. You’ll find your ensuite shimmering and equipped for a relaxing night routine. Prioritizing sustainability, The Greenwich uses aluminum packaging for their Red Flower soaps, lotions, and conditioner, while the shampoo comes in a bar form. Enjoy a bubble bath in a hand-carved soaking tub, a meditation in your private sauna (found in select suites and penthouses), or a long rain-style shower. You know you want to. Finally, next to your pressed and fluffed linens, a tall bottle of water awaits you alongside an aromatherapeutic mist for your skin and pillow. Go on, rest easy. You have a big day tomorrow.
It’s not uncommon that luxury can incite a pressure to walk on eggshells: Don’t do this, don’t say that, don’t touch those. The Greenwich, however, begs the opposite. A beckoning: make yourself at home. Falling into routine at the hotel– getting to know the incredible staff, lively neighborhood, and enjoying one surprise after the next– is likely to become the highlight of your stay in the city that never sleeps. The rich, savvy ambience underscored by kinship and tradition will serve as your tide: drawing you back, and back again, to Manhattan. “There’s a sense of home and familiarity about [The Greenwich], too.” Bishop muses, “Whether it be someone’s dog who made an introduction for them, or seeing a familiar face for the second or third time… If the walls could talk.” Stories of first dates, holiday dinners, and reunions with long-time friends are the most notable underscores to the hotel, reminding guests that this is more than just a place to rest your head, but a darling, privy corner of New York that’s theirs for the taking. And it makes you wonder: how soon is too soon to simply move in?
by Mackenzie Ostrowski
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