HH Review: The Assemblage on John Street

OVERVIEW

Assemblage on John Street: Lower Manhattan's newest wellness-focused boutique sleep featuring a one of a kind co-working space just above Fulton St subway station.  Established as a hub for collaboration and creativity, Assemblage is a coworking, coliving and community space that is unlike any other. Stepping foot into this gorgeous moss lined lobby will instantly transport you from the high energy bustle of the city into a serene paradise. Assemblage lends a blissful shared space for creatives to collaborate, play and grow. The 48,000 sq ft house offers 290 hot desks, 350 private offices with 7 conference rooms, 4 meditation rooms and a wide array of coworking & shared community spaces. Monthly memberships offer daily wellness programs that include access to community experiences yoga, meditation, and a stunning sanctuary to thrive and unwind in.

WHAT WE LOVE

• Access to so many wellness offerings and daily event programming. It's amazing to come across a hotel with such a strong sense of community.
• The coworking spaces are full of energy and creativity- so inspiring! 
• The apartment style rooms were my favorite feature; Assemblage is certainly suitable for an extended stay.
• The staff made us feel right at home from moment we stepped foot in the lobby. We were greeted with wellness elixrs and a delicious ayurvedic lunch at Plant Cafe. Don't forget to say hi to our favorites, Judge and Lauren! 

 

ROOMS

• The luxury apartment style rooms at Assemblage were designed by globally renowned firm Meyer Davis and... they're gorgeous. 
• Rarely do you step foot in an NYC hotel and find a King Deluxe room fully equipped with a kitchenette, walk-in shower, spacious armoire closet, working desk, banquette dining table and a smart TV. Each room also comes with curated art and a wide variety of books on biophilia and ayurvedic living. 
• The spacious armoire closets are perfect for someone like me who travels with quite a lot.
• We spent the weekend in a Studio King which had plenty of room for two people and could have easily accommodated four.

BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE

 

FOOD AND DRINK

• Plant Cafe is located on the second level of the hotel, adjacent to the coworking desks. 
• Monday through Friday the cafe offers complimentary Ayurvedic breakfast & lunch for Assemblage members. For $25, hotel guests can enjoy the same unlimited breakfast or lunch offerings.
• Aside from the cafe, there are no other sit down dining options but there are tons of options in the Financial District, or of course just hop on the subway (its literally six steps from the lobby). 

THINGS TO NOTE

• Rooms start at around $368 per night and memberships start at $200 a month. 
• Memberships offer access The Assemblage community experiences and spaces.
• There is no gym on the property but a nearby fitness center offers the first day free.
• The hotel is located directly above the Fulton street subway station.
• Be sure to keep up with the event calendar! Each week Assemblage hosts lots of amazing events you won't find anywhere else. 
  
  ASSEMBLAGE CALENDAR

ROOM AMENITIES AND BENEFITS

• High-definition
  smart TV
• Complimentary
  in-room Wi-Fi
• Pots & 
  Pans
• Cooking amenities & tea kettles 
• Microwave
• Refrigerator 
• Dishwasher
• Work desks
• 24-hour member/ 
  guest services
• Daily housekeeping 
• Laundry service 

HH Review: Hotel Henri NYC

OVERVIEW

Located in the heart of Chelsea just walking distance from Madison Square Park sits New York's latest Wyndham property, Hotel Henri. This intimate, no-frills hotel is home to the Jazz Age penthouse bar, Sir Henri, offering craft cocktails & stunning 18th-floor views of Manhattan perfect for enjoying a cocktail overlooking Manhattan’s sunset. The contemporary boutique features dark corridors and theatrical design elements as well as a coworking space and lobby level restaurant Shay & Ivy.

WHAT WE LOVE

• Our experience at penthouse bar, Sir Henri was the highlight of our stay- the bar staff was very attentive. This is a fantastic spot to catch the sunset over Manhattan.
• The lower lobby has a darling co-working space and free coffee available. 
• Location- Hotel Henri is just a few minutes walking distance from Madison Square Park and the NQR subway lines.
• The plush bathrobes in the guest rooms!
• Guests receive 10% off cooking classes at Eataly 

ROOMS 

• The guest rooms were underwhelming, to say the least. The minimal “urban” decor and dark walls made the room feel a bit lifeless. 
• After 6 pm there was very little natural light and our room has no overhead lights. The only lighting available was the two bedside reading lamps, one of which flickered uncontrollably when I turned it on. 
• The rooms offer a selection of treats and red wine for purchase and complimentary water bottles.
• The bedding and pillows were rather uncomfortable and rough. 
• The bathrooms lacked basic amenities like Q-tips, cotton balls, and a nail file. 
• Spacious work desks and ample luggage storage available.

FOOD + DRINK

• The hotel restaurant, Shay & Ivy, was not open for services, so we ventured to our favorite Italian market, Eataly, just down the block. 
• Sir Henri is the intimate penthouse speakeasy on the 18th floor. The bar offers plenty of seating and an open-air terrace overlooking Manhattan. We recommend visiting during sunset hours before it gets too dark inside the bar. This is also a great date spot!
• Mixology master Gil Bouhana is responsible for the tasty elixirs concocted with locally grown, seasonal ingredients. 
• Doors at Sir Henri open daily at 5pm

THINGS TO NOTE

• Rooms start at $159 a night 
• The hotel charges $100 for late checkout. 
• The hotel about three minutes walking distance from nearby NQR trains, Madison Square Park and various dining and shopping options

AMENITIES 

• Complimentary Wifi
• Flatscreen HD Television
• Room Service 
• Coffe + Tea
• Working Desk
• Ironing board 
• 24-hour reception
• Drycleaning Services
• Express Check-in/ Check-out

Book your room here.

 

HH Review: Boro Hotel Long Island City

OVERVIEW

Boro Hotel: Long Island City’s design-forward boutique sleep situated alongside the East River, just three minutes from the nearest subway. The neighborhood's growing selection of shops and cultural destinations (like our personal favorites MoMa PS1 and the Oracle Club) provides guests with tons of nearby entertainment activities. The 108-room property features chic, minimalist rooms designed by Graywinski + Pons equipped with flat screen TVs, custom Italian bedding, and spacious balconies. Enjoy fresh bistro bites and daily happy hour menus at the hotel's very own modern American cafe. With the influx of high rises, art galleries and restaurants on every corner, it’s geting harder to ignore this flourishing Queens neighborhood. 

WHAT WE LOVE

• 5 stars for service! The hotel staff was enthusiastic and accommodating - each employee truly made us feel at home.
• Walking into the lobby feels like entering an industrial warehouse that’s been (stylishly) converted into a living room, offering lots of seating space and a killer book collection.
• Our corner suite provided spacious accommodations with stunning views of the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the rooms allow for plenty of natural light.
• The rooftop bar is a must! Enjoy a delicious homemade breakfast or a sunset cocktail on the deck; come when you please, the roof is open 24/7. 

ROOMS

• Contemporary interiors and simplistic design lend to the hotel’s “less is more” Scandinavian aesthetic we love. 
• Sleep soundly on their custom designed beds featuring pillow top mattresses with plush Italian bedding specifically designed with comfort in mind.
• Rooms come equipped with Soundfreaq Bluetooth enabled radio alarms with dual USB charging ports and a Samsung flat screen with DirecTV.  
• Most rooms offer private terraces, spacious bathrooms and amenities by the holistic Greek cosmetics line, Apivita.

FOOD AND DRINK

• The café offers delicious healthy breakfast items such as brûlée grapefruit, avocado toast and organic yogurt with seasonal berries and homemade granola. Be sure to order one of the pizza's on the dinner menu... you won't be disappointed. Hours: 7am-11pm daily. 
• The lobby bar offers happy hour from 4-7pm which includes $5 Beer, $7 Wine and $10 Cocktails
• The rooftop bar boasts breathtaking views of the East River, Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. We recommend enjoying your breakfast here!
• In room dining offers breakfast & all day menu from 7am to 11pm.

THINGS TO NOTE

• Rooms start at $299 a night
• The hotel is located in close proximity to the N & R subway lines
• The surrounding neighborhood is on the quiet side- perfect for those seeking a more relaxed accommodation

AMENITIES

• Lobby lounge & library
• Complimentary hi-speed wi-fi
• Parking and car services
• Pet-friendly accommodations 
• Fitness center 
• Dry cleaning services 
• Printing services 

 

Boro Hotel

38-28 27th St

Queens, NY 11101

HH Review: Library Hotel

OVERVIEW

The Library Hotel, a quaint boutique nestled in the heart of east midtown Manhattan, is surely one for the books. This charming hotel concept was inspired by the Dewey Decimal System, with each of the guest rooms adorned with collections of classic literature.  With over 6,000 books on property to choose from, Library Hotel is the perfect destination for the book-lover searching for a quaint hideaway in the Big Apple. 

WHAT WE LOVE

---

• Daily wine and cheese reception everyday in the Reading Room from 5-8pm with a fabulous selection of wine, imported and domestic cheeses, fresh bread, pastries, and crudité.
• The stunning 14th floor rooftop terrace and poetry garden providing a relaxing oasis with complete with a bar, fireplace and unparalleled views of Manhattan
• The collection of books from all depths of the Library to suit the interests of every traveler! 

---

ROOMS

• Each of the sixty guest rooms has relevant art work and literature relevant to one distinctive topic within the Dewey Decimal category of the floor it belongs to
• Each room comes with spacious closets and a large desk area
• Junior Suites are the hotel’s largest room category complete with a pullout sofa bed and a 42” flatscreen TV
• The Love Room Suite is the most unique room category with the Hotel's only private terrace along Madison Avenue. This room boasts views of the iconic New York Public Library and the City skyline.
   

FOOD AND DRINK

---

• The hotel’s American Bistro and wine bar, Madison & Vine restaurant is located on the lobby level, serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch
• The entire menu is available for private inform dining, should you wish to enjoy your meal in the comfort of your room 
• The restaurant houses a variety of International wines in a spare high ceiling space

AMENITIES

• Plush Bathrobe and slippers
• Gilchrest & Soames bath amenities 
• Accommodating writing desk
• Hair dryer
• Complimentary Wifi
• Cable TV and premium channels 

 

299 Madison Ave,

New York, NY 10017

HH Review: 50 Bowery

Overview

50 Bowery is a 4.5-star hip downtown Joie de Vivre hotel at the crossroads of Chinatown, Little Italy, the Lower East Side and Williamsburg. With a rooftop bar that offers sweeping views of the city and staff that makes you feel at home, you may never check out.

What We Love

• The eclectic decor. The hotel interiors fuse influences of the surrounding neighborhoods Chinatown with modern accents and original artwork curated by Exhibition A.
• The staff. The 50 Bowery team welcomed us with open arms. Throughout our stay, they were nothing short of accommodating and personable. 
• The location. 50 Bowery makes it easy to access our favorite neighborhood joints in Soho, the Lower East Side and Little Italy. 

What To Know

• 50 Bowery is Joie de Vivre's first hotel in Manhattan located on New York’s oldest street.
• The hotel's rooftop bar, The Crown, boasts sweeping views of downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn. Enjoy decadent bites and a one of a kind cocktail selection. 
• The in-room dining menu is curated by Dale Talde of Three Kings Restaurant Group.
• 100 % Pet-friendly
• Bathroom toiletries by Jonathan Adler
• Complimentary WiFi

 

Rooms

Each of the 229 rooms at 50 Bowery feature minibars, spacisous desks and handheld steamers (major plus!). Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature designer toiletries and plush bathrobes. Complimentary WiFi keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment.

Food & Drink

Enjoy a happy hour cocktail and small bites at 50 Bowery's airy rooftop, The Crown. The Crown is the hotel's designated breakfast room and serving tea and coffee late morning. If you plan to stay in for the night, be sure to take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service.

Hotel 50 Bowery NYC
50 Bowery, East Village
New York, New York 10013 United States

Amenities

• Bar
• 24-Hour Fitness Center 
•  Free WiFi
•  Restaurant
•  Parking on site
•  Handicap-accessible
• Concierge Services

 

Arlo Nomad

Micro Hotels are proof of one thing: hoteliers are going “big” by thinking small. The “micro hotel” trend is certainly challenging the status quo, and today more than ever, industry leaders are reacting. Many brands are shifting away from costly, full-service hotels towards sophisticated, space-saving accommodations for the modern traveler. In cities like NYC (where space is scarce and occupancies are rising), the micro-hotel concept is especially hot! Arlo Hotel is the latest addition to the micro market, which includes properties like Yotel and the Pod Hotel, and during our last visit to the city, we just had to see what all the hype was about. 

With price points slightly higher than most of the competition, Arlo is pushing the micro-hotel trend into more upscale categories. This 250-room property is located on E. 31st Street, between Madison and 5th Avenue. It was designed by AvroKo, a leading concept and design firm in Manhattan, and has a mid-century modern aesthetic with an interactive lobby space, one that encourages visitors to document their travel stories on the Post It-lined elevator entrance.

Wander through the first two floors, and you’ll find gorgeous communal spaces in a library setting adjacent to BarLo. The hotel rooms are certainly small, but at no point do you feel cramped. Plenty of storage space is available for luggage and personal belongings, and corner rooms offer stunning views of the city, most times through floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Just past the hotel lobby, look for Massoni, the "inauthentic Italian" eatery opened by Chef Dale Talde, David Massoni and John Bush of Three Kings Restaurant Group. The restaurateur trio made their Manhattan debut with a fusion concept based on multicultural flavors and ingredients. While you’re there, be sure to order the Burrata with spring panzanella and rhubarb, all of which pairs nicely with the Forest Hills cocktail: a mix of rosemary-infused gin and lemon thai basil. If you’re feeling a bit more indulgent, the cheesy romesco and garrotxa pizza are both heavenly.  Much like the food, along with Italian-American influences, the cocktail program at Massoni stays true to its surrounding neighborhood. The name of each cocktail stems from the final stops of subway lines that run throughout the city. 

Arlo Nomad is perfect for the modern traveler, the foodie, the light packer and the design guru alike. Here, you'll enjoy a sense of community amongst fellow travelers, taste a menu worth another trip back, and have the chance to experience the vibrancy of New York City that makes it so hard for visitors to leave.

Hot In the Kitchen with Chef Sal at Bar Primi

We sat down with Salvatore Lamboglia at his New York City hotspot, Bar Primi, and whipped up his award-winning Rigatoni alla Norma. We got the scoop on Sal's culinary background, the life of a chef, and a few of his guilty pleasures...

What are your earliest memories of being interested in food?

My entire life revolves around food and it has always been that way. My dad was a chef for 35 plus years and most everyone in my family cooks. Watching my parents, aunts and uncles throw down every Sunday inspired me to cook professionally. 

 What, or who, would you say has inspired your cooking the most?

Watching my dad over the years definitely pushed me this direction. He always told me if I wanted to this as a career that I should go to school and find someone really well to work and connect with.

 Describe your culinary style…

My style is Italian and usually pretty rustic. My parents were born and raised in Naples and its pretty similiar there. It's not complicated and its lots of things you want to eat constantly.

What would you say is the main focus/concept for your menu at Bar Primi?

Bar Primi is an Italian restaurant that happens to have 15 pastas on the menu. Pasta is one of the main focuses here but we offer so much more. There's something for everyone and we tend to accommodate for any off the menu requests.

What do you think makes a restaurant or menu successful?

A lot of details go into making a restaurant successful. Teamwork, hospitality, and communication are big for me outside of making a fresh and delicious product. I'm a stickler when it comes to guests perception and making sure that service is meeting people's expectations. 

Favorite childhood dish?

My mom makes this Baked pasta with bolognese, ricotta, peas and breadcrumbs. She gets the crumbs and grated parm all crispy on top and the inside is super meaty and hot!  It's FREAKING AMAZING!

What trends or changes in the NYC dining scene have you witnessed over recent years?

I see a lot of fast casual restaurants opening around the city these days which is getting more popular. Also noticing a lot of old school italian coming back into the scene.

What projects do you have lined up?

Right now its all about Bar Primi. A couple of things are brewing but nothing worth mentioning as of now.

What restaurant is currently at the top of your list to dine at?

Osteria  Francescana

 Guilty pleasure?

Grilled cheese is my jam and I love peanut butter! 

RECIPE

1 pound of dried rigatoni pasta
2 cans of san marzano crushed tomatoes
4 cloves of garlic
1 onion
1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
1 Italian eggplant
handful of basil leaves
chili flakes
1/2 lb ricotta salata
1/2 lb grated parm

Method:

1. Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling on high. Peel and slice the garlic and red onion. Tear the basil leaves into bite-sized pieces. Trim and large dice the eggplant.

2. In a large pan, heat a thin layer of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the eggplant; season with salt and pepper, and cook 2-3 minutes, or until golden on all sides, stirring occasionally. Add the onion and cook 1-2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add the garlic and cook about 1 minute, stirring until fragrant and golden.

3. Add the red pepper flakes and crushed tomatoes to the eggplant in the pan. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer the sauce 2-3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Stir in half the basil and ricotta salata. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

4. While the sauce simmers, add the pasta to the pot of boiling water and cook 4- 5 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve a little cooking water before draining the pasta. Transfer the drained pasta directly to the pan with the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add some cooking water to thin it out.

5. Serve and top with grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!