New York, New York

New York, New York, so good they named it twice. This tourist magnet has always been one of the world’s most popular destinations, but in 2007 NYC hit an all-time high for visitor numbers, as 46 million of them descended upon this vibrant cosmopolitan hub. And with their suitcases came a predicted spend of around $28 billion. So who’s checking in most at this destination, for which TripAdvisor listed 344 hotels at the last count? Brits are the number-one New York visitor estimated at about 1,123,000 in number last year. Little wonder this is starting to affect the style, substance and selection of hotels on offer. Recognising this, Mark Johnson, founder of HotelChatter remarks, “One of the biggest trends for hotels in New York right now is that we’re currently seeing an incredible amount catering to well-to-do Europeans, thanks in large part to the sagging American dollar.”

Manhattan is widely recognised as the birthplace of that hotel category du jour – the boutique bolt hole. Of course, it is the hometown of some of the hippest hoteliers, and all eyes have long been on New York when it comes to observing developments on the hotel design vanguard. Recent launches have seen a new definition of luxury beginning to evolve within a hotel scene that has always trailblazed emerging hotel trends. Where once that may have meant five-star and flashy, the hotels luring the most discerning guests are closer to a high-quality home from home, ensuring the ambiance is enhanced by an attention to detail that spans bespoke fragrance through to specially commissioned artworks.

As James Lohan of Mr & Mrs Smith observes: “The boutique hotel scene in New York is exploding and thankfully they all seem to be arriving with their own unique style and personality rather than the mass of ‘designer hotels’ that most cities seem to see opening on a weekly basis. The Bowery is a current Smith favourite and look out for the new Standard and Firmdale hotels opening next year.”

Firmdale’s Craig Markham, elaborates: “It makes perfect sense for us to expand to New York as we have a very strong following in the American market which is very much focused on arts and entertainment business. Also New York is short on hotel rooms so there is strong demand. We feel that our hotel which reflects a contemporary take on a traditional English style is a good for match for New York, which has for over twenty years loved and admired what we have done in London. We are opening our first, the Crosby Street hotel in May 2009 and we plan to open four or five others in the next five years. Our second will be in midtown Manhattan.”

And it’s not just the Brits venturing abroad. Spanish hotel group, Room Mate Hotels recently bought Andre Balazs’ QT hotel, just a swagger from Time Square and relaunched it as Hotel Grace, bringing their American offerings to two from an otherwise all-Spanish portfolio of twelve. Meanwhile Dubai heavyweights Jumeirah have primped and polished Central Park South institution Essex House at great expense in an attempt to bring a taste of Middle Eastern-style glamour and service to this Manhattan grande dame.

What else contributes to New York’s unique hotel landscape? “Probably some of the same things that make the city itself so unique,” muses HotelChatter’s Johnson. “There are just so many different hotel influences. European, Asian, American – it is all here.  Furthermore, not only do the world’s greatest hoteliers open hotels in NYC, but plenty of first-time, celebrity or well-off hoteliers give it a go.  Where else do you have the likes of Ian Schrager and Robert De Niro both opening cutting-edge hotels?”

Johnson also puts New York’s vibrant scene down to the differing districts of New York: “Midtown hotels come with a completely different vibe than downtown hotels.  And the inhabitants of these neighborhoods help create that, by protesting or welcoming a hotel with open arms, depending on how well each hotel meshes with each neighbourhood.”
From budget to bling, cutting-edge cool to conventional classic, you want it, NY delivers it. That’s why so many hotel lovers – and hoteliers – want to be a part of it.