Hip Hotels — Still Tragic

Thank you for returning to Executive Nomad. Wondering why don't we feature reviews of the sites we recommend? Find Out.. If you haven't already, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed

Several years ago after a stay at the Roosevelt Hollywood I wrote a blog post for Harvard Business Publishing about the tragically hip hotel. Recently I was in New York staying at the Hudson Hotel and, sad to say, much of what I wrote back then is still true — at least with regard to lighting.

Unlike past stays at the Hudson, my room was amply sized. In fact, it was an ideal room for a tryst — with a gossamer curtain separating the sleeping area from the front entrance, the low bed a bastion of comfort amid a sea of honey-toned wood. Alas, I was traveling alone.

The front-desk was friendly and when I had a wifi issue I got the technical help I needed right away. Wifi was a reasonable $10 for a 24-hour period. The desk, however, was spartan and uncomfortable and there wasn’t a plug within reach of my cord.  I was also informed that my laptop was not welcome in the otherwise welcoming terrace bar during the cocktail hour as the hotel wanted more of a lounge atmosphere. Perhaps if I’d brought a Kindle. Here I was thinking that I was guest but it turns out I’m merely a prop. I did notice an attractive couple sitting staring at their iPhones (or Blackberries) rather than each other (maybe they didn’t have a room with a gossamer curtain) and no one asked them leave. It must be screen size that differentiates between working dweed and club cool guy.

Most disturbing was the next morning. The level of light was much as it had been when I went to bed the night before — perfect for sipping a martini but lousy for reading the paper. I don’t know why hotels can’t match the light to the time of day. Bottom line: the Hudson works for the price if you need to be on the west side of midtown but it’s still not quite Nomad standard if you have other options.

If business takes you downtown, check out The Cooper Square Hotel. It’s architecturally striking and all of the rooms have books (yes, real books) and that makes a room feel like home. Just a couple of blocks south is the Bowery Hotel where I had dinner. While the food was not extraordinary, it was more than adequate and the service quite pleasant.  We’d welcome a report on the rooms from one of our fellow Nomads.