Morgans Hotel

The Scene

Midtown is host to many of New York’s icons---the Chrysler Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Center---and Morgans Hotel. Morgans puts you in walking distance of nearly everything you could ever want and access to more than you could ever dream. Within 10 minutes, you can easily reach Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, and the Empire State Building. Across from Morgans Hotel, check out the Morgan Library & Museum where you can avail yourself of JP Morgan’s exquisite rare books collection and rotating exhibits (admission is free on Fridays from 7--9 PM). For a walk from the ordinary, head to Koreatown at 5th Avenue and 32nd Street. Trust your gut when it comes to eating in Midtown; it’s hard to go wrong and there are so many ways to be right.

The Concept

Resolutely modern but with a warm soul, Morgans Hotel has balanced elegance with true hospitality since 1984. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear that this is no standard “minimalist” hotel. The space is cozy but not overbearing or stark, and the warm, friendly service only pleases. In lieu of a full-service restaurant, Morgans has redirected its energy into a glimmering bar where quality ingredients reign and ordering an Old Fashioned cocktail can be something closer to choosing your own adventure. (Really; with the roll of three dice you “select” your spirit, syrup, and bitters---the latter two of which are made in-house.) Look closely at the art you find in the rooms and halls; the hotel still features signed prints by Robert Mapplethorpe.

The Look

Andree Putman, the inimitable French interior architect, headed the original design of the Morgans Hotel in 1984, laying the foundations for an unprecedented run of success and improving on the design in 2012. Every single element of the seemingly nothing-but-neutral design is exquisitely thought-out; just look at the four walls of your room, for each is a slightly different color. Varying shades of titanium grey are what Putman played with most, but her accents come unexpectedly in checker print from the carpet to fabric details, to a Corian table to the bathrooms. Fun fact: when Putman redid the hotel in 2012, she declined to change the classic black-and-white pattern of the bathrooms, considering them to be more or less perfect as they are. Rooms are compact but come with plenty of storage space, but we quite favor the Loft and find it to be the ideal balance between space and price (plus its little dining area is perfect for breakfast upstairs).

In Short

With an interior designer pedigree like this and a history of timeless style, Morgans Hotel is surely the pinnacle of modern minimalist boutique hotels. Combine that with an incredible location and superior service and you’ve got yourself a boutique hotel that sets the benchmark for all that come after it.