What Polar Vortex? Warm Up At These Hot NYC Hotel Havens

What Polar Vortex? Warm Up At These Hot NYC Hotel Havens


Just because winter weather has graced us with its presence doesn’t mean your social life has to end. In the city that never sleeps there’s always a new, bustling event or attraction to attend. But if you are visiting the city or you just want to take a break from the nightlife, why not warm up at one of these hot hotels? From ground-floor lobbies to sky-high rooftops, guests and locals alike can seek solace, warm up, and enjoy the decadent fireplace.

Whether you’re looking for a new workspace with a view, a meeting spot with friends over cocktails, or a place to simply unwind after a long day of shopping, BlackEnterprise.com has narrowed down the top choices.

The Ludlow Hotel

The Lobby Lounge & Garden at The Ludlow Hotel functions as the neighborhood living room with its grand-distressed limestone fireplace, oversized chandeliers, and communal, vintage furniture. The cozy lounge includes an all-season “secret” garden and lobby bar with a cocktail program by Major Food Group’s resident bartender, Thomas Waugh, who takes inspiration from the legendary cocktail parlors of Paris and New Orleans, as well as spice-driven flavor profiles and provocative twists that give a nod to the Lower East Side. Both guests and locals can use the venue as a casual workspace by day, and enjoy a seasonal libation, like the Muddy Water, prepared with Powers Irish Whiskey, cumin-infused Sazerac Rye, Amaro Nonino, bitters, and Absinthe Rinse, by night. For more information, go to www.ludlowhotel.com.

The Maritime

The lobby of the Maritime Hotel in Chelsea features a handmade steel fireplace with a pearl finish, surrounded by imported Mexican tile and handmade terrazzo. Two blue leather chairs face the hearth, creating a nook for couples in this nautical-themed modernist landmark. The Maritime’s fireplace complements the lobby’s cool, serene ambiance. The full menu from the on-site restaurant, La Bottega, is available in the lobby. It offers seasonal dishes like shrimp risotto or butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce, or enjoy a signature fall cocktail like the warm spiked cider or Assaulted Caramel with Stoli Apple Vodka, Godiva Liqueur, Tuaca & salt rim. For more information, visit www.themaritimehotel.com.

The Jane

The Jane Ballroom, which functioned as the gritty Jane Street Theater until 2005 and is the birthplace of the legendary rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” is an intimate hideaway that was personally restored by Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode. Grab a sofa and admire the elaborate fireplace, salvaged from Belgium, but don’t forget to look up or you’ll miss the stuffed ram that reigns at the very top. Order a Ginger Snap, made with Mekhong Rom, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, ginger ale, and fresh lime, because ‘tis the season.

Ivy Lounge at Gansevoort Park Rooftop

Gansevoort Park Avenue’s newly reimagined rooftop, set 20 stories above Manhattan, offers a communal environment for locals and hotel guests alike. The updated tri-level penthouse brings new meaning to work-life balance, creating a 24-hour escape that lets visitors work hard and play hard. Patrons can admire the glow of the Ivy Lounge’s terrace fireplace while enjoying a Cold Brew Latte by Panther Coffee or kick off happy hour with an organic, cold-pressed juice cocktail made with Juice Press’s signature blends like the Ginger Fireball and 14 Hours. Nighttime revelers can still expect the staple nightlife experience once the sun goes down at New York’s first heated indoor-outdoor rooftop.

Plunge Rooftop Bar + Lounge at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC

A perennial favorite, the rooftop at Gansevoort Hotel Group’s flagship property in New York City’s Meatpacking District offers stunning 360-degree views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline year-round. As the air begins to chill, guests can retreat to any one of the distinctive spaces to take in the sights, including the indoor/outdoor terrace with retractable glass roof, seasonal garden, and wrap-around balconies. The crown jewel of the property, its indoor Loft, boasts soaring 20-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, communal seating, and a cozy fireplace, making it the ideal venue to gather with friends for a signature cocktail and light bites. Opt for the December Sunset, made with Appleton Estate Rum, Prosecco, fresh lemon juice, and apple juice, and enjoy a truly cosmopolitan experience. For more information, check out http://www.gansevoortmeatpacking.com.

Marmara Park Avenue

Just in time for winter, Marmara Park Avenue is slated to open on 32nd Street and Park Avenue as the U.S. flagship of the storied Turkish brand, Marmara Collection. In the hotel’s expansive lobby, guests can gather around not one, but two overscale fireplaces. Located near the lobby bar is a steel hanging fireplace that extends to the ceiling and serves as a design centerpiece to the open space. Across the lobby, next to the hotel’s library, plans call for a 14-foot fireplace with a fountain that flows around the perimeter. Visitors can enjoy the warmth of the fireplaces while sipping on beverages from the lobby bar, where wines from Marmara’s own vineyard will be served. Everything at Marmara Park Avenue has been custom-designed and individually produced by artisans in the five boroughs, led by New York artist/designer Joe Ginsberg, to emulate a chic New York City pied-a-terre. The 128-room hotel features three penthouse suites, more than 40 terraces, extended stay options, a lobby lounge, wellness center with a swimming pool and steam bath, and event spaces.

The Bowery

Travelers looking to escape the holiday chaos can find tranquility within the hotel’s soothingly-lit lobby. One of the warmest spots in the city, the space is surrounded by handmade dark-wood panels contrasted by colorful Moroccan tiles. Near the lobby’s signature cozy fireplace, guests can nestle in antique chairs and sofas, handpicked by renowned hoteliers Eric Goode and Sean MacPherson. Chandelier-like iron fixtures adorn the ceilings, and artisan murals wrap around the room—artful details that hint at a storied past. Whether guests are looking to curl up with a good book or sip on a Hot Toddy or a Ginger Noggin, the atmosphere is casual and unhurried and designed for those looking to socialize as well as simply keep to themselves. For more information, visit www.theboweryhotel.com.

The Marlton

The Marlton at 5 West 8th Street, just off Washington Square Park, opened in September 2013. The stylish yet affordable boutique hotel is inspired by postwar Paris as well as its own Greenwich Village past. Its design maintains the original bones and architecture of the historic structure, while updating it with an eclectic refinement. The hotel features a cozy lobby with a fireplace where guests and locals can enjoy fresh Ferndell coffee available at the hotel’s Espresso Bar, and indulge in seasonal cocktails such as the Harvest Shandy or French Mediterranean cuisine from the on-site café and cocktail bar, Margaux. For more information, check out www.marltonhotel.com.

The Jade Hotel

The Jade, located in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village, features two roaring fireplaces set amid the hotel’s luxe Art Deco décor. Upon entering the hotel, guests descend into a sunken lobby anchored by a blazing gas fireplace. This inviting space that features plush velvet seating provides the perfect ambiance to sip a seasonal cocktail like Love Potion No. 8 made with Diplomatico Reserve rum, Ommegang Witte, and a signature Fall Spice Syrup made in-house with ginger, cinnamon, clove, and allspice. The Jade’s second fireplace, located within the hotel’s restaurant, Grape & Vine, casts a warm glow. It’s the ideal setting for enjoying a glass of red wine and market-inspired fare, like Kabocha Squash Souptopped with chipotle crème fraiche and pumpkin seeds, during the colder months. For more information, visit www.thejadenyc.com.

Refinery Rooftop at Refinery Hotel

Get snug at Refinery Rooftop with cozy seats by the crackling fireplace and spectacular views of New York City. Open year-round, travelers who missed out on the summer rooftop experience can still enjoy Refinery Rooftop this winter while staying warm by the fireplace and gazing upon the Empire State Building. The vintage French terracotta floors and wooden ceilings constructed from the original building’s water tank add to the rustic, relaxing ambiance, inviting guests to cuddle up fireside and sip on seasonal cocktails. Visitors can appreciate enhanced winter sunsets and snowfalls under the retractable glass roof of the rooftop’s indoor-outdoor section, while relishing comfort and warmth from the rooftop’s hearth. For more information, explore www.refineryhotelnewyork.com.


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