It was a typical fall evening in New York, with a nip in the air and swirling leaves at my feet. Still reeling from the excitement of just having watched Jerry Seinfeld live for the first time at the monumental Beacon Theatre, I invited friends back to Paul’s Cocktail Lounge, at the Roxy Hotel where I was staying. If you’re looking to keep the party going, in the Big Apple, there’s no place like this movie theatre-turned-boutique hotel.
What was known as the Tribeca Grand Hotel since 2000, rebranded and opened as The Roxy Hotel in 2015, while retaining the 1920s cinema look on the exterior. A 99-seater cinema space, inspired by the original Roxy Theatre from 1972 (which showcases independent films), is housed within the building. The Roxy’s red brick façade merges with the other buildings in the neighborhood, and I never would’ve guessed it was a boutique hotel if not for the stately doorman posted outside. The lobby houses a monumental art deco atrium that has the grandness of the Penn Station. Combining cast iron, leather upholstery and exposed brick walls the space is quintessentially SoHo — artsy, trendy, industrial and fun. The neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan owes its vibrancy to its rich historic past when artists like Richard Serra started movements back in the 1960’s.
Lounge around
Even if you’re not staying at The Roxy, it’s a great place to head for a drink, and you can choose between the cocktail lounge, the jazz club or just the lounge area.
With bright red wallpaper, floral printed upholstery, mirrors, staff dressed in retro costumes, and a collection of artwork by local painter Josh Smith, the lounge is eclectic and reminiscent of Palm Beach in the 1920s.
The Django Jazz Club has live jazz and soul performances throughout the week, and we were fortunate to catch the amazing young pianist, Yosef Munro, play. His pop standards went perfectly with our bottle of Barolo from Piemonte. The vaulted space feels very Parisian, with paint peeling off the red brick walls and vintage light fixtures around the live stage for performances.
The Roxy Bar at the hotel is a great place to lounge and watch people, as the space is buzzing throughout the day. It feels like a living room where you can sprawl out and have your pick of newspapers, while you order food and drinks from the extensive gourmet menu. It remains open until 2 am, which comes handy when you find yourself sleepless and jetlagged in Manhattan. The selection of beers are a treat for any beer lover with an exotic variety of bottled and draft beers from regional breweries in Ithaca, Brooklyn, Catskills, Hudson and Greenport. I’m a fan of anything that’s malty, smoky and full-bodied, so Captain Lawrence Liquid Gold gets my vote for flavour.
Pet paradise
Being a pet lover, I was pleasantly surprised to find a bunch of well coiffured pooches in the lobby and several brass sculptures of canines scattered around the hotel, only to find out later that The Roxy is a pet-friendly destination. In fact, just ask and you’ll be provided with a pet goldfish for the duration of your stay!
The hotel is located in the heart of SoHo, amidst the fashion boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants and a host of interesting galleries. The in-room amenities are also design objects — such as the Smeg minibar and the Marshall Bluetooth speaker.
With my favorite haunts like the gourmet chocolatier Marie Belle, the perfumer Le Labo and the late night bistro, Blue Ribbon Brasserie just around the corner, staying at The Roxy Hotel made me feel like I didn’t have to leave the neighborhood to make the most of NYC.
Rooms are priced at approximately USD 300 (₹19,320) per night.
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