April announced the opening of Fashion 26, a Wyndham Hotel in the heart of the Garment District in New York City, just a block away from the Fashion Institute of Technology. This opening did not go off without a hitch, unfortunately. With their official opening pushed back numerous times, people began to wonder if there was going to be some major problems with the hotel, service-oriented, with amenities, or the like. Luckily for Fashion 26, their opening was well-received and I hear their amenity cupcakes are to die for (each arriving guest supposedly receives one)! I love cupcakes. They are little bites of goodness. Sigh.
From the hotel:
One of New York City’s newest hotels, the Wyndham New York Chelsea offers stunning design, meticulous service, and four-star amenities. Located on West 26th Street in one of Manhattan’s most remarkable neighborhoods, the Wyndham Hotel Chelsea is steps away from the Fashion Institute of Technology, The Empire State Building, Herald Square and the renowned Macy’s flagship, and of course, the food and shopping of Chelsea.
I must admit, when I heard that a major hotel chain was going to go for a fashion theme, I was really skeptical. Generally large chain hotels leave a lot to be desired, with cookie-cutter rooms, a lack of personality, and well, just not a whole lot of special touches. Wyndham, a value chain, managed to pull this theme off effortlessly.
This 280-room hotel boasts a high-ceilinged lobby and the front desk resembles a fabric cutting table. Lining the walls are original pieces of artwork from the Fashion Institute of Technology as well as pieces depicting colorful thread spools.
In true fashionista form, their staff is dressed to impress. Doormen wear Kangol hats and gray Nehru jackets, and desk clerks are in charcoal gray pinstripe suits over bright shirts, all designed by the hotel’s interior architect, Glen Coben, and general manager Wayne Schneider. The hotel offers a roof-top bar, Rare View Rooftop, providing gorgeous Empire State Building views as well as the surrounding Garment District. Their in-house restaurant is also named Rare, and the bar off from the lobby is named Rare Bar. Um, redundant much? Maybe I don’t get it. Oh well.
The rooms feature pinstripe fabrics, inspired by a 1970s-era men’s tie. Each room carries Italian Frette bedding and bathroom linens and, if you’re lucky, views of working garment factories. In each room guests will find Keurig coffee makers, receive free WiFi, a 37-inch LG Flatscreen television, and an iHome clock-radio. The furniture has an all over sleek feel to their design, and there is word that the hotel may be working towards selling some of the items in their rooms via a retail shop. (I hear the orange foot stools are really cool, and a perfect item to pick up for home should you love it.)
Supposedly the bathrooms are nothing special, but they’re new, functional, and clean, which is good enough for most travelers. Rooms are available with either two-full, one queen, or one king configuration, and can be connected if you’re traveling with friends or family.
Fashion 26 put its fitness center in the basement (which sounds heinous) but I hear it’s bright and colorful, and not at all as dreary as “putting something in the basement” might sound. Someone will have to report back to me on this one!
To make their case in point about their connection to the fashion industry, the hotel is offering a free upgrade to a “best dressed guest” every day. Rooms start from $299, but there are a few places offering prices as low as $179 from stays through September 6 (which is the most fabulous day of the year if you ask me, yep, my birthday!)
In addition, Fashion 26 launched their iPhone, iPad, and iTouch app which provides a listings guide sorted into categories including Museums, Restaurants, Shopping, and Sports. I also understand the app will help showcase new artists showing at local Chelsea galleries, let guests choose walking tours of the neighborhood, get the lowdown on the latest sample sales, find their way to classic NYC sites, and get discounts at Chelsea Bicycles. Pretty cool!
So, what are your thoughts? Would you stay in a chain hotel that marries travel with fashion? Have you visited the hotel and have some feedback? Leave a comment!
Love, K.
More pics….
(above photo courtesy of Hotel Chatter)
