How To Escape New York in New York

After attending Fashion Week in New York over the past 20 years, my favorite new Kimpton hotel, Ink 48, made this season one of the best ever.

            Backstage with Project Runway's Nina Garcia & Michael Kors after his show

At Pamela Roland's Show, with America's Next Top Model's Miss Jay

Backstage with Badgley Mischka after their show

Working the shows is simultaneously fun and exhausting. Amidst all the routine chaos, I was calmed by a constant sense of relief of escaping to relax in my hotel room at Ink 48.

                                                            Lobby Living Room

Although I grew up in Washington DC, I also feel at home in New York City from spending half my life there as a fashion designer. Hotels are a dime a dozen in NY, however the new Ink 48 has broken the mold. Located at 653 11^th Avenue (and 48^th Street), Ink 48 is only 14 blocks south of my former apartment on 62nd Street and West End Avenue.

First of all, even though Ink 48 is located off the beaten path. Having lived in the same neighborhood, I can personally attest to the fact that its location is a secret asset for weary travelers who long to escape the madness of the busiest city in the world, smack dab in the middle of the busiest city in the world. Hailing a taxi at all hours of the day and night is a breeze. Enduring the noise of endless bumper-to-bumper traffic is a non-issue, since rush hour traffic rarely exists on 11^th Street. If one wants to escape New York in New York, one can escape at Ink 48.

This 222 room 17 floor full-service lifestyle hotel offers unobstructed panoramic views of Times Square and the Hudson River, making an indelible imprint as the first upscale midtown hotel to grace the far west of Times Square. The 1930's building, with colossal windows, architect Carlos Zapata designed soaring ceilings and a striking, three-story rooftop addition.

Operated by San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Ink48 is the third New York City property in the Kimpton collection. In 1981, Bill Kimpton pioneered the boutique hotel concept in the United States. His dream was to provide weary travelers with a haven of comfort, service, security and style. Oh, and how about a nice glass of wine and a good meal at the end of the day, too? Today every hotel remains true to Bill Kimpton's legacy.

Complimentary wine hour in the lobby every evening

"Kimpton is a pioneering company so it's befitting that we're the first in the industry to move into the area," said General Manager, Deborah McCluskey. "Ink48 offers travelers the ability to be in two places at once - close enough to the epicenter of the city, yet far enough to provide a true respite for its guest. In essence, we're bringing heavenly hospitality to Hell's Kitchen."

Notable celebrities Alicia Keys, Robert DeNiro, Madonna, Alicia Keys, Sylvester Stallone and Jerry Seinfeld are just a few of the celebrities who have lived in Ink 48's neighborhood. In fact, Kenny Kramer, the real life inspiration for Seinfeld's Kramer character, also lived in this part of town.

Perhaps the most well known aspect of this area is its incredible reputation for deliciously diverse restaurants. Thanks to its multicultural roots, Hell's Kitchen boasts cuisines of Afghan, American, Argentine, Caribbean, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Irish, Mexican, Peruvian, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese influences. And Broadway theatre-goers frequent nearby Restaurant Row a mere two blocks away.

You don't have to leave Ink 48 to enjoy exquisite cuisine. Great food, customer service and elegant ambiance can also be found in the lobby at Print, the chic 80-seat restaurant, offering regional cuisine with local food and produce. The space juxtaposes natural and industrial materials, contrasting the earthy concept of the food with the edgy nature of Hell's Kitchen. Seating is available at either two or four person tables, banquettes, or communal tables like the focal point of the room, a 16-foot long table supported by flanking columns.

                                                   Print Restaurant

Ink 48 is destined to be "the" hotel for fashionistas during Fashion Week, due its close proximity to the shows' new location at Lincoln Center. For easy access to trade shows, performances, and transportation the Javits Center, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station and Port Authority are also located nearby.

Interior designed by award-winning architect David Rockwell, Ink 48 has three secluded cabanas, which create intimate tucked away environments within the lobby. Across from the cabanas is the lobby bar with an onyx bar top, and a back wall made of stacked vertical with bottles of liquor illuminated from behind and above. Guests are directed from the entrance to the reception desk by backlit wooden and acrylic screens heralded by an illuminated feature wall made of wood and sea-colored art glass with red and orange accents.

                                                       Hotel lobby front desk

The Hudson River offers beautiful views to many of the rooms, and an excellent spot for running/biking/skating or enjoying a sunset. My 600 square foot Hudson Suite (Room 716) was graced with a direct view of the Hudson River and the Intrepid Museum (located on an actual aircraft carrier from World War II).

                                      My king size bedroom with water view (Room 716)

A separate king-size bedroom offered a large sitting area, a well appointed living room, two flat screen TV's, a generously sized bathroom with double vanity, and travertine tiled shower with rain showerhead. To top it off, I did laps in the 7-foot long x 3-foot deep soaking tub.

                                                             My living room               

Bathroom with soaking tub. This shot doesn't do it justice!

I also took a look at several other rooms, each one enhanced by its own unique charms. Deluxe King (room 1007) was an example of ultra modern minimalism, glistening with views of the NY skyline and quality at every turn.

                                             Room 1007 with a gorgeous city view 

The design of each contemporary room is stylishly appointed in white, ruby reds and chocolate browns, inspired to highlight views of the Hudson River and NY skyline, showcase the dramatic height and views that the building offers. All rooms include luxurious Frette linens, large-scale artwork, modern desks, flat screen TVs, in-room safes, wireless Internet access, Nintendo, iron and ironing boards, two speaker phones with private voicemail, soaring ceilings ranging from 11 to 15 feet, stone-tiled bathrooms with oversized showers, textured stone accent walls, a full-length mirror, hairdryer, lavish bathrobes, marble countertops and an assortment of bath amenities from the L'Occitane collection.

With plans to open in the spring, the rooftop lounge and 1,100 square foot penthouse have sweeping panoramic views of the cityscape through floor-to-ceiling windows. There is also outdoor seating, with a decorative pool accenting the space and an outdoor-jetted spa tub featuring spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.

Guests have the choice of enjoying the services and pampering of the hotel's full-service spa or treatments in the privacy of one's room. Health-minded travelers will enjoy round-the-clock complimentary use of Ink48's onsite state-of-the-art fitness center.

Kimpton Hotels are known for pampering their guests with a wide range of amenities, and I took full advantage of almost all of them! Standard guest services at Ink 48, and all Kimpton Hotels include

• Four-star services and upscale amenities
• Hosted evening wine hour and complimentary morning coffee in the living room
• Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access in all public areas and guest rooms
• 24-hour in-room dining service
• 24-hour valet parking
• 24-hour concierge and airport limousine service
• A full-service spa, offering optional in-room treatments.
• Eco-friendly Earthcare Programs
• Onsite, complimentary, 24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center
• Outdoor reflecting pool on the rooftop terrace
• Express checkout
• Pet friendly amenities, hosted by pet ambassadors
• Mind.Body.Spa. wellness program, including complimentary On Demand in-room yoga, Pilates and meditation programming and basket of yoga accessories for use during stay upon request
• Women InTouch program, providing special services and products geared toward female travelers
• KimptonKids, a program that includes family-oriented activities and services and special amenities to help make family vacations stress-free, offering cribs, in-room child safety kits, kid-friendly activities, child-size animal print robes, accredited babysitting services 24-hour, on-call pediatrician, rental of additional items such as strollers

Kimpton Kids

• Pet friendly services pamper animals with their special pet packages that include pet food, dog walking services, chew toys, and a pet friendly attitude upheld by pet ambassadors who spend time with all pet and people guests.

Pet Ambassador assisting the front desk

Pet Ambassadors in a meeting

Kimpton currently has 55 hotels spanning 16 states across North America, with new properties opening every year. Every one I've experienced is just as chic, stylish and cozy comfortable as the next, with impeccable customer service, including Ink 48 in New York, Hotel Palomar in Washington DC, and Hotel Monaco in Old Town Alexandria.  

The Statue of Liberty and NYC Skyline



The White House

The Nation's Capitol

Hotel Palomar, Washington, DC

"Stay true to you" is Kimpton's mission. As one of a few corporations that authentically practice their mission; my time at Ink 48 inspired me to practice what they preach. Stay at Ink 48, and stay true to you. 

Ink48

653 11^th Avenue

New York, NY 10036

1-866-843-8869 (Toll-Free Room Reservations)

212-757-0088 (Hotel Main Number)

www.ink48.com

1-800-Kimpton

http://www.kimptonhotels.com