Hotel Review: WestHouse, New York

New York is famed for having some of the best (and most famous) hotels in the world, but with so many options to choose from, it can be hard to spot the real gems. If you’re tired of characterless international chain hotels, WestHouse Hotel New York makes a refreshing change.

This stylish Manhattan property is at 201 West 55th Street, four blocks south of Central Park and an easy walk from the Rockefeller Center and the theatres of Broadway. A boutique property, WestHouse feels more like someone’s exclusive private pad than a hotel.

Jeffrey Beers International created the Art Deco-inspired interiors, and its a hub for artists and aesthetes: the hotel partners with some of New York’s leading arts fairs, including Frieze New York, and the concierge always has the low-down on the latest exhibitions and gallery events. Keep your eyes peeled for the darlings of the international contemporary art scene, as well as art dealers, amongst your fellow guests.

Who For?

WestHouse is for anyone who wants the refreshing taste of individuality and artistic flair in a city which can sometimes seem overrun with mass-produced products and global brands. You can leave the chaos of the Big Apple at the door and relax in an environment where everything from the artworks on the walls to the signature scent in the air has been carefully curated for the space.

Accommodation

WestHouse accommodation

The styling of the rooms and suites at WestHouse is inspired by the 1920s glamour of the Carnegie Hall and New York’s other Art Deco masterpieces. A great deal of attention has been paid to the small details, like the subtlety different colours of the paintwork, the picture rails, and the era-appropriate furniture, all of which is custom-made. Each room is different from the next, in its layout, furnishings, and views, and although space is undoubtedly at a premium in this corner of midtown Manhattan, the rooms are actually surprisingly spacious.

private outdoor terrace

If you opt for a suite, it might well come with a private outdoor terrace, a rare treat in New York, which gives you a unique perspective on the surrounding buildings. All of the rooms have queen- or king-sized beds with luxurious 400 thread count Sferra sheets, and you’ll find Dayna Decker cosmetics and GHD hair styling products in the bathrooms. It’s these small touches which really set WestHouse apart.

Facilities

You’re in downtown Manhattan, with all the wonders of the city at your finger tips, but even still there might be times when you want to enjoy the hotels facilities. The gym is open 24 hours, and there’s a personal trainer available on request. If you’re not feeling terribly active, and would rather be pampered, you can treat yourself to the Glam Squad in-room spa: hair stylists, manicurists, and make-up artists will come to you, ensuring you look stunning throughout your stay.

Food and Drink

WestHouse HighTea

There’s not a restaurant at WestHouse, but that’s certainly not to say you’ll go hungry: the staff will feed and water you constantly throughout the day, and it’s all included in your room rate. A buffet breakfast and fragrant fresh coffee is served in the mornings on the terrace (or inside if they weather’s a bit gloomy). You can help yourself to afternoon treats, both sweet and savoury, in the bar, and then as evening draws in there are canapés and a selection of drinks: the featured Champagnes, free in the evening for guests, include Perrier Jouet and Dom Perignon, and there are also spirits, wines, and beer. Soft drinks are, of course, available too.

What’s Nearby?

WestHouse is in midtown Manhattan, just south of Central Park. You can walk in a matter of minutes to the Rockefeller Center, Times Square, and the sumptuous restaurants of Hell’s Kitchen, and there’s a metro station just on the corner of the street.

If you’re wanting to explore the museums of Upper West Site, WestHouse is in a prime location. Here you’ll find famous collections such as the American Folk Art Museum and the American Museum of Natural History, but also lesser-known attractions such as the Museum of Biblical Art, and the Nicholas Roerich Museum, which exhibits Russian art.

Music lovers should also book tickets for a performance at the Lincoln Center, home to the Metropolitan Opera, the Juilliard School of Music, and Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC).

Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.

Room Rates

Double rooms with a queen-size bed start from $243. Booking.com

Value for Money

Rooms at WestHouse are competitively priced for this part of New York, and when you factor in the value of the free food and drinks, it really is a very attractive offer indeed.

Getting There

WestHouse is on West 55th Street, downtown, and a 45-minute drive from any of New York’s airports. Many of the city sites are within walking distance, and if you want to go further afield, you can do so on the metro. There’s a metro station on the corner of 57th Street and 7th Avenue.