Press

Last Monday, June 20, Outland took over the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel in New York’s Meatpacking District for our first ever in-person event, in celebration of NFT NYC week. Artists, collectors, writers, and holders of Fang Lijun’s Elemental, Rachel Rose’s L’informe, and James Jean’s Fragments filled the room, sipping a special cucumber cocktail inspired by Jean’s forthcoming Pagoda and snacking on hors d’oeuvres. Skype Williams and quest?onmarq provided music in the form of two electrifying DJ sets, and a 10-foot LED installation illuminating the room featured a video compilation celebrating the full portfolio of Outland’s artists projects so far. As a surprise, attendees got a special sneak peek at Ian Cheng’s forthcoming NFT release, 3FACE. Partygoers even received a special POAP (Proof of Attendance Protocol) created by James Jean specifically for the event. 

We’re thrilled to have kicked off NFT week with our vibrant community. Check out some select photographs from the night by Scott Rudd below, and join our Discord to be in the loop about future happenings!

It’s been three years, but finally the LGBTQ+ travel industry will be back together as a community for PROUD Experiences in New York City. Taking place at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge from June 27 to 29, 2022, this event has established a focus for the sector and a voice for international travel brands, destinations, and experiences that brings personally curated buyers and suppliers together through a pre-scheduled appointment system.

Announcing this year’s event in detail, Simon Mayle, Event Director of PROUD Experiences said, “LGBTQ+ travellers have been waiting to get back and explore the world, see friends and experience something different. Once again, we have curated this next event to be full of ideas and information for travel agents and planners to bring back to their clients around the world. With over 100 exhibitors and many new to the event, we are delighted that our return sees so many dynamic brands. It’s clear this international community is back and stronger than before.”

“As a leader within the LGBTQ+ community, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to reconnect with my peers within the travel & lifestyle sectors. There is so much strength within the PROUD community, combined with the energy of New York City and the renaissance that is about to take place within the travel industry. What more could one look forward to?”, commented Anton Moore, General Manager Gansevoort Meatpacking.

Gansevoort Meatpacking’s acceptance comes as a natural evolution for the hotel brand, having debuted a $30 million renovation and rebrand last summer, solidifying itself as a natural hub for culture and the arts in the neighborhood.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK CITY, NY – The iconic Gansevoort Meatpacking, located in the Meatpacking District in New York City, has been accepted into Virtuoso’s exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising over 2,200 preferred suppliers in 100 countries. According to Anton Moore, General Manager of the hotel, inclusion in Virtuoso will present new sales and marketing opportunities to the network’s more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors and their highly desirable clientele. Virtuoso agencies worldwide sell an average of (U.S.) $25–$30 billion annually, making the network the most significant player in luxury travel.

Gansevoort Meatpacking’s acceptance comes as a natural evolution for the hotel brand, having debuted a $30 million renovation and rebrand last summer, solidifying itself as a natural hub for culture and the arts in the neighborhood. Known for its robust in-house collection of art, guests and locals alike are welcomed in to view works such as Banksy’s Flying Copper, Hassan Hajjaj’s Marques, 2012 and Richard Hambleton’s Standing Shadow – Blue, all housed in Gansevoort’s black marble lobby and new European-inspired cafe, Coffee + Cocktails. The hotel’s penthouse, designed by Italian furniture brand Poliform, also serves as a gallery for artists like Adi Oren, Frank Stella, Daniel Mazzone and famed photographer Mick Rock. Most recently, the hotel welcomed El Toro de Oro by internationally renowned contemporary artist Enrique Cabrera – a large, geometric gold bull art installation in front of the hotel meant to symbolize its transformation over the last two decades. The 186-room hotel also introduced a new Omakase experience to its iconic rooftop bar and restaurant, Saishin. Led by Michelin Star-trained sushi chef and 20+ year veteran Chef Frankie-Yong Doon, Saishin features a stunning backdrop of the New York City skyline.

Moore, previously with the EDITION and AKA brands, was hired to oversee Gansevoort’s multi-million-dollar transformation and to lead its iteration into the luxury sector. 

“Luxury is all in the details,” said Moore. “The level of dedication and superior service Virtuoso provides is synergetic to our own bespoke approach at the new Gansevoort Meatpacking. It is an honor to join this globally renowned network, and we look forward to offering an elevated guest experience to Virtuoso advisors and clients that exceeds all expectations.”

Gansevoort Meatpacking joins Virtuoso’s collection of the finest luxury hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators and other travel entities worldwide. These partners, which specialize in world-class client service and experiences, provide superior offerings, rare opportunities and exceptional value for Virtuoso clients. These prestigious providers are able to market to Virtuoso clients via network vehicles and to Virtuoso agencies through multiple communications channels and events, including Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s preeminent worldwide gathering. Gansevoort Meatpacking’s acceptance into Virtuoso gives it direct relationships with the world’s leading leisure travel agencies in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. 

An anchor in Manhattan’s vibrant Meatpacking District, Gansevoort Meatpacking is located on 18 9th Ave., on the corner of 9th.

Gansevoort Meatpacking’s acceptance comes as a natural evolution for the hotel brand, having debuted a $30 million renovation and rebrand last summer, solidifying itself as a natural hub for culture and the arts in the neighborhood.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK CITY, NY – The iconic Gansevoort Meatpacking, located in the Meatpacking District in New York City, has been accepted into Virtuoso’s exclusive portfolio of luxury travel partners, comprising over 2,200 preferred suppliers in 100 countries. According to Anton Moore, General Manager of the hotel, inclusion in Virtuoso will present new sales and marketing opportunities to the network’s more than 20,000 luxury travel advisors and their highly desirable clientele. Virtuoso agencies worldwide sell an average of (U.S.) $25–$30 billion annually, making the network the most significant player in luxury travel.

Gansevoort Meatpacking’s acceptance comes as a natural evolution for the hotel brand, having debuted a $30 million renovation and rebrand last summer, solidifying itself as a natural hub for culture and the arts in the neighborhood. Known for its robust in-house collection of art, guests and locals alike are welcomed in to view works such as Banksy’s Flying Copper, Hassan Hajjaj’s Marques, 2012 and Richard Hambleton’s Standing Shadow – Blue, all housed in Gansevoort’s black marble lobby and new European-inspired cafe, Coffee + Cocktails. The hotel’s penthouse, designed by Italian furniture brand Poliform, also serves as a gallery for artists like Adi Oren, Frank Stella, Daniel Mazzone and famed photographer Mick Rock. Most recently, the hotel welcomed El Toro de Oro by internationally renowned contemporary artist Enrique Cabrera – a large, geometric gold bull art installation in front of the hotel meant to symbolize its transformation over the last two decades. The 186-room hotel also introduced a new Omakase experience to its iconic rooftop bar and restaurant, Saishin. Led by Michelin Star-trained sushi chef and 20+ year veteran Chef Frankie-Yong Doon, Saishin features a stunning backdrop of the New York City skyline.

Moore, previously with the EDITION and AKA brands, was hired to oversee Gansevoort’s multi-million-dollar transformation and to lead its iteration into the luxury sector. 

“Luxury is all in the details,” said Moore. “The level of dedication and superior service Virtuoso provides is synergetic to our own bespoke approach at the new Gansevoort Meatpacking. It is an honor to join this globally renowned network, and we look forward to offering an elevated guest experience to Virtuoso advisors and clients that exceeds all expectations.”

Gansevoort Meatpacking joins Virtuoso’s collection of the finest luxury hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, tour operators and other travel entities worldwide. These partners, which specialize in world-class client service and experiences, provide superior offerings, rare opportunities and exceptional value for Virtuoso clients. These prestigious providers are able to market to Virtuoso clients via network vehicles and to Virtuoso agencies through multiple communications channels and events, including Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s preeminent worldwide gathering. Gansevoort Meatpacking’s acceptance into Virtuoso gives it direct relationships with the world’s leading leisure travel agencies in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. 

An anchor in Manhattan’s vibrant Meatpacking District, Gansevoort Meatpacking is located on 18 9th Ave., on the corner of 9th.

The COVID-19 pandemic created an environment of unprecedented uncertainty in the hospitality industry, leading to closures and limited service. During the period of lockdown, many hotels were forced into a period of stagnation as they were unable to host guests, but at Gansevoort Meatpacking, we utilized this period to undergo a multimillion dollar top-to-bottom renovation.

In tandem with the renovation, we rebranded within the market to enter into the luxury category, redefining our target audience and expanding our customer-base. We pursued initiatives promoting our new food + beverage concepts, all of which have outdoor space which was critical in the new landscape, in order to establish them as neighborhood mainstays.

In partnership with The Meatpacking Business Improvement District (BID), we implemented programming that would incentivize local New Yorkers through strategic partnerships to better capture the tri-state area, especially as international travel was halted for an extended period of time.

Gansevoort Meatpacking Rebrand and Renovation

Having originally debuted in 2004, Gansevoort Meatpacking was credited with the revitalization of the Meatpacking District. Once known for its slaughter houses, the neighborhood in its latter glory became known as a destination for affluent residents as well as an art hub and cultural center of New York City with The Whitney Museum of American Art, as well as high-end luxury boutiques, experiential stores and new eateries and restaurants.

Relaunching after lockdown, following a full renovation and rebrand, Gansevoort became the rate leader in the area. We introduced two brand new food and beverage concepts, luxurious amenities and an elevated art program, including pieces from Bansky, Richard Hambleton and Hassan Hajjaj, tying the property to the galleries lining the streets. Reemerging within the luxury category, we adopted the tagline, "Allow Us to Re-Introduce Ourselves" The rebrand aimed to appeal to those who had come of age with the property alongside those who had not previously considered Gansevoort. Not only had Gansevoort hotel grown up, but the Meatpacking District evolved alongside it.

As the Meatpacking District evolved into an elevated luxury destination, with its wide cobblestone streets and vast outdoor public spaces such as Gansevoort Plaza, the adjacent High Line and brand new Little Island at Pier 55, this became a natural destination during the pandemic where people felt comfortable with the vast outdoor experiences.

Communicating Health & Safety Standards

Gansevoort Meatpacking doubled down on safety and health efforts to bring peace of mind to both guests and staff and position the hotel as a covid-compliant business and local leader in safety efforts. The hotel has always taken cleanliness very seriously, and how we maintain our health standards is something that we are very proud of. Knowing this, the language surrounding health and safety became integral to our early marketing efforts. We believe that our transparency regarding our safety initiatives, including the implementation of a CDC guided cleaning and disinfecting regimen using EPA-approved products, played a large role in the return of those who had led the charge in bringing hospitality back, be it diners joining us at one of our restaurants or the earliest guests.

Installing additional health and safety mechanisms, including  additional hospital-grade chemicals and disinfectants and a high-grade air filtration system in our lobby space, was noted to staff and guests alike, clearly positioning Gansevoort Meatpacking as a safe place to stay and visit.

Our marketing team also took advantage of touch and contact free technology that had been implemented during the renovation to bring in guests conscious of the high touch experience often expected from hotels. We tapped into offerings such as the touchless Google Nest Hub device, which serves as our virtual digital concierge, and The MIRROR, an in-room interactive workout companion that offers streamable, premium fitness classes from the comfort of our guestrooms.

A Focus on Local Engagement

Relaunching during a time of limited travel in summer of 2021, with a slow return of U.S. travel and heavy restrictions still facing international guests, our local drive-in market had been, and continues to be, critical to our business. Marketing efforts centered around creating seasonal offers to provide New York locals with complimentary guestroom upgrades and food and beverage credits, as well as aiming to recreate the magic of a neighborhood gathering place, reimagined in Gansevoort's new energy.

Having launched two brand new food and beverage concepts in the renovation, the European inspired, al-fresco concept Coffee + Cocktails, and the intimate rooftop omakase experience Saishin, created in partnership with the renowned Kissaki Hospitality Group, to complement the existing American bistro The Chester and the beloved Gansevoort Rooftop, the team was able to build on the cache of the existing venues to draw guests back based on the existing standards of quality and atmosphere.

Because the Meatpacking District is a tight-knit community, we looked to our neighborhood to help spread our messaging and engage in marketing efforts through partnerships with our neighbors. With this method of marketing, we are able to bolster both our own business and the businesses throughout the neighborhood, which has helped to reinvigorate the energy of the area. We have been able to partner with local retailers to offer our hotel guests exclusive experiences including VIP early access, discounts on retail items, complimentary fittings and tailoring and product giveaways.

For example, following our relaunch, we tapped the local Eberjey boutique to provide a discount to Gansevoort guests who booked a staycation using our "Shop and Stay" package, encouraging guests to shop the neighborhood. We are able to offer an even further elevated experience through exclusive deals on luxurious goods, and money continues to circulate in the economy of the district.

We also turned our efforts towards the Meatpacking Business Improvement District (BID), the not-for-profit business alliance of the area whose mission is to support the business community and to keep the area clean, safe and beautiful for locals and visitors alike. The BID team also manages and maintains the district's public spaces and produces events for the neighborhood. Through the BID and local institutions, there is something incredibly exciting happening within the neighborhood. Partnering with The BID, we were able to further build out our guest offerings to include the experiential elements of the Meatpacking District. Our connections have allowed us to offer guests special experiences at the iconic Whitney Museum of American Art and its ever-evolving art exhibits, participation in fashion week pop up events, festivals and more.

Last summer, Gansevoort participated in the L.E.A.F Festival of Flowers, which is a celebration of the season, draping the district in whimsical floral arrangements alongside special community programming. To fully take advantage of the event, our marketing team partnered with Instagram famous florist and influencer, The Unlikely Florist, to custom create our own display at the hotel to bring pedestrians into the space, as well as launched a consumer package, L.E.A.F. It To Us, to draw bookings to the area for both New Yorkers looking for a unique staycation experience and travelers coming to the area for the event. The package offered an exclusive discount during this peak season, cocktails at our new F&B outlets and a floral arrangement in room, resulting in organic media coverage both locally and nationally.

Our continued neighborhood marketing efforts further tapped into the local seasonal happenings in the neighborhood through participation in the annual Meatpacking District "Treats in the Streets" event to celebrate Halloween, looking to bring in the parents of children trick or treating in the area. The team brought in brand partners to elevate the trick or treat celebration, offering tastings of Blue Point Pumpkin Ale at The Chester, apple cider doughnuts and curated fall cocktails.

Through these local activations, partnerships and grassroots marketing efforts, our team has been able to successfully relaunch and reposition the Gansevoort Meatpacking as a neighborhood icon, seeing positive results both in the press, where we have been featured by major publishing houses and broadcast networks, as well as in community events.

Despite the strong return of airline travel and international business, the marketing team has continued to lean on the neighborhood audience, maintaining efforts towards those already living in the city. This summer, the hotel is leaning into the growing on-property art program as well as the neighborhood's cultural cache and debuting an art installation in front of the hotel in partnership with renowned sculpture artist Enrique Cabrera. The piece will be available to view throughout the summer, kicking off with a Cinco de Mayo event in celebration of the artist's heritage. Our marketing efforts will look to further bring awareness to this piece through community-focused events like guided district art tours.

Marketing And COVID-Recovery

Where luxury hotels often look to the patronage of international and metropolitan-based travelers to gauge success, the pandemic provided an opportunity for hotel marketing to re-evaluate and create a strong base of local and drive market guests to support the property through the recovery period. Our strong efforts centered around guest safety and community engagement coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic have positioned Gansevoort Meatpacking strongly as travel begins to take shape in the "New Normal."

Bolstering the community in such a way has not only created a better overall destination experience for travelers, but has created positive rapport with our neighbors, carving out a space for continued success down the road.

By Anton Moore General Manager, Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel

In a city like New York, your hotel can set the tone for the entire trip.

For example, to sight see in Manhattan, don't stay in Brooklyn or you'll spend most of your stay going back and forth. Similarly, if you've been here dozens of times and want to go off the beaten path, a room in Midtown among throngs of tourists might feel maddening.

Fortunately, there are hundreds of New York City hotels, from five-star luxury to design-forward spots, see-and-be-seen stunners, and rooms from brand names at surprisingly cheap prices. 

Insider already reviewed New York's hotel scene in-depth, but the following list represents the ones we're most excited about right now.

The Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC Hotel

A generation ago, the Meatpacking District was the domain of butchers. Today, its cobblestone streets are home to some of the chicest shops and restaurants in Manhattan. The Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC Hotel is steps from top attractions including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the High Line, and Little Island, one of the city's newest public parks located at the Chelsea piers. 

The hotel showcases cutting-edge art, with works by Banksy and the pioneering street artist Richard Hambleton. Guest rooms feel like private lofts and the rooftop boasts unobstructed 360-degree views, a pool, and elevated fare.

Enjoy the annual L.E.A.F Festival of Flowers to the fullest this year with Gansevoort Meatpacking’s In Full Bloom Package. Enhance your stay at Gansevoort Meatpacking with customized bouquets from @theunlikelyflorist, and experience floral activations from our partners including Perrier Jouët at Coffee + Cocktails and Glenviet at The Chester, with music from Sarah King all weekend long!

Enjoy the annual L.E.A.F Festival of Flowers to the fullest this year with Gansevoort Meatpacking’s In Full Bloom Package. Enhance your stay at Gansevoort Meatpacking with customized bouquets from @theunlikelyflorist, and experience floral activations from our partners including Perrier Jouët at Coffee + Cocktails and Glenviet at The Chester, with music from Sarah King all weekend long!

From June 10 to 12, the L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers is taking over Manhattan’s Meatpacking District again with colorful installations and a flower market.

L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers is returning for its second year to Manhattan, with a third day added. It will be held Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at various locations throughout the Meatpacking District, spotlighting floral design via more than 30 flower installations, a European-style flower market, as well as partnerships with neighborhood retailers and restaurants.

“I am delighted L.E.A.F is a now three-day affair, set to be bigger and better than ever before and growing even further across the Meatpacking District,” says Moira Breslin, the founder of L.E.A.F.

Breslin, who grew up in Ireland and went to school in London, worked to get L.E.A.F. off the ground for more than five years before it finally debuted last year. Inspired by the Chelsea Flower Show in London and other flower shows around the world, Breslin announced L.E.A.F. in June 2019 with a few floral installations throughout Manhattan. The inaugural show was supposed to take place in 2020, but it was pushed back due to the pandemic, and instead debuted in 2021.

The numerous plazas and cobblestone streets of the Meatpacking District make it an ideal place for L.E.A.F. to flourish, so to speak.

“Last year’s Festival of Flowers was one of the highlights of the year for the district, and we’re thrilled to kick off summer of 2022 in Meatpacking again, bigger and better than before,” said Jeffrey LeFrancois, Meatpacking District BID’s executive director. “In 2021, it provided a much-needed boost to businesses in the district, and we’re planning for an even more successful 2022.” 

Visitors can expect to find artistic floral installations by more than 100 florists at such places as inside the Google store and Lucid Motors, in and around Chelsea Market, and at restaurants and bars like Pastis and Dante, which will host a floral pop-up with Perrier-Jouët champagne, designed by Popup Florist.

Spencer Falls, the Unlikely Florist, will be working to adorn Chelsea Market with a three-part flower installation that is inspired by the element of water. “For the Chelsea Market installation, the design is very much informed by the place itself and how that interplays with the inspiration of water,” he says. “The inspiration for my design with Chelsea Market is actually something I conceived last year, so it has been a year in the making and I can’t wait to bring it to life.” 

Other highlights include popsicle and whiskey cocktail pairings by Glenlivet at the Chester accompanied by a floral installation by Brooklyn Blooms, as well as complimentary cocktail samples from nonalcoholic brand Seedlip at Gansevoort Plaza South curated by McQueens Flowers. 

If you’ve been daydreaming about visiting Amsterdam this summer, you can get your fix at the European-style flower market, which will feature 30 local florists with stalls. You’ll find that market between Little West 12th Street and Gansevoort Street during the festival.

To keep the festival as sustainable as possible, L.E.A.F. is repurposing the flowers. “Sustainability is such an important effort for us in our mission to celebrate the renewal of New York City,” says Breslin. “We are working with the Meatpacking BID and Hudson River Park Trust to pick up any leftover flowers and greenery to create mulch that will go right back into our local parks, supporting our ongoing endeavor to bring New York City back to life.” 

Expectations are high for the second Festival of Flowers. “I know it will be even bigger and better than last year,” says Falls. “All the florists will be bringing their A-game after experiencing last year, and that means some groundbreaking floristry and incredible installs—I think it will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.” 

How to get there

Located on Manhattan’s West Side, the Meatpacking District stretches east to west from Ninth Avenue to the West Side Highway between Gansevoort Street up to 17th Street. The closest subway: the A/C/E/L trains at 14th Street and Eighth Avenue.

Memorial Day Weekend, aka the unofficial start of summer, has snuck up on New Yorkers, leaving many looking for plans for the long weekend. If you’ve procrastinated on booking a trip for this holiday weekend, fear not: below are some of our favorite places and fun packages – in the city and out – that would be the perfect way to kick off the summer.

New York City

Gansevoort Meatpacking

Following a multimillion-dollar rebrand and renovation last summer, the fully refreshed Gansevoort Meatpacking reopens as an established art destination, housing works by Banksy, Hasan Hajajj and most recently, Enrique Cabrera, who debuted his sculpture El Toro de Oro outside of the hotel on Cinco de Mayo. In addition to the hotel’s own collection, the hotel is home to the iconic Gansevoort Rooftop that features a plunge pool and a new omakase experience, Saishin is led by a Michelin Star-trained sushi chef and 20+ year veteran Chef Frankie-Yong Doon.

To kick off summer, Gansevoort is offering the Summer Sessions package for an elevated city stay. Guests can book any room or suite Sunday through Thursday and receive 20% off their stay and a chance to enjoy poolside perks like suncare goodies from new brand DUNE, poolside reads from Random House, skincare from KORRES, and popsicles. They will also receive $25 to spend at Coffee + Cocktails for al fresco dining in the heart of Meatpacking. To top it off, all suite bookings include a chilled bottle of Whispering Angel Rosé.

WEST VILLAGE, NY — The L.E.A.F Festival of Flowers is returning to the Meatpacking District within the West Village in June.

The three-day affair will take place from June 10 to 12 with over one million flowers, a hundred florists, and floral installations as far as the eye can see.

"Last year's Festival of Flowers was one of the highlights of the year for the district, and we're thrilled to kick off summer of 2022 in Meatpacking again, bigger and better than before," said Jeffrey LeFrancois, Meatpacking District BID's Executive Director, in a news release.

"While the festival is a feast for the eyes and a social media delight, it's also a tremendous economic engine for the district and the city," LeFrancois added. "In 2021, it provided a much-needed boost to businesses in the district and we're planning for an even more successful 2022."

The European-style flower market will sit on Washington Street between Little West 12th and Gansevoort Street and feature 30 florist retailers in the immediate area.

The festival will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 10 and 11, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 12.

The market is presented by the real estate development company TF Cornerstone.

While the market will serve as the center of the festival, installations will be displayed all across the Meatpacking District.

Here is a list of some of the local and national businesses participating in the festival, along with where they will be set up.

• The Chester - 18 Ninth Avenue - Popsicle and whisky cocktail pairings from The Glenlivet accompanied by floral installation by The Unlikely Florist.

Gansevoort Meatpacking is an iconic hotel that has called New York City home for more than 15 years. The 186-room hotel features a full-service ground-floor restaurant, year-round rooftop bar and restaurant, a 45-foot heated outdoor pool, and indoor and outdoor space where guests can enjoy unobstructed, 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline.

Located on Ninth Ave and 13th Street, Gansevoort is an anchor in Manhattan’s vibrant Meatpacking District, which has transformed from an industrial district into a hub for fashion, design, culinary excellence and the arts. The property is just steps away from the Hudson River, the High Line, Little Island, premium shopping and dining, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Chelsea Market and more. The property has completed a top-to-bottom renovation touching all floors, accommodations and public spaces.

Sipping craft cocktails and enjoying delicious food can rarely be improved upon, but a stunning view of our fair New York City is one upgrade we’ll never say no to. Now that the weather is getting warmer, we’re in the mood for rooftops with excellent menus and front-row seats to the gorgeous skyline we call home. We’ve rounded up the best of the best just for your benefit, so grab your crew, your sunglasses, your most Instagram-worthy outfit, and head straight to the top.

Translated literally to “something new,” Saishin is serving up sushi omakase with a view from the top of the Gansevoort Hotel. Choose from a la carte ($12 to $26), 12 courses ($135), or 15 courses ($155), topped off with a complimentary glass of sake for every diner. The cocktail list itself is also sake heavy, with more than 10 bottles to choose from and our personal favorite, the sake margarita.

Nearly 500 designers, architects, and manufacturers gathered at One Penn Plaza in Manhattan May 10 to celebrate the winners and honorees of the 7th annual NYCxDESIGN Awards hosted by Interior Design editor in chief Cindy Allen. Check out the winner’s gallery below.

These picks from cocktail pros will change the way you think about this fortified wine.

Curating the perfect bottles for your home bar takes time, patience, and attention to detail—vermouth, however, tends to be overlooked in that process, with many settling for the familiar labels that once collected dust on their parents’ and grandparents’ shelves. And that’s perhaps just the issue: to date, dry and sweet vermouths have been respectively relegated to the occasional splash in homemade martinis and Manhattans when, in reality, they’re both capable of so much more.

Vermouth is a fortified wine (think sherry, Port, or Madeira) that’s been taken a step further by being infused with a variety of botanical ingredients like spices, herbs, roots, flowers, and more. Most associate vermouth as a whole with Martini & Rossi, which is one of the largest and most well-known brands in the business, though there are many other producers throughout the Old and New Worlds, and each producer’s recipe differs from one to the next. If you haven’t yet tried other vermouths outside of the Martini & Rossi family, you’re in for a whole new landscape of flavors, colors, textures, and more.

Sweet vermouth in particular has been one of my favorite categories to explore, especially when making low-ABV cocktails at home, either for myself on a low-key weeknight or for a crowd as a dinner party apéritif, batched ahead of time and poured for each guest as they file through the door. I can’t resist opening friends’ and acquaintances’ eyes (and, let’s be honest, the occasional perfect stranger’s) to somewhat obscure classic fortified wine cocktails like the Adonis, which couldn’t be easier to make on the fly. The perfect collision of dry sherry, sweet vermouth, bitters, and a twist of orange or lemon, give this late-19th century drink and its ilk a serious chance of becoming your new favorite way to deplete your vermouth stash, before it starts to sour.

Best Italian: Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Rubino Vermouth

Region: Torino, Italy | ABV: 18% | Tasting Notes: Red fruits, sandalwood, herbs, cracked pepper

Pros

• ●  New release

• ●  All-purpose

  Cons

• ●  Higher price point than its classic counterpart

Why we chose it: We all know the classic Martini & Rossi sweet vermouth, but this new expression is a serious step up.

Federico Doldi, Beverage Director of New York hotel Gansevoort Meatpacking, shares his go-to sweet vermouth pick: “I personally prefer the artisanal Martini Rubino vermouth of the Martini & Rossi family, a rich complex vermouth Di Torino that is based on a famed 150-year-old recipe. I chose to feature Martini Rubino in the Negroni alongside Martini bitter-infused coffee beans, Bombay Sapphire gin, and lemon essence at Coffee + Cocktails at Gansevoort Meatpacking. Blending select wines with artemisia and red sandalwood botanicals, it makes a perfect addition to any classic cocktail.”

The pioneering Gansevoort Meatpacking reinvents itself post-pandemic.

Living in WAG country as we do, we all need a New York City hotel every once in a while – for work, for play, to attend a specific event or celebration, for good deeds or perhaps even nefarious ones.

Well, I have just the one. Launched in 2004, Gansevoort Meatpacking was an immediate hit, with its live DJs, rooftop lounge and year-round heated pool. The newly gussied-up Meatpacking District was just coming into its own at the time. The New York annex of London’s too-cool-for-school Soho House had opened the previous year and Diane von Fürstenberg’s flagship West 14th Street store was just about to. Then, hot on its heels, came the Highline, Christian Louboutin and an Apple store. Bohemians, hipsters, tourists — even diehard Upper East Siders — all flocked to the area to see what was going on.

But, a recession and a pandemic later, and the outlook has understandably changed. The Gansevoort’s owners have divested themselves of their sister hotel on Park Avenue as well as a resort in Turks & Caicos. And although the “Gansevoort Hotel Group” styling suggests — and as group-owner Michael Achenbaum himself has more than hinted — new acquisitions or openings for the group may be in the pipeline, the focus is on the original property for the time being.

Gansevoort Meatpacking was always a good bet for its fun, laid-back, vibe, but when I last visited four years ago, it was definitely showing signs of age — more “shabby” than “chic,” you might say. It needed work. Now after a multimillion-dollar renovation and rebrand, which has seen redesigned common parts, spruced-up rooms and new food and beverage outlets, the Gansevoort is once again a serious contender. And here’s something to note: At a time when room rates — not only in our region but as far as I can tell across the entire world — seem to be rising stratospherically, Gansevoort heartwarmingly remains good value for the money. The hotel even welcomes pets.

On the first floor is a new-concept, all-day eatery, Coffee and Cocktails, or C+C as it known, with petrol-blue leather banquettes and a glamorous bar at the far end. It also sports a wide outdoor terrace, with bamboo French bistro chairs, made for wannabe Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre types. All boxes are ticked here: Avocado toast with flax seeds for breakfast, paninis or, perhaps, black truffle tagliatelle for a light lunch. It might be churlish to mention the lady at the table next to me who asked for a dry martini received a sweet vermouth over ice, but she was gracious about it and accepted the drink regardless, so pretty did it look in its cut-glass coupe, complete with edible decoration.

C+C ticks décor boxes, too. A walnut bookcase contains the de rigueur Crossley record player, with a Jimi Hendrix Experience album cover beside it, and heavy tomes of Keith Haring, Peter Lindbergh and Virgil Abloh. And all the while, looking down on the proceedings, is a Banksy original 2003 “Flying Copper,” with its “smiley face” smile, a face that is not, it must be said, without a touch of malevolence. The artwork is Michael Achenbaum’s own. He is in fact a collector of some renown and the hotel is a repository of notable art.

Another Gansevoort F&B outlet, The Chester — which bills itself as an American bistro and also has a street terrace — is open all day and into the evening for casual dining. It’s as popular with residents as with hotel guests.

In the 186 guest rooms, you’ll find blue and gray ombré wallpaper (referencing the Hudson River outside the window) a backlit walnut headboard (inspired by the High Line) and a retro Marshall radio. Each room also features a fitness device by the company Mirror, which is to say an interactive home gym via a free-standing cheval mirror that contains a built-in screen, like a TV in a hotel bathroom mirror. (There is also a regular hotel gym for Luddites who like to keep fit.) I found my northwest- facing corner suite, with its well-appointed bathroom and Juliet balcony, to be superbly comfortable, although to be honest any would-be Romeo would have to shout at the top of his voice to attract Juliet’s attention above the Ninth Avenue traffic. Shakespearean Verona the Meatpacking District is not, although its cobbled streets — retained and restored in the last three years — have always given the area a European flavor.

Fancy a swim? Head to the Gansevoort Rooftop. This urban oasis, with its rather lovely, year-round heated pool and unobstructed, 360-degree views of Manhattan, has also been completely refreshed. A full menu, inspired by the Union Square Green Market, is offered poolside.

A new rooftop addition — and one with special appeal to non-hotel guests, too — is the omakase sushi bar, Saishin, from the highly regarded, Michelin-rated Kissaki Hospitality Group. Settled in at the 16-seat counter, I savored a 12-course omakase dinner that included Long Island fluke with pickled wasabi, Hawaiian amberjack, Hokkaido sea urchin in nori and salmon tempura with crispy rice. True, the special of the day, slow-cooked monkfish liver, was something of an acquired taste, one I’m not sure I have yet fully acquired, but I would race back to Saishin for the yuzu panna cotta alone — and me not a dessert lover.

As if all this were not enough, Gansevoort guests will soon have a further new experience to enjoy, this one underground, when the hotel welcomes a basement karaoke and bowling bar in the fall.

Beyond the Gansevoort’s front door, new luxury brands in the area, including Restoration Hardware, Rolex and Loro Piana, along with Barry Diller and Diane von Fürstenberg’s recently unveiled Little Island of cultural programming are signs that the Meatpacking District generally is coming back to life after the pandemic. And they add yet further appeal to a stay at the hotel, which Achenbaum calls, “Gansevoort Meatpacking, all grown-up.”

Who says New York City has no time for bull? A new four-hoofed art installation in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District is both an homage and artsy throw-down to the iconic Golden Bull a few miles south on Wall Street.

Released as part of New York’s inaugural Art Week—and in celebration of Cinco de Mayo — El Toro de Oro by Mexican contemporary Artist Enrique Cabrera, debuts today at 5 p.m. in front of the Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel, which recently emerged from a $30 million renovation. The temporary sculpture will remain in place through the summer.

The cobblestone-street neighborhood once known for drugs and prostitution turned around in the late 1990s and early 2000s with fashionable boutiques by designers like Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, and later transformed with the rise of the The High Line pedestrian park. Today, the district that runs from West 14th Street south to Gansevoort Street, and from the Hudson River east to Hudson Street, is home to some of Manhattan’s priciest apartments and shops even as it maintains its boho-chic cred.

The bull fits right in. The geometric bovine atop a wooden butcher block-inspired base is said to be a visual representation of the Meatpacking District’s muscular turnaround from gritty industrial no-man’s-land to a thriving global hub of art, fashion and luxury retail.

El Toro de Oro is constructed from lingot bronze and stands seven-feet long. The installation coincides with the kickoff of Art Week New York, an inaugural city-wide initiative taking place from May 5-12 at museums, auction houses and public and private event spaces around the city. That includes the nearby Whitney Museum, which is currently hosting the Whitney Biennial 2022 through September 5. Art Week events are on also now at Christie’s, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Modern Art, The Studio Museum in Harlem, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and elsewhere around town.

Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel itself is something of an art destination. The property is known for an impressive in-house art collection that includes Banksy’s Flying Copper, Hassan Hajjaj’s Marque 2013 and Richard Hambleon’s Standing Shadow – Blue, all on public view in the lobby and hotel cafe. Upstairs in the penthouse, designed by Italian furniture brand Poliform, the walls are hung with art by Adi Oren, Daniel Mazzone and photographer Mick Rock.

Since the pandemic, the Meatpacking District has been prioritizing public art as part of the Open Streets program that saw increased foot traffic and a craving for outdoor art. Most recently, the neighborhood hosted Colombian figurative artist and sculptor Fernando Botero’s Sphinx sculpture in honor of the artist’s 90th birthday. This summer, the neighborhood will see the return of the L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers, with intricate floral arrangements and booths taking over the streets to mark the official kick off to summer in Meatpacking.

El Toro de Oro will remain in place in front of Gansevoort Meatpacking, on the corner of 9th Avenue and 13th Street, through Labor Day 2022.

Yep, and that’s no bull.

NYC is getting a swanky new steer to rival the famous Charging Bull on Wall Street and Miami’s newly-installed “Bitcoin Bull” courtesy of a $1 million bronze bull unveiled today at the Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel.

El Toro de Oro, a shimmering sculpture by Mexican artist Enrique Cabrera, debuts on Cinco de Mayo with support from the Mexican Consulate of New York–and Maxim.com has the exclusive first look.

The baller bull is the latest attraction in this nightlife-rich neighborhood known for bars, restaurants and historic hot spots like Boom Boom Room at the Standard Hotel, not to mention the Whitney Museum of American Art, and designer Diane von Furstenburg’s new “Little Island” with media mogul Barry Diller. 

The glammy El Toro de Oro aims to offer “a visual representation of the Meatpacking District’s immense transformation over the last two decades, depicting a geometric bull atop a wooden butcher block-inspired base,” according to a release trumpeting the bronze bull.

“The wooden pedestal pays homage to the district’s gritty history of meatpackers with the rising gold bull from the block – representative of the neighborhood’s more recent life.”

Multidisciplinary sculptor Cabrera originally hails from Veracruz, Mexico, but you can find his work in the Museum Picasso de Antibes in France and the world-famous Louvre in Paris. Cabrera’s iconic skull sculpture titled Palmarius has even traveled 28 countries, from Dubai to Los Angeles.

“I would say an artist’s identity to themselves and to their craft is of the utmost importance,” Cabrera tells Maxim. “Once you have garnered a certain level of success and a spotlight shines on your work, you also get a platform to be an advocate for your beliefs which can include your culture and where you come from.”

“My work often involves a series of seven pieces each and replicates a theme in a variety of presentations,” he continues. “A bull just so happens to be my muse in my most recent works.”

As the eighth bull in this series. El Toro de Oro breaks Cabrera’s traditional approach. Tailor-made for the Meatpacking District, this latest work is also Cabrera’s only bull built to live outdoors. “While all of my projects have a magnificent creation story, this one is even more special to offer to the world as we slowly come out of a global pandemic,” Cabrera says of the sculpture’s resilience.

Pure bronze shines like megawatt gold, but as viewers come closer to El Toro de Oro they’ll notice its natural imperfections, created organically through interactions with the weather.

“Imperfections are actually the truest form of perfection,” Cabrera states. “In everyone’s life there are moments that things do not go right, but those are the parts of life that shape us. In El Toro de Oro the metal has its own life—you could go up to the piece and see something that might be a bit off, but that is the part that is the most beautiful.”

The sculpture’s grand reveal aligns with both a worldwide Mexican celebration and art history–and not just because El Toro de Oro joins Gansevoort Meatpacking’s impressive collection featuring works by Banksy, Richard Hambleton, and Hassan Hajjaj.

May 5 also marks the start of New York Art Week, and four art fairs—Independent, TEFAF New York, NADA New York, and the Future Fair. Furthermore, 2022 marked the first year the Whitney Museum’s hotly anticipated Biennial steps  just outside the border to include Mexican artists in its roster.

“My work is a representation of me and who I am as an artist,” Cabrera says. “It is a great honor to be a representative of Mexico in the world and generate ambition in the Latino and Hispanic communities to bring them closer to their own craft. I want to help promote the arts to the masses. At the end of the day, art helps everyone be better human beings.”

Unlike the Whitney, however, El Toro de Oro is free and open to the public all hours of the day. “I want El Toro de Oro to be something that the people of New York and the world can connect with like they do with the Charging Bull of Wall Street,” the artist concludes. “The only difference is our bull has a crown.”

Catch El Toro de Oro and celebrate NYC’s Latinx heritage through Labor Day. 

The bronze Charging Bull statue outside of the New York Stock Exchange is getting a younger brother. Debuting today in front of the Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel, Mexican artist Enrique Cabrera’s El Toro de Oro isn’t a symbol of a prosperous economy but rather an ode to the neighborhood’s gritty heritage as an epicenter for slaughterhouses and meat packing plants. Perched atop a base inspired by a butcher block, the reflective geometric bull features a shiny gold exterior in a nod to the area’s modern transformation into a hub of art, nightlife, and high-end fashion. 

“It only makes sense that this piece, signifying the convergence of old and new in the greatest city in the world, would live on these streets,” says Cabrera, known for his large-scale skull sculpture, Palmarius, that has traveled to more than 28 countries. The unveiling coincides with the kickoff to the inaugural New York Art Week, a city-wide initiative showcasing exhibitions, events, and biennials alongside four art fairs: Independent, TEFAF New York, NADA New York, and the Future Fair. El Toro de Oro will be on view through Labor Day. —Nate Storey

ICONIC GANSEVOORT MEATPACKING HOTEL AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ARTIST ENRIQUE CABRERA UNVEIL EL TORO DE ORO
Debuting on Cinco De Mayo 2022 in Tandem with New York’s First Art Week,
New York City’s Meatpacking District Will Welcome a Million Dollar Bronze Bull to Rival Wall Street’s
Enrique Cabrera the first Mexican and Latin plastic artist to solo exhibit in Meatpacking District El Toro de Oro to Bring Latino Art Downtown, Promote the Latinx Community and Culture Sculpture to Symbolize the City and Hospitality Industry’s Strength in the Late-Stage Pandemic Era
New York, NY (May 5, 2022) – Gansevoort Meatpacking, the hotel credited for the revitalization of the Meatpacking District during both its original opening in 2004 and its $30 million dollar renovation post-pandemic in 2021, is continuing to usher in a new era of the neighborhood with New York’s newest bull – El Toro De Oro – by Mexican contemporary artist Enrique Cabrera. The hotel, known for its robust art program that includes pieces from Bansky, Richard Hambleton and Hassan Hajjaj, will unveil the sculpture in front of the hotel on Cinco de Mayo with support from The Meatpacking Business Improvement District (The BID) and the Mexican Consulate of New York, in celebration of Cabrera’s Mexican heritage.
El Toro De Oro will be a visual representation of the Meatpacking District’s immense transformation over the last two decades, depicting a geometric bull atop a wooden butcher block- inspired base. The wooden pedestal pays homage to the district’s gritty history of meatpackers with the rising gold bull from the block - representative of the neighborhood’s more recent life as the go-to art, fashion and luxury boutique mecca. Created from lingot bronze, El Toro de Oro will stand 4x4x7 feet long on a 7x9 foot long block, welcoming hotel guests and residents of the cobble stoned neighborhood with a regal presence. Upon first glance, the polished bull will appear without blemish, but with further inspection, intentional imperfections will shine through, a nod to the hardworking nature of New York.
To celebrate El Toro De Oro’s arrival to New York, a free commemorative digital collectible (authenticated via blockchain) is available to all visitors, with a QR code at the base of the sculpture allowing for a direct link to collect it. Additional limited-edition NFT’s, as well as physical sculptures are available for purchase at the official El Toro De Oro website, located online at www.eltorodeoro.art. All art and sculptures are digitally signed, tagged, and authenticated by the artist, Enrique Cabrera.

El Toro de Oro will be unveiled on May 5th, which marks the start of the first New York Art Week,

when four art fairs—Independent, TEFAF New York, NADA New York, and the Future Fair—open
in the city. Auction houses and museums such as Meatpacking’s Whitney Museum will also be
taking part.

Debuting on Cinco De Mayo 2022 in Tandem with New York's First Art Week, New York City's Meatpacking District Will Welcome Golden Bull to Rival Wall Street's

El Toro de Oro to Bring Latinx Art Downtown, Promote the Latinx Community and Culture

Sculpture to Symbolize the City and Hospitality Industry's Strength in the Late-Stage Pandemic Era

NEW YORK, May 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In partnership with the Meatpacking BID, Gansevoort Meatpacking, the hotel credited for the revitalization of the Meatpacking District with its opening in 2004, is continuing to usher in a new era of the neighborhood with New York's newest bull – El Toro de Oro – by Mexican Contemporary Artist Enrique Cabrera. The hotel will today unveil the temporary sculpture in front of the hotel with support from the Mexican Consulate of New York, in celebration of Cabrera's Mexican heritage, permitted as part of the New York City Department of Transportation's Art Program.

El Toro de Oro's unveiling today coincides with the kickoff of the first New York Art Week, with four art fairs—Independent, TEFAF New York, NADA New York, and the Future Fair—opening in the city. Auction houses and museums such as Meatpacking's Whitney Museum are also taking part.

El Toro de Oro is a visual representation of the Meatpacking District's immense transformation over the last two decades, depicting a geometric bull atop a wooden butcher block-inspired base. The wooden pedestal pays homage to the district's gritty history of meatpackers with the rising gold bull from the block - representative of the neighborhood's more recent life as the go-to art, fashion and luxury boutique mecca. Created from lingot bronze, El Toro de Oro will stand 4x4x8 feet long on a 7x1x8 foot long block, welcoming hotel guests and residents of the cobble-stoned neighborhood with a regal presence. Upon first glance, the polished bull appears without blemish, but with further inspection, intentional imperfections shine through, a nod to the hardworking nature of New York.

"Through recession, renaissance, pandemic and revival, our hotel has witnessed and helped shape change in the Meatpacking District," said Michael Achenbaum, President & Founder, Gansevoort Hotel Group. "From being home to the Whitney Museum to the opening of Little Island from Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg, the neighborhood is on the right trajectory as is New York City. We are proud to support the community of artists and visionaries who have made their home here."

Gansevoort Meatpacking, which debuted a 30 million dollar renovation last summer, has become a pillar in the community for its cultural programming. Known for its robust in-house collection of art, guests and locals alike are welcomed in to view works such as Banksy's Flying Copper, Hassan Hajjaj's Marques, 2012 and Richard Hambleton's Standing Shadow – Blue, all housed in Gansevoort's black marble lobby and European-inspired cafe, Coffee + Cocktails. The hotel's penthouse, designed by Italian furniture brand Poliform, also serves as a gallery for artists like Adi Oren, Frank Stella, Daniel Mazzone and famed photographer Mick Rock.

Cabrera, who hails from Veracruz, Mexico, is a multidisciplinary sculptor and professional photographic restorer, dedicated to promoting Mexican culture beyond the country's borders. His work has been commissioned by organizations including CENIDIAP (National Center of Investigation in Fine Arts) and INBA (National Institute of Fine Arts), with pieces featured in the Museum Picasso de Antibes in France and the world-famous Louvre in Paris. His iconic skull sculpture, Palmarius, has traveled to more than 28 countries, with stints in Paris, Cannes, Dubai, Rome, Florence, Tokyo, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles.

Best defined by a series of seven pieces each, Cabrera's collections replicate a theme in a variety of presentations, with the bull being the subject of some of his most recent works. Created specifically for The Meatpacking District, El Toro de Oro breaks the mold of Cabrera's bull series, living independently from the original seven and standing alone as the only sculpture created from bronze and designed for outdoor installation.

"The Meatpacking District represents legacy and community, which is deeply rooted in my work," said Cabrera. "It only makes sense that this piece, signifying the convergence of old and new in the greatest city in the world, would live on these streets. I am a longtime fan of Gansevoort, so being part of the hotel's transformation made it feel like a perfect fit."

In addition to the introduction of El Toro de Oro, more of a spotlight on Mexican American artists in Meatpacking comes via the opening of the long-awaited Whitney Museum's Biennial –one of the country's most comprehensive exhibitions of American art. This year, the organization is taking a look at American art but also stepping just outside the border to include Mexican artists in its roster.

El Toro de Oro will remain in its place of honor in front of Gansevoort Meatpacking through Labor Day 2022. An anchor in Manhattan's vibrant Meatpacking District, Gansevoort Meatpacking is located on 18 9th Ave, on the corner of 9th Avenue and 13th Street.

If you're a big Sex and the City fan like me then you'll fully appreciate Hotel Gansevoort, quite literally giving major Carrie Bradshaw and the gals energy, as it's on the street that they saunter across the cobblestone streets at the end of Sex and the City 2. 

Conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan's meatpacking district, this New York hotel is a stone's throw to the Chelsea Market, the Whitney Museum and the Highline, and – being one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the Tribeca – it offers up great restaurants and trendy cafés, but more importantly shopping and designer stores. It's the perfect location to use as a base for busy day activities straight into a night on the town with ease!

First impressions of the sleek modern hotel lobby looks like a city-breakers dream, it felt swanky, sexy but understated and check-in was a breeze which is always a win, and the delightful staff at the front desk brought my attention to the coffee and cocktails concept situated at the side of the entrance, another win, making it an accessible but attractive spot for a quick bite or a cheeky Cosmopolitan in the early afternoon. Win-win. 

Stepping into our Manhattan suite was like staying in a grown-up luxury apartment, the full "New York" experience I was looking for, and the more-than-generous square footage meant that squabbling would be kept to a minimum between my significant other half. After a whistle-stop tour of the suite, we noticed it had excellent amenities, even hair straighteners… everything you need to save on precious luggage room.  

Feeling slightly tired from our flight, we were keen to get on the rooftop for refreshments and take in the sweeping views of the skyline IRL. Then there's the heated pool, you'll be happy to know that this urban oasis is accessible by guest-only, extra points for exclusive vibes!

With a jam-packed itinerary of restaurants and spots to visit on this short trip, working out was just not on the agenda, but for those who are travelling for work and need to stay on track with fitness goals, the 24-hour gym and smart interactive mirror in the room come in very handy, along with the sizeable workspace essential for those who work are here for business and pleasure. 

But enough about work, the time has come for our eagerly anticipated culinary experience at the Saishin Sushi restaurant also on the rooftop, which is accessed through a seemingly hidden entrance revealing a more private area, a very nice touch! 

On the menu was the Omakase taster menu, expertly prepared in front of you, the epitome of dining in style. I recommend you try everything, including the sea urchin, you will not regret it. But you might regret not ordering the fusion cocktails to compliment your meal, the Sake-Margarita was my personal favourite.

The only disappointment of our stay was that it wasn't long enough, and the top-notch customer service made us feel like rockstars, and that alone will make me come back, so if you're planning a city getaway with your plus one or the besties, Gansevoort definitely won't disappoint. A lot can happen in a New York minute.

Here are the best cocktail lounges in NYC, no matter what type of drink suits your mood.

Gansevoort Rooftop Located in the Meatpacking District, Gansevoort Rooftop manages to stick out from the crowd. Enjoy 360-degree views of Manhattan, all the way to Hudson River, while sipping on a Pisco Party—a sweet mix of Pisco Suyo, blue cotton candy egg white and butterflies. The spot was just renovated in 2021, giving it a bright, welcoming look and feel. 

Soho House members are furious that the club’s iconic rooftop in the Meatpacking District is closed just as the weather heats up.

On a recent Friday, well-heeled patrons looking to spend the afternoon sipping Aperol spritzes poolside were in for a rude awakening as they found out the rooftop floor was a construction scene.

“Couldn’t they have done this in the winter?” said one annoyed thirty-something woman in a floral dress and jean jacket as she received the bad news in the club’s elevator. “Why couldn’t they have gotten it done during the pandemic like the L train?” her pal chimed in.

Other members are fleeing to neighboring perches such as the Restoration Hardware’s RH Rooftop Restaurant, Catch, STK and the Gansevoort Hotel.

“We are gaining customers,” Sean Largotta, a partner at the Gansevoort, told The Post. The hotel recently spent more than $30 million renovating the hotel, including installing fireplaces and an omakase bar on its roof. So many people wanted to visit last week, the hotel decided to push up its opening time from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m.

“That decision was 100% made because of demand — people were at reception begging us to let them up,” Largotta said.

“It’s funny. I can look down at the Soho House roof from our roof,” he continued. “I see all the big blue tarps, and the piles of wood, and I am like, ‘I wouldn’t do renovations on my roof in April, but I’m not complaining if they do."

Here are the best cocktail lounges in NYC, no matter what type of drink suits your mood.

Located in the Meatpacking District, Gansevoort Rooftop manages to stick out from the crowd. Enjoy 360-degree views of Manhattan, all the way to Hudson River, while sipping on a Pisco Party—a sweet mix of Pisco Suyo, blue cotton candy egg white and butterflies. The spot was just renovated in 2021, giving it a bright, welcoming look and feel. 18 Ninth Ave.

It’s spring – time to head outdoors to enjoy a cooling beverage with bites or even a full meal at one of New York City’s rooftop bars. 

Sip an elevated craft cocktail while enjoying unobstructed 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River from downtown in the sizzling hot Meatpacking District at The Gansevoort Rooftop, Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC. The Rooftop brings bar food favorites to a new level. The outdoor seating opposite the main dining area is a perfect place to catch the rays and work on a tan, but if you prefer indirect exposure, sit inside with floor-to-ceiling windows in the Rooftop’s Greenhouse. Fridays and Saturday nights from 9pm on, the DJ plays live sets.

For a not-to-be-missed experience on the hotel’s rooftop, head to intimate Saishin at the back of the main dining space. This rooftop omakase concept offers both a twelve-piece omakase experience and a la carte options crafted by Michelin Star-trained sushi Chef Frankie Yong Doon Chef Frankie's sea urchin topped with wasabi

Chef Frankie serves melt-in-your-mouth sushi of the freshest variety: scallops, red snapper, sea urchin, smoked trout, and much more. Each masterpiece is adorned with fresh wasabi or back truffle, crispy shallots or plum paste and whatever other ingredients the supremely-talented Chef chooses to make. Best to make reservations, as this place is super-hot. 

The famed downtown oasis, the Gansevoort Rooftop, boasts unobstructed 360 views of the Manhattan skyline with views of Hudson River and the recently unveiled “Little Island” from Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg. Guests can relax aside the heated pool and enjoy innovative, refreshing cocktails and elevated bites.                                                                     

Think: Pekin Duck Drumettes, a riff off your standard chicken wings. Located through discrete doors at the back of the rooftop’s main dining space, is Saishin at the Gansevoort Rooftop, the hotel’s new omakase experience. Led by a Michelin Star-trained sushi chef and 20+ year veteran Chef Frankie-Yong Doon, standout dishes from the menu include: Hikarimono Saba with green apple and goma and the corn leaf smoked Tasmanian Ocean Trout topped with smoky onion, which combine simple components in unexpected ways.

New York City is back and better than ever, and with that, comes a wave of new and exciting experiences.

To help you keep your finger on the pulse, we’ve compiled a list of New York City’s best-kept secrets: from where to find the coolest underground speakeasies, to how to get into the hottest restaurants in town.

Be granted the secret passcode to our city, and indulge yourself in New York’s most coveted insider tips. For weekly insider tips, be sure to subscribe to our Modern Luxury Life: New York newsletter, bringing you the best in luxury lifestyle here in the Big Apple.

The Gansevoort Hotel is offering the Summer Sessions package for an elevated city stay! Expect discounted room rates, poolside perks, and lots of Rosé!

Summer is prime time for rooftop bars and imbibing from lofty perches with a cold drink in hand—but the sky-high fun doesn’t have to end once the weather turns brisk. Toasting under the stars with sweeping vistas that can’t be beat should be a year-round pastime and to prove it, we’ve rounded up a list of always-open rooftop bars and restaurants that are literally tops for delicious cocktails, cuisine and crushing sunset views.

Best Rooftop Bars Places like New York City, LA, Miami and Chicago are a given for towering bars come spring and summertime. Once 5 o’clock hits—or even before—everyone finds themselves flocking to rooftop hotel bars and penthouses for al fresco happy hour with friends. And nowadays, most rooftop sanctuaries are keeping their high-rise hot spots heated or enclosed, even throughout the winter.

Transparent tarps and retractable ceilings suddenly allow a chilly enclave to become warm again and thus, year-round rooftop living continues. While the Southern states can get away with rooftop drinks during all four seasons, New Englanders and Midwesterners want in on the action, too. And sometimes all you need is a heat lamp or an inflatable igloo to make drinking outside in the dead of February possible.

With that notion in mind, here are 28 of the best rooftop bars to frequent for elevated escapes with unbeatable panoramas. From a former bottling plant turned trendy rooftop in Kansas City, to a coastal-chic outlook in the heart of Newport, Rhode Island, cocktail hour is always better up above.

Gansevoort Rooftop in New York, NY Gansevoort Rooftop has been a longtime pit stop for a drink when bopping around the Meatpacking District. And with a recent hotel-wide renovation (with a complete roof redo), this summer is already looking promising. Behold 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River, while enjoying refreshing cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired small plates.

New York City’s Meatpacking District, which earned its name from the slaughterhouses and packing plants that dotted the area in the early 1900s, was primarily a residential neighborhood until farm markets moved in during the 1840s. Today, this district is known for being an up-and-coming retail hub on Manhattan's west side, housing a diverse mix of luxury brands like Hermès and Dior, direct-to-consumer brand storefronts like Warby Parker, tech companies like Google GOOG -0.4% and Tesla TSLA +0.3%, restaurants like Saishin, as well as hotels like the Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel, which recently underwent a $30 million dollar renovation.

City Sees Rate and Occupancy Improving, Led by Social Events and Leisure

At Gansevoort Meatpacking, general manager Anton Moore said the corporate market is slowly picking up because clients are working remotely and have yet to return to the office. Technology and “local backyard” corporate business are also driving business to his property.

Moore said his property has been extremely fortunate to see a rise in group bookings, mainly from the corporate sector. The group market began to pick up in February and March, with a 20% uptick in group corporate. The hotel is seeing an increase in business from the automotive, technology, consulting, entertainment/production, social and fashion sectors.

Moore said Gansevoort Meatpacking has seen significant rate growth, primarily due to the property’ s top-to-bottom renovation and repositioning into the luxury lifestyle market, now competing with hotels in that category. ADR growth is up 28% compared with 2019.

The Gansevoort partners with the Meatpacking District BID to drive traffic to the neighborhood, Moore said, with events such as apple picking in the fall with Kate Spade, Dior’s fashion week pop-up, Halloween Treats in the Streets, and participating in the L.E.A.F Festival of Flowers in June. The hotel also partners with The Whitney Museum of American Art and the new Little Island — a park and performance space built on the Hudson River — both just a short stroll from the hotel.

Gansevoort Meatpacking has created the perfect itinerary for guests to make the most out of their visit! Get an inside look!

8:00 AM – Morning Workout

Good morning from Gansevoort! Enjoy an early wake-up call today with a workout from The MIRROR, our in-room fitness hub with live and pre-recorded classes including HIIT, pilates, yoga and more.

10:00 AM – Breakfast at C+C

Enjoy breakfast at Gansevoort Meatpacking’s newest food and beverage venue, Coffee + Cocktails (C+C) an open-air café that transports guests to the streets of Paris or Italy. Enjoy house-made pastries and espresso drinks as well as specialty dishes like apple compote french toast, smoked salmon toast and build your own omelets.

11:30 AM – Take a Stroll to Little Island

New York City’s newest park, Little Island, is a floating greenspace in the Hudson River designed by Heatherwick Studio and funded by the Diller-von Furstenberg Foundation and highlighting the arts through free public programming.

12:30 PM – Visit The Whitney

Located just steps from the hotel, The Whitney Museum of American Art focuses on 20th Century and contemporary artists of the United States.

2:00 PM – Lunch at The Chester

Located on the ground floor of Gansevoort Meatpacking, The Chester is an American bistro serving brunch, lunch and dinner alongside a menu of signature cocktails, with dishes such as their prize-winning honey sriracha wings, steak frites and signature Chester Burger. A beloved Meatpacking District gathering spot, The Chester’s indoor and patio seating serves as the ideal spot for post-work drinks or a private event.

3:30 PM – Explore The High Line

The High Line is New York’s railway turned public park that stretches from Chelsea to Hudson Yards. Stroll past the iconic Chelsea Market, and pass by the iconic west side architecture. End at the Vessel for a fun photo opp.

7:00 PM – Omakase Dinner at Saishin

Gansevoort’s newest rooftop experience, Saishin, offers omakase and a la carte sushi, sashimi and nigiri crafted by Michelin-trained Chef Frankie Yong Doon.

9:00 PM – After-Dinner Drink at Gansevoort Rooftop

Continue your rooftop experience with craft cocktails on the Gansevoort Rooftop while enjoying 360-degree views of Manhattan. 

Gansevoort Meatpacking is a cherry-picked approved boutique hotel.

Perched on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel, this omakase counter from the Kissaki restaurant group gives you the best of both worlds. The half indoor, half outdoor space at Saishin by Kissaki has a 16-seat omakase bar where chef Frankie-Yong Doon’s creations shine, even when competing with the space’s incredible views of the city skyline and The High Line.

The Meatpacking Spritz

Created by Federico Doldi at Gansevoort Meatpacking

Ingredients:

2 oz Martini Fiero
1 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
Splash of Prosecco
1 slice of grapefruit

Directions:

Mix the Martini Fiero and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur together in a wine glass with ice. Top with a splash of Prosecco and add a fresh slice of grapefruit.

This refreshing cocktail was created by Federico Doldi, Food and Beverage Director of Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel in NYC. Enjoy it year-round at The Gansevoort Rooftop, or indulge in its flavor in your own home with the recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 2oz Martini Fiero
• 1oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• Splash of Prosecco
• 1 slice of grapefruit

Directions:

Mix the Martini Fiero and St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur together in a wine glass with ice. Top with a splash of prosecco, add a fresh slice of grapefruit, and enjoy!

Situated in Manhattan’s cobblestone enclave, The Meatpacking District, is The Gansevoort hotel. After undergoing a top-to-bottom makeover, The Gansevoort is more than a dreamy place to rest your head at night — it’s a destination of its own.

With a Europe-inspired coffee and cocktail bar, a sky-high lounge, a rooftop pool, and an art collection to make you swoon, this hotel is worth adding to your itinerary. Plus, if you like to start your day with a workout, every room is outfitted with a Lululemon MIRROR home gym.

The Gansevoort Hotel’s rooftop pool is always bustling come summertime, but some New Yorkers may not know that the pool is actually open all year for staycationers and tourists alike. In the winter, they crank the heat up to about 95 degrees, so the 45-foot pool is actually more like an oversized hot tub where you can swim some laps or simply take a dip while reveling in the incredible cityscape views. There’s a locker room and showers for your pre- and post-swim needs, and the hotel also provides a pool service menu so you can order light bites and drinks.

Gansevoort Meatpacking is offering two unique Valentine’s Day specials: the Premier Package and the Ultimate package.

The Premier Package includes a stay at Gansevoort Meatpacking alongside a live jazz performance and prix fixe dinner for two at Gansevoort’s European inspired Cafe, Coffee + Cocktails. Guests will also be treated to a bottle of Moet Chandon champagne, chocolate truffles and a floral arrangement in-room.

The Ultimate Package includes a stay in Gansevoort Meatpacking’s Poliform Penthouse suite, a 15-course omakase experience at Saishin, Gansevoort Rooftop’s omakase sushi bar, a rose petal bath and a bottle of Dom Perignon Rosé.

The name says it all, no? The new open-air café lounge in Gansevoort Meatpacking knows how to jump-start your night out. The C+C Martini, the venue's signature cocktail, utilizes bourbon as the main spirit, with white chocolate syrup, coffee liqueur and fresh coffee. With both indoor and year-round al fresco (heated) patio seating in the heart of the bustling neighborhood, stop by for a bite before shopping or hitting the Whitney.

Perched on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel, this omakase counter from the Kissaki restaurant group gives you the best of both worlds. The half indoor, half outdoor space at Saishin by Kissaki has a 16-seat omakase bar where chef Frankie-Yong Doon’s creations shine, even when competing with the space’s incredible views of the city skyline and The High Line.

Despite its name, NYC's inaugural Hotel Week lasts more than a month, from January 4 to February 13. Many of the best Big Apple hotels are participating, offering up to 22 percent off rates during that date range. Book into the Mr. C Seaport, the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, or the newly opened Ace Hotel Brooklyn, among many others. And that isn't all NYC & Company has up its sleeve in the next month: Broadway Week, which offers two-for-one tickets to the city's top shows starting January 18, and Restaurant Week, which launches January 11, are also on the docket. 

According to the hotel operations staff we spoke with, a small bar of soap is simply one of those only-at-a-hotel offerings that make people feel special. “I go back to, what does a guest room offer the guest that you do not get at home?” says Anton Moore, the general manager of the Gansevoort in the meatpacking district of New York. “I think it's one of those things that still resonates with people, to have an individual bar soap wrapped and sitting there in the bathroom. It's a separation—‘Here I am in a luxury hotel’—versus not.”

Right now we’re mentally booking ourselves into art-filled hotels with rooftop pools and sipping imaginary cocktails. All of these dreams are a reality at New York’s Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC hotel and if you’ve ever wanted to breakfast with Banksy, this is the place to do it. The street artist’s 2003 Flying Copper is set into a custom built-in unit that overlooks the hotel’s lobby and Coffee + Cocktails restaurant so you can eat a croissant while contemplating a lineup of designer be@rbricks — an homage to the artists who lived and worked in the city, including Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

It’s no secret that the Gansevoort Hotel in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District is one of New York City’s premiere destinations. Located at 18 9th Ave., the chic downtown establishment is an oasis for locals and visitors alike!

Gansevoort Meatpacking is a 186-room hotel with a full service ground-floor restaurant, year-round rooftop bar and restaurant, a 45-foot heated outdoor pool and indoor and outdoor space where guests can soak in the impeccable views of NYC.

Ring in the New Year with a rooftop dinner at the stylish Gansevoort hotel in the Meatpacking District of downtown Manhattan. The Gansevoort Rooftop venue is offering a four-course prix fixe dinner ($250 per person) with champagne to celebrate the New Year.

Tickets for its rooftop New Year's Eve party (which comes with a champagne toast at midnight, open bar and hors d'oeuvres) are sold out but bottle service is still available, according to its website.

Visitors can also book "a special omakase dinner" ($250 per person ) at Saishin, the hotel's Japanese restaurant, and enjoy a glass of Chandon Spritz upon arrival.

The hotel's Coffee + Cocktails venue is offering a $225 per person prix fixe menu and a $150 premium open bar package for New Year's Eve. The Chester bar is offering an open bar package for $100 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. local time on New Year's Eve.

Monday afternoon, Audrose saluted its launch at the Gansevoort Hotel’s lush rooftop lounge. On the chilly December day, an assortment of tastemakers and editors descended on Manhattan’s Meatpacking District to toast the brand. The airy space was transformed by genius floral designer Ivie Joy for the occasion. Soft roses and peonies perfumed the greenhouse-inspired bar, and the wall of greenery added the perfect transportive touch to the afternoon affair.

The hotel showcases cutting-edge art, with works by Banksy and the pioneering street artist Richard Hambleton. Guest rooms feel like private lofts and the rooftop boasts unobstructed 360-degree views, a pool, and elevated fare.

A major challenge for hotel owners is that visitors are reserving rooms on short notice, often within two weeks of traveling. Michael Achenbaum, president and founder of Gansevoort Hotel Group, which owns a 186-room luxury hotel in the Meatpacking District, said this short booking window makes it harder for hotel owners to anticipate occupancy and raise rates accordingly.

The Skyline Sushi Experience at the Gansevoort Meatpacking, featuring dinner from Saishin at the Gansevoort Rooftop by Kissaki, and a helicopter ride above New York. From $30,000 (for up to 10 guests); Call 212-206-6700 to book.

The now sleek, modern rooms are a business traveler’s dream, with enviable views of the city and Mirror interactive workout devices that make it easy to get in an early morning sweat without having to drag yourself down to a hotel gym. Of course, there’s one of those available too, if that’s more your thing. Besides the rooms, the lobby has undergone a complete transformation from old New York to a modern art haven. It’s no wonder the hotel has partnered with The Whitney Museum of American Art, only a short walk away, on an impressive art program that includes recognizable pieces such as Banksy’s “Flying Copper” and “Standing Shadow – Blue” by Richard Hambleton. 

Perched on the rooftop of the Gansevoort Hotel, this brand new omakase counter from the Kissaki restaurant group is ideal for those in-between fall weather days. The half indoor, half outdoor space at Saishin by Kissaki has a 16-seat omakase bar where chef Frankie-Yong Doon’s creations shine, even when competing with the space’s incredible views of the city skyline and The High Line.

For the basement-to-rooftop renovation of the hotel group’s original flagship, president and founder Michael Achenbaum and creative director Olivier Weppe collaborated with G+SA on turning the 1,700-square-foot lobby and common areas into a showcase for cutting-edge art and design, and with D&M on giving the 186 guest rooms and suites a contemporary, loftlike glamour.

Sometimes, if even for one beautiful moment, rooftop drinking season and hot cocktail season may intertwine like vines in a pumpkin patch on a clear, sunny day. And the Gansevoort Hotel’s recently refreshed rooftop bar is hanging on to the former and getting a head start on the latter. Its Take it Outside tipple mixes mezcal, triple sec, chai tea, steamed oat milk and agave syrup into a warming, boozy bev.

For authentic omakase miles from Japan, look no further than Kissaki. Located on the Bowery with a second outpost on the Upper West Side and a specially curated menu at the Gansevoort Rooftop, the intimate restaurant is ideal for a date night of primo sushi and sake. We recommend the 16-course flight for $150, because why not?

But new places by the score are bravely taking the plunge to replace them. Since indoor dining was restored in February, debuts have included posh-Indian Sona, ultra-lux Le Pavillon, revived Southern-American classic Gage & Tollner, Japanese-influenced Cantonese Cha Kee, omakase-heaven Saishin (on the Gansevoort Hotel rooftop, no less), Peruvian-themed Contento, Turkish-tinted Greek Iris and just-launched, Southeast-Asian fantasy Wau.

At the corner of Ninth Avenue and 13th Street, the Gansevoort Meatpacking  NYC is a short stroll away from the art galleries of Chelsea, the brasserie-style restaurants of the West Village, and the smart boutiques of the Meatpacking District. Highlights include the 45-foot-long, heated rooftop swimming pool with underwater lights; the Duplex Penthouse Suite with a wall of windows looking out towards the Hudson River; on-site restaurant The Chester; and the service, which is remarkable for a boutique hotel.

When this Gansevoort first opened in 2004, it was the heyday of the Meatpacking District’s transformation from a hub of meat packing and processing warehouses to Sex and the City-anointed “It” neighborhood status. As such, the hotel quickly became the epicenter of cool, the preferred hangout for rooftop pool parties and bottomless Cosmopolitan-fueled brunches. The popularity of the hotel soon led to similarly social Gansevoort outposts in places like Miami and Turks & Caicos. But by 2020, only this Gansevoort remained—and it was looking a little tired. Following a multi-million-dollar renovation unveiled in mid-2021, you’ll now find a casual-cool clientele—including some grown-up regulars from back in the day—lounging alongside pieces by such artists as Banksy, Hassan Hajja, Frank Stella and Mick Rock.

This just-below-14th-Street staple has been home to the in crowd since its birth in 2004, when it helped the Meatpacking District go from forgotten to fashionable. Seventeen years later, the hotel recently reopened its doors after a rooftop-to-basement facelift. Included in the makeover is a new look for each of rooms along with Mirror workouts. What remains the same, however, is the swanky rooftop pool and bar where the who’s who hang. Only now, they can enjoy the 360-degree view while savoring Michelin-rated sushi at the newly opened Saishin pop-up.

The Meatpacking District pioneer has reemerged with a new look and grown-up attitude—though it’s still a place that celebrates fun.

Sushi was something I gave up during the height of the pandemic last year. The thought of raw seafood — even if it was from a favorite restaurant — traveling from one borough to another wasn’t appealing (or affordable). Dining at a tiny sushi counter wasn’t an option in most cases. Enter Saishin by Kissaki, a pop-up sushi restaurant with rooftop views at the Gansevoort hotel in the Meatpacking District. The omakase experience here — though not inexpensive at $150 for 15 courses, it’s still a relative bargain compared to many over-the-top menus at some of the city’s best sushi restaurants — reminded me how much I missed quality sushi. Our parade of dishes started with a briny Kumamoto oyster topped with a lobe of buttery sea urchin. Next came pristine cuts of tuna, saba, salmon, and other fish I lost track of because I was too busy looking at the skyline views and thinking how good it felt to be dining out again.

Following a multimillion-dollar renovation, the iconic Gansevoort Meatpacking is inviting New Yorkers to experience the grown-up Gansevoort, featuring two new restaurants — European-inspired Coffee + Cocktails, and pop-up Omakase bar, Saishin, in partnership with Kissaki.

While enjoying 360-degree views of Manhattan, visitors at this Meatpacking District hotel can order from a poolside menu with summery dishes like a caprese grilled cheese or the roasted chicken salad with mixed greens, heirloom tomato, baby corn, and hearts of palm. The drink list is filled with classic cocktail options.

Offering pets and humans alike stellar views of the Hudson River and a stylish retreat within the heart of New York City, Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel has recently unveiled its upgraded rooms from a multimillion-dollar renovation. Pets can relax with their own amenities which include a dog bed, food and water bowls, toy and for an added cost, be treated to a goody bag from Beasty Feast.

The Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel has recently unveiled a multi-million dollar renovation. Amenities for humans include: new food + beverage concepts including a European inspired cafe and an omakase pop-up bar; and tech enhancements like The MIRROR, the interactive home gym, in every room.

Amenities for the pups: a pet bed, food and water bowls, a toy; and for an upgrade fee of $25, pet gift bag from local NYC pet shop Beasty Feast. Guests and four legged friends can look forward  to views of the Hudson River and the new Little Island.

The just-reopened Gansevoort in New York's trendy Meatpacking District has added an expansive art collection drawn from the collection of president and founder Michael Achenbaum, including a Banksy in the lobby.

The Gansevoort Meatpacking is all grown up thanks to a multimillion dollar renovation and rebrand that includes an incredible art collection, luxe design, innovative technology, and exciting new food and beverage offerings. The hotel, which first opened in 2004 in New York City's Meatpacking District, underwent a top-to-bottom revamp during the COVID-19 pandemic. The hotel now offers 186 newly renovated guest rooms, including its duplex Poliform Penthouse — the first fully designed U.S. hotel suite by Italian furniture designer Poliform. 

In the Time Flies Department: It seems like only yesterday that New York’s Meatpacking District was transformed into a destination hotspot but, in fact, it’s been 17 years since the iconic Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel flung open its doors, helping to make the neighborhood one of the most highly trafficked areas in the city. Today, as the city reopens after COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, Gansevoort Meatpacking is once again fueling the neighborhood’s renaissance with a multimillion dollar rebrand and top-to-bottom renovations. Offerings include 186 renovated guestrooms; 1,700 square-foot reimagined lobby with extensive art program; the MIRROR, an interactive gym device in every guest room; multiple food and beverage venues including a sprawling European cafe, Mediterranean restaurant, and basement karaoke and bowling bar (coming in 2022); 45 sq ft heated outdoor pool; pop-up omakase sushi bar at the Gansevoort Rooftop; reimagined penthouse in partnership with Italian furniture designer Poliform; and more. Rates from $535. 212-206-6700

The Gansevoort Meatpacking District hotel is planning to open a series of new restaurants over the next year, the New York Times reports. A cafe called Coffee and Cocktails has already opened on the hotel’s first floor, and a rooftop sushi bar from the team behind Kissaki is slated to open on July 20.

As we inch our way out of the pandemic that left us essentially grounded for seventeen months, we’re suddenly acutely aware of just how much we have missed our regular trips to the great Continent of Europe. (Yes, yes – first world problems, we know.) But many who feel the same way are actually not quite ready for the rigors of post-COVID intercontinental travel just yet – and so we’re left to satisfy our Europhilia by, say, taking in the old Dutch masterpieces at the Met’s In Praise of Painting exhibition, or binging on episodes of the buzzy French comedy Call My Agent! on Netflix.

What are you doing this weekend? If you answered anything other than “drinking a cocktail on a rooftop,” you’re doing summer wrong. Fortunately, we tracked down the best rooftop bars NYC has to offer. Here’s where to find boozy ice pops, pools and breathtaking views.

Dismantle the fabricated streetside Covid Caves that popped up as quickly as the virus spread. Tear down the two-by-fours, the plexiglass windows, heat lamps and fake flowers. Surely, they served their purpose, and saved many restaurateurs from total financial ruin, but the days of eating in parking spaces looks like it’s coming to an end.

City or country. Historic or brand spanking new. Boutique or resort. Ocean or desert. The choices are many this season when it comes to the newest crop of eye-catching American hotels, especially for those in need of a domestic vacation or in search of a dose of design. Whether you’re looking to road trip it this summer or indulge in a local staycation, these 11 new hotels prove that there’s never been a better time to check out—and check in.

This hotel has been renovated with new restaurants opening and in planning stages: Coffee & Cocktails, a spacious ground-floor cafe is up and running, and Saishin at the Gansevoort Rooftop, a seasonal pop-up omakase and sushi bar by Kissaki Hospitality Group will open July 20. Next year, LDV Hospitality will install a Mediterranean restaurant at the hotel.

Manhattan's Meatpacking District, once a riotous nightlife hub, continues to reel from the pandemic. But a hotelier is pushing ahead with an extensive renovation all the same.

An almost two-decade hotel in New York City’s Meatpacking District is undergoing a multi-million renovation that also reflects the changes within its location. 

Long before Meatpacking's cobblestone streets became one of the most highly trafficked neighborhoods in New York City, Michael Achenbaum bet on the district's future: creating the iconic Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel and credited for helping to galvanize the neighborhood to become the burgeoning destination it has been renowned to be ever since.

The hotel is renovating all rooms and public spaces, including adding a ground-floor restaurant, a rooftop bar and a heated outdoor pool.

The iconic Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel, which is credited for putting the Meatpacking District on the map almost two decades ago, is unveiling a multimillion renovation and rebrand. The demographic of guests that partied with the legendary hotel are now returning with their children.

The initial entry to a hotel room is exciting, from the click of the lock to the opening of the door, to seeing your room for the first time. Made even more elevated is when an over-the-top welcome amenity is waiting for you. We scoured the globe for some smile-inducing offerings, sure to set the tone for your luxury stay.

This weekend, the Gansevoort in New York City's Meatpacking district will be the place to stop and smell the roses.

From June 12 to 13, L.E.A.F, the festival of flowers, is taking over the Meatpacking District for a "weekend designed to spotlight world-class floral design." As part of the event, Gansevoort Meatpacking will join in with a series of its own installations, displays, and is evening offering a package deal so you get the most out of the show.

Can you even imagine what one million flowers blossoming across the city would look like? That's exactly what the L.E.A.F. Festival of Flowers is planning on delighting you with this upcoming weekend.

The Knot Editors are experts across various topics: weddings, for one, and the parties that accompany engagements. For that reason alone, we know the absolute best bachelorette party destinations across the US. Over 90% of all women say they've attended a bachelorette party, so planning a getaway that is supremely memorable should be an objective when selecting your destination of choice. 

Whether you're looking to fill up fall weekends with getaways, are planning a milestone trip for 2022, or simply procrastinated booking anything for Memorial Day weekend and are making up for it by securing a summer vacation, deals abound to make sure you don't break the bank this year. We've rounded up the top travel deals for hotels, cruises, and more—many of which end May 31, so get booking—so you can plan ahead. If you're looking for gear like luggage, camping equipment, and more, be sure to check out our guide to the best Memorial Day weekend sales, too. 

Summer is prime time for rooftop bars—and imbibing from tippity-top spots with a cold drink in hand. And with a vaccinated season hopefully upon us, we’ve already started making our list of must-visit lounges in the sky, when the need for a cocktail and a light bite calls. There’s just something about toasting under the stars (or sun) with sweeping vistas that can’t be beat.

Italian furniture company Poliform has joined forces with New York’s Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel for a makeover of its Penthouse. Created in collaboration with general manager Kevin Woodard and the Poliform design team, the 1,700 sq ft duplex apartment interior design features 30 ft floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Hudson river, and a sophisticated design throughout.

Google Assistant has created a hospitality application for its virtual assistant Google Nest Hub, rolled out this summer in a handful of hotels nationally, including the Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel in New York City, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the Viceroy in Washington, D.C.

The Meatpacking district’s most iconic hotel, Gansevoort Meatpacking, reveals a massive upgrade and collaboration with fellow neighbor, Google.

"We’re big believers in being contrarians [and] we believe in the Meatpacking District," he said.

The neighborhood, with its cobblestone streets and low-rise buildings on the West Side of Manhattan, offers something the rest of the borough doesn't have, Achenbaum said.

Over the past few years, we've seen an increase in the availability and usage of smart home and voice assistant devices. Perhaps you even bring your own smart speaker when you travel to play music, order takeout or check your flight status. If so, you may enjoy the Google Nest Hub for a smart hotel experience.

After so many months on lockdown, a lot of people are hoping to plan their next getaway soon. But at the same time, travelers are also looking for better ways to stay safe and prevent the spread of the coronavirus while they roam.

The next time you’re wrapping up a trip (whenever that might be amid the COVID-19 pandemic), you might find yourself asking Google Assistant to check you out of a hotel. Google is bringing hands-free hospitality to hotel rooms through its Nest Hub smart displays.

Featured Bartender Donny Largotta’s Spice it Up martini, complete with a homemade pumpkin spice blend, a brown sugar rim, and coffee beans sprinkled over top.

Debuted our new rooftop space, B on Top, in partnership with our neighbor Bagatelle Group.

Painted our rooftop pool as “decidedly Meatpacking District meets Mediterranean” with “refreshing bites served between the skyscraper views.”

Gansevoort Meatpacking has created the perfect itinerary for guests to make the most out of their visit! Get an inside look!

8:00 AM – Morning Workout

Good morning from Gansevoort! Enjoy an early wake-up call today with a workout from The MIRROR, our in-room fitness hub with live and pre-recorded classes including HIIT, pilates, yoga and more.

10:00 AM – Breakfast at C+C

Enjoy breakfast at Gansevoort Meatpacking’s newest food and beverage venue, Coffee + Cocktails (C+C) an open-air café that transports guests to the streets of Paris or Italy. Enjoy house-made pastries and espresso drinks as well as specialty dishes like apple compote french toast, smoked salmon toast and build your own omelets.

11:30 AM – Take a Stroll to Little Island

New York City’s newest park, Little Island, is a floating greenspace in the Hudson River designed by Heatherwick Studio and funded by the Diller-von Furstenberg Foundation and highlighting the arts through free public programming.

12:30 PM – Visit The Whitney

Located just steps from the hotel, The Whitney Museum of American Art focuses on 20th Century and contemporary artists of the United States.

2:00 PM – Lunch at The Chester

Located on the ground floor of Gansevoort Meatpacking, The Chester is an American bistro serving brunch, lunch and dinner alongside a menu of signature cocktails, with dishes such as their prize-winning honey sriracha wings, steak frites and signature Chester Burger. A beloved Meatpacking District gathering spot, The Chester’s indoor and patio seating serves as the ideal spot for post-work drinks or a private event.

3:30 PM – Explore The High Line

The High Line is New York’s railway turned public park that stretches from Chelsea to Hudson Yards. Stroll past the iconic Chelsea Market, and pass by the iconic west side architecture. End at the Vessel for a fun photo opp.

7:00 PM – Omakase Dinner at Saishin

Gansevoort’s newest rooftop experience, Saishin, offers omakase and a la carte sushi, sashimi and nigiri crafted by Michelin-trained Chef Frankie Yong Doon.

9:00 PM – After-Dinner Drink at Gansevoort Rooftop

Continue your rooftop experience with craft cocktails on the Gansevoort Rooftop while enjoying 360-degree views of Manhattan. 

Gansevoort Meatpacking is a cherry-picked approved boutique hotel.