Journal
From Comporta to New York
14 February 2014
Most striking feature:
The view from the North 8th Loft. It’s so magnetic – especially when you wake up on a beautiful cold yet sunny day when the whole sky turns pink and you see the sun reflecting in the Empire State Building. The Wythe Hotel opened its doors in 2012 by Andrew Tarlow and Peter Lawrence. Tarlow is known for his successful Williamsburg restaurants like Marlow & Sons and Diner and being the good restaurants that they are, they wanted to offer their guests more than a few hours in their atmosphere. And that’s something a hotel can provide. The hotel is located in Williamsburg and it’s only a few stops by subway from Manhattan to Bedford Avenue. From there you can easily walk to the hotel. The hotel houses in a former textile factory and in some of the rooms you can still see the details of the past. Like the heavy beams on the ceiling and the wall made of bricks.
The rooms on the first floors look out on a wall where streetart artist Stephen Powers (Espo) turned famous Brooklyn ads into art. By seeing that we learn that Brooklyn is the 4th largest city of the United States. On the 6th floor you will find the Ides. A rooftop bar with that same stunning view as my room during this stay (all the rooms on the highest floors have a view over Manhattan). They serve proper cocktails and the outside bar is the place to be in Summer – especially during sunset. Then we take the elevator up to floor 8 where the North 8th Loft is located. A spacious loft with a very comfortable couch, a big tv, a free standing bath tub, a small kitchen and a large bed with that magnetic view over Manhattan. Then there’s a staircase to your private terrace on the roof. And if you are done ‘oh-ing’ and ‘ah-ing’ over the interior, you can discover the details. The mini bar menu for example has a stunning design. There’s an iPhone radio system to bring your own music in the room. And the floor heating works fantastic if you have cold feet because of the snow.
On the ground floor you’ll find Reynard where you can start the day with pancakes or yoghurt or end it with a 3-course-menu. The atmosphere is unique: you’re among locals, but also among tourists with style. Who chose Williamsburg over Manhattan. Smart move because there’s a lot to discover in the hippest… uh 4th largest city of the United States.
Check out: www.wythehotel.com
