Getaway: NYC's Crosby Street Hotel Makes the Trip - Part 1
I dropped off my 17-year old in NYC for a month’s stay yesterday. I should be sad or anxious but instead find myself feeling a pang of jealousy! I LOVE New York, always have and always will. My brief visit there over the weekend to get my daughter Haley settled was amazing - in no small part because of our stay at the ever gracious and original Crosby Street Hotel designed by Kit Kemp, part of Firmdale Hotels.
Everyone is of course buzzing about the Crosby’s newer uptown sister, The Whitby, which looks absolutely charming — but I’m partial to downtown & wanted Haley to see that part of the City before heading waaaaay uptown to Columbia University campus. My older daughter Avery & I stayed at one of Firmdale’s London hotels, Haymarket Hotel (below), a few years ago and it made a big impression on me.
Haymarket Hotel guest area
Until then, I’d never stayed at a hotel that felt so personal and artsy — with amazing one of a kind furniture pieces, incredible art installations and beautiful, lively fabrics everywhere.
Kit Kemp’s style is contemporary/trendy but at the same time, unbelievably warm and comfortable. It seems she has cracked the code on how to make modern spaces feel special without being cold or pretentious. Every piece looks like it was thoughtfully chosen and curated for that exact spot, so that it all works together - both visually and comfort-wise.
A suite at the Crosby Street Hotel, which carries through their animal theme...
When you first arrive at the Crosby, you might notice how friendly the staff is there. Unlike many city hotels, the Crosby has a really warm and spirited vibe….no attitude here, which is so refreshing.
Our room on the 10th floor was absolutely beautiful - with amazing view, mix of bespoke fabrics and patterns…
Personally I would not know how to mix greens, blues, fuchsia and gray — with florals and herringbone patterns! — but somehow the whole thing works and is surprisingly easy on the eye.
The walls in our room were actually upholstered in light gray wool — which as my daughter & her friend Katherine said: “I love how the walls are so cushiony!” It creates a really soft, warm cocoon. You definitely don’t feel like you’re in the middle of a big gritty city!
Kit Kemp uses these dress forms (below) as a motif in all her hotels (or at least the ones I’ve seen). They add great whimsy & somehow don’t feel fussy or precious. She adds brass nailheads, wood, strong geometrics, natural pieces throughout her interiors so they seem to play to both feminine and masculine styles.
I mean how can you not love this kind of gracious hospitality below?! And you know I’m crazy for clever branding touches….
Our friends Page & Katherine stayed at The Crosby with us, as they were heading up to Columbia program too. As you can see in their room (below), each guest room has a different palette, mix of fabrics, and unique furnishings — making the whole hotel feel a little more like a real house than a sterile matchy-matchy hotel.
Stay tuned for more on Thursday to see the amazing lobby, gardens & communal guest areas!
All photos are original to Elegant Mayhem, Page Evans or courtesy of Firmdale Hotels.