WestHouse Hotel Review
The WestHouse Hotel New York is located just a few blocks from Central Park, Carnegie Hall, the Late Show, and within view of the lights of Broadway in Times Square. Plus it’s just a 10-15 minute walk to Rockefeller Center, Museum of Modern Art, incredible food and drink, and other Midtown Manhattan gems.
But rather than resting on its laurels of “location, location, location,” WestHouse demonstrates a keen attention to detail and anticipatory, customer-is-king service.
The staff really want to make your stay as amazing as possible. Sincerely. Entering WestHouse is like walking into Bruce Wayne’s mansion and having a bevy of Alfred’s and Alfreda’s at your service.
Inspired by a grand 1920’s Art Deco Townhouse, the WestHouse Hotel on 55th and 7th, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a strong contender in the high-end NY City luxury-lifestyle hotel market.
In fact, there’s really nothing like it in any corner of New York City. At its entry-luxury-level price point, this boutique hotel opened to fill a need – for the sophisticated traveler who craves exclusive, personalized service.
The WestHouse is so fine and dreamy for couples, we included it in our Sexy NYC Hotels list.
WestHouse Hotel NYC: Intuitive Service
Exemplary assistance here goes beyond the passive “if there’s anything I can do for you, just call” sort, and into the realm of mind reading.
As the bellman and I walked into the elevator, he asked if I required a wake-up call to make my 9am meeting the next morning. I casually mentioned that I’m usually up by 6am, so no need to ring my room.
Several minutes later, as my “Alfred” was showing me the amenities in my suite, he piped up – “since you get up at 6, and breakfast isn’t served until 6:30, would you like me to arrange for a triple-shot espresso to be sent to your room at 6?”
Not only did the valet listen to my idle chatter, but he heard me. And for whatever reason sized me up as a “triple espresso” kind of gal. A very good guess, it turns out.
The “home away from home” motif repeats throughout the hotel. You’ll find a door knocker on each chamber door.
Terrycloth robes embroidered with “WestHouse Resident” hang in each closet, as do children’s robes, stitched with “Little Resident.” And dog bowls – yes WestHouse is under 25-lb pet friendly – are marked “Special Resident.”
As “resident” of a staffed New York townhouse, you can expect a catalog of privileges.
Have a spot of tea – or a triple-shot espresso – delivered to your door, and access the in-house, high-end concierge service to do almost anything.
Book a table for two at a hot restaurant, charter a private yacht, gain VIP access into a museum before opening hours, or anything, within reason, you can dream up.
WestHouse Hotel NYC: Aesthetics
Enter the cool, Carrara marble lobby to find a bevy of suits at your disposal. These are the men and women who already know – via prior contact – your specific requests.
Eighty antique keys form a backlit shadow box behind small reception desk. The skeleton keys represent a bygone era in travel, to which WestHouse aspires and succeeds with aplomb.
Take a well deserved rest in “The Den.” This low-lit space stocked with couches, cushy chairs and ottomans atop is a popular gathering place.
Hotel guests love this room for intimate meetings and mornings perusing the newspaper over French Press coffee. In the evening, enjoy wine and beer and soft-spoken conversations.
Rooms at WestHouse Hotel NYC
Rooms and Suites sooth in cool shades of pewter, gray, and amber feature tufted leather headbords over Sleep Studio beds, 46” flat-screen TV’s, and several unique elements.
In this midtown location, views from many windows tend to be NYC “Iconic.”
Each bathroom is stocked with a high-end GHD flat iron and blow drier. Furthermore, there are bespoke bath and body products, as fresh-smelling as laundry line, designed exclusively for WestHouse.
A unique opening in the glass door of the marble shower enables guests to turn on the water before stepping in. Such a simple thing, and yet….so convenient and smart.
Evening brings turn-down service with “Calming Chocolate” on your pillow, made with natural ingredients to promote, rather than disrupt, sleep.
WestHouse Hotel NYC: Bottom Line
The 172 room WestHouse fills the niche between budget and rarified $25,000 per night Plaza suites. Please note, there is also an additional fee per night.
Though hefty, the extra $55 “Amenities Fee” is a perk you can’t pass up.
That fee includes free room Wi-Fi, access to fitness center, bottled water, gourmet continental breakfast each morning, evening alcoholic beverages, tapas, and other light fare.
Given that in New York City, two glasses of wine alone will set you back $50, this is a rare deal. And the fact that a stay at the WestHouse comes with fawning staff is, in this travel writer’s estimation, a formula for success.
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