By Lisa Loverro
Located on West 37th Street, the Strand Hotel exudes a sense of style and sophistication; and a winner in my book for anyone seeking a midtown hotel stay nearby to the Fashion District or Times Square.
Paying homage to the fashion district, the hotel’s lobby, small but stylish, is adorned with cool colors and artistic photographs pulled directly from the pages of fashion magazines, exuding an air of retro sophistication. The 177 rooms, small but clean, were well equipped with all the modern amenities including an iPod docking station and complimentary Wi-Fi. The bed linens were 100% Egyptian cotton sheets, bathrooms were clean and the showers small, but with the perfect water pressure (always important in my opinion). Other notable amenities are their 24-hour fitness and business center.
Their restaurant, The Strand Bistro, is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a trendy take on American dishes under the direction of Executive Chef Kelvin Fernandez. Romantic, chic and very fashionable, the restaurant’s décor is quite eclectic, using iconic fashion images, bold colors and a beautiful aquarium to set its tone. Offering a seasonal menu inspired by a cross culture of techniques and flavors, the dishes I ordered were prepared to perfection. Starting with a delicious and fresh corn soup, I then moved onto the double cut pork chop with apricot chutney. This restaurant was a rare find in a neighborhood where fine dining is hard to come by and a its great spot to dine whether or not one is a guest of the hotel. The Strand Bistro also houses an extensive selection of wines and specialty cocktails.
But perhaps what sets the Strand Hotel apart from others in the area is its spectacular rooftop bar and lounge; Top of the Strand. Looking to impress an out-of-towner? Take them here! It’s one of the few retractable rooftop lounges in New York City with amazing views of the Empire State building. Weekend nights come alive with entertainment by some of New York’s hottest DJs. I happened upon this rooftop scene on a Sunday evening, when a very cool DJ was spinning R&B classics and current hits. The crowd, a mix of hotel guests and young urban locals, were dancing to cool beats while the gem of NYC, The Empire State Building, shone upon us in all it’s glory. •
For more information visit:
33 West 37th Street
New York, NY 10018
(212) 448-1024
thestrandnyc.com
