A Midtown Jewel

By:Lisa Loverro

With $10 million renovation and recently added to the Triumph Hotels brand this past winter, the Hotel Chandler is a charming 148-room hotel conveniently located in an area of Manhattan known as the Flatiron district, well within walking distance to some of the city's major attractions such as the Empire State Building and Times Square.

The contemporary rooms, which were well appointed and surprisingly quiet given the hotel's location, feature Frette linens and Molton Brown toiletries with flat screens and ipod docking stations. Their premium rooms have been recently added to the hotel in a separate section designed with a more modern feel. The warm hues of gold and brown in the hotel's lobby evoke a sense of tranquility and the lobby also features a Library, complete with fireplace and TV, becoming a central meeting spot for the hotel's guests to converge and relax with a cup of coffee after a long day in the city.

While the hotel and its service are impeccable, the main attraction here is their on-site, fine-dining restaurant, Juni, under the direction of Michelin-starred chef, Shaun Hergatt. An intimate 50-seat restaurant, Juni offers a farm-to-table seasonal menu using primarily local ingredients. The dishes are presented with a sophisticated simplicity yet robust with flavors.

Hergatt, a native Australian, began his career in the kitchens in Sydney and the U.S. His menu is complex, yet simply prepared to give credit to the fresh ingredients used. From foie gras to Tuscan-kale soup, the appetizers were a highlight. Be sure to try the trio of oysters with citrus blossoms and yuzu reduction, although you can't go wrong with any of the dishes and be sure to leave room for dessert. The attention to detail here was just as impressive, the service was impeccable and each course beautifully presented.

Hotel Chandler is the perfect stay for the leisure and business traveler. It exudes a cozy, friendly feel in the midst of the bustling city.

For more information: hotelchandler.com