Start spreading the news: The Chatwal Hotel on Broadway was one of New York’s biggest secrets…until now. The
team here at Dovetail have long been fans of New York. From wishing we could
run amok like Kevin in Home Alone Two as children, to dreaming of shoe shopping
to our hearts content Carrie Bradshaw style today, it is one of those places
that people feel they know inside-out and love, even if they have never been.
Imagine my delight therefore to
return to the city earlier this year and discover a hidden jewel in the heart
of Midtown in the form of The Chatwal. Tucked away on West 44th
Street, this oasis of calm ushers you in, enveloping you in the utmost comfort
while exuding a chic Art Deco style which has ‘Instagram-worthy’ all over it.
Each of the rooms ticks the boxes for a weary traveller and then some:
remote-controlled blackout curtains (a god-send when jet lag strikes), a
fantastically stocked mini-bar with enough ‘candy’ to keep up to pace with the
city that never sleeps - even a TV hidden behind the bathroom mirror to
absorb local news while you ready yourself for the day ahead.
Heading downstairs, nothing is
too much trouble. The concierge was full of fantastic advice, offering to
arrange tickets for the latest Broadway shows, or book us a table in the best
restaurants. Infused water greets you by the lift for light refreshment on your
way in or out, the pool and hot-tub are the perfect antidote for feet that have
been pounding the pavement and if you venture to The Lambs Club restaurant, you
can indulge in a truly decadent dinner.
This hidden haven seems so
personal, so intimate, yet step out the door and the bright lights of Broadway
are mere steps away. A world of entertainment, fine dining and buzzing bars are
easily reached by foot. For those venturing further afield, skip the cab queues
and ease yourself into the luxury of the hotel’s distinctive red town car which
will whisk you to any destination of your choosing within 20 blocks on a
complimentary basis. This was a welcome treat after realising my taxi-hailing
skills are not all they cracked up to be.
The Chatwal turned out to be
our perfect base for a long weekend in New York. Combining luxurious comfort,
timeless style, attentive hospitality and a great location – what more can you
ask for? It’s a slice of heaven in a concrete jungle.