Hotel Hudson ★★★★

Landing on the red eye into LaGuardia, we wearily made our way to Manhattan; upon arrival at the Hudson Hotel, however, we were instantly revitalised. As you pass behind the futuristic façade and ascend the fluorescent yellow-illuminated escalator, a heady mix of throbbing music and animated chatter gives the entrance a lively, vibrant ambience. While an affable concierge assisted my partner with our reservation, I took the opportunity to explore the vast lobby.

Eclectic light installations (my favourite being a neon-lit rococo armchair suspended upside-down from the ceiling) jostle for your attention with artistic taxidermies, while the living ivy ceiling and exposed brick walls offset the contemporary accents with the air of an exclusive gentleman’s club. We were led past silver-stained sofas through to the Philippe Starck-designed elevators, then down a (charmless, admittedly) luminous green corridor to our room, where we were relieved to find that the bedrooms were more traditionally decorated, with inspiration taken from the luxurious transatlantic travel of the twentieth century.

Opulent Makore wood panelling lines the walls, and stylish, dim lighting give these rooms a warm, homely ambiance. The bathrooms are immaculate white, with a characteristic accent of fluorescent yellow. Like all Manhattan hotel rooms, the Standard and Superior Rooms are tiny. They have managed some innovative space saving techniques, though: the bed is raised to allow suitcases beneath, a fact we didn’t realise until my six-foot-four partner stubbed his toe three times on our cases piled against the wall. Small though they are, the Hudson’s rooms are perfectly formed for those looking for a stylish base to commute downtown or explore uptown.

Tucked between the affluent Upper West Side and the grittier, more urban Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood, the Hudson occupies some of New York’s prime real estate. Just five minutes’ walk from Central Park and its museums, the glittering theatres of Broadway and the spectacular views from the Rockefeller Center, the hotel is excellently located for visitors to the city to visit many of New York’s finest attractions, as well as the city’s enormous variety of eateries.

Of course, if you’d rather dine in the hotel, the Hudson caters to a wide range of tastes. We tried Hudson Common, the hotel’s cavernous beer hall and burger joint, several times. Classic American comfort food with an innovative gastronomic twist is served on shared rustic wooden tables with ornate thrones at either end; solitary bulbs in an enormous light installation twinkle above diners’ heads, coupled with brushed metal accents, give the space an industrial feel. The service, whether you are seated at one of the tables or nestled cosily in Hudson Common’s deep leather Chesterfields, is typically American: extremely friendly and efficient. We eagerly picked at white truffle parmesan popcorn, chilli-apple chicken wings, and indulged in fries thrice cooked in duck fat, washed down with some of the bar’s American soda shoppe-inspired cocktails (me) and smooth craft beers (him).

Having eaten much more than our fill, we tipsily traipsed outside to Tequila Park, one of the Hudson Hotel’s excellent public spaces. Surprising for a hotel of this size, the Park’s cushioned sofas, sparkling fairy lights, and lively ambiance make it a friendly, intimate place to enjoy a(nother) drink or people-watch the young, trendy New York crowd. The hotel regularly features food and drinks pop-ups in this large public space, including Craft & Claw’s Lobstoberfest, where guests can tuck into the classic New England lobster roll and sample offerings from local breweries. This winter, regulars are anticipating the return of Hudson Lodge, an exclusive ski resort-themed bar. Don’t expect this seasonal haven to be filled with ski bums, though: the sheepskin throws and spiked hot chocolates attract an infinitely more stylish clientele.

Fortunately, after one too many at Tequila Park, it is just a zippy elevator ride up into the vast hotel to reach your cosy, comfortable room. And, after a restorative snooze in the fluffy linens and a brunch-time cocktail on the Hudson’s spectacular Sky Terrace, it’s time to start it all over again.