A new gold Standard
IN THE latest in our series on the world’s top hotels and the stars who frequent them, SARAH TURNER checks out The Standard High Line – a cool hangout overlooking the Hudson River that has helped transform New York’s rough-and-ready Meatpacking District into a trendy, upmarket destination…
STAR QUALITY: Madonna, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Elizabeth Hurley, Kanye West, Leonardo DiCaprio.
VITAL STATISTICS: The creation of Uma Thurman’s former boyfriend Andre Balazs in 2009, The Standard straddles New York’s newest public park – The High Line. Lifts whisk you to the rooms and suites – a celebrity favourite is the Liberty Suite – with views over the Hudson, and the even bigger black-and-white Empire Suite.
Neither has a balcony, as none of the rooms does. However, all have floor-to-ceiling windows – and watching guests take showers has become a spectator sport for locals.
The lifts have their own stories to tell – in May 2014, footage from one of them emerged of Beyoncé’s sister Solange attacking her brother-in-law Jay-Z before the three of them left for the Metropolitan Museum Gala Ball.
On the top floor is one of Manhattan’s most desirable bars. Anyone who manages to get past the door staff to Le Bain gains serious credibility points – and the chance to club, take a dip in its plunge pool or hang out on the roof garden.
The Made In Chelsea set were regulars when they were filming in New York. Hanging out on the ground floor has its compensations, too. There’s a German-style beer garden on the ground floor that serves sausages and Bavarian beer, and in winter there’s an ice rink.
LOCATION REPORT: In the Meatpacking District, The Standard now towers above restaurants, boutiques and a plethora of juice bars. These days, it’s also the start of The High Line, the greened-up walkway created from a former overground railway that reaches up to 30th Street.
KEY ATTRACTION: A prime celebrity hangout in New York’s most forgiving area, where you can stumble over the cobbles and find indulgent staff – and concierges famously good at being able to score reservations at the city’s most sought-after restaurants. It may be a party hotel but it’s one where essentials – good sound-proofing and service – run alongside strong cocktails. There isn’t a spa (staff will guide you to one nearby). This hotel is about zoning in rather than zenning out.
IN THE NEWS: Madonna set her latest video on the 17th floor of the hotel, giving an idiosyncratic tour of the Liberty and Empire suites – it included cameos from Katy Perry, Kanye West and Miley Cyrus. Liz Hurley also graced the hotel in May, with rather less disruption. GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE REST OF US? Rooms from £240 a night; cocktails from £8. standardhotels.com
GETTING THERE: British Airways has flights to New York from £362pp return.