5 QUESTIONS WITH KATHERINE POOLEY
Sitting down with the in-demand designer on design philosophies
But as I grew older, I began to understand the appeal of The Lowell – it is timeless, elegant and luxurious, without rubbing your face in it. It has a home-away-from-home feel, so much so that most of its clientele are repeat guests who can – and do – request particular rooms for their stay, rather than by room category. It’s not hard to see why.
A boutique hotel ahead of its time
With just 74 rooms, each different in size, shape and décor, it was a boutique hotel long before people even knew the term. Newly refurbished, the hotel still retains its distinct charm, especially in its 47 luxurious suites and 27 bedrooms, all with working fireplaces and provided with flowers, books, and modern art that look as if they were individually chosen for each room.
Floors are hardwood adorned with silk rugs, while the king-sized beds are dressed in Frette 300 thread-count sheets. Amenities are regular-sized DD28, a creation of co-owner and design director Dina De Luca Chartouni.
Unlike my mum, who requests the same room every time she stays over, I like the surprise of a new room each time. To me, it doesn’t really matter which room I’m in, they’re all pretty spacious and beautiful, with a colour scheme in soft neutrals and pale blue that complements the oak floors. The huge marble bathrooms have separate tub and shower areas, while an ample-sized kitchenette allows you to have a cup of tea or some snacks without calling for room service.
Personal and thoughtful service is in this privately owned hotel’s DNA. For instance, staff will bring in a gin and tonic, fruit and macarons while I unpack in case I get peckish, or should you choose to, you can have someone unpack for you. Should you need specific newspapers or a personal trainer or in-room beauty treatments, they’re all available. There’s an in-room dining menu for your pet pooch. There is even a fireplace menu where you can select the desired aroma of the logs used, from calming to energising. The excellent staff and concierge – all multilingual and on call 24/7 – will be able to see to any queries you might have. Granted, I haven’t really tested their knowledge, but the concierge is reputed to be one of the most knowledgeable in town – high praise for New York – where hotel staff pride themselves on their insider information.
Gracious spaces
The public spaces are equally gracious and charming. The stately lobby exudes old-world elegance, with marble floors and ornate wainscoting and lovely drapes, complementing art and sculpture pieces. White flowers abound – think orchids, lilies and roses that make the hotel feel like a grand mansion, where the lady of the house personally picked the flowers from her greenhouse.
New additions to the hotel include the library lounge, the Bar Jacques, and Majorelle, the French-by-way-of-Morocco restaurant. The recent hotel renovations (to the tune of $27 million) brought together the creative minds of Dina De Luca Chartouni, legendary restaurateur Charles Masson, architect Mark Pinney, who designed for Armani, Apple and Harrods, and designer Michael S. Smith, who consulted on the White House’s interiors during the Obama administration.
A concept by Masson, Majorelle was named after Jacques Majorelle who designed Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic gardens in Marrakech. It’s a great place for a long leisurely lunch, what with the décor of colourful blooms, fruit trees, palms, illuminated fountains, and a gorgeous garden, which makes the restaurant light and airy, and an oasis in the city. Majorelle is one of the few restaurants in the city with its own braiserie, dedicated solely to preparing fine broths, sauces and soups, not to mention an oven reserved only for soufflés.You can’t go wrong choosing from the seasonal menu, all French classics with a Moroccan twist.
Practically tradition at this hotel is afternoon tea at the genteel Pembroke Room, with white linen-covered tables, polished silver and fresh flowers. For those who are going to the theatre, Pembroke also serves pre-theatre dinners. Jacques Bar, with its leather-panelled walls, antique mirrored ceiling and marble bar, is great for cocktails and light bites.
The neighbourhood
If you’re going out to explore, ask the concierge for suggestions on the best places to go. My go-to spot has always been Central Park for a morning run or the Neue Galerie on 1048 5th Avenue, which houses German and Austrian late 19th and early 20th century art. Art on display include pieces by Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt’s iconic portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer. It’s a great place to while the morning away. Pass by Café Sabarsky on the ground floor for excellent apple strudels and a hot chocolate. Also nearby is Sugarfina, where you can stock up on Dom Perignon gummy bears for presents home (or for yourself; I won’t judge).
And since this is the 21st century after all, Wi-Fi at the hotel is free and fast, but then you might not use it as much at The Lowell. Most of those who stay here do so because they want to be off radar for a while. This discreet outpost in the Upper East Side makes that possible.