With a name like Knickerbocker, this gorgeously renovated hotel smack dab in the middle of Times Square is inescapably linked with old New York. From the secret entrance in the subway station beneath its lobby to the prominent mansard roof that announces its significance to pedestrians below in Times Square, it doesn’t take long upon arriving to realize that this is a building that has withstood the test of time. But instead of dwelling in the past (It was built in 1906 by John Jacob Astor), The Knickerbocker successfully draws on its history to create a thoroughly modern luxury hotel experience. Staying here doesn’t feel like you’re playacting as a 1920s flapper or playboy, but rather that you’re having the type of vacation F. Scott Fitzgerald would have if he were alive today.
The rooms, tastefully appointed with contemporary furnishings, nevertheless have an unmistakable, beating art deco heart. Squint, and you could be on the set of a Noël Coward play, but modern surprises lay around every corner. Samsung touchpads control the lights and speakers, and a simple switch on the wall raises and lowers the cream-colored blinds. If you have some extra money to splurge, consider booking one of the Tribute Suites on the hotel’s top floors. The high-end accommodations boast unique art, fabulous architecture and breathtaking views of Times Square. It’s New York glamour at its finest.
For an elegant, low-key fine dining experience, make a reservation at Charlie Palmer at The Knick. The master chef is firing on all cylinders at the chic restaurant, offering his signature unique twists on progressive American cooking. However, the real jewel at The Knickerbocker is in its crown, all the way up on the rooftop. There you’ll find the St. Cloud, a laidback lounge with ever-changing, seasonal themes and access to an outdoor garden. Pick up a cocktail from the bar (try the Barkeater) and take a stroll outside through the elevated oasis. You’ll feel like you’re a world away from the teeming crowds below.
