Saturday, December 21, 2013

STYLISH HOTELS - NEW YORK

By Eva Fydrych

Manhattan's Most Futuristic Hotel

Photos by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine


NEW YORK - YOTEL is a trendy high-tech hotel located near Times Square. It has a vibrant atmosphere, modern design, and a very convenient location perfect for exploring Manhattan on foot.

YOTEL is all about innovative, flexible and smart design. Occupancy sensors automatically turn on/off the heating/lighting and cooling systems when the cabins (rooms) are empty. The colour palette is fresh and in tune with the latest fashion trends - radiant orchid is the official PANTONE Color of the Year 2014 and YOTEL has been featured on their social media website as one of the influencers. So it is hard to think of a more fashionable hotel for 2014 - YOTEL ticks all the boxes.



Facade (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)


FIRST IMPRESSIONS

First thing that strikes you after arriving at the hotel is its ultra-modern technology. Innovative self-service kiosks (open 24/7) allow you to check in and check out quickly and without any hassle. They are located in the hotel’s Ground Control area, which is also staffed with a team of helpful crew members around the clock.

There is also a robot that takes care of your luggage. You can see it in action here. YOBOT is the world’s most radical approach to storing left luggage – it’s fun, it’s efficient, and it’s the most modern baggage management system in the world. Very impressive indeed!

Second thing that grabs your attention is YOTEL's unique vocabulary. There is Mission Control instead of your regular reception desk, guest rooms are called 'cabins' and all employees are 'crew members'. Welcome on board :)



Ground Control (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)

YOBOT (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)


FOURTH FLOOR

The fourth floor is a series of interconnecting spaces that are flexible to suit the mood, the occasion or the event. It is also where you will find Mission Control, the hub of activity, YOTEL's futuristic version of a concierge desk.

The YOTEL gym is located on FOUR, adjacent to the Club Lounge. The efficient gym features the following Technogym equipment:

  • Two elliptical machines
  • Two treadmills
  • One Concept rowing machine
  • Two recumbent bikes
  • Dumbbells – up to 50 pounds
  • One Radiant Universal machine
  • One weightlifting bench


Mission Control (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)

Mission Control (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)

Studiyo Boardroom (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)


DINING OPTIONS

Complimentary coffee/teas and muffins for hotel guests are served from 7am to 10am on weekdays and until 10.30am at weekends in Dohyo on 'FOUR'. A full breakfast menu is also at guests' disposal.

Dinner is available in the Dohyo concept 110-seater restaurant. You can sit and chat with friends on the large banquette tables along the walls of the restaurant or dine on the elevated Japanese sumo-style central platform. A unique hydraulic design raises the central tables during mealtimes and lowers them in between to create a laid-back lounge space complete with over-sized comfy sitting cushions. Highly recommended!



Dohyo Restaurant (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)

Green Lounge (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)

Outdoor terrace (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)


MORE ABOUT YOTEL

YOTEL was created by YO! Founder Simon Woodroffe OBE and YOTEL CEO Gerard Greene. The idea was conceived by Simon after he was upgraded into first class on a British Airways flight. He decided to translate the language and the luxury of airline travel and a touch of Japanese influence into a small but luxurious cabin.

Gerard had spent years staying in boring and expensive hotels and decided to do something about it. In 2002 he met with Simon, secured funding for a prototype cabin from our partners IFA Hotels & Resorts and then pulled together a team to evolve Simon's idea into reality. Together they embarked on an incredible journey to open the first airport hotel in 2007.

At YOTEL everyone is very passionate about hotels and they tried to create a 'First class experience at an affordable price'. YOTEL cabins may be smaller than traditional hotels rooms but through great design they offer a beautifully designed, flexible smart space to suit individual needs in which to relax, refresh, connect and sleep. They know the things that usually irritate guests about hotel rooms and they've tried to take them all away!



Video courtesy of YOTEL


AIRPORT

YOTEL airport hotels are situated inside terminal buildings to give customers the ultimate experience of being minutes from departure and arrivals gates. Cabins are bookable by the hour with check in and check out times totally flexible. There are three cabin types at airports, a 'Standard' bunk style single cabin (can be shared by two, a little cosy but perfect for a few hours) 'Premium' double cabins and 'Premium' twin cabins.

Airports locations are Gatwick Airport (South Terminal), Heathrow Airport (Terminal 4), and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

CITY

In June 2011 YOTEL opened their flagship city centre hotel just two blocks west of Times Square in New York. Cabins are 30% bigger than their airport product and come with floor to ceiling windows. There are four main cabin types, 'Premium' cabins with Queen size double beds, Corner cabins with dual aspect windows, FIRST cabins with King beds, some that come with private terraces and outdoor tubs and VIP 2 cabin suites, the ultimate luxury!



VIP Suite rotating bed with Empire State Building view (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)

VIP Suite living space (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)


DESIGN

The hotel was designed by Rockwell Group of New York in collaboration with Softroom of London and features 20,000 sqft of flexible and dynamic entertainment space including the largest hotel terrace in the city.

"A key design challenge with YOTEL New York has been to develop a personality that strikes the right balance between efficiency and warmth" explains Softroom Director Oliver Salway, "This is not another designer 'boutique' hotel - it's more like product design on a giant scale than architecture or decorating. Every detail contributes towards the comfort and convenience of the guest, while at the same time being elegant and emotionally appealing".


ADA view cabin (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)

VIP Suite terrace (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)


CURRENT PROJECTS 

YOTEL Singapore, Orchard Road. Opening 2018

YOTEL Singapore will take the design, efficiency and innovation of our highly-successful Times Square New York property and transport it into the heart of the Fashion District in Singapore. The hotel will have 600 rooms or ‘cabins’ as we like to call them, work, meeting spaces, bars and restaurant but also a gym a large terrace and pool area.

YOTEL’s affordable luxury concept is ideally suited to the Asian market and our Orchard Road development will provide a springboard into this region.

AWARDS

'GREEN' SCHEME
Source: YOTEL


Outdoor Terrace (Photo courtesy of YOTEL)


OUR EXPERIENCE

After arriving at my stylish cabin, I unpacked my suitcase and placed it under the bed (what a smart use of space!). Before checking my emails (YOTEL offers free Wi-Fi connection in all cabins), I went to find the Lavazza coffee machine with complimentary hot drinks and opted for a cup of creamy hot chocolate (the Galley space is located on each YOTEL floor).

In the evening, I couldn't wait to visit YOTEL's stylish outdoor terrace which offers an impressive view of the city. It is an unbeatable place to enjoy a selection of crafted cocktails.

On my departure day, I could store my luggage until the late evening and print my boarding pass for free. I was also helped with getting a cab. Every request was met with a smile and an immediate jump to action. Thank you for a wonderful experience at YOTEL New York!



YOTEL Photo Tour:

City view from room 2314 (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Exterior (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Check-in (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

PANTONE Color of the Year 2014 (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Floor Sign (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Techno-wall with music and TV (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Fashion Week Survival Kit (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Nigel Barker and Eva Fydrych at Mara Hoffrman's show, New York Fashion Week SS'14


WHAT WE LIKE

  • Modern technology and social media wall (showing the latest updates from Twitter)
  • Large outdoor terrace with great views of Midtown Manhattan
  • Contemporary decor and unique color palette
  • YOTEL's signature purple sign (very eye-catching!)
  • Trendy Dohyo restaurant
  • Excellent customer service
  • Young, hip ambience
  • Short distance to Lincoln Center

Eva Fydrych


Fourth Floor (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Fourth Floor (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Room 2314 - view from the shower (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Room 2314 (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine

YOBOT at night (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)

Social media wall (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)


LOCATION

YOTEL New York at Times Square West is located at 570 Tenth Avenue (West 42nd Street). If you are arriving on the metro, the closest subway station is 42nd Street – Port Authority, which is served by the A, C and E trains, or 42nd Street – Times Square, which is served by the 1, 2 and 3 trains.

The Port Authority bus terminal is located nearby, just two blocks east on Eighth Avenue. YOTEL is also located within a 15-minute walk of the Jacob K Javits Convention Center.



Map (Courtesy of YOTEL) Click to enlarge




570 Tenth Avenue
New York, NY 10036

+1 646 449 7700 – press 1 for reservations
Toll-free (from inside US): +1 877 90YOTEL (96835)


_______________________________________________________________________
*Special thank you to Yotel for hosting Fashion Studio Magazine in September 2013.

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