The Meatpacking District of New York City, once teeming with trade and bustling markets, has transformed through the centuries into a fashionable blend of chic boutiques, pioneering art galleries, and culinary hotspots while still retaining the raw charm of its industrious past. Boutique hotel, Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, boasts a sleek identity that mirrors the contemporary vibe of its namesake locale. With luxurious amenities, including a rooftop pool with stunning city views, elegant rooms, and a vibrant nightlife scene, it embodies the upscale essence of the suburb.

In the pulsing heart of Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, Gansevoort is a flagship of luxury and style. Since opening its doors in 2004, this iconic hotel has witnessed and contributed to the transformation of its surrounding neighbourhood from an industrial hub to an energetic centre of fashion, design, and the arts. Aware of its recent renovation completed in 2020, our roaming reviewer, Arabella Peterson, was keen to experience Gansevoort Meatpacking firsthand as it further cements its status as a quintessential New York City experience.

Chic, Contemporary Rooms 

Gansevoort’s 186 newly renovated rooms blend comfort and sophistication, available in variations on Superior, Deluxe or Terrace. For those opting for a suite, you have 23 options, including the 500-square-foot Manhattan Suite, featuring a step-out Juliet balcony ideal for soaking in the Hudson River vistas. 

I stayed in a Grand Deluxe Room, an admittedly lavish option for a solo traveller that would suit a couple perfectly. Between the high ceilings, Egyptian cotton linens and the comfortable lounge nook, every aspect of comfort was well accounted for. The room was equipped with a Lululemon Studio Mirror for in-room workouts, which I wish I could say I took advantage of. Instead, my focus was on the other amenities, including an LCD flat-screen TV, the lush Grown Alchemist bathroom products and a well-stocked mini-bar.

I was impressed by the measured industrialism achieved through the recent renovation. Considering the building’s past, it would have been easy to overemphasize industrial features. Instead, the interior design and decor is a harmonious blend of contemporary elegance with city-inspired elements that preserve the area’s distinct urban fabric. Clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic are punctuated by nods to a factory-like style, making the space both cutting-edge and welcoming. With a picturesque tableau of the sun setting over the cobblestoned streets outside the bay windows, you can fall further in love with the downtown district from the comfort of your room.  

The Poliform Penthouse 

If it’s unbridled extravagance you’re after, the Poliform Penthouse is the pinnacle of luxury at the hotel. I was lucky enough to take a tour of the hotel that included the Penthouse, and its vibrancy and magnitude blew me away. At 1,700 square feet with 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows and works from esteemed artists Frank Stella, Adi Oren, Daniel Mazzone and Mick Rock adorning the walls, you’ll feel like you’re in a modern art gallery from the moment you enter. 

The spacious room is tied together with luxurious furniture and finishes, including a rare Saharan black marble coffee table and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace accentuated by towering bookcases. Dark wood finishes, slate floors and grey-washed walls form a perfect backdrop for the artwork’s vivid colours. With a fully stocked bar and concert-quality Sonance surround sound system, it’s a space made for entertaining.

Activities and Amenities

Gansevoort boasts an impressive array of amenities and features, including a 45-foot heated outdoor pool offering rare and spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and a vibrant year-round rooftop bar. If the weather permits, you can rent a daybed and bask in premium poolside service while enjoying 360-degree views of the city fifteen stories up. 

The bar showcases a sleek glass enclosure, a brass-framed cocktail bar, and Moroccan tiled floors with a custom Italian fresco adding a unique touch. The menu, rich with coastal European flavours, features light bites and inventive cocktails, and in the dining room, blush pink marble and velvet seating complement the flourishing green terrace. The rooftop is not to be missed during your stay; make your way up there for a leisurely lunch, an evening apéritif as the sun dips, or an after-dark jazz session. 

Dining Experience

The hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, Coffee and Cocktails, is open from morning to evening. Located adjacent to the lobby and spilling onto the outdoor patio, there’s a lively buzz in the air while still providing a relaxed atmosphere. The breakfast menu contains crowd-pleasing classics, including a healthy yoghurt parfait, classic omelette and indulgent American breakfast.  Offering simple, time-honoured staples rather than decadent ensembles, the kitchen commits to consistent quality and flavour. 

In the evening, speciality cocktails elevate the eatery to new heights, showcasing favourites like the Made In Manhattan (Bacardi Carta Blanca, Cointreau, Pineapple Juice, Olive Brine), Two To Tango (Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin, Grapefruit, Tangerine, Sparking Grapefruit) and Fugazy (Arbikie Strawberry Vodka, Amaro Santoni, Martini Bitter, Port). Whether you’re seated indoors for a cosy nightcap in the colder months or outdoors for a summer tipple, Coffee and Cocktails is a vibrant environment to start and end your day. 

Art and Culture

Creativity plays a pivotal role in defining the Gansevoort Meatpacking’s unique persona. The lobby greets guests with original works by Banksy and Richard Hambleton, setting the tone for an art-centric stay. Throughout the hotel, artwork by Stephanie Klein, Olivier Weppe, and other renowned figures add depth and context, connecting you to the Meatpacking District’s rich history and evolving narrative. 

Iconic Location

Located at the intersection of Ninth Ave and 13th Street, the hotel is poised to offer an authentic experience of downtown Manhattan. Originating as a Lenape trading post, the district burgeoned into an industrial centre for meatpacking in the 19th century, and this grit and dynamic spirit still permeate the neighbourhood. Metal awnings shade the wide sidewalk as an eclectic mix of architecture peppers the Belgian block streets.

Flanked by the West Village and Chelsea to the North, Gansevoort’s prime location encourages exploration and discovery, and its proximity to major subway lines allows for venturing further afield in Manhattan and beyond. A short walk leads to the entrance of the High Line, an elevated park built on a historic freight rail that offers a unique perspective of the West Side’s plethora of culture. 

A new addition to the array of local attractions is Little Island Park, a 2.4-acre artificial island featuring a series of undulating, tulip-like concrete supports that elevate it above the river. Lush green spaces, meandering pathways, and rolling hills provide a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. 

My number-one recommendation for local sightseeing is the Whitney Museum of American Art. A five-minute stroll from the hotel, The Whitney exhibits preserves and interprets contemporary and 20th-century American art. It focuses on living artists and actively collects, displays, and supports the work of innovative and influential American figures. The museum’s design integrates outdoor terraces that offer stunning city views, and looking out over the falling autumnal leaves was a highlight of the trip.

Final Thoughts

Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC is a metropolitan oasis with a fusion of sophistication and character that reflects the area’s transition into a thriving nexus of luxury and culture. Its recent renovation skillfully pays homage to the neighbourhood’s past, which is evident in its well-appointed rooms and artistic décor. The friendly but fashionable ambience feels like a microcosm of the trendy local area, and my stay was nothing short of comfortable and indulgent. Overall, the hotel is a stylish, functional space that balances refinement with an edgy, industrial personality. 

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