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The Empire State of Mind ~ Photo by Traci Claussen

In like a lion? The new sustainable decade is blasting in with extreme weather all over the globe.  When temperatures in New Orleans begin to rival New York, this eco-traveler looks for a global warming connection, and checks into Manhattan’s latest Luxe hotel–The Strand, 33 W. 37th Street (between 5th and 6th avenues). Touted as the city’s newest, fashionably green star, when this midtown hotel opened its doors in early December 2009,  guests began to jockey for position in its year-round rooftop lounge.

Whether you have business or pleasure in Manhattan, this eco-traveler recommends a couple nights at The Strand, a member of the Green Hotel Association. The fashionable tower features 20 intimate floors (just 6 rooms per floor) housing 177 deluxe guest rooms and junior suites. The hotel is the newest addition to the Atlantic Stars Hotels & Cruises portfolio which operates boutique hotel and cruising experiences in New York City, Newport, RI, Martha’s Vineyard, South Beach and the Caribbean.

The Strand’s lobby sets the tone:  staircase of stone and glass and a two-story waterfall engage the ear and help guests leave the city’s cacophony at the door. Fashion photographs from Conde Nast archives remind guests that while they’re at The Strand they, too, can be fashionistas.

Deluxe Double at The Strand

While checking out the new rooftop lounge, Top of the Strand, we ran into the hotel owner’s daughter, Georgia, with her friends drinking in the city skyline. Georgia pointed out the hotel’s best feature–a retractable glass ceiling and walls – one of only two hotels in Manhattan that offer this design element – allowing guests to enjoy four seasons’ worth of Empire State Building views and a private lounge ambiance. The lounge was designed by Lydia Marks, known most recently for creating the set designs for Sex and the City, the movie. The Top of the Strand is open to both guests and the general public and features a full-service bar.

Rooms at The Strand are modern and fresh, but guests should be forewarned that not all bring the Manhattan skyline inside via  floor to ceiling windows that their website suggests. Be sure to request a room with a view.  Designed by Lisa Knight, guestrooms highlight elegant décor featuring dark mahogany furnishings mixed with colorful fabrics. Bathrooms are outfitted with European tiles and granite counter tops with custom wood cabinetry. However, considering its Garment District location, a full length mirror is sadly missing throughout the hotel.

Future guests will enjoy personalized services and in-room amenities that include room service, fully-stocked mini bars, slippers and bathrobes, bamboo cotton linens, HDLCD TVs, iPod docking stations and complimentary all-over WiFi. Morning begins with a compli­mentary newspaper delivered to your door followed by a European buffet breakfast.

Additional guest amenities at The Strand include a cardio fitness room with an area dedicated to massage and spa treatments, a state-of-the-art meeting and conference floor with capacity for groups up to 250, a business center and a reading lounge with fully-stocked library. The Strand’s Lifestyle Consultant will be on hand to assist guests in securing reservations at coveted dining spots, theater and sports tickets, private tour guides and anything from A to Z in between.

Arriving by fall 2010, The Strand will launch a restaurant with a signature alabaster bar and lounge with fireplace. In addition to delicious fare, guests will enjoy year-round greenhouse dining featuring a second retractable glass structure and sidewalk cafe seating. The lounge will be playfully decorated with a variety of captivating objects.

The hotel intends to demonstrate best practices of green and eco-friendly hospitality including the use of natural bath amenities and extensive in-house recycling programs. Their current continental breakfast begged to differ with its plastic plates and utensils, and Kellogg’s cereal packs. Since many Manhattan hotels don’t offer free breakfast, The Strand may want to rethink offering it until their restaurant is open.

Getting there:

Delta Airlines has nonstop flights from MSY to LGA for about $250 RT. However, know that Terminal D at New Orleans International Airport has started its two-year upgrade construction, and has moved flights operated by Northwest over to Terminal C.  JetBlue and Continental Airlines are also affected by this construction.

Grab a taxi for about $33 to The Strand, or book a car and pay triple.

The Strand is near the A, E, and C lines at 34th Street with easy access to the West Village.

For additional information and reservations please call (212) 448-1024 or visit www.thestrandnyc.com.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 9th, 2010 at 10:00 am and is filed under Eco Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.