Meanwhile, I thought I'd post pics of the rest of the hotel, that includes 23 private residences, hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, gym, spa... The hotel has played home to notables such as Humphrey Bogart and the Joseph P. Kennedy family (pre-Ambassador to England days), and Babe Ruth hung out at the bar. In the 1950's Herbert Weissberg turned the hotel into a Bohemian inspired establishment known for its low prices and privacy. Notable guests included Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, the first cast of Saturday Night Live and Madonna. In 2003, following Weissberg's death, the hotel was sold to Ian Shrager, whom National Geographic Travel referred to as the "Iventor of the boutique hotel". The hotel was designed by artist Julian Schnabel and still reflects its bohemian past. Here's a link to a New York Times article on Julian Schablel "The Reluctant Decorator".
Michael Weschler for The New York Times
Michael Weschler for The New York Times
Michael Weschler for The New York Times
Mr. Schnabel designed the public spaces in the hotel, the in-house design team tackled the rooms (according to the Times story, he had trouble translating his big vision to the intimacy required for the private rooms). Clearly, the private rooms are designed in the manner of the public rooms - using the same saturated color palettes and bold furnishings. But they certainly all look very comfortable and significantly more "real". A perfect combination, I think!
Blogger's convention anyone?
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