It's a Standard

Standard of Excellence? A Higher Standard? Read on and then go see for yourself.

One of my favorite city adventures is getting lost in hotels which provide fertile ground for my imagination.
Visiting a nice hotel can be almost as good as actually traveling considering that we New Yorkers are always short on time. So please forget your worries and join me at the Standard.

The hotel partially opened a month ago and will be fully open by end of summer or so, meaning that it is not yet over crowded and the rates are at bargain levels.

Standard towers over High Line in the heart of Meatpacking district clearly reaching for the stars. The building has a powerful presence and sweeping views.

Walk through the bright yellow front doors and find yourself in a quiet dim lobby surrounded by design from beginning of last century. Check your stresses at the door because from the first step the care of staff will be felt in most easy going way. Proceed towards the elevators never forgetting to look up and around often to be surprised by little touches as if designers wanted you to look for them. Never overpowering the design here flows like time.

Take an elevator to the 3rd floor and step out on the terrace to see the beauty of High Line coming together as work progresses. Marvel at fact that this preservation project was saved from destruction by 2 New Yorkers who found their voice. Remember that next time someone tells you: "It can't be done"!

Proceed inside...

3rd floor is all about Living Room lounge. Filled with light permeating from 2 huge windows on both sides of the room, Living Room is all about 1950s. Red lacquered tables and chairs, wood panel walls, beautiful plants and open space. It is the 50s vision of what an airport lounge of 21st century would look like. Relaxing and breezy the room was drenched in sunlight as staff were efficiently moving between customers and the DJ soothed with jazzy music of the world. And the world slowly turned up at the Living Room turning people-watching into a sport. Everyone mingled and cards were exchanged, lounge fully living up to it's name.

Things to consider: Thursday, Friday and Saturday there is a DJ and the place will get somewhat packed by 8 pm, so if you want to get a group of people together try getting there earlier to get a table as there are no reservations.

I am giving this place 5 stars based on design, comfort and service.