I’ve been intrigued about the rumours of The Standard Hotel New York from its cool design to the controversial dramas of sex-crazed free peep shows revealed through the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The rumours spread like wildfire across the world which suggested the hotel to be too sexy even for NYC. There is a reminder for guests to show consideration but not sure if this encourage rather than prevent any inappropriate activity. Needless to say, this is a meat market adding another meaning to The Meatpacking District. Besides, the view outside is too gorgeous to cover up and this is definitely a hotspot in town to let your hair down for a wild time with cool bars, restaurants and entertainment around. There is also close proximity to Greenwich Village and Soho. Final night in NYC and couldn’t have picked a better place to stay. It is anything but standard.

In Los Angeles, I actually enjoyed a lunch at The Standard Hollywood, the first of André Balazs’ expanding Standard Hotels; Downtown LA, Miami and New York. It definitely raised the standard of a hotel by being irreverent, sexy and pioneering in design. The Standard Hollywood located on Sunset Boulevard is the vanguard for the modern boutique hotel and we are not surprised that the lowrise property used to be a retirement village – in with the new, out with the old? Being the flagship hotel with no revamp to date, it is however a bit worn around the ages and I would suggest an update of the interior style. Having said that, the hotel hasn’t lost its charm yet by attracting guests in big numbers. 24/7 Restaurant is as their name suggest opened 24 hours every day of the week. The restaurant looks like a coffee shop with cosy booths and comfort food served but as part of The Standard, you may of course expect something more out of the ordinary.

The Standard New York repeats the formula from its Californian sister hotels on the west coast but feels more luxurious and fresher in design. Whilst the spacious lobby in Hollywood had more of a cool-factor with its tank behind the reception, the rooms felt more luxurious and comfortable in the NYC hotel which is far more important. I love the quality details of the room and to be honest, I usually never use hotel bathtubs but the massive shiny tub was very inviting after weeks of travelling – a hot foamy bath with The Hudson River and New Jersey skyline in the backdrop – need I say more. Standing over The Highline the mammoth concrete building creates an addition to the NY skyline as a new urban icon of the Meatpacking District, the 20-story tall building includes 337 rooms, a restaurant (The Standard Grill) and a bar (The Living Room). Interiors designed by NY-based architects Roman and Williams.

Photos from The Standard NYC & Hollywood

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Yen Huynh, Creator of mecho | the style black book

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