Amsterdam-based hoteliers citizenM target modern mobile travelers with their first US property
Dutch hotel citizenM has opened its first property in the US, adding to its four extremely well-received modern hotels in the Netherlands and the UK. Already building a reputation for revolutionizing the modern hotel experience, citizenM targets the modern mobile traveler, mixing modern art with an offbeat style and ultra convenient tech and TV options that make staying all part of the fun of visiting a new city.
The heart of Manhattan is the location for citizenM’s debut in the US, where it hopes its mid-range pricing for a stylish luxury hotel will see it fill 230 rooms. Guests are able to check themselves in via touch-screen screens and digital keycard-emitting devices, and then enter their room and customize it as they please via MoodPads – touchscreen devices that enable the entire color of the room to be instantly changed.
The beds in the guestrooms fit wall to wall, giving the feeling of a kids playroom. The otherwise simple design is homely, but it’s the clever touches added to the Samsung MoodPad that make life easy. A stack of the latest films are a swipe away, as are music options, window blind controls, room temperature, alarms and digital artwork.
The hotel lobby is designed like a large living, with a 26-foot ceiling and bookshelves lining the wall – mostly holding books showcasing the designer’s love of art. Not surprise then that art itself is prominent, pieces by Daido Moriyama, Andy Warhol and David LaChapelle decorate the space.
Two works were commissioned especially for the hotel. The lobby’s 26-foot installation was created by English sculptor and artist Julian Opie, best known for working with the likes of U2 and Blur, while an exterior piece that wraps around the façade was created by Smithtown, New York’s own Jen Liu.
The 21-storey hotel was designed by Montroy Andersen DeMarco Architects and includes a green courtyard on the ground floor, and a mezzanine with two terraces. The rooftop boasts an indoor space with a fireplace, and an outdoor terrace, supplemented with its own bar serving cocktails by Critical Mass. The gym too has its own yoga terrace.
The hotel’s interior design was developed by Dutch specialists Concrete, and features inside include Apple iMac stations in a communal workspace, a MENDO bookstore, and canteenM, which offers 24 hour food from an open kitchen, as well as cocktails and a coffee bar.
citizenM was established by Rattan Chadha, formerly of the Mexx International fashion company, and its creative team have already made their mark at properties in Glasgow, London, Amstersdam and Rotterdam. Room prices for the all new citizenM New York start at $199.
citizenM new york: 218 West 50th Street, New York, NY, 10019, tel. 212-461-3638.
