Be seduced by the old-school New York elegant mood at The Beekman. From the historic architecture to the beautiful guest rooms, everything about this hotel oozed charm and class. We were delighted to spend time at the Beekman recently and fell for the stunning Bar Room at The Temple Court. It’s very evident why this is the place to be in New York.
Location
The Downtown area of New York has enjoyed a revival recently. It is now not just seen as an area for business but is a trendy alternative to the throngs of tourists that flock to some of the more traditional New York locations. The Beekman lies in the heart of the Financial District in Lower Manhattan, New York, just a 3-minute walk from the nearest subway station (Fulton Street).
You’re also well situated for some of the top sights; Brooklyn Bridge is barely a 4-minute stroll in one direction, and the new One World Trade Centre and the 9/11 Museum are a 10-minute walk in the other direction. The very trendy Seaport district is also a 10-minute walk away. We loved the selection of excellent bars and restaurants here, the cobbled streets, and the views across the Bridge to Brooklyn.
Newark International Airport is 14.9 miles away from The Beekman, while JFK Airport is 19.3 miles from the hotel. You can, of course, take various trains and buses from all the New York airports, but I’d really recommend a taxi or private car, arrive in style and soak up your first views of the city – whether by day or night, it’s always stunning.
Style & Character
With a history dating back to 1761, the building containing The Beekman was one of the New York skyline’s first skyscrapers. The historic landmark has been lovingly restored to an exceptionally high standard, both inside and out. Award-winning designer Martin Brudnizki was responsible for the multi-million dollar top to toe renovation of the hotel, making it no real surprise that the sheer style and elegance perfectly match the grandeur of this iconic building.
We were warmly greeted by the wonderful doorman and arrived into a very large lobby area with lots of inviting seating and a rather wow reception desk. The pièce de resistance, though, has to be the stunning 9-level skylight-topped atrium. The atrium tops the Temple Court bar area below, and the stairs and lifts are just off the atrium, meaning every time you arrive and depart the hotel, you can pause a moment to look both up at the stunning atrium and the sky above and down to the gorgeous bar below! We loved the unusual and rather glorious heart of this hotel.
Rooms
The historic vibe continues in the 287 guest rooms and suites but think classy and eclectic with not a hint of old-fashioned. Vintage furnishings, dark oak floors, ultra-high ceilings, plush fabrics with eye-catching artwork on the walls. We loved the art deco light fittings and mirrors. The flooring creates a really dramatic mood.
The usual in-room amenities are included, of course; all the rooms have minibars and marble bathrooms with rainfall showers. There’s nothing vintage about the tech, thankfully! As well as the super easy to connect complimentary and speedy Wi-Fi, there are Smart TVs, lots of power sockets (including one right underneath the floor-length mirror, a total dream for hair styling!), and USD charging points by the beds.
All the rooms are much more spacious than you’d expect for such a central city location, but to really spread out, upgrade to a suite for an extra living area. There are even dining areas and fireplaces in the top suites and my personal favorite, a powder room – you’d really feel like New York high society of days gone by with your own powder room! And if budget permits, you must check out the Penthouses, which are contained in the hotel’s two castle-like turrets.
Service & Facilities
The fitness facilities here are extensive, with 24-hour access to a large bi-level fitness center that features Peloton Bikes. And in keeping with the style credentials of the rest of the hotel, you transcend an interior spiral staircase within the gymnasium to reach the upper level!
There is a standalone concierge desk and room service, and they are pet friendly. The hotel also has a House Car service; simply speak to the doormen, and they’ll call the driver (the car is a spacious Lincoln Navigator, so you’ll all fit nicely) and let you know if he’s available. It’s technically first come, first served, but when we said we’d need a lift out to dinner at 7:00 pm, the very helpful doorman kindly said he’d try and keep the driver free for us around this time and proceeded to do exactly that! A great service.
This was representative of the service that we received. Despite our obvious jet lag, the reception team was a delight and welcomed us nicely. They explained everything carefully and said just to come back if our foggy brains needed anything clarifying! They were also lovely with our children and gifted them both a New York coloring book, giving them a great introduction to the city.
Food & Drink
The two restaurants both have excellent reputations, with celebrity chefs abound here! However, it may just be the bar area that stole the show for me style-wise. The ultra-chic Bar Room at Temple Court is exquisite, from that insane 9-level atrium skylight to the sea of emerald green, rich velvet sofas, antique brass, and enough books to fill a small library! It’s definitely vintage New York gorgeous head of toe, and that’s before you sample one of their delicious cocktails.
But the restaurants are very much to be revered too. Renowned chefs Tom Colicchio and Daniel Boulud take the helm at French eatery Le Gratin and Temple Court, respectively. Le Gratin offers a relaxed dining experience influenced by the bistros of Lyon in France. Warm and welcoming, the cuisine is French with an American flair. A more classic New York treat awaits at Temple Court with a menu of both old-style favorites and new creations. The dry-aged prime New York is legendary and has put the restaurant firmly on the list of New York must-visits for visitors and locals alike.
Conclusion
We were absolutely seduced by The Beekman’s vintage New York glamour, the location was perfect for exploring downtown, and the warm service and impressive drinking and dining establishments should put this hotel firmly on your New York must-stay list.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
