Each year I visit New York City for the New York Times Travel Show and stay at a different hotel each time on my quest to try new properties in the city. After my stay at The Muse, a Kimpton hotel, where I was given a rooftop room with patio, I was so impressed, I tried 70 Park where I had the smallest yet stylish room to date. Kimpton has four properties throughout the city so this year, I found a great deal at The Eventi Hotel. While many Kimpton properties are in converted historic buildings, this was a new build condo building with the hotel on the first twenty three floors (sleeping rooms on floors 6-23). The 4 star hotel is on the edge of Chelsea.
The Eventi Hotel Location
A ten minute walk (depending on construction and how heavy your bags are) from NY Penn Station, the hotel entrance is at 851 Avenue of the Americas (between 29th & 30th Streets on 6th aka Avenue of the Americas). I walked past two of my favorite restaurants in the area – Pennsylvania 6 and Friedman’s Lunch next door on the way to the hotel. Don’t walk too fast though as you might walk by the front door as it blends so nicely with the restaurant décor. But once you enter, you are transported to a swanky Kimpton with the dark woods, cool leather seating areas, hip music and what appears to be even cooler people. Don’t fret though everyone seemed to be cool – young and old. I felt at home in the boutique property lobby.
The lobby restaurant/bar serves La Columbe coffee, which started in Philadelphia. In the area, there is a Starbucks, bodega shop across the street, Pret Manger a block away and Trader Joes’ ten minutes down the road. You won’t go hungry or thirsty as the area has a plethora of options if the hotel options aren’t tempting enough.
Arrival at Eventi Hotel
I was greeted inside by the bellman and directed to the left front desk which was staffed with two employees. Welcomed with a smile, Buddy greeted me and sought to get my check in done quickly. When I mentioned the winter “secret phrase” of “Baby, its Cold Outside” which it was actually for January, he laughed and said he’d be right back. In the past my secret phrase has nabbed me a bottle of wine, a drink at the bar, free breakfast and a host of other fun freebies at other properties in the U.S. When he returned with two snowflake cookies from Eleni’s (a company I know from NYC) he said “Normally you should get one but I brought you two”, I was a bit disappointed that this was the perk at the fancy Kimpton. Not that 70 Park or The Muse isn’t fancy but this is definitely a more modern, newer built hotel and I guess I expected more? It didn’t help that I was on a cookie detox of almost a month so I knew my willpower would give out over the stay.
The Eventi Hotel Lobby
The lobby has a complimentary drinks area which has coffee/tea in the morning and water/juice during the day. There is a large leather couch area that was consistently in use in front of the lobby restaurant, The Vine. People were meeting, talking, and working all day and night. Having people in the lobby gives the hotel a definite lived in feeling of community.
The elevators required key cards for sleeping floors which was nice security feature. Common floors didn’t need a key card. Kimpton Karma members get free Wi-Fi which was easy to connect to and fast during my stay.
My Eventi Deluxe King Room
As I exited the elevator and made a quick right and then a left, the hallway décor was quickly appealing as was the “do not disturb” lighting on the room numbers.
My room was at the end of the hall and would be a King Deluxe corner room which was about 300 sq. ft. When I entered the room, all memories of Room 409 at 70 Park were quickly erased as I could already feel how big and airy this room would be.
The wardrobe had the requisite Kimpton robes in animal prints. It also had the Kimpton in room yoga mat, umbrella, iron/ironing table and in room safe.
There was a stopping point table across from the bathroom that I was able to drop my stuff before reaching the desk in the bedroom. This area had the minibar snacks and my Fred water as well as drawers for storage. Kimpton Karma members get a $15 minibar credit in NYC ($10 in other cities) so I like to see what my options are knowing that I’m just going to spend it on Fred water.
The television/desk area was large with a comfortable chair in the corner of the room before I turned around to see the large King Bed.
But it was the floor to ceiling windows that called to me. Remember I get the worst views (or no view at all) and I could see through the sheers that my crappy view streak was coming to an end. I drew back the curtains and sheers to see the Empire State Building which was really cool. I already liked the new, crisp, modern hotel design and layout and here I had a view too!
The bed has many outlets and switches to make it easy to stay in bed longer – the bed and linens made for a comfortable sleep and I was able to set the in room heat at a comfortable level to account for the glass windows.
The Deluxe King Bathroom
The bathroom had Atelier Bloem toiletries which I like but am amazed at the combination of smells that seem to complement each other when used. The marble bathroom was neatly arranged with towels, toiletries and an easy to find hairdryer on the shelf under the sink. The walk in shower had great water pressure.
The Eventi Hotel Restaurants
There are three restaurants on site – the Italian restaurant, L’Amico, has an entrance from the lobby as does the main, all day restaurant, The Vine. The Portuguese restaurant, Lupolo, is in the same building but you need to exit the main door go to the right and then enter separately.
I didn’t make a reservation at L’Amico and arrived to find a wait of over an hour on a Thursday night so I ended up in The Vine bar area at a high top table. The service was quite attentive as I couldn’t get to the bottom of my water glass throughout the meal. They gave me a water bottle but kept filling my glass from it. The cookies gave me license to cheat on this trip so I ordered a burger. During my meal I had a group of twelve 20 somethings across from me meeting for the first time at the communal table and a loud guy behind me talking non-stop to his date (I wanted to send her a drink to say “sorry”) because he was a nightmare from what I heard him boast about the whole time. She said maybe five words. I was happily indulging my stomach and enjoying the eavesdropping and people watching at the restaurant.
The next day, Friday, I revisited The Vine for an early breakfast and while the buffet was tempting (yikes $26!), I opted for an ala carte two eggs with potatoes and bacon for $20 (the toast was burnt which I told the server about but didn’t eat – having been a waitress in my former life I wouldn’t have served burnt toast). I mentioned the fruit on the bar and the waiter kindly brought me a bowl of berries to add a bit of healthy to my breakfast (no additional charge).
Eventi Hotel NYC Wine Social
The fun feature of staying at a Kimpton is the wine social each night starting at 5 p.m. When I visited the social, it had to be moved because an event was in the normal area (I saw signs for O Magazine and was convinced I’d see Oprah or Gail). The other event space floor had only two areas to sit which was awkward. I asked to join a woman in an open chair, she said yes and stayed on her phone the whole time – so much for being social and meeting other guests. It was odd to see folks arrive, get wine and look around to sit only to lean against a wall. I did share the small seats with a couple from England hoping to spark a conversation but they took the small stools and moved elsewhere. Eventually the cell phone lady left and a guest approached to ask about the chair, I told him he could have it and he took the chair away to his group. I sat alone with my wine which is very un-Kimpton like at the wine socials I’ve attended in the past.
Eventi Hotel – Other Amenities
I regret not being able to use the Elemis Spa at Eventi due to my meeting schedule and was tempted to try the in-room Blo Blow Dry Bar which would have given me fancy hair (too fancy for a day of trade show meetings). In warmer weather the plaza area is used for outdoor dining and events as is the roof veranda. The gym is over 1,000 sq. ft. with various classes and equipment, again too much for my quick and busy stay.
The Eventi Hotel – Overall Impression
With the new building, modern design with large rooms and a luxury boutique feel, this is now one of my favorite NYC hotels. I stayed in January for two nights (Thursday & Friday) during a deeply discounted time period of $159 per night + tax (total $371.94). With a great view, friendly staff and cool vibe, I think you’ll enjoy it too.
