PUREWOW – MY FAVORITE HOTEL IN NYC IS THE ONE WITH THE HEATED BATHROOM FLOORS: THE WALL STREET HOTEL REVIEW
July 21, 2023
Anyone who’s ever lived in or visited New York City knows that space comes at a premium. Luxury space? Even more so. That’s why The Wall Street Hotel, located in the heart of FiDi and brand-new as of last summer (psst: it was just named “No. 1 Hotel in New York City” in Travel & Leisure’s 2023 World’s Best Awards) was such a rare slice of heaven in the otherwise crowded city.
The bright yellow flag and hand-drawn font will greet you on Wall Street, a sightseeing destination in and of itself as the original location of the 18th-century stock exchange, as you enter The Wall Street Hotel. Located in bustling FiDi, the hotel is perfectly situated to take in some of the city’s most iconic sights. Hop on a ferry to the Statue of Liberty from nearby Battery Park, explore the updated South Street Seaport (and views of the Brooklyn Bridge) for dining and shopping, or take in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. The sightseeing doesn’t stop when you return to your hotel though, as we thought the Grecian fresco-inspired wallpaper, velvet banquettes, and hand-drawn fonts by award-winning design firm Rose Ink Workshop were the most gorgeous hotel interiors we’d ever seen.
While the lobby is beautifully appointed (velvet couch, marble floors), it is quite small, but there are plenty of communal spaces to work on a laptop or read a book. There’s the Lounge on Pearl, an all-day bar with velvet scallop-edged bar stools, New York City skyline wallpaper, colorful upholstery and a cozy fireplace. There’s also the onsite modern French brasserie La Marchande opened by Michelin-starred chef-restaurateur John Fraser.
If you’re sober curious or in the midst of dry January, the fully stocked in-room bar cart might be a bit overkill, but to us felt very quintessential New York. (The oyster shell bottle opener is actually part of their Billion Oyster Project partnership to restore NYC’s oyster reefs.) There was also a seating area, comfy Queen bed and plenty of storage space. And since the hotel just opened its doors for the first time in June 2022, everything has a very fresh, not-yet-lived-in feel to it (again, a rare find in the city). But it was the large bathroom with heated floors, massive marble walk-in shower with waterfall head and fluffy robe and slippers that made returning from a long day of 20,000 steps around the city feel like a being in a true sanctuary.
I ventured to onsite restaurant La Marchande for breakfast with a friend, and was met with an expected sight: suited professionals from FiDi sharing a morning meeting over coffee and green juice. I suspect the lunch and dinner crowds are probably the same, so you may need to make a reservation ahead of time on Resy.
While I can’t speak to lunch or dinner meals (though a cursory search of the ‘Gram points to their brioche pull apart bread topped with scallion crème fraîche being a huge hit), I highly recommend the brunch. My friend and I shared the liege waffle with Chantilly cream, orange-thyme marmalade and a carafe of warm chocolate sauce to pour over instead of syrup (don’t worry, you’ll most definitely walk it off trekking around the city later) that was melt-in-your-mouth good.
My trip was too short to order the cookie plate or mushroom spring rolls at the exquisitely decorated Lounge on Pearl, but next time I stay here, I hope to sip the “Not So Dirty Martini” and people watch through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Heated bathroom floors and warm chocolate sauce aside, The Wall Street Hotel includes a 24-hour gym with Peloton bikes and The Mirror fitness screen, among other equipment. Or you can elevate your heart rate outside by taking in the city sights on the complimentary bikes with baskets in the hotel’s signature yellow. There’s also amenities for your four-legged friend: a fluffy doggy bed, toys and bowls can be requested ahead of time for your room.