Hotel reviews: On Rivington

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Opened back in 2005, the Paul Stallings, the owner, managed to seduce some of the hottest names in design to come together and create the Rivington. India Mahdavi, the Paris-based architect and designer, is responsible for the rooms themselves, Marcel Wanders, the influential Dutch designer created the entrance (see below) and restaurant 'LEVANTeast@Thor' while first floor lobby boasts the signature of Piero Lissoni, the in vogue Italian master designer and architect who also collaborated on the renovation of The Mark.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The exterior of the Rivington is not only out of the ordinary in the LES but it would no doubt turn heads in any other district of Manhattan. The 21 storey tinted glass tower has a zinc shingle effect to it, marking it out from the other countless glass structures around the city. And the originality continues inside as the guest passes under a cloud-shaped cave structure along a spot lit red carpet leading towards the staircase rising to the reception area and main lobby. This latter, which is a type of common area for hotel guests, has an unfinished hardwood floor and pool table with black, rather than green cloth. In one corner is a right-angled light grey sofa which makes two sides of a seating area enclosing six tables and pouffes. On the shelves in the wall separating this lounge from the reception area are books on architecture and design, arranged in an organised mess. The floor to ceiling windows which lean towards Rivington Street don't reveal the best views but certainly bring in much needed natural light. The hotel does have its own modest fitness centre consisting of four cardio machines and a universal weights machine, passes for the close by Ludlow Fitness Centre are available at $10 each and include classes. The hotel is in the main looking good for its age, although some signs of deterioration are evident. The corridors, which are a little dark, feature red floral stencils on the chocolate walls and ascents or descents in the lifts, plushly fitted out in burgundy leather padding, pass quickly to the sound of chill out music. While the doormen, sporting Ted Baker coats and pullover as well as Uniqlo items and DC Shoe Company sneakers are pleasant enough, those at the front office need to be brought down a rung. Their terrible attitude and cockiness is a real put off and is an unnecessarily poor start to the experience of staying at the Rivington.

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The rooms at the Rivington are some of the coolest we saw. All rooms share the same amenities and as you go up the categories both the floor number and size increase while extra features are added. The standard rooms, which, although located on floors three to seven, still have decent city views, are sparsely appointed, but done so with elegant simplicity. A king bed draped in pure white linen sits on the light grey side of a carpet whose other half is black. Over on the dark side are a sofa and coffee table with voguish magazines as well as a desk and a fun fluffy pouffe. Lighting comes from discreet spots on the ceiling as well as through the floor to ceiling windows, some of which are frosted different shades. The room's amenities include a (rather small) flatscreen television, iPod docking station, cordless phone, a well stocked minibar and snacks as well was bathrobes and umbrellas in the closet. The bathroom has either a regular or steam shower with large glass doors and a fold-down wooden seat. It is tiled in black and features REN toiletries. The lines are precise and clean, including those of the moulded sink and the randomly placed circular mirrors. Those standard rooms which don't have a steam shower will have a balcony instead. The same room, but with a better view and both bath and shower, can be found on floors nine to 16 while on floors seven to 16 there are standard rooms with two double beds. You then have similar rooms with a deep, stand alone soaking tub and those with a corner position for a wider perspective on the city (which have either soaking tub or balcony). The 'Unique' rooms are not only larger but have one of three special features: a deep soaking tub, a steam shower or a balcony. They all have stunning views over New York with the Empire State Building and Midtown in full view. The bathrooms have stone tiling and are on the corner of the building, giving a 'conceal and reveal' element, meaning that some of the glass making up the walls is frosted. All of the suites are on the corner of the building and boast even bigger rooms and bathrooms as well as two televisions. The owner's suite boasts a huge open plan living space with a red collection of seating around a pillar and dining space. It has a separate room with four bunk beds which also has its own bathroom. The private terrace offers sweeping views of Manhattan. The penthouse, which represents the best Rivington can offer, is a three storey apartment with two bedrooms, one of which has a fireplace alcove and walk-in wardrobe. Its rooftop area, which is landscaped, has an eight-person jacuzzi and outdoor shower-the ultimate New York apartment experience.

• Location
• TO KNOW
• Overview
• Accommodation
• Food and drink
• Beach
• Photos

The hotel's restaurant, LEVANTeast @ THOR, designed by Marcel Wanders and presided over chef Diego Bondi, is found on the ground floor of the hotel. It serves dinner Thursday to Sunday between 6pm and midnight and brunch seven days a week. The dinner menu is not overly adventurous and features dishes such as East coast oysters, pizzas, pastas, steaks and sandwiches. Brunch consists of delights including bagels, pancakes, eggs, burgers and salads. Cocktails are available at both sittings. The décor plays on tones of black, brown and grey with, at the back, a 21ft glass ceiling through which you can see the surrounding tenement buildings. Black chandeliers swoop down from the ceiling, nodding towards a gothic style while the curtains, which are beautifully draped between the restaurant's walls, add a touch of glamour. The bar is just outside the eating area and as well as the seating along the bar itself has a square of communal couches just next to the hotel entrance. The stylised portraits of musicians on the walls of the bar and lounge were done by Alexandra Richards, daughter of Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.