Located in Downtown Manhattan, the W New York Downtown is walking distance from top NYC attractions like the New York Stock Exchange, Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty cruises, the World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge and Federal Hall National Memorial. That being said, the many amenities and experiences of the W hotel itself mean you’ll also want to spend plenty of time on site.
The chic exterior of the W Downtown lies in the heart of the financial district.
On the ground floor of the 58-floor property, even before check-in, you’ll find BLT Bar & Grill. The venue features two floors — an upstairs main dining room and a downstairs bar area with tables — and focuses on New American shared plates and entrees paired with craft drinks. Picture a modern tavern feel showcasing wood accents, dangling bare bulbs, and black walls with chalk-like murals and wise words, sometimes with a comical twist (did you know, “No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut?” or at least according to Channing Pollock).
A juicy steak sandwich to satisfy all cravings. Photo courtesy of W Downtown Facebook.
BLT Bar and Grill on the ground floor of the W Downtown.
If you’re a night owl, they serve craft cocktails until 1 a.m. daily. My recommendation: “The Duke” is boozy with a citrus twist, blending Woodford Reserve, Drambui, lemon, lime and orange, and goes perfectly with an avocado-topped Scottish Salmon Burger or a Dry Aged NY Strip Steak gowned in Cognac-Green Peppercorn Sauce.
These elevators will hightail it from the ground floor to cocktails in 10 seconds.
Once you’re satiated, head up to the 5th floor for check-in. This is where the sleek and stylish nature of the property truly becomes apparent. To the left is the front desk and to the right, you’ll find a giant Lamella curtain draped from the ceiling in a wavy formation with LED lighting within, lights bouncing off polished black floors for an energetic ripple effect.
The W’s take on a hotel lobby bar – open yet sophisticated.
Underneath this gorgeous feat of design creativity is where you’ll find a comfortable Living Room with plush couches and pillows as well as the Living Room Bar & Terrace Financial District, featuring light bites (Tabasco laced deviled eggs, anyone?) and drinks, best savored on the outdoor wrap-around terrace. The lounge is one of the many places in the hotel from where you can take in unobstructed views of One World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Hudson River and Battery Park, whether from the al fresco balcony or inside through floor-to-ceiling windows. A daily happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m. means $5 beers, $8 wines, $9 well drinks and $10 specialty cocktails for quality drinks on a budget.
Enjoy a drink, with a view at the W Downtown Terrace.
The complimentary 24-hour FIT Gym also offers the same unparalleled views, making running on the treadmill or cycling the stationary bike much more enjoyable. Pair this with music using their free headphones. If you’re a healthy traveler, the property partners with NYC model-turned-yoga instructor Tara Stiles to infuse yoga into the stay experience. Along with an on-demand workout video on the in-room TVs, guests are given instructional exercise cards with themed yoga poses to fit your needs, like beating jet lag or recuperating from a wild night.
Breathtaking views of One World Trade Center from the Living Room Bar & Terrace.
The W New York – Downtown’s FIT Tara Stiles program is just one of many they offer. Another is their Whatever Whenever promise, a next-level concierge service that promises to essentially fulfill any guest request at any time. If you’re traveling with pets, their Pets Are Welcome (PAW) initiative puts an enormous array of amenities at the feet of your furry friends, such as toys, treats, food and water bowls with mats, dog sitting and walking services, pet first aid kits and more (this service is $25 plus a $100 cleaning fee).
As W Hotels are part of the Starwood brand, you’ll also enjoy SPG Keyless. This tech-centric offering allows you to download the Starwood app for mobile check-in and keyless room entry which uses your smartphone to unlock your door.
The ‘Spectacular room’ features stunning views of One World Trade Center and financial district.
The sleek and modern EWOW Suite Bathroom.
Speaking of doors, we can’t forget about the rooms. At the W New York – Downtown there are 217 guest rooms across five categories, as well as 223 W-branded residences. In all guest rooms and suites, travelers can expect feather-topped mattresses, 350-thread count Egyptian cotton linens (although W Hotels Worldwide has recently partnered with will.i.am and EKOCYCLE to create sustainable sheets made from recycled Coke bottles, rolling out this year), goose down comforters and pillows, flat screen televisions and sumptuous Bliss bath products. When you’re ready to raid the minibar, you’ll find snacks like Popchips, Popcorn Indiana All Natural Kettlecorn, Oreos, M&Ms, EBOOST Energy Shots, Jimmy Jane candy and an array of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, including a bottle of wine conveniently with opener and glasses ready for pouring.
D’usse Chateau de Cognac Gelato. Photo courtesy of W Downtown Facebook.
To help promote local business, the W New York – Downtown shares with guests some of their favorite neighborhood hotspots via their W Insiders. Don’t miss Le Maison Du Chocolat, Ulysses’ Folk House and Hudson Eats, home to 14 chef-driven eateries and photo-worthy Hudson River views.