Standard Hotel -- New York -- It's all about location!

Although there is one more road trip stop to be posted (Hotel Monaco - San Francisco), I wanted to post a review of my stay at the Standard Hotel (New York) this past weekend.  The Standard puts a lot of time and money into creating an "aura of cool" -- a newsletter, multiple websites and an active twitter account -- that is obvious the minute one pulls up to the hotel.  There is a huge KAWS sculpture of a mouse with its head in its hands sitting out front and a busy outdoor area complete with ice cream vendor.  Once inside the small lobby, you walk to one of three podiums to check in with employees who try just too hard to look too cool.  But, if you can get past your instinct that the hotel is operated by that crowd you hated in high school, you realize that the Standard is a great hotel with an amazing location.

The rooms are relatively small (even for NY standards) but are laid out well so that every inch of space is utlized -- the platform bed is up against the wall separating the bedroom from the bathroom, the thin flat panel TV is mounted on the wall.  Somehow they find room for a bench and table.  But, you haven't come to the Standard for the room -- you've come for the location.  My room had floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Highline, Empire State Building and the water.  You could spend hours just people-watching from on high. 

The Standard is situated right in the heart of the Meatpacking District, which is filled with too many bars and restaurants to count and plenty of shopping (from small boutiques to international names such as Diane von Furstenburg right down the street).  You could have a memorable New York experience without going more than a few blocks from the hotel all weekend.  Or, you could just stay in the hotel -- pre-drink in the beer garden, party all night at Le Bain up on the rooftop and end at the Standard Grill (open until 4am).  If you do decide to venture out, the Standard is just a few blocks from a subway stop that will take you straight to Times Square and, if like me you were headed to the US Open, one transfer away from the 7 train to Queens.