11 Howard

Gazing through the window of creative consultant Oliver Gustav's New York studio on Howard Street and coveting each objet d’art, I begin to daydream about owning a home with enough space to display, well, everything. Then, as if on cue, I find the next best thing: boutique hotel 11 Howard, just a few steps away. 

The hotel doors swish open seamlessly, and Mr Smith and I find ourselves in what we can only assume is the hotel lobby; however, it’s unlike any lobby we’ve seen before. Only the neat box of guest key-cards, laid on a round wooden table, denotes this expertly styled minimalist space as the spot where a small entourage of well-dressed staff check guests in. Gazing around at the beautifully designed interiors, I’m mesmerised by a Calder-esque steel sculpture hanging from the ceiling. My head quickly fills with style notes, and I’m excited to see how else this urban retreat will inspire me. I’ll certainly remember the service with great affection; we feel like cherished repeat guests from the get-go. Check-in is thankfully swift and fuss-free, as I’m eager to hop up the sleek spiral staircase to the second floor and snoop out potential photo-ops.

But first, to our room… In the blink of an eye, we whoosh up to the 12th floor. We open the door to our beautiful and bright Terrace King room, into which sunshine pours from a private terrace. I glide over to the sheer white curtains blowing in the gentle breeze, delighting in the considered interior touches: linen bedding from French design house Society, ceramic artworks by Katie Yang and accessories from Melbourne design studio Lightly. 

I’m pleasantly surprised to see Gustav's desirable pieces displayed throughout the hotel, alongside other eye-catching wares. It may be frowned upon in more traditional hotels, but here I feel comfortable enough – encouraged even – to handle objects and turn them over to check the creator’s name – carefully, of course. This quickly becomes something of a habit; I can’t help it – every piece reflects the hotel’s spot-on style: custom-designed brass fixtures, shaded floor lamps and fittings in oak, marble and stone. I find myself searching for any excuse to turn our New York staycation into a permanent residency. 

I carried out a little research before our stay and discovered that this iconic New York building was once a humble post office. It seems hard to believe now, as does the fact that the hotel houses 221 guest rooms; 11 Howard feels so open, accessible and warm, and its softly lit hallways are so peaceful – it could almost be one’s home. 

In the morning, I wake to iconic views of lower Manhattan. I felt rested and ready to explore, so I wander through what feels like my own private hallway to the hotel’s Library, where a light breakfast of fresh fruit and yoghurt is served, washed down with English Breakfast tea. In the lounge, creatives gather around a large table, discussing world-changing plans and entrepreneurial visions in a hushed whisper, while scribbling in artisanal notebooks and tapping away at Macbooks. Impeccably dressed and echoing the hotels unique aesthetic, this sun-drenched, second-floor space feels vibrant and full of life.

I want to stay and eavesdrop, but have a romantic rendezvous to attend. We find the ideal spot for a private encounter, the Blonde, 11 Howard’s elegant, moodily lit bar, with indigo-velvet-upholstered banquettes. Stepping through its steel-framed glass doors, I mentally tot up another star for this remarkable hotel (even if I’ve long since lost count). The arched windows and glints of brass make my heart melt just a little, as I join Mr Smith at a corner booth and peruse the cocktail menu. As evening approaches, we get excited about our approaching dinner reservation. We descend the spiral staircase and enter recently opened Le Coucou restaurant, a space equally as grand and urbanite-luring as the rest of this Danish-influenced stay. 

The lighting is oh-so romantic: slender candles decorate each table, and modern chandeliers hang overhead. My inner tourist emerges as I snap pictures of exposed-brick walls and warehouse-style windows. After a glass of wine we turn our attention to the menu, created by accomplished restaurateur Stephen Starr. Dishes are creative and Gallic in style; with lobster tail in a tomato and basil sauce, veal tongue with caviar, and duck with figs and foie gras, dining is as exceptional as the hotel’s service. 

We’re still devising a master plan to make our stay here a more permanent affair, but we decide to head downtown for a fling with NYC. Situated in the middle of Soho, the hotel’s smack-bang in the centre of the best city in the world, within easy reach of pretty much anything you could want.

After exploring, the streets start to blacken and the sun sets, so we head back up our room to make the most of one more night in those soft, soft beds. As I drift off, remarkably content, I reflect on our stay at 11 Howard. The service, those interiors, the food – again, those interiors – this hotel showcases true understated perfection. So, maybe I can’t stay forever, but I’ll be stopping in Mr Gustav’s studio before we make our way home.