Pendry Manhattan West

I never need much of an excuse to justify a staycation in my hometown of Manhattan. Even to its long-time dwellers, the city remains a constant source for discovery and adventure, and just a wildly fun time, especially if it involves taking up temporary residence in a different part of town. In this particular instance, my reasoning was clear-cut: a birthday treat to myself at the sleek and très chic two-year-old Pendry Manhattan West, where my mother would be joining me from out of town for a night. Since the special day belongs to both of us (it’s our birthday), why not celebrate it—and ourselves—with an appropriately decadent night? I couldn’t have picked a better location for it, too. Just a five-minute walk from Moynihan Train Hall, where my mom’s Amtrak would arrive from upstate, the hotel anchors itself at the north end of the Manhattan West complex, a new development project teeming with fantastic restaurants, a sprawling Whole Foods outpost, and a growing number of retail spaces. 

The hotel brand itself currently counts less than a dozen properties, which only enhanced the newness of the experience for us both. This particular outpost is most visibly defined by its modern exterior featuring gorgeous curves that catch the sunlight (especially around sunset). Inside, the vibe is minimalist, with warm lighting and light wood accents—cool, but welcoming. We’d booked an Alcove Studio, but on learning the occasion of our stay, the hotel check-in staff kindly upgraded our room to a larger Alcove Studio Suite, which also came with the added benefit of a higher floor. Our huge corner suite had echoes of California modernism. With such stellar outward-facing views to behold—we faced southwest towards the Highline and the sunset—it was a smart choice on the design team’s part to keep the interiors relatively free of visual distractions. 

After sharing in oohs and ahhhhs, mom and I quickly unpacked and readied ourselves for a fun evening out, starting with drinks at Chez Zou, the hotel’s fourth-floor cocktail lounge, where a handful of close friends would be joining us. Chez Zou was lively, and totally transportive. Goodbye Manhattan, hello Marrakech! Mom’s ‘Pinch Hitter’ cocktail, a deftly-blended mix of Japanese whisky with bitters, honey, and a hint of apricot was dangerously delicious; a girlfriend’s fruit-forward mocktail was vibrant and fresh, and even matched her fuchsia outfit. I kept things classic with a stiff gin martini (you can try to transport the girl out of New York…). No complaints. Time flew, and before we knew it, mom and I were late for our dinner reservation—just us—at Zou Zou’s, the hotel’s positively thrumming downstairs restaurant known for big flavors across Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean-leaning dishes. 

We could have filled ourselves with just the mezze spread, which included chickpea hummus with black garlic oil, roasted eggplant puree, whipped ricotta with saffron-spiced apricots, bright and herbaceous green tahini, and a nutty smoked carrot and dip—especially with the fluffy, still-warm flatbread to swipe around in all of it. We continued on: a bright and flavorful gem salad with roasted grapes that carried the perfect balance of sweet/tart; the grilled branzino to share; smoky-rich charred broccoli, which I still dream about, and the jeweled rice, traditionally prepared with a satisfying layer of crunch at the bottom. After the table was cleared and tab settled, knowing that we would be upstairs and back in our lofty alcove abode in mere minutes, felt like the ultimate decadence. The night’s sleep was quiet and heavenly.

The next morning, once showered and ready for the day (I highly recommend the MiN New York toiletry products—the ‘Memento’ fragrance is elegant without being cloying), mom and I opted to forgo a sit-down breakfast in favor of exploring before her train home. With to-go coffees from the Cafe Grumpy counter located inside Whole Foods (mere steps from the hotel), we set off down the Highline (west Manhattan’s elevated walkway), taking in the view of the Hudson River, and the lush, wild-feeling landscaping all around us. Once again, it felt as though we’d momentarily left Manhattan. Eventually we found stairs leading down to Tenth Avenue, where we popped into 192 Books, a delightful independent bookshop with a fantastic curation of titles, especially those on arts and culture. 

Before we knew it, mom had to get back for her train. We made our way to the Manhattan West complex with enough time for a quick lunch: Nicoises salads from Daily Provisions, sitting outside in the sunlit plaza. It was the perfect, light and summery choice after our big meal the night before. I walked her the short way to Moynihan Station, before returning back to the hotel to work a bit and send off some emails. 

Quite frankly, I was exhausted, and tempted to call it a day, slip on my PJs, and climb under the covers with some room service. But alas, Ci Siamo, which is one of my favorite Italian restaurants—and one I don’t often get to visit—was beckoning me from down below, just across the plaza from the hotel. A girlfriend who lives nearby didn’t need much convincing to join me; we were both seated at the restaurant’s front bar 20 minutes later, sipping on negronis in between bites of chef Hillary Sterling’s airy, pepper and cheese-flecked gnocco fritto, and her caramelized onion torta (a must-have). It was an extremely ‘happy hour’, indeed.

After my friend and I parted ways, I knew I couldn’t end my stay at the Pendry Hotel without a nightcap at its gorgeous, tucked-away bar. Between the amber-hued lighting and the bar’s burnished gold accents, it was undoubtedly one of the sexiest drinking holes I’ve been to in a long while—and one I plan to return to even as a non-guest. But the night didn’t end there, at least not entirely. I returned to my room to find the sweetest birthday surprise: a mini birthday cake, and a chilled bottle of bubbly, courtesy of the front desk. I was going to dread checking-out, come morning. Alas, after another great night’s sleep, this time with the room to myself, the time had come. Back to reality… my two-day staycation was indeed like a dream—but maybe better, because I know the Pendry is just a short subway ride away.