City Club Hotel: No Membership Needed

If you travel to New York as often as I do, there are two words you find an appreciation for: Elbow room. Streets, subways, elevators…crowded, crowded and crowded. For a west coast girl such as myself, we like our space. Call us territorial or even unfriendly, but we come from a spread out town and with the exception of traffic and ticket lines, prefer not to stand shoulder to shoulder with strangers when we have our druthers.

New York isn’t a town lacking in much - every street a bountiful source of culture and fashion. The only thing lacking is space itself – in fact, it can feel few and far between at times. So, it would stand to reason that in a city that’s basically built upward, merchants would have to make the most of their property. And, they do. Many are even known for it.

Having traveled all over, the hotel rooms and living quarters of New York are known for being on the smaller side. I once stayed in a Manhattan hotel room where I could touch the door, bed, desk, closet and shower if I stood in one place. Again, it makes sense.

Regardless, a California girl likes her legroom – and without having to sacrifice much to get it. So, when she finds a small luxury hotel in midtown Manhattan offering chocolate marble bathrooms, oversized feather down pillows and Frette linens, she returns to it as often as she can.

This is the City Club Hotel. For many decades, it served as a men’s political club. Now, a 65-room discreet boutique hotel, renovated by owner Jeff Klein and designed by Jeff Bilhuber. No member needed – just a reservation. Located across from the Royalton, City Club is the antithesis of flashy chic. From the understated awnings to the intimate lobby, there exists a luxurious comfort about this hotel.

C.O. Bigelow amenities, Frette robes stocked in each bathroom, complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and warm chocolate chip cookies left at turndown. Combine all that with the fabulous morning brew of Daniel Boulud’s DB Bistro Moderne downstairs and you won’t even remember that there’s not a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for many miles.

City Club Hotel
55 West 44th Street
New York, 10036
212.921.5500
www.cityclubhotel.com