As a transplanted New Yorker, it’s always a little weird for me to come back to the city and experience it like a tourist. When I stay in big hotels, no matter how comfortable and luxurious they are, I’m well aware of the fact that I am indeed sleeping somewhere as a visitor, not a resident.
So, when my husband and I recently spent a night at Smyth Tribeca, I was pleasantly surprised to feel like we had moved back to New York and were now living downtown.
Part of that is because of the hotel’s cozy location in a neighborhood where New Yorkers happily live, work and play. I was able to run across the street to Starbucks and pick up bagels a block away at Nala’s Bagels and Brunch. (The hotel is also conveniently located near lots of subway stations, shops and restaurants as well as One World Trade Center. )
Another part of it is because the 14-story boutique hotel is intimate and homey, with just 100 well-appointed rooms and suites. The scaffolding in front of the hotel actually reminded me of one of my former apartment buildings, where construction seemed to be ongoing. I loved that this one was covered in flowers because creating unexpected beauty in a hard, urban environment is such an authentic New York thing to do.
Welcoming faces and spaces at Smyth Tribeca
As soon as we entered the lobby — a small but lovely space more reminiscent of a luxury New York apartment building than a bustling hotel — we received a hearty welcome from the front desk staff along with glasses of champagne, which we turned down for cups of the fruit-infused water always available by the elevators.
We took our beverages to the Galerie right off the lobby we could take in the inviting atmosphere. This beautiful gathering space is filled with tables, chairs and couches, making it an appealing place to meet friends or business colleagues, sit with your laptop or simply relax with a book. In the evening, it turns into a popular bar made even more special by two fireplaces, private nooks and crannies and an extensive selection of cocktails and small bites.
Rooms and suites at Smyth Tribeca
Dark hotel rooms are a real pet peeve of mine so we booked a Deluxe Corner King (we’ve discovered corner rooms are a game-changer) in order to have two windows and more light. Although we usually prefer to be on a high floor for the views, our third floor room was actually perfect for making us feel like we were part of the city below. It overlooked one of our favorite neighborhoods so we could people watch (another authentic New York pastime) but effectively kept out the noise with double-paned windows.
The room itself was spacious and sophisticated and so was the bathroom, with its Carrara marble, Malin+Goetz bath products and glass-enclosed rain shower.
Smyth Tribeca also boasts a dozen suites, some with private outdoor terraces. Next time we come for more than one night, that’s where I’d like to stay.
Smyth Tavern
The piece de resistance at Smyth Tribeca is Smyth Tavern, a warm and welcoming restaurant off the lobby that serves upscale comfort food. If we still lived in New York, we would quickly become regulars here.
Smyth Tavern is a local destination in itself, thanks to its come-in-and-make-yourself-at-home atmosphere, its friendly service and excellent food. The menu is a culinary delight, giving you the opportunity to have a side of Deviled Eggs (with or without caviar or oysters) or Rigatoni Mac & Cheese (with or without lobster) with your Steak Frites or Filet Mignon.
SleepMore at Smyth
We’ll definitely be returning to Smyth Tribeca when we have more time to stay in and enjoy the hotel. Maybe we’ll make it a sleepcation because I really want to experience SleepMore at Smyth, which includes a room discount, overnight parking, breakfast in bed from Smyth Tavern, magnesium spray, a selection of plush pillows, sleepy tea and, best of all, a concierge arranged visit to nearby Mysterious Bookshop to pick up some bedtime reading. As an avid reader, I love that idea. To book this unique package, call Smyth Tribeca at 917-997-2700 and ask about SleepMore at Smyth.