New York is a city that is synonymous with cool. It's chaotic, bustling, so vibrantly full of life, discoveries to be made around every corner. If there's a hotel that encapsulates the New York vibe, it's Gansevoort Meatpacking. Set in West Manhattan (in the Meatpacking district, funnily enough), the 186 room hotel is a treasure trove of artworks, stylish interiors, and excellent city views. It's chic, artistic, and just oozing NYC cool.
It's the kind of place that's so much more than a bed for the night, with extensive facilities and entertainment spaces that make a strong case for a staycation. However if you are keen to venture further afield, the surrounding neighbourhood has plenty to offer. I stayed for two nights in February, and have put together a full Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel review to share my experiences.
I was hosted for a press stay to review, however all opinions are entirely my own. This post may contain affiliate links.
Location
If you need one reason to stay at Gansevoort Meatpacking, the location would be it. I've stayed in various different neighbourhoods of New York, but the Meatpacking district might be my favourite. There's so much going on, that you could easily spend a week in New York without venturing further afield (I mean, I wouldn't recommend it, but you could!).
For starters, The High Line entrance is mere yards away. From there, you can get to Hudson Yards in around 45 minutes, enjoying the city views from the elevated walkway. Chelsea Market, a popular tourist spot for shopping and dining, is also just minutes away. My favourite area for dining in New York is the West Village around Bleecker, which is also walking distance from the hotel.
Interiors and Facilities
The Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel channels New York style through it's chic, thoroughly modern interiors. The hotel was renovated in 2021, so everything feels fresh and on-trend. Art is a focal point, with a Banksy displayed loud and proud in the reception. The various dining and entertainment outlets on site all have their own aesthetic, with pops of colour and foliage connecting the spaces. And there are many, more than one might expect given the size of the hotel. On the ground floor, The Chester is a laidback American bistro with a sports bar vibes, whilst open air C+C (coffee and cocktails) is a constant hub of activity, and where breakfast is served. I didn't have the opportunity to try it myself, so can't comment here!
Head up to the rooftop, and you'll find my personal favourite - the rooftop bar. Looking out over the pool (open year round, and heated), it's full of Instagrammable flourishes including a striking gold and navy bar. We swung by for cocktails during our stay, which were delicious, and equally photogenic. Also occupying the roof is Saishin, a sushi and omakase restaurant.
Back downstairs, you'll find a gym and sauna. The latter we briefly enjoyed - although the blasting high energy music from the gym somewhat punctured the serenity. Head even further down, and you'll find newly open Dimes, a members club meets bar meets bowling alley. A dimly lit, meandering space, the interiors take heavy inspiration from the 70s. The decor verges on tacky, but in that ironic way that makes it actually, quite stylish. The thick chenille-esque carpets, neon lights, and a generous use of disco balls, are actually a lot of fun. We visited at opening when it was still quiet, and didn't stay too long as the dreaded jetlag hit, so I can't comment on the ambience. But I imagine that when packed out with revellers, it'll be the place to be!
Rooms and Suites
We stayed in a Grand Deluxe Room, with Hudson river views and a King bed. Our room was spacious - perfect for a couple, with plenty of room for bags and our general paraphernalia. The bathroom was equally spacious, clean, and well equipped. One of the more unique facilities is the Lululemon studio mirror - I can't say that I used it, but I imagine it's a nice perk if you're keen for a workout.
My favourite thing about the room was easily the view, best enjoyed at sunset from the sofa nook. The only downside was that amenities I'd normally expect to be included were chargeable. The fancy boxed waters next to the bed come in at an eye-watering $8. There were no coffee facilities in the room, which when we woke up jet lagged at 04:30 hit us hard!
Service
We ended up interacting with the staff a lot more than one would normally expect, thanks to a systems glitch resulting in us not having a room key for the entirety of our stay. A little frustrating, however there was always someone on hand with a smile to get us up to our room. Overall the service was great, friendly and accommodating, and happy to help out with any shooting requests, which is always massively appreciated.
Overall Gansevoort Meatpacking Hotel Review
If the vibe you're looking for is NYC cool, in the heart of everything, it's hard to imagine a more perfect place to stay. Gansevoort Meatpacking is all that and more. It's constantly buzzing, a real hub in one of the most exciting and happening neighbourhoods in Manhattan. It ticks all the boxes - great location, even better views, stylish interiors and plenty of space.
The wealth of unique leisure and entertainment spaces are what really stood out for me. Gansevoort Meatpacking offers more than just a pillow for the night, with it's plethora of bars and restaurants it's a destination within itself. It also helps that it's super Instagram friendly!
It's the ideal choice for a couples getaway or friends trip, and the contemporary, art-focused aesthetic and bustling ambience will definitely appeal to a younger clientele.
There are things that I think hold it back from being what I'd consider a luxury stay, such as the lack of coffee facilities (I really like my morning coffee, can you tell..!). However it's a fun, youthful and unstuffy experience that exemplifies that electrifying New York experience.
I hope this Gansevoort Meatpacking hotel review has been helpful! Please let me know if you've stayed here, or if you have any questions about the stay in the comments. And if there's any other New York content you'd like to see, just give me a shout!
