Hôtel Americano has been opened for barely a year and seems to be slowly attracting newcomers in fashion and art.
The hotel itself located in what used to be the craziest and dirtiest nightclub zoned area (leave that to the Meatpacking District now). The introduction of Chelsea’s art and gallery scene to the neighborhood paved the way to a speedy positive transition. Now flush with culture, a cool little boutique hotel opened about a year ago by Grupo Habita (out of Mexico) as a direct result of an enriched and restructured environment. Recently David LaChapelle put his seal of approval as he had his art opening post party at the location. Guests seemed to enjoy every bit of the space and its hospitality.
The 27th Street corridor has cleaned up tremendously over the last several years bringing a higher level of people to the block. A far cry from teenage girls being kidnapped and raped or cocaine being sold inside the doors of such clubs as B.E.D., Caine (then Cain Luxe), Pink Elephant, Bungalow 8, etc. One of the worst areas before the rise of the Meatpacking District (controlled criminal activity district). Fashionable was the last thing 27th Street was about 6 or 7 years ago. Today, one wouldn’t suspect with gentle tourists, families and artists roaming the sidewalks. Numerous galleries are peppered in continuously block after block. The Highline Park is part of that new feeling and offers people refreshing views and outdoor activity. It basically went from sex, drugs and rap music to fashion, art and culture in a matter of a few years. What an incredible transition (I’m sure the property values sky rocketed for those early owners). Now that Hôtel Americano is in the mix, a little bit of fun is allowed, fashionably of course.
Guests at David LaChapelle’s post launch party at Hôtel Americano
“Hôtel Americano is designed by New York-based Mexican architect Enrique Norten, principal of Ten Arqitectos, the first recipient of the Mies van der Rohe Award for Latin American Architecture.”
The Bossa Nova Brunch on Sundays offers a nice mix of socializing versus these “get drunk and rage” brunch parties that are so common everywhere. I don’t know how many champagned soaked shirts have to be replaced before realizing being surrounded by daytime drunkards isn’t the way to go.
It’s a little far off the beaten path to the West Side near the river, but that’s what makes it unique and elegant. If you have an afternoon agenda for viewing and purchasing art in Chelsea, then this place could be a nice early dinner and cocktail “reboot” before the long (or short) taxi ride back to your neighborhood.
