Following an $8.5 million renovation, Midtown Manhattan’s New York Hilton has debuted three new suite styles with sweeping views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. The largest among them is a single traditional but sophisticated 3,700-square-foot Presidential Suite with a curated art collection. Additionally, there are three romantic Corner Suites and a “tech-forward” Linear Suite. All models—designed by Stonehill Taylor—are as well-suited for entertaining as they are for sleeping.
Michael Suomi, the Stonehill Taylor principal who led the interior design of these deluxe suites, recently described to LODGING their decision to proceed with the “gut renovation” after converting the previously existing 44th-floor Presidential Suites to Hilton Vacation Club time share units and a Hilton Vacation Club lounge.
He says they began by literally imagining the guests for whom the spaces would be created. “The design team created fictional travelers inspired by the real entrepreneurs and art collectors visiting New York. We channeled these personalities in the design of our suites, thinking of these spaces as their residences.”
Appropriately, he says, there was just one Presidential Suite. “Designed to double as a home as well as a venue for entertaining, this high-end suite is the most luxurious and spacious of the three types. It required a lot of strategic thinking to achieve the Presidential Suite’s dual functionality.” The space, he says, was designed as a series of interconnected rooms that can be opened up so that, with furniture removed, they can be used to host a party of up to 200 people. “The layout is modern in that the rooms flow into each other. However, custom art-deco-inspired gates can be used to section off the media room.”
The three Corner Suites vary in size, but have the same look and feel. “The Corner Suites, which are geared for a weekend getaway and nod to the movements of dancer Martha Graham with soft design details.” In contrast, the Linear Suite, is decidedly more masculine in feel. “With the Linear suite, we turned a series of rooms into a single extended suite that is contemporary, forward-thinking, and tech-driven. Jackson Pollock-inspired art graces the suite, and we made liberal use of self-consciously man-made materials to communicate a manufactured aesthetic.”
In comparison to other Hilton hotels, the Midtown suites are unique. “This particular property is known for hosting major events and conventions. While we had to adhere to the same Hilton brand standards for any hotel in terms of durability, functionality, and safety, we sought to create a distinct identity for each of the suite types. This project required the use of special audio-visual components and elevated finishes and lighting.”
Suomi believes the renovation successfully achieved its objective. “We were able to create destination suites that maintain a standard of excellence and offer guests an authentic New York experience.”
