by I’m usually a budget traveler because historically I had to be if I wanted to see the world.
Until recently, I didn’t understand the appeal of high-end accommodation and scoffed at people paying thousands a night for hotel rooms. “Why would anyone spend that?” I asked myself, justifying my frugality with the thought that I could afford a week’s vacation for one night in some luxury properties.
To be honest, I didn’t know what I was missing. Cue The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, in Manhattan’s Financial District. (Thompson hotels are part of the World of Hyatt presence.)
The property, which was built in the late 19th century — the same time as the Brooklyn Bridge — costs from $6,000 a night for a stay in the Turret Penthouse East and Turret Penthouse West rooftop suites. I had the pleasure of spending 20 hours in one of them.
The experience has set the bar so high that going back to my frugal ways will be difficult. This is what makes The Beekman’s penthouses so spectacular.
The property
The building at 123 Nassau Street in New York was completed in 1883. Back then, it was Clinton Hall that housed the Mercantile Library Association. It had several libraries and writing rooms that Edgar Allen Poe frequented. It was also where some of New York University’s first courses were held.
It has changed hands many times over the past 130 years, but it opened in 2016 as The Beekman. Many of its original features – such as the impressive historic atrium and much of the original tiling that surrounds it – have been carefully preserved.
Where the tile was too badly damaged, The Beekman tracked down the family business that originally made the tile and persuaded them to make replacements. To protect the tile in high-traffic areas, the hotel also commissioned custom carpeting that matches the underlying tile pattern.
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In addition to its 287 rooms — including 38 suites, including the turrets — The Beekman has three restaurants and a basement nightclub, which was still under construction at the time.
Chef Tom Colicchio’s Bar Room and Temple Court take up most of the ground floor space.
The former forms the base of the stunning atrium and is open all day for food and drink in a decidedly writer and speakeasy setting. (Think dark colors, bookshelves, fringe lamps, and artwork bearing Poe’s likeness.)
The latter, a fancier five-course meal, is adjacent to The Bar Room and opens for dinner only each night. Chef Daniel Boulud’s Le Gratin is a bistro-style French restaurant offering Lyon-inspired cuisine.
The room
The Turret Penthouse Rooms, which are mirror images of each other, are basically small apartments (though larger than many residences you’d find in New York) built atop The Beekman. Originally designed as office space, they have now been converted into comfortable and well-appointed two-story loft suites with amazing amenities.
After checking in, a porter will take your luggage and escort you to the first of two elevators. Reaching the ninth floor takes you to a second floor which takes you up another floor to gain key card access to the Turret Penthouses private entrance.
I stayed in the west wing. If that wasn’t enough to give me some serious Beauty and the Beast vibes, the covered patio leading to the suite is something straight out of a fairy tale, complete with faux wisteria and plenty of seating (often for gatherings like weddings or shower).
Once inside, you’re met with a serious “Sleep No More” vibe – dark colors that exude early 20th-century decadence. Everything has a slight allure, from the mismatched carpets and furniture to the crisp white bathroom and a half, found on the first floor in stark contrast to the rest of the dimly lit space.
If a patio isn’t enough, you can escape through a side door onto an outdoor patio that offers city views and plenty of seating in case you and a few friends want to raid the suite’s well-stocked minibar. There’s also room service with some fantastic small plate options for entertaining.
The two tower suites share the outdoor area. So when both rooms are occupied, a large wall of artificial flowers is added to divide it down the middle and provide some privacy. The space can also be opened up for weddings and other events if the hosts book both suites.
The loft area on the second floor of the suite will also inspire you. In addition to a huge (and super comfy) king-size bed, there’s a large TV, free-standing bath (yes, me did bubble bath) and the actual tower, which has one of the grandest and most sparkling chandeliers I have ever seen.
Though the actual building was built in the 1800s and is furnished to look like something from the 1920s or ’30s, there are plenty of modern luxury touches.
I loved the heated floors in the bathroom. While the technology was seamlessly integrated into the aesthetic, some of it proved a little too much for me. The electric blinds were difficult to control at first; some light switches didn’t seem to control anything at all; the downstairs TV’s Chromecast failed to connect; and at some point the speakers in the room started playing music which took me 10 minutes to turn off.
However, the sheer exaggeration of the space, the efficiency of the staff, the deliciousness of the room service items I ordered, and the stunning patio areas made me feel like an absolute princess. I also slept like a log and had one of the best bubble baths ever the next morning. (I was even able to secure a late checkout at 1pm.)
What does that mean for my travel behavior?
Having stayed in one of the Turret Penthouses, I’ll admit I’ll have trouble returning to the less ostentatious hotel rooms my budget will allow.
Unfortunately this suite at The Beekman is not points bookable, however other rooms and suites are available. In a December spot check, we saw standard king and queen rooms for 29,000 points, a standard one-bedroom suite for 44,000 points, and a premium one-bedroom corner suite for 58,000 points. Top-tier World of Hyatt Elite members, Globalists, are eligible for standard suite upgrades, based on availability.
As much as I hate to admit it, I may have been drawn to the dark side and will probably start contemplating another swanky sojourn whose location has yet to be determined.
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