Kimpton Ink48 Hotel

Kimpton Ink48 Hotel is an upscale mid-size property housed in a tall sandstone-hued building lined with tall windows, many of which have views out over the Hudson River, a block west of the property. The lobby (which was renovated in 2016) is dimly lit and elegant, with wood features and parquet floors plus en-vogue decor elements such as vintage leather chairs, a concrete coffee table with terrariums, and shelf upon shelf of plain off-white pottery, plus an art-deco stained-glass art feature behind a long wooden reception desk. Gray-hued low sofas upholstered in crushed velvet add texture to the spaces, which feel homey despite their modern aesthetic. The hotel attracts business travelers and tourists alike, and like most Kimpton properties, it caters towards a younger, hip crowd. 

Ink48 overlooks the Hudson River in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Midtown West, a neighborhood known for its cultural vibrance with great nightclubs (including some popular gay clubs), restaurants, and galleries. The hotel is on Eleventh Avenue, which can feel slightly deserted. The Hudson River and the U.S.S. Intrepid, a historic former WWII aircraft carrier that now houses a museum, are one block west. Ninth Avenue, two blocks to the east, is much more populated, and has a huge array of bars and restaurants. Times Square is a 15-minute walk away.  It would take about 30 minutes to walk to Central Park, or it's about 10 minutes in a car. LaGuardia Airport is about a 40-minute drive and JFK takes over an hour to reach by car. For public transportation, the C and E subway lines are a 10- to 15-minute walk away at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue; the M50 bus goes west on 49th Street and east on 50th Street; the M11 bus goes uptown on 10th Avenue and downtown on Ninth Avenue.  

Rooms were renovated in 2016 and are modern and bright, with a similar decor scheme across categories that relies on a mix of classic design choices such as white beds, pale-gray walls, and charcoal-hued carpets, mixed with funkier contemporary design elements such as pop art headboards, Mid-Century Modern revival furniture in pale shades of cream and off-white, soft lamp lighting, and colorful accent cushions with turquoise patterns. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs, curated minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but they lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are simple, and most have walk-in showers (some higher categories add tubs). Simple toiletries, magnifying mirrors, and hairdryers are provided. Rooms start at 275-square-feet (26-square-meter) King Rooms and go clear up to 425-square-foot (40-square-meter) City View Studio King Studio Rooms, which add living areas and soaking tubs in the bathrooms. Suites are also available, starting with 400-square-foot (37-square-meter) Riverview Terrace Suites (which, unsurprisingly, have terraces with Hudson River views) and ending with the top-of-the-line 1,100-square-foot (102-square-meter) Heaven Over Hell Penthouse Suite. It features a dining room and incredible views out over the Hudson. This unit can also be rented out for daytime events.

Features at this hotel are chic, cozy, and personal, with plenty for both business travelers and tourists alike. Dining options include the full-service lobby-level restaurant, Print, serves farm-to-table cuisine for breakfast (not included), lunch, and dinner. Room service is also available, but only during restaurant hours. Press Lounge, the gorgeous rooftop bar, offers sweeping views of Manhattan and the Hudson River from its wraparound terrace with a reflecting pool. Inside, there are espresso-hued leather couches topped with dark throw blankets and placed in front of a modern fireplace. The space is open to the public, but hotel guests and restaurant patrons get first dibs on entry. Coffee is available for free in the lobby and the hotel hosts free wine receptions in the early evenings.Wellness facilities include a small 24-hour fitness center with Precor cardio machines equipped with private TVs and headphone jacks, free weights, medicine balls, and yoga mats. Located on the second floor, InkSpa provides facials, body treatments, and massages. Iin-room services can be arranged through the front desk, just note that not all standard rooms are large enough to accommodate requests. The hotel also has custom-made bicycles for guest use, free of charge. Though there isn't a ballroom, there are a few smaller event spaces, and the Heaven Over Hell Penthouse Suite can be rented out for meetings and events. There's also a business room with computers, printing, and photocopying. No charges or restrictions apply to pets of any size, shape, or type. Pet bowls, leashes and doggie beds are free, while pet food and treats available for purchase at the front desk. Wi-Fi is free and fast. Note that parking is expensive and is valet-only -- pretty typical for Manhattan.