Z New York Hotel Opens in Long Island City

Hotel Brings Stunning Views, Stellar Service and Sensational Gathering Spots To Emerging Neighborhood.

. July 06, 2011

July 5, 2011 - The July 1 opening of Z New York Hotel brings an exciting new addition to the city's hospitality scene - in Queens, naturally. The Z is just over the 59th Street bridge, not far from P.S. 1, right by the iconic Silvercup Studios, and within walking distance of 2011's biggest culinary hot spot, M. Wells Diner. Z New York Hotel is poised to join these Long Island City touchstones as a must-visit destination on city's ever-growing map, and its friendly, laid-back feel. It offers incomparable views of the skyline, a signature rooftop bar, and a central location with easy access to some of the finest shopping, dining and sightseeing in town.

Celebrating the Art of Travel (Figuratively and Literally)

Almost everything you need to know about the Z's unique take on the contemporary hotel is evident the moment you enter the lobby, a small space that makes an outsized impression. An original installation by Serett Metalworks on the main wall depicts the train station departure board of the dedicated traveler's dreams, with points familiar (France, Germany, Spain) and exotic (Israel and Iceland) wilkomming arrivals. A custom check-in desk repurposes vintage luggage, behind which is a one-of-a-kind mural depicting the gloriously ornate City Hall subway station. This “soliloquy to travel” is the vision of the hotel's owner, Henry Zilberman, who came to New York with $2,000 in his pocket and the kind of prescience that defines a born entrepreneur.

From the lobby, there are two choices: head upstairs to your room (or one of the jaw-dropping outdoor gathering places), or run downstairs to the lounge and restaurant below. At the bottom of the loft-like staircase you'll glimpse a baby grand piano; a not-so-baby-grand black crystal chandelier is suspended overhead. Depending upon your arrival time, the musical accompaniment could be The Rolling Stones on stereo or a Cuban jazz combo jamming live. Either way, you'll probably decide to descend immediately for a drink in the buzzing “Z Hotel Lounge,” spelled out in mosaic tile, New York subway-style.

Designer Andre Escobar, working in close collaboration with Zilberman and Managing Director Jon Eklund, has created an eclectic, inviting and stimulating environment. Along with burled walnut floors, glazed brick, and enormous second-story windows that shed western light on the subterranean space, there are rustic-chic pieces from Restoration Hardware, inviting banquettes, and a one-of-a-kind bi-level bar topped with black Caesar stone. Oh, and many, many more eye-catching chandeliers. Zilberman and team understand the all-important mood-enhancing power of great lighting. You will look good at the Z - as will all of those interesting strangers.

Gimme Shelter
The remarkable thing about Z New York Hotel is how democratic the room situation is. Two sizes, depending on your needs, each designed with the kind of flair that generally comes at twice the price. Rather than wallpaper, there are three bespoke murals of iconic New York experiences - Billie Holiday singing, the Rockettes kicking, a taxi cab cruising. You might interpret them (respectively) as celebrations of nuance and originality, energy and the desire to please, efficiency and excitement. The murals perfectly capture the Z's values, spirit and hospitality goals. The high-end mattresses, high-thread-count Egyptian 100% cotton sheets, and flat-screen TVs Sony.

Z Floors have radiant heat for post-shower comfort; showers are double-sized and equipped wonderfully sleek chrome fixtures and Gilchrest & Soames bath products.

The over-bed wall sconces, custom created for the Z by Brooklyn's Ecostruct, channel “Steampunk,” mixing sleek contemporary filament bulbs with classic Mason jars. Dashes of shiny silver fabric are chicly mixed in with the predominantly brown, black and grey aesthetic; bright red leather chairs add punctuation. For sale on chic boutique shelving: flip flops replace standard slippers; hard hats accompany requisite baseball caps. Even the mini-bars offer something almost unheard of nowadays: reasonable prices. But all of this exceptional attention to detail and focus on the user-experience ultimately takes a back seat to the rooms' most remarkable feature: floor-to-ceiling windows framing the full sweep of that island across the way.

Gazing, Grazing, Lazing: Gathering Together, Z-Style If possible, the views are even better above the Z, where you'll find what is destined to be the (end-of-conversation) best of New York's hotel rooftop restaurants. Twinned aviator-style bars by Serrett Metalworks and sleek Design Within Reach furniture create a suitably stylish foundation for sunset cocktails, romantic dinners, and festive nightcap toasts. A pizza oven turns out fabulous blistered-crust personal pies at reasonable prices, accompanied by terrace-friendly greatest hits of rustic American fare from the signature restaurant downstairs. This is a destination that's destined to be on every New Yorker's list, for it turns out you can't really see an island's full glory while you're standing on it.

Says Zilberman, the man who recognized the glory of his up-and-coming borough before almost anyone else: “The service industry is in my blood. Back in Israel, I opened a very successful restaurant in an unlikely spot - so I guess I have a history of finding promise in the unexpected. But that's a lot more fun than following an already established formula.” Fun is a big word for the Z Hotel team - rather than a somber temple to design and quiet good taste, they've gone for eclecticism, liveliness and community. Consider, for example, the layout of the upper floors. In good weather, they are completely open, with balconied walkways clad in multi-colored panels. In the colder months, glass panels slide down, preserving the views of Silvercup and the rest of the borough. Chic lounges are central to each floor - adding yet another common space that encourages relaxation and even socializing.

Let's Get Lost
While the Z is literally focused on Manhattan, it's not actually in it. But it is incredibly well situated for shopping Madison Avenue, visiting the Fifth Avenue museums, having Breakfast at Tiffany's (or, more likely, one of the celebrated restaurants in the area), and rambling around Central Park. “The hotel is nearer than most places on the Upper West Side,” says Zilberman. “And much, much closer than the downtown hotels.” (This is a man who knows his distances, having started his New York life as a gypsy cab driver.)

“I know what I'm looking for when I travel,” he adds. “And I'm surprised I don't encounter more of it. I want a place that's inclusive, familial, a place where you can be yourself. I want casualness with comfort. Not stiffness. I want convenience and I want adventure - in the place and in the people. I want a hotel that's taking chances, but only chances that are calculated to make things better for the customer. I want to get lost in the excitement of being somewhere completely unexpected.”

For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit www.zhotelny.com or call 212-319-7000.

About Z New York Hotel
The new Z New York Hotel will open early July 2011, leading Long Island City in a revival as it transforms the neighborhood's previous industrial image into a destination for New York City visitors seeking stylish accommodations with affordable rates. With each of its 100 guest rooms boasting sweeping, panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, Z New York Hotel offers a new perspective on New York City boutique luxury lodging. Whether via the complimentary shuttle service each hour, a quick 10 minute cab ride, or a mere subway stop over the river on the 7 train, guests are provided easy access to the Big Apple through the hotel's concierge services. Amenities include oversized mattresses clad in high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, feather beds, complimentary wifi in all rooms, complimentary global phone calls, Gilchrist & Soames bathroom amenities and outdoor lounges for guests on every floor. Z New York Hotel is a culinary destination with three unique venues including the signature Z restaurant serving rustic American fare, Z Roof, and Z Beer Garden. Rolex, Citibank and Silvercup Studios all have offices in Long Island City and the industrial façade offers plenty of hip food outlets, shops, galleries and sculpture studios. The site was originally a warehouse that owner/developer Henry Zilberman purchased in 1996. www.zhotelny.com

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