Hotel Giraffe has definitely earned its ranking as the 3rd best overall hotel in New York City according to TripAdvisor (out of 467 hotels, mind you). One of the four exquisite locations of the Library Hotel Collection, Hotel Giraffe is one of the best parts of the Flatiron area for so many different reasons, that i had to head back there a couple of days ago to remind myself of what makes this hotel simply splendid.
Let’s start with the outside looking in for this hotel hotspot. Location is key in Manhattan, especially when it comes to proximity to restaurants, subways, and so much more. When you head out for the day from Hotel Giraffe, you have the ever popular 6 train only a couple of blocks away, to whisk you up and down the Upper East Side. If you are looking to stay somewhat closer, Madison Square Park is a short distance away as well as major landmarks like Penn Station, Grand Central and Madison Square Garden just to name a few.
The food options are quite stellar as well. If you are not looking to go any sort of distance for some scrumptious food and drink, then simply head downstairs and go outside to find Bread & Tulips right next door. This location is neighborhood restaurant meets rustic Italian cuisine in a romantic and intimate setting. More on that here. If you are more in the mood for the best of Mexican cuisine, then Dos Caminos is another great location, and very close to Hotel Giraffe. You can check our recent review here.
Alright, enough with the other things! Let’s get inside Hotel Giraffe! This particular spot has an openness and rich warmth to it from the minute you get inside. Something I particularly love about this location is the sprawling lounge that encompasses what is generally a boring lobby right when you walk inside. It’s truly beautiful, and this area is where you can get a delicious continental breakfast with all the amazing fixings, as well as a wine & cheese hour to divulge in before you head out for the evening.
They describe themselves as an “urban oasis”, which makes the most sense based on my stay there. Now that the warmer weather is here, they are opening up The Rooftop Garden for the summer very soon! Here you can enjoy al fresco drinks and get an amazing view of Manhattan during the day or when the sun sets! Essentially, you are enjoying a cocktail in a beautiful setting. What more can you ask for?
The rooms themselves range from a guestroom with one quen bed all the way up to a balcony suite with one king bed, plus a sofabed. They were nice enough to provide me with the latter, and my lord did I feel luxurious and fancy! If you decide to book this room (which you should), there are a lot of fabulous amenities that go inside of it. First off, you have the big couch that overlooks your run of the mill television, but you have a FREAKING BALCONY. This is a great room to book if you are looking for a romantic night, as the balcony provides great views of Flatiron and the bed itself and bathroom were quite spectacular.
Add in a complimentary use of the nearest New York Sports Club for those fitness aficionados, and you are all set to have a fantastic time at Hotel Giraffe. Currently, they are promoting their Sizzling Summer Savings, which entails 20% discount off of their Best Flexible Rates in addition to a bottle of red wine! Sizzling Summer Savings is available for stays within the months of July and August and are based on availability. Reservations must be cancelled 30 days prior to the arrival date to avoid a full stay room and tax charge.
For more information on Hotel Giraffe, check out their official site.