A Review of The Beekman Hotel, New York
Back in the middle of October, I attended a conference in New York. It’s really nice getting to meet people from across the globe – but it’s also always full on and totally, completely exhausting.
This time, I flew out from Heathrow on Sunday, landing in NY Sunday night, and flew back on the Thursday night “red eye”, then getting a taxi straight to work on Friday morning. Add in 4 days of heavy going learning, plus social events every night until midnight, and I was knackered.
So, it was just as well I had a lovely hotel in which to rest my head for a few hours each night. Enter The Beekman!
Location of The Beekman Hotel
The Beekman Hotel is located in the Financial District, right on the southern tip of Manhattan. It’s close to major sites such as the 9/11 memorial and museum, the New York Stock Exchange and Federal Hall. I always choose to stay in this part of NYC when I visit, and it’s starting to feel familiar now when I visit.
It’s also just a short 5 minute walk from Battery Park, the hopping on point for ferries across to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty. The newly opened Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park is also beautiful. And in the opposite direction, it’s only a 15 minute walk to the Brooklyn bridge, making a day trip to one of New York’s most famous neighbourhoods on foot perfectly possible.
Oh, and most important of all, it’s home to Lyssy from Lyssy in the City. I’ve been lucky to see her twice this year now, and on this recent trip I made sure to see her (and Violet!) for a lovely walk, just before I got in a taxi to the airport.
Accommodation at The Beekman Hotel
The accommodation is quirky at The Beekman. I genuinely felt as if Morticia Adams might pop out of my wardrobe at any point; but its character is what makes it so special.
The room was clean and spacious, and full of interesting touches. With a huge king size bed, comfortable desk area, and lots of vibrant colours, it felt very unique but at the same time a calming and restful space.
Thankfully the bathroom was modernised, and clean and simple in its design. Sadly though when I arrived, I tried to have a shower but the handle just came off and I had to have maintenance up – not what you want in just a towel after 12+ hours of travelling!
Room cleaning was great as well, with a day time cleaning service and night time turn down. That said, my favourite feature of any turn down service (the evening laying out of my slippers), was not on offer, and nor did I get any pillow treats. I was also left without a bath mat on one day, though of course that’s not the end of the world!
Food & Drink at The Beekman Hotel
Let’s start with The Bar Room. The Beekman’s bar is a vibe. It’s dark, it’s moody, it’s full of comfy old fashioned sofas and a bar the length of the wall. The drinks are amazing, but not cheap (think $20 for a glass of wine!). It’s also the place to have breakfast, which was tasty but pricy so we opted to eat in one of the many surrounding cafes instead.
Attached to the bar is Temple Court, the Beekman’s restaurant. We had an absolutely delicious meal in here but as it was a work event, I didn’t get my phone out. The steak and chicken were incredible though!
Aside from the restaurant and bar area, The Beekman has something special in its cellar. It’s attached to a jazz bar called Laissez Faire, which we stumbled upon by accident late at night. It’s on brand, being dark and moody – but it was so cool to spend a night there.
With live music, cocktails and dancing until the early hours we had an amazing time. It was nice to meet so many new people, though at the end of the night it was always nice to finish up as the 5 of us from the UK; somehow us Brits always end up being the last ones standing (and that’s saying something if you know me!).
Amenities & Experiences at The Beekman Hotel
The hotel offers a number of amenities onsite beyond its drinking and dining options. I think the main thing it has over other hotels is its history.
The Beekman was built in the 1880s, and called Temple Court. It housed the offices of lawyers, accountants and even publishers. As times changed, so did its inhabitants and the building was eventually sold and restored in to a hotel, opening in 2016.
One of the most remarkable features of the building is its nine-story central atrium, topped by a pyramidal skylight and surrounded by ornate cast-iron balustrades. When I first saw it running through the hotel, it definitely took my breath away.
The Beekman also has a Concierge who can help with reservations and trip planning, and the hotel has baggage storage services and doormen who can help with transport. The hotel also offers a number of nice lounge/seating areas. Its main reception is large and spacious, and there are little alcoves of chairs everywhere.
The Beekman also offers a fitness centre, which I didn’t go in but a couple of my colleagues said was decent.
Ultimately, you don’t stay at The Beekman to have loads of activities laid on. The reality is that few buildings capture New York’s rhythm the way The Beekman does. It is both a museum and a modern marvel. It reminded me that even in a city forever rushing forward, there are places where time stands still long enough for us to look up.
So what did you think of The Beekman? I absolutely loved its unique history and quirky style, but it was VERY dark to the point I was craving air and daylight after 4 nights there. On balance though, I’d definitely recommend it for a cool experience in New York City.
