Best Dressed Hotel: NYC’s Fashion 26

Last week I had the pleasure of touring Fashion 26, a new Wyndham that just opened right on 26th Street and 6th Ave- an area I’m very familiar with here in NYC, and a block on the cusp of the fashion district. Though there’s a little bit of glamour construction still going on, with a crew putting up mirrors, fixing up conference rooms, and doing last touches on a few floors of guest rooms, you’d never know it. The hotel comes off as incredibly posh, stylish, and smart.

At the front desk, be sure to grab a Crumbs mini cupcake, decorated in an ode to design. Also, check out the super modern Mondrian behind the check-in counter- look closely and you’ll see that it’s made of thousands of spools of thread! Other touches around the lobby, such as tables and chairs, follow this theme, as well.

Upstairs you can find  guestrooms in three sizes: Standard, Queen Deluxe, and suites for preferred guests. However, with various room connection options, there are a wide variety of ways you could customize your space when you stay at Fashion 26. And the numerous thematic design choices in the room really stand out.

From houndstooth bed linens, to Birkin inspired chairs and leatherette desk chairs, these rooms are suave. As a former fashion magazine editor, I really felt the essence of what the hotel was trying to achieve without being beaten over the head with obvious kitschy props- kudos to Fashion 26 for the subtle statements.

Another fav is the “Be Well” signage above each bed. This is a familiar Wyndham slogan in a fresh new place. Across the wall you’ll find a photograph encased in glass. This series of photographs  were the designers inspiration for the hotel and you can find one framed in each guest room.

Downstairs you’ll find Rare, another gourmet hamburger restaurant to add to the city’s growing love affair with meat and bread. You’ll also find a standard gym and conference rooms- which include a wifi connection. There’s also free Wifi in the entire hotel, for guests, and a sleek bar at Rare that could do for happy hour or a drink meeting.

The hotel also has a Twitter account at @Fashion26hotel Besides tweeting about sample sales in the neighborhood and other fashion events, you can find a blog where the Best Dressed Guests are Flip Cam’d and chronicled- a great touch for couture-friendy guests.

I really can’t wait to see what becomes of the Fashion 26. I can imagine pop up shops, designer tweetups, and meetings for the fashion inclined, but for today, just enjoy the wifi (yes!), the cupcakes, the Birkin seats- oh, and the pull-in driveway. A rarity in New York, indeed.