Long before the Whitney Museum of American Art opened its doors, before designer boutiques took over the streets, before The High Line park sprung up, and before Instagram snaps of cocktails glistening poolside on rooftop bars became synonymous with the hashtag pairing: #Manhattan #skyline, there was the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC.

The first luxury hotel to break ground in the city’s historic Meatpacking District, its opening in 2004 knocked back the flood gates, and gave way to a tidal wave of global trendsetters, bringing along with them opening after opening of restaurants and bars.

Today, the area is a cultural hub buzzing with activity—day and night—and the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC is at the center of it all. Nestled among the neighbourhood’s cobblestone streets and warehouses—facades of former meat lockers dating back to the 1800s—the hotel is the new face of the Meatpacking District. As sleek as its guests are well-heeled, the lobby of the Gansevoort looks and feels like an upscale speakeasy; the sort that drinkers of St. Germain tend to start and end their night in. (Tip: Billiard fans will want to schedule in time for a game and a cocktail at the table here.)

Accommodations at the Gansevoort are equally as glamourous as its shared spaces. Patrons will find each of the hotel’s 186 guestrooms outfitted with plush featherbeds, enveloped in Egyptian cotton linens and contemporary design, inspired by the neighbourhood’s vibrant mix of arts and culture. Spoil yourself and splurge for one of the hotel’s 22 stylish suites. Isn’t the chance to 1) stretch out in your own living room; 2) luxuriate in a bathroom the size of a studio apartment in Manhattan and 3) enjoy a private balcony with a view of the Empire State Building to the north and the Hudson River to the west, worth the upgrade? Trust us, it is.

Grand though they may be, such “traditional” comforts are not enough for a pioneering tastemaker of Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC’s type to offer simply on their own; enter the “Glamour Bar.” A playful reimagining of mini bars, the Glamour Bar sees petite bottles of whiskey and champagne replaced with the likes of Gold Lust Nourishing Hair Oil by Oribe and Melted Long Wear Lipstick by Too Faced, all beautifully displayed on a vanity that exists to be fawned over. (Bonus: If you’re like us and habitually forget to pack your straightening iron, Gansevoort’s Glamour Bar has you covered.) The first of its kind on the luxury hotel market, the creation of the Glamour Bar is enough to beckon the globe’s most fashionable to Manhattan simply for the in-room amenities offered at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC .

Location is an obvious draw when booking a stay at this hotel, but it’s really only after one checks-in that one truly comprehends the scope of the hotel’s local scenery. For some of the most impressive views of New York City, take the elevator up to Plunge Rooftop Bar + Lounge. Here, you’ll soak in 360-degree panoramic views of cityscape, best enjoyed with cocktail in hand. (We suggest the Añejo Pacifico, a fresh mix of passion fruit, lime juice and tequila, which also happens to be the perfect accompaniment to a summer dip.) Couples staying at the hotel will want to grab at least one magic hour drink here during their stay. Romance is inescapable come this time; after sharing a majestic sunset over the Hudson River with your special someone—ideally while sipping on a French Kiss (a delicious concoction of vodka, pineapple juice, sparkling wine and Chambord black raspberry liqueur)—the only words you will want to utter are: je t’aime.

Should you get peckish after cocktails, grab a bite downstairs at The Chester. During the warmer months, opt for a table on the patio. Between the outdoor seating, cobblestone streets and fresh seafood (the Pan-Seared Market Fish, served with ratatouille is not to be missed) you might just forget you’re in New York City, not Cannes.

A luxury aficionado, a tastemaker and a pioneer, the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC is where travelers go to stay (and bask) in the know. Trendsetters welcome.

18 Ninth Ave, New York, NY 10014, United States