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HAP Weekly The New York City Hotels Worth Escaping to After “I Do”What’s worth the stay after tying the knot in the city, Baz Luhrmann’s cinematic carriage on the British Pullman, and a peek inside Crete’s hottest new opening, The Revery. | Our Top Reads This Week Further Reading |
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Letter From Dan | Hey (HAP)ers!
If you could choose anywhere in the world, money no object, where would you spend your wedding night? It’s a fun game whether you’re already married or still dreaming about it, though it becomes a much more pertinent question when you’re in the midst of planning your big day. I bring this up because a friend of mine, who is currently in that very situation, recently asked me to recommend the perfect post-nuptial pad in New York City.
It really got me thinking, as it’s such a personal moment and so many factors are involved. It’s easy when it’s a destination wedding—the choice is already made! But when you’re in your own town or city, the options can feel overwhelming, or convenience may take precedence. I spent my own wedding night at The Standard in Miami (my husband’s home turf), because it was close to our venue and we also wanted to host a pool party for our guests the morning after.In NYC, the problem is too many options rather than too few, which was exactly my friend’s dilemma. In the end, one of her guests generously gifted her a hotel room for the night, so my efforts weren’t needed after all.
But I figured I’d share the list of places I would have suggested to her with all of you to make the exercise worthwhile.Read on for my New York wedding night hotel picks, plus all the latest travel industry news and updates from Ruby Gregg, and more.
Much love! D x
- Dan Howarth, HAP Weekly Newsletter Editor |
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Feature From grand uptown icons to intimate downtown hideaways, these are the New York City hotels worthy of the most memorable night of your life. | | Where to Spend Your Wedding Night in NYC
By Dan Howarth
New York City has so many great hotels that narrowing down the perfect wedding-night stay initially felt impossible. So I created a few criteria to help whittle down the list. Of course, it has to be romantic. We’re talking soft, moody lighting, hidden lounge nooks, luxurious bed linens, and large showers. It also has to align with the overall wedding experience. For instance, it might feel a little odd to go from a ceremony and reception in a Red Hook warehouse to an overnight stay at Aman. And above all, it has to feel memorable—whatever that means to you. Historic, kooky, maximalist, cozy, sexy, or something entirely different.
With all that in mind, my top pick is (drumroll please…) The Greenwich Hotel! This Downtown darling ticks all the boxes above. It’s elegant without being over the top, it’s in a prime Tribeca location, and even has a pool for a late-night swim. No two rooms or suites are alike, which adds a special element of surprise, and the service is excellent, so you’re bound to feel spoiled.Another option—which may be predictable, but I don’t care, it’s a classic!—is NYC’s Uptown belle, The Carlyle. I can think of few better ways to end the best day of your life than sipping a nightcap martini at Bemelmans Bar before retreating to one of the old-money-style suites, then waking up for a stroll through nearby Central Park as newlyweds.
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Although I highly encourage splurging for the big night, these two choices are obviously not within every couple’s budget. So my more wallet-friendly alternative is SoHo charmer The Manner. Colorful, chic, and slightly whimsical, its jewel-toned interiors make the perfect backdrop for a white wedding dress, and there’s also a great rooftop for skyline-backed “just married” photos.
Ultimately, though, it really comes down to who you are and what you love. Honorable mentions go to The Fifth Avenue Hotel for colorfully fun couples; Hotel Chelsea for eccentric history buffs; The Twenty Two for the fashion-forward; and Public for no-frills party animals. And honestly, as long as you’re together, it’ll be memorable no matter what.
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Ruby Gregg What I Pitched To My Editor-In-Chief |
By Ruby Gregg
I’m Ruby, HAP’s News Editor. Each week, I highlight the travel, hotel, and lifestyle stories catching our Editor-in-Chief Brandon Berkson’s eye—and what should catch yours too. Have an above-par piece of news? Pitch me at [email protected]
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Vietnam’s First Eco-Wellness Lodge Is Opening Beside the World’s Largest Caves
Deep in Vietnam’s Phong Nha region, Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges will open later this year beside the world’s largest caves, offering river crossings, cave expeditions, and open-air treatments shaped by the forest. |
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Copenhagen to Open Water Culture House Later This Year
In a city where winter swimming already feels woven into daily life, Copenhagen’s upcoming Water Culture House is poised to become the next gathering point along the harbor. The project will bring together cold plunges, saunas, dining, and public programming in a space designed as much for conversation as for taking a dip. |
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Baz Luhrmann’s Celia: A Cinematic Carriage on the British Pullman
Baz Luhrmann has turned a railway carriage into pure spectacle. His newly unveiled Celia carriage aboard the British Pullman displays his signature blend of velvet, drama, and golden-age romance, allowing passengers to step into the director’s cinematic world. |
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Laurel Supply Opens in West Hollywood
Laurel Supply has just arrived in West Hollywood, and they’re giving other gourmet grocers in the area a run for their money. With crisp, clean-lined interiors and a hyper-local culinary lineup spanning coffee, pizza, sushi, pastries, and provisions, it blurs café, market, and all-day hangout into one. |
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Bea Mombaers and Peter Ivens Redesign Hotel Julien in Antwerp
Antwerp’s Hotel Julien has always attracted the design crowd—but its latest enhancement, led by Bea Mombaers and Peter Ivens, goes above and beyond. Think layers of raw linen, sculptural lighting, soft neutrals, and collected vintage pieces. |
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Spokane’s Historic Davenport Hotel Unveils a New Era Following Major Renovation
Spokane’s grand dame is entering a fresh chapter. Following a major renovation, the 1914 Davenport Hotel has been revived with gilded detailing, dramatic public spaces, and guestrooms that feel lighter and more current—preserving the hotel’s unmistakable character without freezing it in time. |
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Cucina Alba Opens Alba Spiaggia at Montauk Yacht Club
This summer, downtown Manhattan favorite Cucina Alba is bringing its low-lit Italian vibe out east with Alba Spiaggia at Montauk Yacht Club. Expect crowd-favorite crudo towers, icy martinis, and the kind of lingering waterfront lunches that surpass the afternoon hours. |
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Fouquet’s is Headed to Mykonos
Fouquet’s is transplanting from the Champs-Élysées to the Cyclades, bringing its Parisian sensibility to Mykonos, where the storied brand plans to effortlessly intertwine with the island’s long beach days and late-night culture. |
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Hotel Spotlight HAP Founder Brandon Berkson interviwewed Yannis Lempidakis from The Revery, Greece's hottest hotel opening this summer. Here's what he had to say. | | Meet The Revery: Crete's Most Anticipated New Hideaway
By Brandon Berkson
Brandon: Tell us about The Revery and what sets the property apart. Why is Crete so unique?
Yannis: The Revery is a small, design-led retreat on the far western edge of Crete, near Elafonisi, on a private cove in a part of the island that still feels untouched. What sets it apart is the way we've approached luxury. It's not about excess, it's about restraint. We've combined suites with tented pavilions, almost safari-inspired structures that open you up to the elements without compromising on comfort. Crete itself holds a kind of depth that you don't always find in Mediterranean destinations. And the west, in particular, still has a sense of discovery.
Brandon: Share why travelers should be excited about this upcoming opening.
Yannis: People are increasingly looking for places that feel considered, not manufactured. The Revery is very intentional in that sense. You have access to Elafonisi, Balos, and Kedrodasos, three of the most remarkable beaches in Greece, but you return to something quiet, private, and curated. What excites us most is how the experience unfolds beyond the room. Evenings are spent stargazing with professional astronomers, while days move effortlessly between our spa, exploring the coastline by Land Rover, kitesurfing, or setting out on private boat trips.
| The Conversation Continues | | Brandon: Describe the creative sparks behind the design and the overall concept.
Yannis: The Revery was shaped around a simple idea: to share Crete at its most authentic. The island's quiet and raw side. Materials, light, and layout follow the land rather than compete with it. Alongside the suites, we introduced tented pavilions, a more nature-immersive way of staying that brings you closer to the sea, the air, and the changing light throughout the day. The Revery is our interpretation of Crete. Where luxury is quieter, more personal, and rooted in how you feel as much as where you are.
Brandon: Name one common hotel pet peeve that you are actively correcting at The Revery.
Yannis: When a space looks beautiful but doesn't actually function well.A simple example is the shower. You walk in and there are five knobs, no clarity on temperature or pressure, and inevitably you get hit with a blast of freezing water before figuring it out. At The Revery, we've been quite obsessive about these details. Luxury, for us, is when things just work, quietly and seamlessly. |
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