| Description
|
|
xxxxxThis hotel is the reincarnation of a condemned neoclassical cathedral, drastically yet skillfully renovated such that its majesty feels distinctly sacred but agnostic of any particular creed. The annexes and exterior redesigns harmonize stunningly with the original architecture. By day plentiful sunlight streams in through tall stained glass windows. At night the white marble exterior is lit from below to faintly ethereal effect. The grounds are not extensive, but meticulously landscaped, with tables and seating arranged within a circular colonnade and benches scattered along paths through the surrounding gardens.
In stark contrast, the interior columns are richly gold-veined black marble, relieved with lighter accents, softer furnishings, and a surprising amount of greenery. The lobby is magnificent yet welcoming, expansive but not imposing. The reception area is nestled between twin staircases ascending to a mezzanine that circles the grand ballroom to an expansive multi-leveled cafe in what was once the sanctuary. The gallery hallways that look down from the upper levels are lined with conference rooms, spas, gyms, and guest rooms, many with external balconies and all sumptuously appointed. The crypt chapel and part of the crypt proper have been converted to a matched club and lounge respectively which manage to convey a sense of almost scandalous intimacy despite their considerable size.
The crown jewel of this ambitious architectural endeavor is the sprawling restaurant that spans the airy clerestory to spill out onto a crescent-shaped grand balcony with a breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline across the East River, especially at sunset. Above this, the soaring bell tower remains a mystery to most guests beyond the lush conservatory in its base, and though the original bells have been restored, they are not currently in use.
|
|
| Employees
|
|
|
|
| On-site amenities
|
- 24-hour fitness center; free access to the facilities. Additionally, there is a small selection of group fitness classes daily (usually, one morning and one evening) with rotating popular offerings like yoga (offered in the conservatory in inclement weather and the roof deck in pleasant), spin, kickboxing, and zumba.
- Luxury spa with a range of treatments available; massages and many treatments can also be booked in-room.
- Rooftop pool deck with excellent views; closes at 10pm but is available for an extra charge for private booking at night.
- Free breakfast in the cafe each morning.
- Le Carrefour - conservatory with a small attached library where guests can check out books and read among the plants.
- Laundry, dry cleaning, and shoe-shining services available.
- Business center available 24/7 for working, with amenities ranging from the typical computers, printers, fax machines to audio and video setups for podcasting or vlogging.
- The hotel's many event spaces, ranging from the elegant grand ballroom to smaller meeting/conference rooms, available to rent for a discount to hotel guests.
- La Vie en Rose - restaurant and bar on top floor with outdoor terrace dining; open daily from 10a-9p, can be ordered for room services those same hours.
- La Lyre d'Or - lounge in the crypt; comfortable seating, drinks, very small bar-food type menu. Open 9p-2a weekdays, 9p-4a Fri & Sat.
- L'Arc d'Argent - club in crypt chapel; nightclub. Open 9p-2a weekdays, 9p-4a Fri & Sat.
- Le Sanctuaire - cafe; opens out onto the garden with garden seating. 24hrs, including room service.
|
| Notes & Trivia
|
- Though its reintegration was seamless enough that it isn't noticeable to those who had not seen the old church, one of the most ambitious feats during the renovation was the wholesale moving of the belltower from one end of the church to the other -- the better to take advantage of the riverfront view.
- Like many old Catholic churches, the original shape of the building was a Latin cross. The annex, built during renovation to accommodate the hotel's drastically increased need for space, was neatly integrated onto either side of the shorter arms -- seen from overhead, the building's footprint now is a balanced cross.
- There are 47 guest rooms in the hotel; additionally, there are 5 permanent apartments on premise, nestled together in their own end of the annex with their own entrance/exit from the premises. The apartment residents have equal access to the hotel amenities.
- Though the public space in the hotel is not, all the guest rooms have been fitted with psionic shielding. This is not a widely advertised amenity that the hotel offers, but still often appreciated -- not just by those seeking a higher level of mental privacy but by psionic guests themselves who may appreciate a space to relax.
- There is one singular guest suite at the hotel that has been outfitted with mutation suppressing technology that can be activated upon request. This is, also, not a widely advertised amenity.
|
|
| Important Events
|
|
xxxxxAnything particularly noteworthy happen in this spot? Note it here!
|
|
| Le Bonne Entente
|
| Neighborhood
|
Astoria, Queens
|
| Type
|
Hospitality
|
| Hours of Operation
|
Hotel 24/7, on-site establishments vary
|
| Mutant-friendliness
|
le shrug
|
|
|
