Robust Earnings: The Wall Street Hotel in New York Boasts Impressive Profits
Venturing Downtown: A Stay at the Wall Street Hotel
New York City, ever-evolving and space-starved, presents an intricate dance of choosing where to lay your head. On my recent jaunt to the Big Apple, I find myself heading downtown towards Wall Street. After all, this location is perfect for the discerning traveler, nestled in the heart of the old financial district.
The Wall Street Hotel, having opened in 2022, is already making waves. My local companions, who swap restaurant recommendations like currency traders, are excited to meet me here.
Stepping onto the corner of Water and Wall Street, I'm greeted by a polished plaque, reminding me that the Buttonwood Agreement, the genesis of what is now the New York Stock Exchange, was signed in this very spot back in 1792. The exchange began at the Tontine Coffee House—a bustling hub for commerce, known for its rowdy and uncouth atmosphere, where merchants, traders, and financial whizzes gathered to buy, sell, and gamble.
In its place now stands an imposing Beaux Arts building, erected in 1901 and previously used as an office building, a mother-of-pearl importer, an antique emporium, and now, a boutique hotel. With its creamy, marble-filled lobby, I can't help but wonder: Will this Wall Street Hotel live up to its storied location and illustrious name?
The Rooms
My King room is plush and generously sized, adorned with tasteful opulence and boasting five-star amenities: Frette linens, a Nespresso machine, and Le Labo toiletries. The shower, powerful enough to be both therapeutic and slightly shocking, demands my full attention.
Equally captivating is the well-stocked mini-bar nearby. Should you choose to film a debaucherous montage here, it would take weeks! Despite the liquor selection, I manage to resist the half-pint bottles and the oyster shucker, only giving in to the irresistible cashew jar.
The Bar
Lounge on Pearl, an opulent room with towering windows, animal print sofas, and a central horseshoe bar, beckons. A fellow Fintech enthusiast awaits me for a pre-dinner cocktail, eager to share some enriching gossip. The drinks are exceptional, but the spirited debate about the scale of the mural depicting great Manhattan buildings leaves me wanting more actionable advice about my bond holdings.
More promising is the rooftop bar, Tontine, which debuts on the night I depart. Enjoying a cocktail atop the city has long been one of humanity's finest pastimes, and I'm told this Tontine fits the bill.
The Location
Two blocks from the East River and just a few more from The Seaport District, a historic neighborhood once known as South Street Seaport, we find ourselves in a district undergoing gentrification. It's now home to an array of shops, museums, rooftop bars, music venues, and a branch of legendary bookshop McNally Jackson.
The area seems a little Disney-fied to my eyes. However, the rowdy construction sites, Irish pubs, food trucks, and dry cleaners that once catered to Wall Street's working masses have yet to fully disappear. Tourists looking for tranquility might find this charming cobblestone quarter confusing.
The Restaurant
Breakfast at La Marchande is an intimate affair, with tables too close for comfort. The waiters dash back and forth in a frenzy, giving the impression that they would rather be elsewhere. A tableside argument over a botched deal dominates the airwaves, reminiscent of an Oliver Stone production. Despite the whirlwind atmosphere, the eggs are perfectly cooked.
My neighbor, engrossed in her muesli, confides that the bar is excellent, but the room is small. She grinningly admits that it's a reasonable sacrifice. The proximity to the office is essential for successful business travel.
Meanwhile, a table of men nearby curse the collapse of a deal over drinks the previous evening. No one seems to know the details, but questions and theories fly fast and furious.
"Tim sweats sin," I hear one man sigh.
"Kelly taped the whole thing," adds another.
"Kelly who?" someone asks.
"Kelly was THERE?" replies another.
"Kelly jumped in the car." The room erupts in laughter. High-fives abound. If you know Kelly, can you have her call me? I want to talk to her about a sequel.
At a glance
- Best for: Eavesdropping on modern-day power brokers. High-quality bars that induce a sense of mischief. A comfortable, upscale hotel that operates as it should.
- To avoid: Serenity and peace. While Wall Street is undergoing a facelift, gentrification is a work in progress. Those seeking nature and boutiques may find themselves slightly discombobulated.
- Number of rooms and suites: 180
- Rates: Ranging from $500 on a sweltering July Sunday to $1,000 during the December holiday season
- Address: 88 Wall St, New York, NY 10005
- Website*;* Directions**
Written by Janine Gibson, who was a guest at the Wall Street Hotel
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[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tontine_Coffee_House[2] https://walleats.com/2022/03/18/tontine-coffee-house-powers-behind-the-scenes/[3] https://www.nytmotherlode.com/2016/12/09/the-wall-street-i-never-knew/[4] https://discovermanhattan.nyc/tontine-coffee-house-Wall-Street-NYC.html[5] https://sites.google.com/site/bethuawriter/writing/the-tontine-coffee-house-its-history-and-importance-to-american-finance/home
The Wall Street Hotel's strategic location in the heart of downtown, steps away from the Seaport District and the East River, makes it an ideal choice for business travelers, offering easy access to various new shops, museums, and rooftop bars in the gentrifying neighborhood.
Engaging in conversation within the hotel's bar, Lounge on Pearl, one can find themselves engaged in spirited debates about the financial industry, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the Tontine Coffee House—an old hub for commerce where merchants and traders once gathered.