By Angela Fairhurst
Ideally positioned, the LUMA Hotel Times Square sits at the intersection of New York City’s Times Square, Bryant Park, and the Garment District. It’s far enough and close enough to be a convenient respite, with an added bonus of an elevated view of the Times Square ball drop.
The new 28-floor structure, designed by Peter Poon Architects with a sleek façade and transparent glass silhouette, is located between two pre-war buildings. There are 130 well-appointed guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and electronic control sheer and blackout shades. The front rooms to the street are bright with natural light, while the rooms in the back are darker due to the surrounding buildings. The contemporary minimalist rooms have strategic lighting, L-shaped couches, an ergonomic work desk and luminescent wall art with electric blue and vibrant green accents.
LUMA’s rooms were designed to anticipate the needs of business or leisure travelers. The complimentary amenities exceed the standards of most luxury hotels with enhanced Wi-Fi, plush Euro top beds, colorful Italian ETRO bath amenities, Nespresso coffee, and Frette linens, bathrobes and slippers.
There’s a ribbon on the bed that tugs open to reveal more forward-thinking amenities in brightly colored bags. Sleep therapy is a bundle featuring a Sleep Sound Machine, essential oil diffuser, custom LUMA eye mask, ear plugs and a relaxing tea to ensure a restful night of sleep. Unwrinkle Me is a hand steamer; Wet Hair Machine is the bag for the blow dryer and Fairest of them All has a lighted make-up mirror. There’s a fully stocked minibar with unique snack & beverage offerings and digital subscriptions to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.
Under-bed amenities. Photo by Angela Fairhurst
To top it off, LUMA has Manhattan’s first robot butler which will deliver any needed amenities such as a toothbrush or extra towels to your room without having to worry about “how you look” when you open the door to retrieve the item.
LUMA’s ground floor houses, Ortzi, a restaurant helmed by renowned James Beard Award-winning Chef Jose Garces, inspired by the Basque region’s tradition of tapas, and the wood-paneled lounge and bar area is open all day, with happy hour between 4:30-7pm.
Translating his cultural traditions from the flavorful mountainous coastal region area between Spain and France, Garces’ culinary vision arrives at Ortzi.
Its intimate 50-seating dining room has an open kitchen and brick oven that can be seen from the front door entrance of the Luma Hotel. To top it off, guests enjoy a complimentary signature Sangria served daily in the lobby.
Need anything else? There is a Dialed-in Concierge service, a resource for dining, theatre, indoor and outdoor fitness options, shopping, transportation & more and access to state of the art fitness facility at Blink Fitness Bryant Park.
