Big Apple Business: Hotel Giraffe

The 73-room Hotel Giraffe is a stylish asset to HKHotels’ portfolio – a collection of small luxury hotels in New York City, offering travelers sophisticated, elegant accommodations, an abundance of value-added services and amenities including lavish complimentary Continental breakfast, evening wine and cheese receptions, and much more. The Hotel Giraffe is both a hip and luxurious haven in the heart of one of Manhattan’s most trend-setting neighborhoods.

History
The Hotel Giraffe opened in January of 2000. During much of the construction phase, the hotel did not have a name. It wasn’t until architect Stephen B. Jacobs told owner Henry Kallan about a hotel in Carcasonne named HOTEL L'ELEPHANT. Mr. Kallan appreciated the humor of naming an elegant hotel after an animal, and since the hotel represented all the attributes of Mr. Kallan’s favorite, the giraffe - tall, graceful, strong, elegant, and gentle – it was determined to be the perfect name for his new property.


Location
The hotel is located at the corner of Park Avenue South and 26th Street in one of New York City’s most desirable neighborhoods, with stylish establishments serving a creative business community of advertising agencies, architectural firms, internet and design firms. The neighborhood, also referred to as Rose Hill, is an enclave between midtown to the north and the Flatiron District to the south. The recently revitalized Madison Square Park just one block from the Hotel Giraffe boasts extensive playground equipment for the younger set; the ever-popular Shake Shack for burgers, shakes and even wine and beer; and is the scene of many City-sponsored musical and cultural events throughout the year. Many Zagat top-rated eateries (Eleven Madison Park, Tabla, Union Square Café, and Gramercy Tavern) are also within easy walking distance of the hotel.


Decor
The Hotel Giraffe is an icon of European Moderne design celebrating the glamour and sophistication of the 1920s and 30s. Under the artistic inspiration of architect Stephen B. Jacobs and his wife and business partner, interior designer Andi Pepper, the overall design is characterized by sleek lines and subdued colors to create a haven of simple elegance. The gentle curves of the hotel’s trademark Juliet balconies serve as the design inspiration for the interiors - mirrored throughout in the curves of the brushed steel lamps, the working desks, the bathroom vanity, and much more.

Public Areas
Guests are welcomed into the sleek Grande Lobby with 12-foot high ceilings and magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows with sheer silver curtains – a true oasis, secluded from the hustle and bustle of the city just outside. Café tables and clusters of inviting sofas and chairs create a warm and inviting ambiance. In the morning, guests enjoy a complimentary Continental breakfast buffet in a European café atmosphere. By night, votive candles softly light the space as a selection of complimentary Italian wines and imported and domestic cheeses are served from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. A pianist is on hand to further complement the mood from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday; jazz is featured on Monday evenings. Guests may also enjoy the Roof Garden where, weather permitting, they may sip cocktails and nibble on tapas under a starry sky.

Accommodations
An intimate, residential setting is provided with only seven guestrooms per floor; four rooms are handicapped accessible. Each room has 10-foot ceilings with antique-rose velveteen upholstered chairs and ottomans, original black-and-white photographs from the ‘20s and ‘30s, and elegant eight-foot tall mahogany doors. Bathroom doors have beveled semi-opaque glass panels while closet doors feature eight-foot tall mirrors. In 51 of the rooms and suites, French doors with Merlot-red sheers lead to the Juliet balconies adorned with red geraniums in the spring and summer. a mixture of tones and textures characterize the glamorous décor with ivory diamond- quilted satin bedcovers set against chocolate leather headboards and iridescent platinum wall covering. Remote electronic blackout shades guarantee uninterrupted sleep. Brushed steel light fixtures lend a soft glow to curved anigre wood veneer armoires and desks with polished granite countertops. Stylish baths feature limestone floors, terra cotta-colored tiles, and coffered ceilings.


Guest room features
100% cotton Egyptian linens and towels; minibar stocked with Red Bull, Vitamin Water, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments; 8-foot granite desktop (double rooms feature two desktops); ihome station featuringAM/FM clock radio with iPod dock; signature umbrella; personal safe; iron and ironing board; stereo with CD player; 27-inch LCD flat screen television with 200 channels of digital cable and movies on demand; DVD player; complimentary bottled water; chocolates at nightly turndown; plush terrycloth bathrobes and waffle-weave slippers; blow dryer; cordless telephones; dataports; complimentary high-speed wireless internet access; dual-line speaker phones with voicemail; Swedish Natura bath products; lighted make-up mirrors in the bathroom and freestanding makeup mirrors on the desks in all suites.


Suite features
Hotel Giraffe offers 21 beautifully appointed suites. Eight are referred to as Terrace Suites, each with a private Juliet balcony that overlooks Park Avenue. A Terrace suite may be combined with a deluxe double bedded room to create a two-bedroom suite. In addition to the amenities noted above for guestrooms, all suites feature a separate living room and bedroom, a pull-out sofa bed and a high 28-inch coffee table for casual in-room dining.


Guest services
HKHotels signature amenities include a Complimentary Continental breakfast buffet is served in the lobby from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, café au lait, tea, gourmet coffee, cookies, and fresh fruit are available to guests throughout the day. A selection of Italian wines, Prosecco and imported and domestic cheeses are served Monday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Other services and amenities include: Valet parking, 24-hour concierge; business center services; free CD and DVD library; babysitting services; same-day laundry and dry cleaning; Complimentary newspapers and magazines, are available at all times.


Penthouse
The retro-glamorous, 1,300-square foot Penthouse Piano Suite provides the perfect setting for spectacular meetings and social events. Spacious and airy, the Piano Suite features a 26ft vaulted barrel ceiling, dramatic views of Manhattan, wrap-around glass wall with a working stone fireplace, ebony baby grand piano, 150 square foot private terrace and an exquisite 750 square foot landscaped roof-top garden. The Piano suite with Park Avenue Terrace and the Roof Garden can each be rented separately for smaller events, or together for larger events up to 125 guests.


Health Club
Hotel guests receive complimentary passes to the New York Sports Club located at Park Avenue South and 23rd Street. Hours are Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Spa services may be arranged at the award winning Oasis Day Spa located at Park Avenue South and 31st street. The concierge is happy to arrange private in-room massages.


Awards
Design Award- Society of Registered Architects
Ranked one of the most popular hotels in New York by members of TripAdvisor.com
Voted Best Boutique Hotel 2007-Best of Citysearch.com New York
HKHotels Signature Style of Hospitality and Value
At HKHotels guests enjoy great value, with all rates including the following amenities at no extra charge:
*Bountiful European style breakfast buffet
*Selection of coffee, tea, juices, cookies, and fruits throughout the day
*Wine & cheese reception evenings from 5pm-8 pm
*Complimentary wireless high speed Internet access
*Evening turndown service
*Complimentary passes to nearby New York Sports Club

Address Hotel Giraffe

365 Park Avenue South

New York, NY 10016


Telephone (212) 685-7700

Facsimile (212) 685-7771

E-mail information@hotelgiraffe.com

Website www.hotelgiraffe.com

US toll-free 877-296-0009


Owner HKHotels/ Henry Kallan


General Manager Peter Velk

Director Sales & Marketing Jennifer Villanueva


For reservations, call Hotel Giraffe at (212)685-7700 or visit www.hotelgiraffe.com