I hurried to open the door to Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC’s lobby. It was warm; the perfect refuge from the piercingly cold winter air. I quickly spotted my guests, my sister (and best friend), Stephanie, and her boyfriend, Charlie. The Gansevoort is located in the heart of the trendy Meatpacking District. But, since it’s just a block away from the nearest subway station, it wasn’t hard to get to, even though we had all come from different directions.

The property had a lot to celebrate last year: a 20th anniversary as well as the completion of a four-year-long $40 million renovation that saw refreshed rooms and common spaces across the building as well as a redesigned rooftop, a private members club, and a new cocktail lounge inspired by the la dolce vita lifestyle of the Italian coast.

The Gansevoort was built in 2004, just as the neighborhood was making its turn from an industrial district of meat purveyors and warehouses into the buzzy hub of nightlife, clubs, and high-end restaurants that it is today. It wasn’t long ago when I would roam the streets of the Meatpacking District and Chelsea as a college student, staring at the shiny museums and hotels, including the Gansevoort, hoping to get a glimpse of the inside.

The Gansevoort has completely embraced its position as the hip, laidback hangout in the bustling neighborhood, and you can spot pieces by creative powerhouses like Banksy, Richard Hambleton, and Hassan Hajjaj in the lobby. Gathered there, the three of us were excited for a night of unhurried conversation at Saishin, its rooftop omakase restaurant, followed by a toast in the Poliform Penthouse suite—we couldn’t wait to get the evening started.

This is what it’s like to stay at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, the not-so-new, yet always relevant, hotel that’s perfect for locals and visitors alike.

The Rooms

There are 186 guest rooms, including 23 suites and one grand penthouse at the Gansevoort. Each unit is equipped with stylish sofas, a Lululemon Studio Mirror for quick workouts, beautifully tiled bathroom floors, Grown Alchemist bath products, and even a Marshall Bluetooth speaker for in-room dance parties. So, no matter which room type you pick, there’s no bad place to stay.

But the undisputed gem of the hotel (which I have not stopped talking about) is the Poliform Penthouse: a 1,700-square-foot duplex that had our jaws on the floor. The first level held the penthouse’s common spaces, such as the kitchen, dining area, and a bookshelf-lined living room centered by a massive fireplace. The real knockout here, though, is the 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, which feature a stunning view of the Hudson. On the second floor, you’ll find the main bedroom as well as two bathrooms equipped with steam showers and a deep soaking tub. The penthouse’s walls are lined with pieces created by artists such as Adi Oren, Mick Rock, Daniel Mazzone, and Frank Stella. In a word, the space is simply luxurious—and we seized the moment by opening a bottle of Veuve Clicquot on the balcony and took in those Hudson sights and sounds.

Food and Drink

There are five different food and beverage options at the Gansevoort. Starting at the ground floor, there’s the 245-seat Mēdüzā Mediterrania You, a Mediterranean restaurant encompassing three dining rooms, a circular bar, and a mezzanine area. For dazzling views of the New York City skyline, small bites, and cocktails, head to the Gansevoort Rooftop Lounge. The lobby café, Coffee + Cocktails, is where Stephanie and I had an agave-drizzled açaí bowl and a delightfully fluffy French toast for breakfast.

For dinner, Le Coin and Saishin did not disappoint. Le Coin, the French restaurant helmed by Chef Sebastien Chaoui, opened last September and had walls peppered with curated documentary images of 21st-century France. For starters, we had the seared dry sea scallops with a pine nut compote and bibb lettuce topped with seasonal vegetables, Castelfranco, and a toasted sesame vinaigrette. For my main dish, I opted for the L’Entrecôte, a New York strip steak served with bordelaise sauce and potato gratin.

Last but not least was Saishin, the rooftop sushi restaurant with a 14 to 19-course omakase menu created by executive chef Isaac Kek. “Through my global travels, from Japan to Europe, Southeast Asia to New York, I have taken influences from each place and infused their diverse flavors and textures into my menu,” Kek said. “Keeping my dishes simple, and allowing the quality ingredients to speak for themselves, I take the foundations of Japanese cuisine and put my own innovative, unexpected spin.”

From the coconut shrimp steamed buns to the king salmon and bluefin tuna, we had a once-in-a-lifetime tasting experience that was as thoughtfully curated as it was fresh. I enjoyed my meal with a fun saketini, a creative mix of sake, Grey Goose vodka, and St-Germain liqueur—delicate and refreshing, it’s a true must-order.

Activities and Amenities

Arguably, one of the best places to hang out at the Gansevoort is its rooftop pool, which has poolside service and daybed rentals. And if you’d like to keep up with your exercise routine, the fitness center is open 24 hours per day and has Peloton bikes and a sauna. I enjoyed the complimentary access to The New York Times, which made it easy to stay up-to-date on the news during my time at the property.

If you join Seven24 Collective, Gansevoort’s members-only club (SoHo House is across the street, after all), you’ll get access to exclusive spaces like The Study, a co-working area; Dimes, a speakeasy tribute to Studio 54; The Café; the Rooftop Loft; and the hotel’s fitness center.

Family-friendly Offerings

For those traveling with an infant or toddler, the Gansevoort will provide a crib or pack-and-play and bath amenities like baby-friendly shampoo and lotion.

The property is pet-friendly, too, and you can bring your small dog or cat for a fee of $100 per pet. The hotel provides pet amenities like a complimentary toy, potty pads, as well as food and water bowls.

Accessibility

There are 10 ADA-compliant Superior Rooms that have accessible features like widened doorways, lever door handles, and bathrooms outfitted with grab rails and shower chairs. All of these rooms have easy elevator access as well.

Location

One of the best perks of staying at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC is its Manhattan location, which gives you easy access to public transportation, the Hudson, cultural attractions like the Whitney Museum of American Art, and plentiful shopping and eating options.

If you are flying into the city, the nearest airport is LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which is about 11 miles away or a 40-minute drive. Other nearby options include John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 17 miles away, or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which is 15 miles away. EWR and JFK are both directly connected to New York City via AirTrains, while you will need to take a 15-minute shuttle to get to the subway from LGA.

New York City is well-connected by Metropolitan Transportation Authority subways, and you don’t need to rent a car. However, ride-hailing services like Lyft and Uber are readily available in the city, as are good old-fashioned yellow taxi cabs.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Since Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC is independently owned, it’s not a part of any major hotel loyalty programs. However, it is a part of American Express’s Fine Hotels + Resorts. If you have a premium travel card with the company, such as the Platinum Card by American Express, and you book your stay on the FHR platform, you can get extra perks such as a room upgrade (when available), early check-in, and a $100 property credit.

Nightly rates at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC start from $559.