How The Meatpacking District Grew Up

Where to stay? Well, there is no greater emblem of the elegant transformation of this neighbourhood than The Gansevoort (rooms start from £269, gansevoorthotelgroup.com). Considered the original meatpacking hotel (opening its doors in 2004 at the height of the district's nightlife era), the 186-room property recently completed an impossibly chic four-year $40 million renovation.

It means every room in the hotel features 400-thread-count Egyptian cotton bed sheets, an innovative Lululemon Studio workout mirror and Alchemist bath amenities. And every guest has access to the revamped rooftop pool and the hotel's innovative new private members club, Seven24 Collective.

It’s a case of: come for the 45-foot pool with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, stay for the luxury lounge daybed — a two-hour rental includes a complimentary bottle of bubbles and a basket of essentials including SPF suncare, magazines and water. What's on the menu? Quite a lot, it turns out — there are four different dining spots on the premises to choose from. 

On the rooftop itself, Eden is an indoor-outdoor oasis; a courtyard-inspired space surrounded by lush greenery. If it weren't for the NY hotel staples (think tuna tartare, lobster roll and truffle fries) on the menu, you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in Italy rather than the Big Apple.

Read the feature here.