Private Opulence in NYC

Upscale American interiors brand RH (formerly Restoration Hardware) knows a thing or two about living well, which is why it came as no surprise when the company expanded from the retail business into the world of hospitality this fall. Set in a striking 1887 triangular loft building in New York City’s Meatpacking District, RH Guesthouse welcomed guests for the first time in September 2022.

“What we’re trying to do is to create a new market for travelers seeking privacy,” RH Chairman and CEO Gary Friedman said. “I think there’s going to be a desire to find your place, to be in that place that’s special to you that gives you that level of privacy, exclusivity and luxury that you just can’t find anywhere else.”

Many of the hotel’s planning, policies and concepts were conceived to create this private bubble for guests. There’s a strict no-social media policy; the hotel only boasts six rooms and three suites; and there are no public events on site. You won’t even find a lobby here — just a discrete private entrance with a 24-hour concierge.

But that’s not to say guests lose out on the amenities of bigger properties either. The six adults-only rooms are 500-square-feet each, and the suites span two floors, covering 1,000 square feet. In Manhattan, that’s a rarity even for five-star hotels. Each accommodation type also features two bathrooms, bespoke furnishings, architectural lighting, a private gym and soundproof windows. And your typical minibar has been replaced with charcuterie, crudités, berries and a fresh baguette. For design geeks, the little details in the decor and fittings make all the difference: think Italian linens, floor-to-ceiling European white oak, Tuscan travertine, Italian merino wool velvet upholstery and stainless steel accents to name a few.

Upstairs, guests have access to a private rooftop dining terrace with a 40-foot infinity pool and panoramic views. Downstairs, The Dining Room (also open to the public) serves a curated menu of comfort classics like a whole branzino cooked over Japanese charcoal, rotisserie chicken and Australian wagyu rib-eye; and the intimate Champagne & Caviar bar, hidden in the cellar on a subterranean level, is perfect for those craving luxurious bites.

As a leader in the luxury sector for decades, Friedman has been thinking about RH Guesthouse for about 30 years. “That’s how long I’ve been traveling to really great places and asking myself questions like, why don’t they have this? And why hasn’t anybody thought of that?” The entire project was developed internally, with RH overlooking the architecture, designing of the space, restaurants, menus and guest experience. The final product is an unassuming, ultra-luxury home away from home in the Big Apple — and Friedman is sure guests won’t find this level of taste and quality anywhere else.

RHGUESTHOUSE.COM