Ink on Ink 48

Night...

...and day, NY is the one

For a recent trip to New York, I took a chance on one of the lowest-priced joints on Hotels.com. It was called Ink48 and it was a Kimpton hotel, so how bad could it be; and it was in Hell’s Kitchen, which my cousin assured me isn’t hellish anymore. And the hotel was a jackpot.

     Once I stepped into the lobby, I felt at ease immediately, very high ceilings, very mod, shiny, darkish and hip. OK, the check-in line took a very long time, maybe 10 minutes. But after that I have very few complaints.

     We were upgraded to a deluxe king room ($289 midweek August) on the 17^th floor—it was spacious and we had a view of the Manhattan skyline to beat the band. There is a banquette seat by the window that you can sit or stand on and soak up the rays and the sights.

"Greeking" is really "Latining"

Find your favorite font

The Ink48 is sure to be a favorite for anyone who has been involved in print journalism. The building once housed a printing press, and the Klever Kimptoners decided to hold that theme. The meeting rooms are named after fonts. A coaster in the room describes the origin of Helvetica typeface, and a napkin in the bar explains the typesetting process of Greeking letters.  They provide bookmarks with the tab. There is stationery in the desk drawer.

     The rooftop bar, the Press Lounge, and its restaurant, Print, although part of the hotel, are NOT owned by the hotel. So at 4 p.m. the velvet ropes go up in the lobby and you have to pass serious bouncer inspection before you can get on the designated express elevator to the 18^th floor. The bouncer failed me for flip-flops the first time and I was forced to change my shoes.

     But keep trying, because access is a must. Check it out (Memorial Day to Labor Day only). Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. And that’s hard for me to say as a writer. But I’m sure you’d rather look at this than see 1,000 words.

I am a tiny black and white speck

     At the Press Lounge you experience old New York, people are truly dressed up in serious glam fashion. Even the security men look sharp.  And whose music is pouring out onto the rooftop? Why Frank Sinatra, of course.  The chairman rules here, 70 years in office. Since we are invading their territory, it is only fitting that the food of the gods is served—nectar, figs, apricots and honey. ($60 for two NA drinks and one appetizer)

     Slight room critique: What? No coffee maker? I found it on the hotel’s helpful list of things-you-may-have-forgotten-and-we-will-get-for-you. Well, it seems it was one of the things they had forgotten.  I don’t care how early they put the coffee out in the lobby, I need a couple of cups in my room first.

Extra points for bathrobe selection

     Service was quite good. The woman at the front desk who caused the delay during check-in quickly became my best friend. She made sure I was aware of the wine-driven complimentary happy hour. The valet parking dude, who looked like a character out of Newsies, was terrific in assuring me that I’d see my car again. (Overnight parking is $55.)

     So the ink on the Ink48 is very positive. Book it and bookmark it.

Where else would you find stationary?