New York couldn’t be more “New York” than Times Square. The bright lights of the Broadway signs. The swift sounds of rush hour traffic no matter what time of day. The mix of people from all walks of life from all over the world—all in the heart of the city.
Although the neighborhood is known more as a tourist wonderland than a hangout spot for locals, I’ve recently changed my perspective on that stereotype. In the midst of NYFW, LUMA Hotel Times Square kindly hosted me for a two-night stay. It definitely made the commute of running from show to show a bit easier. The hotel is close to just about every subway line we needed!
Inside our NYFW Staycation at LUMA Hotel Times Square
Checking In
We checked in to the hotel last Monday night after a full day. Starting off, we headed over to the alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet Fall/Winter 2020 presentation at Highline Stages, then the Libertine and Anna Sui shows at Spring Studios. By the time we arrived, it was about 8pm. We stayed in a King Suite on the 28th floor. The view was directly facing the glittering Times Square Ball that drops every New Year’s Day.
It was unexpectedly emotional seeing New York from the view above. As a kid, I’ve always dreamed of living in the city, even though home on Long Island wasn’t too far away. I moved to the city 11 years ago, but something about the view of New York still gets me every time.
Maybe what attracted me to New York City from the beginning was the thrill of it all (memories: my first internship was at Glamour magazine in Times Square!) but what keeps me going are the challenges. New York isn’t easy but the opportunities and experiences are incomparable anywhere else. The energy is electrifying. And that feeling never gets old.
One common theme you’ll find throughout the contemporary style hotel is its luminosity, hence the name “LUMA”. The back-lit mirrors in the bathroom are perfect for applying makeup. Even the amenities by Etro are packaged colorfully.
Dining at Ortzi Restaurant
We set our bags down and toured the space. It included a mini living room with bright blue and green pillows and matching wall art. At 8:30pm, we went downstairs for our dinner reservation at Ortzi. I’ve been there once for drinks at the wine bar with a friend but was excited to try a meal there.
The menu is curated by Iron Chef Jose Garces. It’s inspired by the cuisine of Spain, France, and the Basque culture. If you’re a fan of Spanish Tapas and craft cocktails, this is the place for you.
What we ordered:
Drinks:
Vida Mia (which means “love of my life” in Spanish): Four Roses Bourbon, Honey, Lemon, Cucumber
Mi Sol: White Rum, Jalapeño Dark Rum, Milk Liqueur, Cinnamon Syrup, Allspice Dram, Pineapple, Lime
Appetizers:
Patacas Roasted Sunchoke: Crispy Quinoa, Cauliflower, Fresno Chile Romesco
Chorizo A La Sidra Chorizo Cooked in Cider: Spanish Cider, Sweet Potato, Thyme, Bay Leaf
Entrées:
Vieiras Sea Scallops: Butternut Squash Purée, Pancetta, Trumpet Mushrooms, Pickled Mustard Seeds
Bisteca Grass-fed Hanger Steak: Roasted Piquillo Peppers, Chimichurri, Potato Purée
The Ortzi team also sent over a surprise dish. It was a Pato, Long Island Crescent Duck with coriander fennel crust, espelette pickled radish, and orange jus. Everything on the menu was delicious, especially after a long day.
For dessert, we had the Chocolate Caliente (Spanish Hot Chocolate Bar). Yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds. It comes with crushed peppermints, chocolate chips, marshmallows, mini churros, and Canela whipped cream. It probably wasn’t the best idea to have something so sweet late at night—but we couldn’t resist! Oh, and another thing if you’re a wine lover: Ortzi offers a complimentary glass of Sangria (red or white) for guests every evening.
NYFW Adventures
On Tuesday morning, I went through my temporary closet to pick out an outfit for the Lagos Jewelry Galentine’s Day breakfast at a restaurant on the Lower East Side. I went with a cozy red sweater from Kochetkova, houndstooth pants, Pologeorgis coat, and an Angela Roi Hamilton satchel.
Fashion week always feels like back to school. It’s a chance to see friends who I haven’t seen in forever and best friends I see almost every day, like Greivy and Michelle. After, the girls and I went to a beauty event near Union Square. Then, I took the R train back to LUMA Hotel for a break before heading over to the Daily Front Row party at Legacy Records. This NYFW staycation definitely made the week easier.
During the break, we had a tour with the LUMA Hotel staff. They showed us around the building and a few different rooms (there are 130 in total). Some of the room layouts have not one but two king beds, which are great for girls’ trips or family getaways—and pretty rare to find in Manhattan. Guests who stay at LUMA Hotel also get a pass to work out at Blink Fitness Bryant Park around the corner.
NYFW Staycation: LUMA Hotel Features & Amenities
Since the hotel is so modern, all the USB ports are strategically placed. I love the little desk station where I could write and the super-fast WiFi is another plus. Underneath every bed in the hotel, there’s a drawer filled with four essentials. Just pull the blue “Open Me” ribbon on the bed and you’ll find a sleep therapy machine, hairdryer, mirror, and iron.
If you’re into wellness, there’s also the Glow Concierge program, which offers a mix of lifestyle and wellness amenities.
Wednesday morning came along and we ordered breakfast to the room from Ortzi. The cutlery was delivered after by a robot butler named Alina (its name comes from the ancient Greek word “light”). The machine is about three feet tall and just adorable. It’s the first one of its kind in the city and can deliver everything from extra towels to bath supplies.
Checking Out
At 11am, we checked out although I could get used to living at LUMA Hotel! Since I was planning to visit the Maison Atia presentation that morning in Midtown West, I kept my bags in the hotel’s storage room and picked them up later in the day.
As I walked outside, it was finally sunny after a week of on-again, off-again rain. I reached for my gold Lafont Paris sunglasses in my bag and realized they were missing so I ran back to the hotel. The staff helped me unlock my room door upstairs and we found them on the floor next to the bed. I must have accidentally dropped them while looking out at the city view.
I glanced out the window one more time to see the Times Square Ball and took in how beautiful New York truly is. And that moment in itself was worth the trip back.
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