The Maritime Hotel ★★★★

I won’t lie; I have a personal aversion to themed hotels. Blame it on a disastrous stay in an ill-chosen “Western Luxury” suite during a lay-over in Back-of-Beyond, Oklahoma. Admittedly, I wasn’t convinced when VeryChic informed me of my next venture. The Maritime Hotel, while occupying prime Manhattan real estate, has been redesigned with a nautical theme, much to my chagrin. I might have been dreading it, but boy, was I wrong to.

Originally built in 1968 for the National Maritime Union, the building that houses the hotel was once at the vanguard of New York’s architectural revitalisation; today, this now-iconic building, with its instantly-recognisable porthole windows, has been given a new lease of life by nightlife impresarios Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode. A 50s travel-inspired mural above the concierge desk sets the tone for the decor: the deep-sea blue lobby is furnished with vintage teal armchairs and a boxy sofa that upon closer inspection I discover is upholstered in a print of maps of New York. With art and architecture books occupying the shelves and stylish New Yorkers occupying the sofas, this place is intimate but atmospheric.

After an effortless check-in, I was whisked up to my Superior Room on the 11th floor, facing the Hudson. The cabin-style room effectively uses built-in furniture to effectively use the room space, which is, admittedly, not big. Nevertheless, all the rooms are tastefully decorated, with burnished teak panelling and pristine, sea-foam-white linens with splashes of deep blue. Somewhat inexplicably, the headboard is upholstered in blue and white butterflies, which is the only discordant feature of the decor.

A coffee maker in my room as per my request, I made myself a cup and spent some time gazing out of my vast porthole window and observing the goings-on in the city below me, before venturing out to explore the area. Excellently located in New York’s Chelsea, The Maritime is perfect for those looking for a trendy base to experience the city. The converted warehouses and cobblestone streets of the Meatpacking District host some of the city’s best nightclubs and restaurants, meaning you’re almost guaranteed to break curfew. Happily, the area also has a lot to offer during the day, with Chelsea Market opposite the hotel, and designer boutiques lining the streets.

Returning to the hotel after a day stretching my legs and my bank balance, before a night out with friends in the city, I took my opportunity to sample the in-house Italian, La Bottega. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of options and the quality of ingredients: my on-trend burrata was deliciously rich and creamy, and my cavatelli with lamb and Tuscan kale was perfectly al dente. Coupled with exceptionally friendly American service, my dining experience was delightful.

After a night on the town, tackling the cobbles in vertiginous high heels (not recommended), returning to my cozy room at The Maritime was a soothing respite. With goose-down bedding, Bigelow bathroom amenities and fluffy, monogrammed bathrobes, the rooms are the ultimate proof that MacPherson and Goode have pulled off yet another luxurious and brilliantly quirky New York hotspot. The Maritime Hotel is surprisingly charming; it boasts excellent service; two atmospheric eateries; and luxurious bedrooms. It has, somehow, managed to make nautical kitsch cool. Perhaps this infallible duo has changed my mind about themed hotels.