Built in 1955 as Standard Oil's company's headquarters, the building was completely revamped under the sharp eye of owner André Balazs. The large guest rooms are practical and funky: all have sexy see-through showers, windows that actually open, and platform beds. Some bathrooms have extra-large tubs. The indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge has a preening social scene and stunning setting, but be prepared for some attitude at the door. Pros: on-site Rudy's barbershop for grooming, 24/7 coffee shop for dining, rooftop pool and lounge for fun. Cons: disruptive party scene weekends and holidays, street noise, hipper-than-thou attitude at the door.
Reviewed by Timjnyc from new york city on 9/13/08
The Standard is fun and funky for a younger set. The rooms are what you might expect your dorm room to look like if it were designed by an art major. Sparse, but oddly hip. Platform bed, television on the floor. See-through glass shower visible and impossible to obscure from the bedroom. I don't recall the orange couch, but maybe I missed it. But the windows are big and there's plenty of light. The pool scene on the rooftop is just that -- a scene. But you can jump the line as a hotel guest. I give the hotel high marks, but you're either going to love it or hate it.
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