The next time you find yourself on West 57th Street and 6th Avenue, you might notice a life-size stencil of Andy Warhol spray-painted on an inconspicuous service door just west of the entrance to The Quin Hotel.
At first glance, it might seem unusual for a posh property to allow the graffiti to remain—but in actuality, it epitomizes the uptown glamour meets downtown cool ethos of the Quin. The piece, entitled Andy Warhol, is the work of Parisian graffiti artist Blek le Rat, who the hotel hosted as part of its unique “Artist in Residence” program.
Inside the Quin, guests experience both old New York and new—works from hot contemporary artists are scattered throughout the historic Beaux-Arts building. The connection to the art world isn’t at all surprising given that the site once lived as the Buckingham hotel, where luminaries like Marc Chagall and Georgia O’Keeffe were regulars.
Despite its bustling location near Central Park, the property feels like something of an oasis—the lobby is vibrant but quiet, and even with 208 rooms, guests are still treated to the “boutique” experience. We spoke with the Quin’s General Manager Holly Breuche about which room visitors are most drawn to. Here’s what she had to say:
Inside the triplex Penthouse Suite
The most requested room:
Our triplex Penthouse Suite.
What makes it so special:
I’d have to say the first reason is the extraordinary outdoor terraces. The views stretch from Central Park in one direction, and all the way to One World Trade Center in the other. The main terrace is 1,300 square-feet, and guests fall in love with it at first sight. Guests enter through an intimate private foyer, where the elegant staircase leads to the main level. Here, oversized windows and glass doors open to two furnished balconies. The bright and spacious open-plan living room features an amazing Diamond Series Bowers & Wilkins custom theater surround sound system. There is a dining table for 14 and a full-service professional-grade luxury kitchen, with amenities like a Sub-Zero refrigerator. The master bedroom on the third level is a pristine retreat with a private terrace. In the marble bathroom, a wet room boasts a glass-enclosed rain shower and separate deep-soaking bathtub. A unique range of artwork adorns the walls—ranging from pieces by prominent street artists to images shot by famed photographers.
The rate:
Terrace Suites range from $2,000 to $6,000 per night and the Penthouse Suite starts at $15,000.
Celebrity guests:
Celebrities in fashion, music and sports have made the Quin a home away from home. World-ranked tennis player Stan Wawrinka stayed at the Quin during his 2014 run at the US Open. We have recently welcomed renowned international artists such as Blek le Rat, Nick Walker, Wulf Treu and Eric Zener as “artists-in-residence.”
Your personal favorite:
The 17th floor terrace rooms and suites, especially 1702.
The terrace at The Quin Hotel
Because…
They offer guests the chance to experience the sophistication of an outdoor terrace in the heart of Manhattan. In our terrace rooms and suites, guests feel as though they’re in a serene sanctuary high above the bustle of urban life. 1702 is a spacious corner suite with breathtaking views. Glass doors open to an 800 square-foot terrace furnished with sun lounges, an outdoor dining area for four, and a seating area. Inside, the suite includes a king-size Duxiana bed outfitted with Sferra linens, and a separate living and dining area.
Fun fact:
The Quin was originally built in 1929 as The Buckingham. Transformed and reopened as the Quin in late 2013, the hotel continues its artistic tradition with the Quin Arts program. Some fun art facts: Guests or passersby who look closely will find that legendary street artist Blek le Rat “tagged” the service entrance (just west of the lobby entrance) with a spray-painted stencil image of Andy Warhol during his residency. In fact, guests can find hidden treasures throughout the hotel, and many of the Quin’s artists-in residence have contributed to the hotel’s permanent collection with works in guest rooms, on landings, and elsewhere in the hotel. Guests also enjoy the remarkable “video art wall” in the hotel lobby’s grand salon, which is more than 15 feet high and is comprised of 13 separate screens.
