Arrive Magazine - September/October, 2011

Center of the Action

A;nia Manhattan is already the center of it all, and now it’s a getting a stylish redesign by the acclaimed firm of David Rockwell, a leader in modern restaurant and hotel decor.

The hotel, at 31st Street and Seventh
Avenue, is just steps away from the best of
Penn Station; and on and on. All that neighborhood
energy has inspired a $25 million renovation with a
theme of “urban retreat.”
And a retreat it certainly is. A;nia Manhattan, with
616 rooms, is perfect for the traveler seeking an ex-
tended stay (deluxe suites have full kitchens) or those
enjoying a shorter visit. All rooms have
refrigerators, flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi,
and the hotel is equipped with a fitness
center, 24-hour business center and 9,000
square feet of meeting space.

Here, the motto is “Comfort, Convenience and Customization”—the three C’s. And sometimes they overlap. The Pillow Menu, for instance, lets you select feather and goose down, buckwheat or Swedish memory pillows. Or try the “sound” pillow that let’s you plug in your iPod for whatever lullaby that pleases you. Six pillows in all are available for the duration of your stay.

Order a spa treatment in your room from SPA;nia, and choose from four massages, two facials and two hand-and-foot treatments.

A;nia is for people who love spotless, fresh rooms. And you’ll never detect that odor of stale cigarettes because the entire hotel is smoke-free.

When you’re ready to head out on the town, grab a complimentary Experience Kit. One has everything you need for a walking tour, including audio loaded onto an iPod, maps, guidebooks and even a pedometer. Another kit has all the wares for a picnic, including a wine carrier, advice on where to fill it, and a picnic blanket.

Also, A;nia regulars can sign up for My A;nia
and set preferences in an online profile so when you
arrive, that buckwheat pillow is already in your room.

And so is your shaving cream, mouthwash, contact
lens solution, hair spray and nail polish remover so you
don’t have to worry about getting through the liquid
restrictions at airport security. My A;nia
also allows for a paperless checkout, a
discount on luggage shipping, access to
a charger for your electronic devices (to
replace that one you forgot at home) and
the easy printing of boarding passes.

If you choose a night in, A;nia provides great food and drink at Niles New York City Bar and Restaurant. You can dine as early as 7 a.m. and as late as 11: 30 p.m., and the bar stays open until at least 2 a.m. (and sometimes later).