Love Happens at the Four Seasons New York Downtown

four seasons new york downtown lobby

When you hear the name Four Seasons a variety of things may come to mind. Each dependent on your age, social status, aspirational goals, past experiences, etc. Now meet the Four Seasons New York Downtown — the so-called red head of the brand.

My first experience with the Four Seasons was at their Nevis location. And oh my was it a luxurious tropical experience! Before this visit, however, if asked, I would have explained the Four Seasons as an elegant and luxurious hotel. A hotel for those looking for five-star service and traditional decor. My stay at the Four Seasons Nevis most certainly lived up to the standards I imagined. And while the traditional decor and lack of young energy felt a bit boring to my 25-year-old self. The exceptional island setting definitely made these personal negatives fade away.

Nonetheless, the image of the Four Seasons brand as one of prestige and traditional air remained with me. That is until just recently when I had the great pleasure of staying at the Four Seasons New York Downtown.

The Vibe

lobby of the four seasons new york downtown
Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

The NYC vibe is far from that of Nevis so I am not here to even begin to compare the two locations, but the young, fresh, creative aura of the Four Seasons New York Downtown is almost light years away from that of the Four Seasons as I knew it. A hip architectural icon in the heart of lower Manhattan, the hotel’s design offers a new kind of urban chic for the Four Seasons’ brand. A vibrant, inspiring and comfortable space, the hotel is perfectly suited to its Tribeca home. Housed in one of the city’s tallest residential towers and designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern, the hotel occupies the first 24 floors of the 82-story building. The remaining floors are dedicated to 157 private residences serviced by Four Seasons.

Designed by the insanely talented firm Yabu Pushelberg, the interior of the hotel offers an overall warm modern feel. “A foil to the more classical Robert Stern architecture of the building,” said designer Glenn Pushelberg. The innovative design firm created a deliberately asymmetrical look for the hotel with hairpin turns, imposing staircases and stone and marble recurring throughout the artistic public spaces, cozy-chic guest rooms, a world-class spa, and ultra-modern indoor pool.

The Art

As art and design lovers, the interior of the Four Seasons New York Downtown was totally up our alley! In particular, we loved the beautiful and well-appointed art used throughout the lobby!

Manna Hata by Orlanda Broom

Manna Hata by Orlanda Broom in the lobby of the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

Upon first walking through the hotel’s beautiful ironwork doors you are met by a giant alluring work of art!

Created by the London-based artist Orlanda Broom, the work’s name ‘Manna-Hata’ is the first recorded name on a map of Manhattan, derived from a Dutch version of the Lenape place-name. The painting is specific to its location and references elements of the island’s modern history.

Gold Book Tower by Bruno Billio

Gold Book Tower by Bruno Billio
Gold Book Tower by Bruno Billio in the lobby of the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

After passing the hotel reception desk, a stunning tower of gold books by Canadian artist Bruno Billio grabs your attention!

“I’ve been using books as a medium in my work for more than 25 years. Full of possibility, knowledge, and power, books are magical to me, familiar and unifying. My Gold Book Tower sculptures represent the world’s history and knowledge, documented and shared, treasured by humanity, across all language and imagery. 1.5 tons of representational wisdom, gilded and stacked, these modern, Babel-like towers carry a symbolic, as well as tangible weight. Looking into the gaps between the books, the viewer experiences a secret, inner world, in a metaphor for knowledge itself.” – Bruno Billio.

reve mirror koket round black and gold decorative wall mirror

Upside Down Sky Scraper by Hiotoshi Sawada

Upside Down Sky Scraper by Hiotoshi Sawada in the four seaons new york downtown
Upside Down Sky Scraper by Hiotoshi Sawada in the elevator lobby/side entrance of the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

Located in the hotel’s elevator lobby, beautifully cascading down over a grand curved staircase hangs a mesmerizing art installation.

Upside Down Sky Scraper by Hiotoshi Sawada in the elevator lobby/side entrance of the Four Seasons New York Downtown
Upside Down Sky Scraper by Hiotoshi Sawada in the elevator lobby/side entrance of the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

Thousands of hand-crafted strips are linked together to create a form of immense size and beauty stretching multiple levels. Echoing the majesty of a New York skyscraper as it gleams and sways ever so slightly above the grand stair.

This stunning work was created by Studio Sawada Design, a dedicated and talented team of artists and designers who create custom art pieces for high profile clients including Armani, Four Seasons, Tiffany, and Louis Vuitton. Drawing inspiration from movement in nature, each of their unique artworks is site-specific and tailor-made.

Gold Seashell by Mark Quinn

Gold Seashell by Marc Quinn
Gold Seashell by Marc Quinn in the elevator lobby/side entrance of the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

Beneath the hotel’s grand staircase sits a magnificent gold seashell by internationally acclaimed London-based artist Marc Quinn.

Quinn states “‘The Big Wheel Keeps on Turning’ is the story of the planet and everything that lives on it. It is our lives in time. Like the spiral of a shell, the world is in constant revolution.” He further says “… To me they are actually sculptures of the space-time continuum. By that I mean you have the rings on the outside of the shell, which look and act like the rings of a tree – showing the past of the object – and at the same time, the rings are to me like a map of the turning of the world. Then, on the front surface, you have the highly polished, reflective part, which is of course always in the present moment. This surface is always reflecting the now, and so together the form of the shell is like a found structural diagram of how the present becomes the past.”

The Spa at Four Seasons New York Downtown

the spa at four seasons new york downtown
The Spa at Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

In true Four Seasons style, the hotel’s spa was an exquisitely serene retreat from New York’s energy. Offering traditional and innovative treatments. A charming and beautifully curated boutique. And a 75’ lap pool and private Fitness Center, Four Seasons New York Downtown’s spa is pretty much pure spa perfection!

indoor pool at the four seasons new york downtown
75′ Indoor Lap pool at the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

More to Love:

A LIGHT & AIRY NEW YORK APARTMENT FEATURING KOKET

The Rooms

deluxe guest room at the four seasons new york downtown
Deluxe Guest Room at the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

The hotel’s 189 guest rooms are serene, cozy and highly functional making you feel at home away from home. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, each room contains deliciously comfortable beds, a grand bathroom and abundant closet space (always pluses, especially in an NYC hotel!) From a fully stocked mini bar housed in a beautiful wood cabinet filled with a great selection of unique and local products to technology for just about everything (curtains open please, music on please!) the in-room amenities at the Four Seasons New York Downtown are top notch.

bathroom with soaking tub at the four seasons new york downtown
Every guest room at the Four Seasons New York Downtown has its own soaking tub! Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

Looking for some in-room pampering? Check out the Four Seasons’ in-room SOAK Service, an indulgent treat for guests who wish to take full advantage of the deep soaking tubs featured in every room within the hotel (unheard of in NYC)!

“Live Like a Royal” Experience

royal suite at the four seasons new york downtown
Royal Suite at the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

The Deluxe room was perfect for my recent stay, but when I visited the Royal Suite and heard about the hotel’s “Live Like a Royal” experience, I thought to myself, I think I was in the wrong room! Spanning the entire east side of the 24th floor (over 2,400 square feet) with expansive views of Manhattan sits the Royal Suite. From a formal foyer, corner living room, library/media room, executive-style office, powder room, and lavish master suite, with a corner bedroom featuring silk wallcoverings, walk-in dressing area and five-piece bath this suite is a full-on apartment.

The Live Like A Royal experience includes an overnight stay in the Royal Suite. Kick off the evening with a private dinner party for 10 in the Royal Suite’s beautiful dining room. Complete with a five-course Chef’s Tasting Menu with wine pairings, prepared by Executive Chef Shaun Acosta. The next morning, wake up to an in-suite Champagne Breakfast. Then enjoy an in-suite Royal Ritual for two, which includes a 50-minute Remineralising Crystalising Detox Body Treatment, 80-minute Four-Handed Serenity Massage with Warm Rose Quartz, 80-minute Green Caviar Facial, Wanderlust Manicure and Pedicure and Champagne Cocktail and Decadent Tasting.

For just $15,000 per night, you can really Live Like A Royal at the Four Seasons New York Downtown! The suite is also available for private events.

The Victuals

Breakfast in bed (or any meal for that matter!) is always a treat! The Four Seasons New York Downtown “Restaurant in Your Room Concept” is lead by Executive Chef Shaun Acosta. Each dish is heavily product driven, using only the best and freshest ingredients.

While I only had the chance to experience breakfast during my stay (easily ordered the night before via the in-room tablet), the eggs benedict rolled in on a fully set table with beautiful pottery dinnerware was every bit luxury living. Simple, well-done and delicious!

CUT

The bar at CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Four Seasons New York Downtown
The bar at CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Four Seasons New York Downtown. Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

If you are looking to dine outside your room, check out Wolfgang Puck’s first New York City restaurant, CUT. Designed by renowned French architect Jacques Garcia the establishment is a chic downtown steakhouse masterpiece. And whether you are staying at the Four Seasons or not, if you find yourself in the neighborhood around 5 pm the happy hour at CUT is well worth the stop! Hello, Wall Street after work crowd!

The Neighborhood

911 memorial nyc
Source: Photo by Christian Horan / Courtesy of Four Seasons

Ideally situated where Tribeca meets the Wall Street Financial District, a block from all the World Trade Center has to offer (monuments, shopping, dining, etc.) and minutes to Soho, the Meatpacking District, and Battery Park the Four Seasons New York Downtown is in a great location if you are looking to be in Lower Manhattan!

Words by Anna Beck Bimba

bench with curved ends - luna bench by koket