First Look: W New York - Union Square
W Hotels Unveils An Icon Reborn: W New York – Union Square
Steeped in New York City’s storied past, W New York – Union Square occupies the historic Guardian Life Building, a stunning Beaux-Arts landmark completed in 1911. The hotel’s renovation highlights its architectural heritage, especially within the Living Room—W’s signature interpretation of the traditional hotel lobby. Drawing inspiration from the majestic symmetry and grandeur of Grand Central Station, this space features soaring ceilings, detailed moldings, and early 20th-century elegance. More than just a hotel lobby, the Living Room serves as a dynamic gathering place for the city itself—a vibrant downtown sanctuary where locals, visitors, and creatives meet. Here, timeless design blends seamlessly with a contemporary energy, sparking curiosity and opening new horizons.
Image Courtesy: W New York - Union Square
Guests are invited into a realm of refined maximalism, where every element sparks curiosity. The hotel’s iconic grand staircase is reimagined with a stunning carpet that seems to flow and gather in a cascade of abstract hues, leading visitors gracefully along its sweeping curve adorned with rich botanicals. This bold focal point is beautifully complemented by the striking contrast of black-and-white houndstooth banquette Welcome Desks, polished marble floors, and a captivating original mural by acclaimed artist Shantell Martin.
Featuring a nature-inspired palette of greens, oranges, and grays, the guest rooms beautifully reflect the vibrant seasonal shifts of Union Square Park. Botanical carpeting, curved lacquered walls, ombré wallpaper, flowing drapery, and rich burnt orange velvet headboards create a serene yet striking ambiance. Nestled within a welcoming curve of the wall, rounded hunter green tufted sofas and circular bronze tables provide an ideal spot for both work and relaxation.
Every element in each guest room and suite is thoughtfully crafted to blend comfort with distinctive character. The signature W Hotels bed, complete with a pillow-top mattress, promises a restful night’s sleep, while panel temperature controls and Smart TVs offer modern convenience at your fingertips. Bathrooms feature luxurious Italian bath products by Davines and plush robes that enhance your daily routine, complemented by Marshall Bluetooth speakers to set the perfect mood whether starting the day or winding down.
Image Courtesy: W New York - Union Square
At the top of the curved staircase, the experience extends into the Living Room, where the journey begins at the Living Room Café – a pioneering concept for W Hotels. By day, it serves expertly crafted coffee from Devoción, then smoothly transitions into a vibrant cocktail bar as evening descends. Just steps away is the former hotel ballroom, now reinvented as the brand’s signature Living Room, an iconic Beaux-Arts space featuring original white marble columns, intricate Corinthian capitals, and soaring ceilings adorned with carved rosettes. A lush color palette of greens and blues sets a sophisticated mood, enhanced by serpentine velvet benches, chandeliers inspired by flower petals, and a double-height bar showcasing real botanicals encased in resin, evoking classic Art Deco style. Every element is designed to shift with the city's rhythm, including cinematic lighting projections that change seamlessly from day to night, crafting an ambiance that pulses with dynamic energy.
Image Courtesy: W New York - Union Square
Perched seventeen stories above Union Square, the neighborhood's sole rooftop bar has officially opened—an intimate indoor/outdoor retreat crafted by AvroKO, the renowned design studio behind landmarks like W Prague, W Hoboken, and W Florence. Nestled just behind the hotel's iconic marquee, the design pays homage to legendary art-and-nightlife venues such as Andy Warhol’s Factory and Max’s Kansas City, which once thrived nearby. The rooftop’s concrete flooring mirrors the expansive design of the park below, creating a poetic connection to the rhythm of Union Square’s vibrant street life. Offering unparalleled skyline views and infused with a hint of nostalgic glamour, this elevated escape is the perfect spot for golden-hour cocktails and late-night drinks.