HOTEL OVERVIEW

members of design hotels TM. This Soho property with a Midtown address is in the center of famous 5th avenue shopping that includes Gucci- Fendi- Louis Vuitton and Prada. The location is significantly close to the uptown galleries and cultural highlights of New York; MOMA- Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Inspired by the downtown art scene and neighboring International fashion houses- Chambers combines the industrial feel of an artists loft with the luxuriousness of traditional fabrics; it feels like a wealthy art collectors Manhattan townhouse. Fourteen other famous artists- including filmmaker John Waters- were commissioned to create pieces for each of the hotels floors. A two-story fireplace dominates the Chambers lobby accentuated with leather covered columns and a large ebony and parchment reception desk. Alpaca sofas- oversized wooden and steel doors and distressed plaster walls instill an urban- yet relaxing atmosphere. Ride up in elevators with lit- exposed shafts to view the mechanics of the cables.

The 77 guestrooms feature platform beds covered in the finest of linens and cashmere throws. Felt ottomans in modern earth tones are set on Tibetan and Turkish rugs over walnut floors. Look inside the minibar to find mood-making scented candles and colored light bulbs. The most outstanding feature of some of the suites is the terrace. Already a rarity in Manhattan- some of these are large enough to accommodate launch parties in need of a view overlooking New Yorks cityscape. As if Chambers was not exquisite enough on its own- TOWN restaurant and bar serves contemporary New York cuisine. The space is separated into an intimate balcony with low tables and settees- perfect for conversation. The main dining area has soaring 24-foot high ceilings- theatrical lighting- backlit screens- decorative crystal strands and mirrors.

Tucked gracefully inside Chambers is TOWN, a sleek two-story restaurant, owned by Executive Chef Geoffrey Zakarian. Due in part to his meteoric rise through some of New York's hottest restaurants (Patroon, 44 at Royalton, and 21) Geoffrey has been described by The New York Times as having his "finger on the pulse of Manhattan." Town is his first restaurant as Chef/Owner. The menu at Town is a modern interpretation of classically rooted French cuisine. Dishes such as Chicken roasted with rhubarb, chanterelles and crushed parsnips, and Risotto of escargots with sweet garlic and black truffles reflect Geoffrey's refined balance between old and new. Geoffrey worked closely with architect David Rockwell to design a luxurious space using sumptuous textures, serene colors and soft lighting. The 40-seat balcony lounge features settees bathed in "liquid leather," and in the 100-seat dining room, strands of Austrian crystal beads cascade down the soaring 24-foot high ceilings. Town has been awarded 3 stars from The New York Times.