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68 MIAMI LIVING PROFILE Jetting off to the Big Apple? Hotel Gansevoort is without a doubt the place to stay. New Yorkers, celebrities, and pretty much anyone in the know, flock to the Meatpacking District to escape tourist- saturated mid-town and revel in some privacy. The Meatpacking District has been on the rise since Hotel Gansevoort made its debut. Posh boutiques and palette-pleasing restaurants such as popular French bistro, Pastis and Bill's Bar & Burger Restaurant, line the quaint street, while the area's thriving nightlife is the talk of the town. Fourteen stories high, overlooking New York's unrivaled skyline (the view alone is reason enough to check it out), sits Hotel Gansevoort's best attribute—their rooftop pool and lounge, Plunge, which boasts a hot crowd and serves expertly mixed libations. The 45-foot heated rooftop pool, featuring underwater music and colored lights, plays a pivotal role in the NYC summer scene —as well as all year long (open 365 days a year). "The first of its kind in Manhattan" the pool area is consistently packed. Hotel Gansevoort will be adding, sure to be poppin', nightclub Provocateur to the mix very soon. The Gansevoort's in-house restaurant Tanuki Tavern, an izakaya/ sushi/grill combo is a chic, intimate, candlelight- infused space that features remarkably delicious fare. Our waiter, Shimpei, recommended some wonderful items to sample. The Sweet Corn and White Miso Tempura Cakes made for appetizing comfort food. The Hibachi Creekstone Prime Filet was incredibly tender and tasty. And the Maki Sushi, a sesame crusted tuna tataki roll…. was amazing. My hat goes off to their presentation and taste—and it's all very affordable. In speaking with Tanuki Tavern's hospitable and amicable manager, Michael T. Berry, I discovered the secret behind the restaurant's success. "We have a lot of specialty items that you can't find anywhere in New York — specialty draft beers, Japanese beers, sake… Though we're an izakaya, we're still a fusion, we have the Bone Marrow, Bolognaise, Chicken livers, Crispy Baby Bok Choy... Our sushi chef Kazu Hashimoto, who is fantastic, designs all the sushi…" Since the restaurant opened in October, Twilight's Robert Pattinson + Twilight co-stars, Lance Bass, and Gossip Girl's Michelle Trachtenberg are a few of the celebs that have stopped in. Sales Manager, Kate Mangan showed me their contemporary and stylish rooms, including suites popular among stars like Fergie and The Black Eyed Peas, Katy Pery and Incubus. Rooms feature comfy mattresses topped with plush feather beds, goose down pillows and Egyptian cotton linens. For your listening pleasure, rooms are stocked with Sony Dream Machines with iPod docks, sleek Sony micro stereos (customized CD's available), and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi (featured throughout the hotel too). When it comes to pampering, Exhale Spa is a retreat to indulge in. I received a soothing 60-minute Fusion Massage from their masseuse, Kristen Warnick. I recommend getting one of these while on vacation, especially if you're here on business – a wonderful way to decompress. To get those muscles toned and in shape, they have Mind Body classes and a 24- hour fitness center, as well as three ambient infinity-edge hydro pools, signature facials, and more. Unique amenities that set this hotel apart are the complimentary Puma bicycles and helmets they loan to guests for "a healthier, green alternative for getting around NYC." In addition to being environmentally friendly, they're kid-friendly and pet-friendly. Upon arrival, each child receives "a lunch box filled to the brim with treats and juice boxes" and Nintendo Wii is available with a varied selection of games. Inform the concierge about your children's attendance and they'll create a list of recommended attractions and activities that your child might enjoy. Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC 18 Ninth Ave. New York, NY 10014 212-206-6700 www.hotelgansevoort.com Special thanks to Tanya Ali from Nancy J. Friedman Public Relations and Meggie Kempner from Full Picture for their kind assistance. ML Hotel Gansevoort New York You've heard about it, you've read about it, now see for yourself what all the hype is about Words by Vanessa Pascale