The ability to surprise is a superpower, all those who manage to reach this state rise to that category that makes us smile when we talk about them, The Knickerbocker Hotel symbolizes just that, surprising, sophisticated, historic and that makes us smile every time we remember of our passage and we dream of our return, these are the places that remain forever! Built in 1906 by John Jacob Astor IV, descendant of one of the richest families in the United States of America, The Knickerbocker was home to some of the biggest names in entertainment, politics, culture and high society in the early years of the 20th century.
It closed its doors in 1921, just 15 years after its inauguration, being a victim of Prohibition, at a time when hotels could not survive without serving alcoholic drinks, as hotel bars were frequented by the rich and powerful… which left us leads to the story of the Martini. The Knickerbocker Hotel had a bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggia who invented a drink that contained gin, dry vermouth, lemon peel and an olive for John D. Rockefeller. Since then, The Knickerbocker has been considered the hotel that invented the dry Martini, or at least made it famous, even today it is possible to order a “Dry Martini”, an original recipe, in the hotel’s bars.
The hotel is located in the heart of the city, an iconic NYC landmark and the first luxury hotel in Times Square. Culture, gastronomy, history and spectacular views are some of its attributes, almost like a second home in one of the most visited places in the world. If perfection in hospitality exists, it left its mark at The Knickerbocker! Broadway and Bryant Park are just around the corner, as are most points of interest in Manhattan, it doesn’t get any more central!
There are 330 rooms, including 27 junior suites, 3 tribute suites —Cohan, Martini and Parrish— and the stunning Caruso Suite. All categories present the same level of comfort and sophistication, contemporary style decoration, cutting-edge technology, intelligent lighting, high-quality fabrics and furniture and city views, everything combines to revitalize all those who are looking to explore the best that the city has to offer, and have a refuge waiting for them, their second home, in order to recover for the next day.
By Edgar Correia