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Yesteryear’s lodging for women only is today’s hipster heaven.
New Yorkers are spoiled for choice when it comes to iconic hotels, so it’s a pleasure to try something new—even if it’s a revival. Once upon a time, the Martha Washington was the first and most famous hotel reserved exclusively for women. Named after the wife of George Washington, who was known to be a gracious hostess at Mount Vernon, the hotel was an early 20th century refuge for poets, entrepreneurs, artists, and thespians, including Eleanor Roosevelt, the poet Sara Teasdale, and film stars Louise Brooks and Veronica Lake.
Today, it’s a landmark Renaissance Revival property exclusively for everyone.
Established in 1903, it’s been impeccably renovated, and retains flourishes of its former glory, including its grand interior features such as terrazzo floors, fluted columns, and coffered ceilings. History is balanced by humor: Above my comfy bed were silhouettes of Martha Washington smoking pipes and holding axes or liquor bottles.
Chelsea Hotels and its creative partners Selldorf Architects, Pandiscio Co., and Union Square Hospitality Group have revived Martha Washington not as a fusty Victorian, but as an independent woman who does what she pleases, drinking, smoking, and having a good time!
The feminist vibe has also been revived at Martha Washington, with events of interest to women, such as the Film Fatales (filmfatalesnyc.com) women directors’ panel discussion, organized to coincide with the Tribeca Film Festival.
At 29 East 29th Street, the Martha Washington, with its 261 fully appointed rooms and suites, is close to the attractions of Fifth, Madison, and Park avenues for shopping, coffee, or cocktails, but your best dining experience is offered by the property’s restaurant, Marta. Marta offers contemporary Italian by Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group and occupies the spectacular ground floor space off the hotel’s entry. With an interior designed by Annabelle Selldorf, Marta is modern, warm and yet breezy, due to its pizza oven and soaring ceilings.
On the night I dined, service was impeccable and everything was delicious—from the carafes of wine to the thin-crust wood-fired pizzas with rustic and healthy toppings. But don’t stop at pizza.
The rabbit and ricotta meatballs are a must, as is any dish cooked alle brace, over the kitchen oven’s embers! Marta is also open for breakfast and lunch, seven days a week, so don’t be surprised if you take all your meals in this chic space.