Courtesy of the Muse Hotel
Located in the heart of the Theatre District, the Muse Hotel has been a 4-star haven offering both corporate travelers and Manhattan vacationers a comfortable yet convenient place to stay for years. With a recent top-to-bottom renovation, Kimpton Hotels transformed its Midtown oasis into a contemporary chic sanctuary complete with high-end amenities at mid-range price points.
For agents, traveling can be exceptionally weary, and finding an ideal boutique hotel to rest peacefully between endless meetings is pertinent. Plus, being located in the heart of Times Square doesn’t hurt.
Inman spoke with Shannon Spillett, director of marketing at Kimpton Hotels in New York City, on the recent transformation, how the hotel is being marketed and what new amenities assist travelers in streamlining their trips.
Spillett’s comments have been edited for clarity.
What initiated the Muse’s renovation?
The renovation of the Muse was prompted by the changing demand for boutique hotels to cater to the modern “road warrior,” regardless if they are traveling for business or leisure. With the renovation complete, the Muse now delivers ample communal space with comfortable seating, guestrooms styled with the conveniences of home and meeting spaces with upgraded technology options.
Why did Kimpton choose to market the Muse toward women?
As with many boutique hotels, since its opening, the Muse has attracted a larger percentage of female guests. The small size of the hotel allows us to cater to our guests’ needs directly with specialized décor. This includes backlit vanity mirrors that are perfect for putting on makeup and stylish yet convenient chair-sized corner benches in the showers that provide abundant space for storing bath products.
Is the Muse the only hotel in the area to specifically target female visitors?
Kimpton Hotels prides itself on being a hotel of choice and favorite among female travelers. The brand provides services and amenities that cater to female travelers’ needs. Kimpton goes above and beyond to ensure a thoughtful and fabulous stay for guests. Kimpton’s signature programs like, “Forgot It, We’ve Got It,” offers amenities geared for the female traveler, and Wine Hour offers the solo female traveler the opportunity to be more social and network with other travelers in a friendly environment.
What makes the the Muse different from other boutique hotels in Manhattan?
The Muse’s emphasis on personalized guest services make it stand out amongst its competitors. Guests can expect neighborhood centric offerings, such as our Packing Professionals Team, a unique museum excursion and an individualized shopping tour of New York City’s trendiest neighborhoods.
The hotel’s central location and access to several nearby transportation hubs including Port Authority Bus Terminal, Times Square and Penn Station are key differentiators for the property, making traveling a stress-free process.
Intra-Spec Hospitality Design revamped the Muse’s hotel rooms. Did Kimpton provide inspiration for décor, or did the professional team take the reins?
Intra-Spec Hospitality revamped the entire hotel– from the guestrooms to the adjacent restaurant, NIOS– serving seasonal modern-American plates. The team at Intra-Spec Hospitality Design took the reins on the renovation, but kept the Muse’s love for locally-found inspiration top of mind.
The Muse caters toward tourists and working professionals alike, and the amenities feel highly accommodating. Can you explain the complimentary packing service? It seems like a real time saver, especially for business travelers.
Upon request, the Packing Professionals Team will fold and fit your belongings into your suitcase and optimize every last inch of space. This was created in order to ease the stress of traveling, particularly for business travelers who have schedules filled with demanding meetings and long events. If there are any items that don’t fit properly in your suitcase, the team will see that the remaining items are shipped safely back to you home.
Any other amenities the Muse offers that could be beneficial to business travelers like real estate agents?
Real estate agents, like many business travelers, have to remain connected 24/7. The Muse makes completing job-related tasks easier with a variety of amenities, including a bedside nightstand fitted with USB ports, a Jawbone Jambox Bluetooth speaker, a pop-up reading light installed directly into every headboard and chaise-style seating in the living room-like lobby, perfect for answering emails or leading conference calls. After a long day of meetings or events, business travelers can enjoy leisure time exploring the city on a Kimpton-branded PUBLIC Bike or relaxing with a complimentary glass of wine during the hotel’s nightly wine hour.
