Wayfarer exclusive: inside the boutique Refinery Hotel in New York City
What I love most about Refinery Hotel is that you can feel its history from the moment you walk through the doors. The building’s heritage is woven into the design, and there is something that engages all five senses—from the industrial details and rich textures to the music, energy, food and incredible views.
What makes Refinery especially unique is that you never really have to leave the property to experience the best of New York City. You can start with dinner at Parker & Quinn, head to Winnie’s Jazz Club for live music and finish the evening with a nightcap at Refinery Rooftop overlooking the Empire State Building. It captures so much of the character and energy of New York, all under one roof.
Our rooms truly capture the industrial history of the building while still feeling comfortable and modern. You have the distressed hardwood floors, 12-foot ceilings, exposed piping and custom furniture, so you really feel the character of the original space.
One of my favourite details has always been our Singer Sewing Machine-inspired desks. They are such a fun nod to the building’s history as a former hat factory and really make the rooms feel uniquely Refinery.
What I love about our food and beverage is that each space has its own personality. Parker & Quinn has really become a favourite with locals, and that is something we take a lot of pride in.
When you dine there, you feel like you are part of the neighbourhood rather than a tourist visiting New York.
Winnie’s was recently transformed into an upscale jazz club, and we have live performances Monday through Saturday. It has such a great energy, especially with a cocktail in hand. And then, of course, there is Refinery Rooftop, which is open year-round.
The retractable glass roof gives you this incredible view straight toward the Empire State Building, and with the fireplace, greenery and water fountain, it almost feels like an urban oasis in the middle of Midtown.
I think our X-factor is very much the personality of the hotel. There are a lot of beautiful hotels in New York, but Refinery has a story and a character that you feel the minute you walk in.
The history of the building, the design, the music, the food and the people all come together to create something that feels very authentic to New York. And I think our team is a huge part of that.
We have people who genuinely love the hotel and love New York, and that comes through in how we interact with our guests. We want people to feel like they have discovered a place that is uniquely theirs, not just another hotel in Midtown.
That combination of history, personality and genuine hospitality is what I think really sets Refinery apart.
We aren’t part of the Hilton Honors program at Refinery, so our loyalty genuinely comes from the relationships we build with our guests.
We have guests who have been staying with us since we opened in 2013, and some who have stayed with us more than 100 times. That means a lot to us.
Our Bell Team, Front Desk and Guest Experience teams are always looking for ways to get to know our guests better, remember their names and make them feel genuinely welcomed when they return.
We also love knowing what our guests are celebrating, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or just a special trip to New York, and finding little ways to make that stay more memorable. For us, that personal connection is what creates loyalty.
Bryant Park is probably one of my favourite places to send guests because there is always something happening, no matter what time of year you visit. In the summer, you have outdoor concerts, yoga, movie nights and all kinds of events happening in the park.
Then in the winter, it completely transforms with the Bryant Park Winter Village, where you can shop from local vendors, grab something to eat and, of course, go ice skating.
I love that it gives guests a completely different way to experience New York. And the fact that it is just a short walk from the hotel makes it an easy part of any stay.
American Airlines’ new Flasghip Business Class ‘Suite’
American flies to New York City from across the globe, including from key hub cities Chicago and Dallas Fort Worth with many flights now operated to those two gateways from worldwide cities like London and Brisbane by the carrier’s new ultra-premium Boeing 787-9.
The enhanced aircraft offers passengers an elevated flight experience, with customers traveling in the 51 Flagship Suite seats enjoying more personal storage space, a wireless charging pad, USB-C and AC power and a one-of-a-kind chaise lounge seating option with an adjustable headrest pillow.
“Our customers will now enjoy a more elevated premium experience on this amazing new aircraft,” said American Airlines Vice President International and Inflight Dining Operations, José A. Freig.
For those opting for Premium Economy, customers will experience the redesigned seat with new headrest wings that give customers additional privacy and new calf and footrests that offer enhanced comfort.
The 32 Premium Economy seats also feature a new trim and finish, wireless charging, water bottle storage and USB-C and AC power, ensuring customers have a place for everything during their travel journey.
Customers traveling in Main Cabin will enjoy an inflight experience tailored for their personal travel experience.
Each Main Cabin seat offers USB-C and AC power and 4K QLED screens, featuring the newest inflight entertainment technology from Thales that includes American’s vast entertainment options, from blockbuster movies to audiobooks and children’s shows.