The Standard High Line

The Standard High Line in New York City, a Michelin Key Selected property, is widely recognized for its striking architecture, prime location, and vibrant atmosphere, catering particularly to travelers seeking a trendy and energetic experience in the Meatpacking District.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general sentiment for The Standard High Line is overwhelmingly positive, often described as "chic," "trendy," "cool," and "high-design". As a Michelin Key Selected property, it scores highly, with verified guests giving an average "Overall Experience" of 18.3 out of 20. While celebrated for its distinctive style and lively environment, some guests note potential downsides related to noise and occasional service inconsistencies.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of The Standard High Line:

• Architecture & Design: The hotel is architecturally unique, famously perched on massive concrete stilts that straddle and hover above the High Line park. Its interior design features a retro-future style, paying homage to Scandinavian mid-century modernism with minimalist furnishings and sharp lines.
• Panoramic Views: Nearly every one of the 338 rooms boasts floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall windows, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, Hudson River, or the High Line itself.
• Prime Location: Situated in the heart of the trendy Meatpacking District, the hotel provides immediate access to the High Line park and is within easy walking distance of major attractions like Little Island, Chelsea Market, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
• Vibrant Nightlife & Dining: The hotel is a destination in itself, featuring multiple popular eateries and bars, including The Standard Grill, The Biergarten, and the renowned rooftop nightclub, Le Bain.
• Amenities: Standard amenities include gigantic minibars, Bluetooth speakers, comfortable beds with Italian sheets, plush robes, and a 24-hour fitness center with Hudson River views. Free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service are also provided.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Standard High Line are designed with a hip, mid-century modern aesthetic, often featuring mostly white decor with wooden slats that evoke a stylish ship cabin feel. They are described as sleek and contemporary, with clean lines, warm woods, and neutral tones. Guests enjoy comfortable beds, fluffy down pillows, and cozy lighting.

A defining feature is the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that provide incredible city and Hudson River panoramas, making the city part of the décor. However, a notable and often discussed design choice is the open-plan bathroom, where showers and sometimes tubs are separated from the main room by clear glass panes, offering limited privacy, which some reviews explicitly state is "for lovers" rather than business colleagues or family members. While some rooms may have privacy blinds, not all do. Toilets, fortunately, are typically in their own narrow, opaque stalls.

Room sizes can be compact, particularly for standard rooms, which some guests find small with limited storage space. Common complaints regarding room design include a lack of towel hooks or racks, insufficient drawer storage, and poorly placed or hard-to-find light controls and electrical outlets.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a diverse and appealing dining and drinking scene:

• The Standard Grill: This signature restaurant serves New American cuisine with a blend of traditional steakhouse vibes and contemporary flair. Known for its extensive raw bar, dry-aged steaks, and "boozy brunches," it attracts both hotel guests and locals. Portions are generous, and food quality is generally very good, though it can get loud when busy.
• The Biergarten: A lively outdoor German beer garden, it's popular for communal tables, oversized pretzels, and traditional beers, especially on warm afternoons.
• Le Bain: Located on the rooftop, Le Bain is a high-energy nightclub and bar featuring a plunge pool (in warmer months), live DJs, and spectacular panoramic views of the Hudson River and downtown skyline. It's celebrated more for its vibrant atmosphere and views than for an extensive food and beverage menu, with cocktails typically priced around $15.
• Breakfast & Room Service: A full breakfast is available daily for a fee, though some guests have reported slow service. Room service is offered 24 hours a day and is generally well-received.

5. Service & Staff

Feedback on service and staff is generally positive, with many guests describing the team as friendly, helpful, and professional. Concierge services are praised for being knowledgeable and well-connected, assisting with reservations and club passes. The staff at The Standard Grill, in particular, has been noted for going out of their way to accommodate food allergies and restrictions.

However, some guests have experienced inconsistencies, describing service as "underwhelming" or staff not consistently going "the extra mile". There have been mentions of long waits at the front desk due to a single staff member, and occasional criticisms of front desk attitude. Housekeeping service, on the other hand, generally receives positive remarks.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is a major draw. It sits directly above the High Line park in the trendy Meatpacking District, a neighborhood known for its cobblestone streets, boutique shops, vibrant nightlife, and art galleries. Key attractions like the Whitney Museum of American Art, Chelsea Market, Little Island, and Hudson River Park are all within easy walking distance. The area is considered safe to explore, even at night.

Transportation is convenient, with major airports (LGA, EWR, JFK) approximately 45 minutes to an hour away by car, and public transportation (subway lines) within an 8-12 minute walk for more economical travel around Manhattan.

For accessibility, the hotel offers deluxe king rooms with roll-in showers and other ADA-compliant features, including visual alarms. The property features wide hallways and elevators accommodating wheelchairs, although some guests note that the moody lighting throughout the hotel could pose challenges for those with vision impairments.

7. Value & Pricing

The Standard High Line is considered an upscale, luxury hotel. Room rates vary significantly, with standard queen rooms potentially starting around $215 per night and standard king rooms under $400, while suites can range from $475 to over $1,800.

Many guests feel that the hotel offers good value for its unique location, design-forward aesthetic, and vibrant social scene, particularly for those looking to immerse themselves in downtown New York's cultural and nightlife fabric. However, some acknowledge that a portion of the cost is for the "vibe" and location, as it doesn't offer all the traditional amenities of a five-star luxury hotel, such as a full-service spa.

While not historically part of a major points loyalty program, recent acquisition by Hyatt Hotels Corporation means many Standard properties, including this one, now participate in the World of Hyatt program, allowing guests to earn and redeem points. Be aware that some guests have reported unexpected charges at checkout, such as "resort fees," which sometimes offer minimal perceived benefits like a small bottle of water for a $35 nightly charge.

8. Common Complaints

Recurring criticisms and issues reported by guests include:

• Noise Levels: A frequent complaint, especially in rooms near the rooftop bars (Le Bain) or street-facing sides, particularly on weekends, where music and party sounds can be heard. Noise from neighboring rooms is also sometimes mentioned.
• Bathroom Privacy: The open-plan bathrooms with clear glass walls for showers and tubs are a polarizing design choice and a common point of contention for guests who prefer more privacy.
• Room Functionality & Storage: Some guests find standard rooms to be relatively small with limited storage space. Issues like the absence of towel hooks/racks, poor lighting controls, and inadequate electrical outlet placement are noted.
• Service Inconsistencies: While staff are generally praised, some guests have reported underwhelming front desk service, long wait times for check-in, or staff who didn't go "the extra mile".
• Hidden Fees: Several reviews mention unexpected "resort fees" or other charges added at checkout that were not clearly communicated upon booking.
• Wear and Tear: Some guests have observed signs of wear and tear, such as scuffed walls, suggesting rooms could benefit from updates.
• No Spa: The absence of a full-service spa is a drawback for travelers seeking a more extensive wellness experience.
• Parking Inconvenience: The hotel's partnered parking garage is not directly on-site, can be far, is not covered by the hotel, and does not include in-and-out privileges, posing an inconvenience for drivers.

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