For stylist and Matteau co-founder, Ilona Hamer, a stay worth mentioning is always dependant on the details. For her home away from home in none other than New York City, it's clear to see why the city's iconic Nine Orchard hotel in the Lower East Side is her go-to. Here, she sends postcards from her favourite spot – divulging all the need-to-know details from Nine Orchard, including her fail safe room service order, where to grab a drink in the hotel and of course, her tips for the perfect bath.
I stay here because...
It’s my home away from home and the best place to stay in New York. I’m lucky to know Andy Rifkin, who owns and developed the hotel, and I saw the space in its many forms along the way. I stay here almost once a month and it’s so great to come back to every time.
My last visit was...
I was shooting in New York in February and was there for 10 days.
What I love about the room
The bathtubs with views of lower Manhattan and beyond. There are only a few rooms with tubs and its always my prerequisite to get a room with a bath as after a long day on set I love to soak in Epsom salts to unwind.
Amenities worth a mention
The Swan room is such a beautiful space to catch up with friends for a drink in the evening. The details, colours and textures are thoughtful, and the large artwork by Maria Berrio always makes me feel good. I like to sit and have a cup of tea and read The Times in the mornings there. My favourite place has to be the swan benches outside on Orchard Street. In the summer I sit out there and take phone calls or catch up with friends and watch the world go by.
It’s the details that count
The furniture details by BBDW are so special. Andy (Rifkin) and Tyler Hayes are old friends and together created special pieces just for the hotel. The ceramic beside lamps and the bathroom details are unique and simple but have lovely character. Andy put a lot of personal items into the hotel during the design process, working with his friend Ray Azoulay from Obsolete gallery in LA. I love the Halabala chairs, the nesting tables in the rooms you can pull apart and use for different things, the Green River bench in the lobby with Bode upholstery and of course the Ojas speakers which sound so warm and are always playing something wonderful when I walk into the room.
Room service order
The Pomodoro pasta and Cesar salad from Ignacio Mattos’ Corner Bar. Such a luxury to enjoy his food in the comfort of your own room. When I have the energy I love to go down early and sit at the bar alone for the same order with a nice glass of pinot.
What to expect in the mini bar
Dimes deli snacks. I always open a dried mango on my first day and snack on it through the week.
Places nearby worth visiting
Dimes, Cervo, Kiki’s, Little Canal, Bode, Desert Vintage.
The one thing I always return home with is...
A smile, and the feeling of knowing I’ll be back again soon.
To experience RUSSH Home in its entirety, issue two is available on newsstands and online now. Find a stockist near you.
