Photo: Courtesy of the Pod Hotel
Formerly the Pickwick Arms, the new Pod Hotel on the east side of Midtown opened in January. Owners Richard Born and Ira Drukier of BD Hotels (owners of the Maritime, Mercer, and Chambers hotels) and designer Vanessa Guilford renewed the property with a fresh and unfussy look that features modern furniture, bright colors, and amenities like iPod docking stations and free Wi-Fi. Although the 347-room hotel is situated in a business district, the Pod is targeting twenty- and thirtysomethings with budget-friendly pricing and a quirky design inspired by the space-saving structures found in mass transit. (One example: The in-room display for shared bathrooms shows whether the facility is occupied, mimicking airplane restrooms.) Come spring, the hotel will open two outdoor spaces: a rooftop bar and a street-level café and lounge. —Anna Sekula
