Hyatt Herald Square hotel - New York, USA

It’s been a memorable year for Hyatt openings in New York. The Park Hyatt may have stolen most of the headlines, but the launch of Midtown’s Hyatt Herald Square deserves considerable hype too. Designed by Paul Vega and Vennie Lau of VLDG Inc, the aesthetic of the 122-room hotel is led by the history of the district it’s located in; one with a storied publishing past that also sits near the Fashion District. As such, expect pops of colour, custom-made fabric and letterpress blocks; the concierge desk made from decorative newspaper stacks is an accurate summary of the convivial atmosphere that runs throughout. Standouts include the lobby, festooned with local artwork and featuring a ‘market’ offering snacks, and the rooftop lounge, ‘Up on 20’, which places both the Empire State Building and Freedom Tower in easy view.