The Lowell Hotel | New York City

Dear Guests,

I am excited to say I was finally able to check off a hotel lobby that has long been on my list and it did not disappoint, the Lowell Hotel. Opened in 1927, the Lowell is quickly approaching 100 years of service and is certifiably a NYC institution.

In today’s issue:

• The Lowell Hotel

• Afro-Cuban Funky Grooves by Cami Layé Okún

• A brief history of the Martini

As always, I am delighted to be back in your inbox and I hope you enjoy today’s scroll.

 - Scott, Head of Guest Services

A request from management. If you find this newsletter, relaxing, leisurely, or inspiring please share it with a friend, co-worker, or internet friend!

THE LOBBY
Lowell Hotel

Hidden away in the Upper East Side of New York City is the lobby of the Lowell Hotel. It is a charming space, reminiscent of old-school New York City, with plenty of nooks to hide away in for an afternoon cocktail.

Named after the French painter Jacques Majorelle the lobby bar pays tribute to the vibrant Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech that Jacques curated for over 40 years. It’s a beautiful space with generously portioned cocktails, an ideal combination for an afternoon spent relaxing in the garden.

 LOBBY SOUNDS
Afro-Cuban Funky Grooves

Havannah Cuba-based DJ, Cami Layé Okún blends sounds from Africa and Latin America. Summer is very much alive and well in this set. The allure of the exotic sandy beaches awaits.

CONVERSATION STARTERS
The History of The Martini

There is no drink quite like the Martini. It has been the beverage of choice in hotel lobbies for decades. Elegant, refined, and delicious, it is a simple drink with a muddled past.

One theory suggests the cocktail was derived from the Martini brand of vermouth while another states the beverage evolved from the drink called the Martinez which was served in the 1860s at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco.

The first dry martini as we understand it today is linked to the bartender from the Knickerbocker Hotel in NYC around 1911 or 1912.

The Prohibition era is when the Martini gained fame as the drink’s main ingredient gin was widely produced in illegal stills aka bathtubs.

Variations of the martini to try at the next lobby bar:

• The Montgomery - with a ratio of 15:1 (gin to vermouth) this variation comes from General Montgomery who likes his martini the same way he likes to fight in battle, with overwhelming numbers against his enemies.

• The Churchill - pour gin straight from the freezer into a chilled glass and bow slightly in the direction of France (no vermouth)

• The Perfect Martini - Equal parts dry and sweet vermouth

• The Gibson - standard dry martini garnished with a cocktail onion

• The Hungry Man’s Martini - is dedicated to those desperately needing a snack. Top any martini with three blue cheese-stuffed olives 🫒 and vio la.

FOOD & DRINK
Vespers, anyone?

The vesper at the Jacques Bar is your classic combination of gin, vodka, and Lillet blanc. Crispy, ice cold, and a perfect drink to sip while taking in this Moroccan-inspired lobby bar. James Bond would approve.

As for food, I will be straight with you. I haven’t had the burger at the Jacques bar yet however based on my wife and MIL having the best meal of their lives at the French restaurant next door that cooks the bar food, I am just going to go out on a limb and say it would be a 11/10.

LOBBY VIEWS
Take A Look Around

FROM MANAGEMENT
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