We’ve mentioned the Ian Schrager’s Gramercy Park Hotel before, but it deserves another mention now that it’s finally opening. That Time magazine – not normally one to cover a hotel opening – ran a story (A Hotel Guru Changes Rooms) about the hotel’s opening this week is evidence of its high profile status. Schrager’s collaboration with artist Julian Schnabel has many folks keen on seeing the outcome, especially since the famous hotelier is striving to make his latest hotel a departure from the uber-hip boutique style found at properties like The Clift in San Francisco and the Delano Hotel in Miami. Apparently, Schrager is trying to create a new type of luxury – one that is less hip and more quirky and unusual. He’s concerned that the masses keep jumping on the hip hotel bandwagon, presumably via chains like W Hotels who’ve taken swankitude that was once exclusive territory for the jetset and made it accessible to a wider range of travelers.

Anyway, Schrager’s Gramercy Park is one to keep an eye on. If only to find out what Schrager’s anti-hip hotel looks like on the inside…

Gramercy Park Hotel official site