I Survived Met Gala Weekend Because Of This Hotel
If you’re like us, you’ve talked yourself out of a lot of good decisions, and into a few bad ones, because you couldn’t tell what was actually worth it. VETTED is here to help. Whether it’s a product, a procedure, or a place, we do the digging, ask the real questions, and try it ourselves before we tell you a thing. If it made the cut, it’s because it earned it. I landed in New York coming in hot for Met Gala weekend: pre-parties, the Met Gala watch party with Instagram on Monday, and a live podcast taping in between. If you know anything about Met Gala week in New York, you know the city’s energy is relentless. I wanted a hotel that felt like a respite from the chaos. The Pendry Manhattan West was exactly that. The Property The Pendry is on the west side of the city in Chelsea, right by Hudson Yards. The second I walked in, it was calm. A fireplace in the lobby, beautiful wood paneling, and a gorgeous bar and restaurant up front. Tucked behind that is a smaller, more private bar that’s perfect for an actual conversation. I had one of the best cocktails of my life there. The whole property has the energy of a hotel that knows it isn’t trying to be the scene. It’s trying to be the stay. The Neighborhood You’re a short walk from the High Line, which means Hudson views the second you want them. You’re directly across the street from a Sephora, which I’ll admit came in clutch when I needed last-minute makeup before a red carpet. Shopping is right there. And because you’re tucked into the Hudson Yards pocket, the neighborhood itself feels insulated from the noise of the rest of the city. Not a “be seen” block. That was the point. The Room Genuinely gorgeous. The detail that sold me was the layout. There’s a separate section with a desk and a view of the city, so when I was working between events or eating in the room, I wasn’t doing it from the bed. The bed itself was incredibly comfortable. Shower pressure was strong and the water actually got hot. Both things I no longer take for granted. The bath products were so well crafted I didn’t reach for the ones I’d packed, which almost never happens. The Wellness Factor This is where I’ll be honest. There’s no spa. I didn’t make it to the gym, but it’s there if you need it. What the hotel offers for wellbeing is more ambient: a room quiet enough to actually sleep in, a bed that earns its keep, and a location that puts you a few minutes from the High Line if you want to move your body. If a spa is the priority, they’ll happily point you to the Equinox Hotel nearby. They told me as much. The Service The kind that solves the problem instead of announcing itself. I needed my room ready before check-in so I could get into glam and hit a red carpet, and Charli at the front desk made it happen. No production, just done. The follow-up throughout the stay was warm and specific. This is the part that would bring me back. The Verdict Worth it if you want a calm, business-friendly base for a chaotic New York weekend, a home-away-from-home that lets you work, sleep, and reset between events. Skip it if you want a spa on property, or if you’re after the lobby-scene energy of the Edition or the Public. The Pendry is contained. That’s the trade. Brooke DeVard is Chief Content Officer at Refinery29 and the founder and host of the Naked Beauty podcast. She writes about beauty, travel, and the culture around both. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Black News 
If you’re like us, you’ve talked yourself out of a lot of good decisions, and into a few bad ones, because you couldn’t tell what was actually worth it. VETTED is here to help. Whether it’s a product, a procedure, or a place, we do the digging, ask the real questions, and try it ourselves before we tell you a thing. If it made the cut, it’s because it earned it.
I landed in New York coming in hot for Met Gala weekend: pre-parties, the Met Gala watch party with Instagram on Monday, and a live podcast taping in between. If you know anything about Met Gala week in New York, you know the city’s energy is relentless. I wanted a hotel that felt like a respite from the chaos. The Pendry Manhattan West was exactly that.
The Property
The Pendry is on the west side of the city in Chelsea, right by Hudson Yards. The second I walked in, it was calm. A fireplace in the lobby, beautiful wood paneling, and a gorgeous bar and restaurant up front. Tucked behind that is a smaller, more private bar that’s perfect for an actual conversation. I had one of the best cocktails of my life there. The whole property has the energy of a hotel that knows it isn’t trying to be the scene. It’s trying to be the stay.
The Neighborhood
You’re a short walk from the High Line, which means Hudson views the second you want them. You’re directly across the street from a Sephora, which I’ll admit came in clutch when I needed last-minute makeup before a red carpet. Shopping is right there. And because you’re tucked into the Hudson Yards pocket, the neighborhood itself feels insulated from the noise of the rest of the city. Not a “be seen” block. That was the point.
The Room
Genuinely gorgeous. The detail that sold me was the layout. There’s a separate section with a desk and a view of the city, so when I was working between events or eating in the room, I wasn’t doing it from the bed. The bed itself was incredibly comfortable. Shower pressure was strong and the water actually got hot. Both things I no longer take for granted. The bath products were so well crafted I didn’t reach for the ones I’d packed, which almost never happens.
The Wellness Factor
This is where I’ll be honest. There’s no spa. I didn’t make it to the gym, but it’s there if you need it. What the hotel offers for wellbeing is more ambient: a room quiet enough to actually sleep in, a bed that earns its keep, and a location that puts you a few minutes from the High Line if you want to move your body. If a spa is the priority, they’ll happily point you to the Equinox Hotel nearby. They told me as much.
The Service
The kind that solves the problem instead of announcing itself. I needed my room ready before check-in so I could get into glam and hit a red carpet, and Charli at the front desk made it happen. No production, just done. The follow-up throughout the stay was warm and specific. This is the part that would bring me back.
The Verdict
Worth it if you want a calm, business-friendly base for a chaotic New York weekend, a home-away-from-home that lets you work, sleep, and reset between events.
Skip it if you want a spa on property, or if you’re after the lobby-scene energy of the Edition or the Public. The Pendry is contained. That’s the trade.
Brooke DeVard is Chief Content Officer at Refinery29 and the founder and host of the Naked Beauty podcast. She writes about beauty, travel, and the culture around both.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
