Just in time for the Presidential Inauguration, the historic Jumeirah Essex House unveiled its luxurious Presidential Suite, the perfect location to relax and unwind in style.  The 2,500 square-foot suite offers roomy and plush accommodations, an exclusive art collection and picture-postcard views of Central Park.

“This is an exciting new phase for the Jumeirah Essex House,” remarked Scott Dawson, General Manager of the Jumeirah Essex House.  “The renovation of the Presidential Suite symbolizes the beginning of a new era for the hotel by offering enhanced accommodations, one-of-a-kind Central Park views and exquisite artwork while maintaining the hotels high level of service.”

International designer, Khuan Chew of KCA International who is known for designing Jumeirah’s famous Burj Al Arab in Dubai, is the creative mastermind behind the transformation of the Presidential Suite into a home away from home.  “We are extremely honored to have been selected to refurbish the hotel’s Presidential Suite as it was KCA International’s first venture in New York,” said Khuan Chew of KCA International.  “The magnificent views of Central Park, combined with the hotel’s historical beauty, inspired the traditional environment paying homage to 1920s and ‘30s architecture and design.”

The new Presidential Suite has a streamlined look with modern influences in art and accessories.  The entrance featuring taupe silk wall coverings and redesigned ceilings leads into a light and airy living space.  Soft color tones enhance the magnificent park views while providing a residential feel.  Clean-lined tables, white leather chairs and a beautifully-appointed beige sofa grace the living space while bronze curtains and pale chartreuse and deep celadon accent pillows embellish the suite.  The Presidential Suite offers one master bedroom and one guest bedroom both designed in warm, muted tones.  The bathrooms have been completely refurbished with dark marble, rosewood and Italian mosaic tile murals in different shades of blue and gray.  A spacious master closet with cedar wood paneling, a security room with video surveillance of all the corridors, a kitchen featuring modern appliances and an express elevator directly to the 26th floor adds to the suites’ distinctions.

To extend the themes found in the commissioned artwork in the lobby, and to continue the hotel’s commitment to art and culture, Katherine Gass, the hotel’s curator, assembled a tightly curated collection of American paintings and photographs exclusively for the Presidential Suite.  Included are original paintings that span from the mid-20th century to the present by Mark Innerst (1957 - ) and Howard Daum (1918 - 1988), a vintage photograph from 1948 of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge by Andreas Feininger (1906-1999), and platinum palladium prints on rice paper from the Bethesda Terrace series by Jed Devine (1944 - ).  A jewel in the collection is a small painting with a hand-made custom frame depicting Columbus Circle and 59th Street by Mark Innerst upon which the large painting in the lobby entitled “Avenue with Towers and Monument, 2006,” was based.  The collection illuminates the hotel’s motto “Always in touch with the Park; Never out of touch with the City” in an intimate way.  Each piece complements the elegant design and unmatched views of Central Park while the subjects and motifs are all inspired by the urban environment, its architecture and the vibrant pulse and rhythm of life in New York City.

The Presidential Suite is remarkable for not only its design and luxurious amenities but also for its state-of-the-art technology and exceptional service.  A 24-hour butler service provides a customized experience from check-in to check-out.  An Inncom energy management system has been installed to turn the suite into a “smart room” controlling all lighting and temperature settings with an occupancy sensor.  Touch pads are situated throughout the suite controlling the drapes and audio/visual functions. Other highlights include Sharp LCD televisions, a Bowers and Wilkins sound system and innovative manufacturers such as Kallista and Toto which can be in the bathrooms.  Personal preferences such as in-room snacks and beverages, reading materials and movies will be filled in advance allowing for a tailored experience.  Cornelia bath and beauty products will be enjoyed by hotel guests.

About Jumeirah Essex House

The 509-room Jumeirah Essex House celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007 and recently completed a major $90 million soft goods refurbishment project which includes South Gate, a spectacular new Tony Chi-designed restaurant, featuring renowned Executive Chef Kerry Heffernan. This historic New York City hotel, with a coveted Central Park address, is ideally located in the heart of Manhattan.  Jumeirah Essex House is part of the Dubai-based luxury international hospitality group Jumeirah and sister to the world’s most luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab.  Features of the hotel include breathtaking views, unrivalled conference and banqueting facilities.

The Jumeirah Essex House is a recipient of both the Michelin Guide’s 2008 “Five Pavilions Award,” and the 2008 AAA Four-Diamond Award.  The hotel garnered three awards at the 2007 Annual World Travel Awards in New York including “North America’s Leading Hotel,” “North America’s Leading Business Hotel” and “New York’s Leading Business Hotel” voted by travel agents worldwide and was ranked second in the “Best Hotel in the U.S.” category in Global Traveler Magazine’s 2006 GT Tested Awards.

See all Jumeirah Group World Travel Awards winners here:
Burj Al Arab - 2009 Middle East’s Leading Hotel, 2009 UAE’s Leading Hotel, 2009 Dubai’s Leading Hotel
Jumeirah Beach Hotel - 2009 Dubai’s Leading Resort
Emirates Towers - 2009 Middle East’s Leading Business Hotel, 2009 Dubai’s Leading Business Hotel
Madinat Jumeirah - 2009 UAE’s Leading Resort, 2009 Dubai’s Leading Conference Hotel
Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa
Jumeirah Carlton Tower - 2006 England’s Leading Business Hotel
Jumeirah Essex House