Cancel your weekend plans. Don't charge your e-reader. Forget about trying to accurately recall your cousin's mother-in-law's password to the New Yorker. If you're craving some literary relaxation, look no further than this Gertrude Stein getaway.
Traveling to Paris is nice, but for those on the other side of the Atlantic, the ambiance of 27 Rue De Fleurus has been captured in a new themed suite at New York's The Renwick Hotel. Literary legends including John Steinbeck, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Mann all wrote and slept at the historic property at 118 East 40th, and have writer's suites named after them in the recently renovated hotel.
One glaring omission in the hotel's ode to literary heroes: No women. Stein's suite will be the first tribute to a female writer for The Renwick
Condé Nast Traveler editor Lilit Marcus is credited with encouraging Stein's, who is believed to have also stayed at The Renwick, inclusion at the hotel, after touring the property and remarking that the lack of women writers in the tributary suites was evident.
This new suite, on the hotel's 10th floor, is adorned with French salon-inspired decor and artwork predominantly by women. A vintage tea cart and with a handmade tea set by ceramicist Alice Goldsmith welcomes guests ready to discuss their latest creative works, just like at a Stein salon.
But, of course, the suite is also excellent for solo reading.
Equipped with a shelf of Stein's books, a replica of Pablo Picasso's Stein bust and a seriously cozy living room sofa, this suite is all about getting cozy with Stein's oeuvre.
Photo courtesy of Sean T Ackley
An ode to Stein's novel Three Lives is communicated via commissioned artwork by Jessica Clark: Three string art pieces replicate the sketches from Stein's salon and the trio nods to the novel's themes.
In the bedroom, you'll also find artwork inspired by Stein's writing including a rosebud drawing created with her quote: “A rose is a rose is a rose.” Springs of dried French lavender scent the space, so if you get carried away in one of the many books strewn throughout the suite, you may just think you're in France.
And to complete the Stein experience, The Gertrude cocktail has been added to The Renwick's adjacent restaurant, Bedford & Co. Inspired by French ingredients, bartender Tommy Warren created a "salon cocktail" that "won’t go straight to your head and may even be a creativity-inspiring alternative to afternoon tea." The combination of Pimm's, chamomile, elderflower and lemon soda is delivered to the suite on a tray and poured from a flask, because it doesn't get classier than that.
Bring that manuscript you've been dying to finish, or just forget everything about the outside and huddle in the Stein Suite for a seriously perfect thoughtful weekend.
