The whole idea behind Gild Hall is to feel like a mid-century European mountaineering lodge, dropped right into the narrow, colonial-era streets of New York’s Financial District. Located on Gold Street, the hotel’s design, conceived by Jim Walrod, creates a warm, rugged retreat that stands in contrast to the neighborhood’s towering architecture.
The lobby sets this tone immediately. Stitched leather, dark wood, brass detailing, and tartan textiles fill the space, creating a masculine, club-room personality. Soaring ceilings, large chandeliers, and built-in bookshelves complete the private club feel. This aesthetic, later refined in the guestrooms by Bill Rooney Studio, carries through to the 130 rooms and suites. Tall, tufted leather headboards, flannel drapery, and marble-floored bathrooms are standard, with abstract photography on the walls – some suites feature work by Slim Aarons.
The hotel’s ground floor is home to Felice, a restaurant focused on Tuscan Italian cuisine that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It can get quite busy for breakfast, so making a reservation is a good idea. Upstairs from the main restaurant is La Soffitta, an intimate wine bar with custom shelving for its curated collection of over 100 Italian wines. There’s also a library lounge for guests, and the hotel serves complimentary prosecco in the evenings.
Lodging
Gild Hall