Last year, David Kaplan (the mind behind Death & Co. in New York City and part-owner of the Walker Inn) teamed up with 213 Hospitality to create the Rooms at Walker Inn, a curated collection of ten rooms available for overnight stays. And today, the rooms are finally ready to book, with September 1 as the Rooms at Walker Inn's first operating night. This "bed and beverage" hospitality concept has been done before in LA (hello Hotel Covell, you beautiful thing), as have curated collections of hotel rooms (The Line boasts five '70s-style, Houston Brothers-designed rooms called "the Speek"); but the Rooms at Walker Inn will combine the two concepts.
And just like the Walker Inn is a bar within a bar (the Normandie Club), the Rooms are a hotel within a hotel (the Normandie Hotel). Kaplan and his partners essentially took a section of the hotel, renovated it, and will curate all the in-room amenities. And what exactly are those amenities? Well, top-notch booze, of course, plus mixers, a variety of ice and citrus for zesting. Upon request, your room can be stocked with seasonal ingredients, fresh herbs and juices, specialized bitters and a recipe book, so you can try your hand at recreating some of the drinks from downstairs. Too much work for you? The rooms always comes stocked with bottled cocktails.
And if you're feeling a little tipsy at the end of the night? There's a secret stairway leading directly from the Walker Inn up to the Rooms, which have been designed by Ricki Kline and given a vintage, kitschy feel. Each room has a slightly different theme (it's subtle though, no Madonna Inn), with the idea that guests can choose a room that fits them the same way they'd choose a custom crafted cocktail.
If this sounds too good to be true, wait until hear you hear the rates: Twin rooms start at $195 and suites go up to $265, a reasonable price compared to similarly executed bed & beverage concepts—and especially one connected to such a highly esteemed cocktail bar. Booking opens today, Aug 18, with availability beginning September 1.
Take a peek below, then get to booking.
