While people have begun to hit the road in search of a much-needed respite, New York has proved a more challenging destination to visit. Governor Andrew Cuomo mandated a 14-day quarantine for those traveling to New York from more than 30 states that have high COVID-19 infection rates. The quandary: where can you safely quarantine for two weeks before carrying on with your trip?
Brooklyn’s The William Vale offers an extended stay solution in its stylish, plush surroundings. Last week, the Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel launched Q with a View, a 14-day-minimum package tailored for red-zone-state visitors.
While you won’t be permitted yet to lounge in Vale Park, the 15,000-square-foot green space on the hotel’s rooftop, or cool off in the 60-foot-long pool — the longest in Brooklyn — The William Vale has designated two floors for quarantining guests. You won’t feel cooped up: all of the accommodations — which include queen, king, two doubles or deluxe corner suite options — come with floor-to-ceiling windows, a balcony with seating and striking city views. The vista depends on where you stay, but from the south, you can glimpse parts of Brooklyn, the bridges over the East River and much of Lower Manhattan, including the Freedom Tower. From the north, you can look out into Long Island City, the river and the Empire State Building.
To help you keep moving in your room, the Williamsburg hotel has partnered with local boutique fitness studio East River Pilates for virtual workout classes.
Although the quarantine means you won’t be able to visit the onsite Leuca for handmade pasta and woodfired pizzas or the 22nd-floor rooftop bar Westlight for crispy calamari and breathtaking panoramas, you can still taste other fare from their chef, Andrew Carmellini. The toque behind NYC favorites like Locanda Verde and Little Park and his NoHo Hospitality group crafted a special meal plan for quarantined hotel guests, and the food is delivered to your door.
The flexible plan, which incurs an extra fee, can accommodate all dietary restrictions and preferences. For breakfast, expect a kale and fontina frittata or a smoked salmon omelet with a cherry tomato salad and potatoes. Lunch brings dishes like a steak sandwich with chili chimichurri or rigatoni with lamb bolognese. At dinner, indulge in shrimp Parmesan over spaghetti or herb-roasted chicken with spiced labneh and summer bean salad. For additional provisions, there are a number of alternative food providers that can deliver groceries or outside meals directly to you.
To maintain safety during your stay, there is contactless housekeeping. Staff will deliver sheets, towels and toiletries every three days and pick up your used items at that time (the hotel will provide a bag for you to leave outside the door, since employees will not be allowed to enter your room).
Another perk is that the luxury quarantine experience doesn’t start at the hotel. The package includes a complimentary one-way private airport transfer.
As part of Q with a View, you will have to sign a responsibility waiver upon arrival and follow a set of guidelines. These include staying out of public areas, abiding by trash and linen removal procedures, wearing face masks whenever you are not in your guest room and monitoring yourself for any coronavirus symptoms using a provided checklist.
