Social calendar shut down in January? Not the case for THE STAYCATIONERS crew. Despite Old Man winter’s shade, we strapped our boots and pounded the pavement en route to a downtown jaunt in De Niro’s backyard. It’s within the cast-iron accommodations of the Duane Street Hotel where quintessential city activities are just a New York-minute away; think quiet cocktail bars, pop-up boutiques, intimate art exhibitions and Michelin-starred eats. With weekenders in tow, we set out for a cozy day-in turned grown-and-sexy night out in TriBeCa.

THE SPOT: Duane Street Hotel | 130 Duane St, New York, NY

THE STATS: 43 guest rooms, coffee shop (cue La Colombe cappuccinos), a veggie-centric, Indian-inspired restaurant on site, and proximity to SoHo, Chinatown, and the West Village.

PERFECT FOR: savoring the city—from sipping to shopping—with your favorite ladies.

We took note from the classic facades of our surroundings and got cozy in retro-inspired athlingerie from LIVELY. Comfortably perched on our plush king mattress, we called in a pie, poured glasses of Prosecco and dazzled in dainty pieces courtesy of Shahla Kamiri. Rotating playlists amped on the in-room speakers to accompany our corner suite-life.

Post-bubbles, THE STAYCATIONERS disrobed and dressed in threads from Mint Market.  The cool-hued boardroom, decorated with timeless pieces, was the ideal backdrop to our vintage ensembles and had us feeling like a squad in days of ’70s yore.

Photo via Remy Holwick

The clock struck 5 PM—cuing cocktail hour—where The Bennett had us covered. A nod to the classic libation of the same name, the 60-person bar and restaurant touts a retro-glam look and a list fit for a seasoned sipper. Velvety dark-blue banquettes and candlelit tables are fashioned for close encounters, so THE STAYCATIONERS wasted no time ordering a round of strong ones to accompany our pre-dinner fare.

It was back to our weekend HQ to round out the day with dinner. Enter Graffiti Earth, an Indian and Persian-cuisine mesh tucked inside and known to the neighborhood’s locals that practices soup-to-nuts sustainability. Chef Jehangir Mehta’s intention is seen in everything from the furniture, and napkins, to the “daily” placemats.

Flavor-forward bites, like duck fried rice, braised pork buns and scallop brûlée, sat pretty on antique dishware, satisfying both our eyes and taste buds. A South American red made its way into our glasses, calling for an appropriate toast to another successful #staycay.

Photo via Remy Holwick

Keep up with THE STAYCATIONERS as they take over new hotels in new cities each month. This installation made possible by Duane Street Hotel, Mint Market, The Bennett, LIVELY and Shahla Karimi

Special thanks to our lovely guest staycationer R’el Dade of @arie_carie

Photography by the incomparable Remy Holwick for THE STAYCATIONERS

Produced by Shanika Hillocks, Cat Corcoran and Kelsey Panicco

Written by Shanika Hillocks