Great location, but the room left much to be desired: A review of the Kimpton Hotel Eventi in NYC

Nestled between 29th and 30th Streets on 6th Avenue in Manhattan’s trendy Chelsea district, the Kimpton Hotel Eventi — opened in 2010 — stands as one of two Kimpton hotels in New York, the other being the Kimpton Hotel Theta.

The Kimpton Hotel Eventi, a pet-friendly property, towers 54 stories high and features 292 rooms in various sizes. Basic rooms offer 275 square feet of space, while one-bedroom suites expand to 500 square feet.

Here’s what it was like to stay at this artistic IHG hotel when TPG visited earlier this year.

What exactly is the Kimpton Hotel Eventi?

According to IHG, this property is described as an "artistic Chelsea Hotel," which holds true due to its stylish lobby and abundant contemporary art scattered across the hotel. With works from artists like Barbara Nessim, Dustin Yellin, Maxi Cohen, and Julian Hoeber, this boutique hotel takes its art collection seriously.

I would describe the Kimpton Hotel Eventi as a chic retreat for modern professionals who have moved beyond the lively Moxy vibe and are looking to elevate their stay with a touch of elegance.

How to reserve a stay at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi

Kimpton is part of IHG, so IHG One Rewards members can both earn and redeem points at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi.

Room rates at the Kimpton Eventi range from approximately 34,000 to 75,000 IHG One Rewards points per night. As of July 2024, TPG values IHG One Rewards points at 0.5 cents each.

Cash prices at the Kimpton Eventi start around $220 per night. If you're paying with cash, we suggest using a credit card that maximizes points for IHG bookings and may offer automatic IHG One Rewards elite status, which brings added benefits. Some top options include:

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Earn 10 points per dollar on IHG hotels and resorts, plus get automatic Platinum Elite status.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Earn 10 points per dollar on IHG hotels and resorts, plus automatic Platinum Elite status.
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Earn 5 points per dollar on IHG hotels and resorts, plus automatic Silver Elite status.

To make your reservation, visit the Kimpton Hotel Eventi website.

An ideal Chelsea location for exploring Manhattan's sights

The Kimpton Hotel Eventi is perfectly situated for first-time visitors to New York City. It's within walking distance of several of the city's most famous landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Macy’s Herald Square, Times Square, Madison Square Garden, and Koreatown.

You’re also just a short walk from the High Line and Penn Station, offering easy access to multiple subway lines and Amtrak services. As with all Manhattan hotels, expect a 30-minute to hour-long drive to major airports like John F. Kennedy (JFK) or LaGuardia (LGA), depending on traffic.

The 33rd Street and Sixth Avenue subway station is just a quick walk away, connecting you to the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W lines.

Rooms are cozy but feel a bit on the darker side

My standard king room was about 275 square feet, featuring a king-sized bed, two bedside tables, a desk, three mirrors (two beside the bed and one across from it), a TV, and a 'city view' overlooking the buildings across the street.

While the view wasn't bad, I would have preferred to gaze at the Empire State Building, which the hotel also offers from other rooms.

The room's sleek monochrome and gray decor, paired with soft mood lighting, created a rather dim atmosphere when natural light wasn't streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. On the bright side, when the blackout blinds were drawn, the room was pitch black, making it easy to get a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

The room featured several lighting options, including orb-shaped lamps and adjustable reading lights on both sides of the bed. Unfortunately, not all lights functioned properly, likely due to burnt-out bulbs or electrical issues.

A fairly spacious built-in closet with sliding doors, located near the bed, featured removable coat hangers, an ironing board, an iron, a bathrobe, and a luggage rack.

The closet wasn't particularly deep, but it was spacious enough for a short stay. However, the sliding doors were frustratingly loose and would automatically close as soon as they were opened. Inside, there was a safe, but I couldn’t unlock it or reset the code as instructed.

The bathroom was fairly spacious, featuring white and gray marble tiles on the floors and walls, along with a subtly hidden line-drawn portrait of a face on the glass panel above the toilet.

The bathtub was equipped with a compact rainfall shower head, accessibility railings on all surrounding walls, a rubber nonslip bathmat, wall-mounted Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel, and Atelier and Bloem soap by the wash basin.

A workspace with a (toilet) view

Strangely, the desk was placed directly in front of the bathroom, making the workspace feel cramped and dark with the bathroom door closed. With the door open, anyone on a Zoom call would have a direct view of the toilet. The desk was also quite tight with only one chair, which had to be moved from the corner to use it.

Despite the desk setup, the Wi-Fi was fast and I had no trouble joining Zoom calls or checking my email. As an IHG One Rewards member, I enjoyed free Wi-Fi, while nonmembers would need to pay about $22.95.

In similar rooms, the hotel’s website shows the desk located beneath the TV, so it could have been moved. However, it seemed too bulky and complicated to move on my own, as it also contained the mini-fridge and minibar.

The left-side cupboard of the desk housed a minibar, stocked with Smart Water, soft drinks like Coke and Sprite, pre-mixed cocktails, Montauk pilsner lager, and snacks such as M&Ms and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. There were also additional snacks like chips and Haribo gummy bears in a small raised drawer next to the minifridge.

While not extensive or lavish, the minibar did the job. However, due to the desk's positioning, reaching it was a bit awkward, and the lighting made it hard to fully see what was available.

Unfortunately, there was no coffee machine in my room, although I could have called reception to have one delivered to the room.

Some unwelcome surprises

After arriving exhausted and jet-lagged from my transatlantic flight, the room initially appeared clean and well-maintained. However, when I pulled back the curtains the next morning, I was unpleasantly surprised to find a dirty shirt left behind by the previous guests. It made me realize the room may not have been as thoroughly cleaned as I had hoped.

While showering, I also noticed that the shower curtain and bathroom tiles were splattered with a blue substance — likely either shower gel or toothpaste. This wasn't just normal wear and tear; the stains could have been easily wiped away with proper cleaning, and the shower curtain could have been cleaned or replaced. I also found similar stains on the tiles and marks around the sink area.

I had a feeling the room had only received a quick once-over. Surfaces were left uncleaned, and the floor hadn’t been properly vacuumed, as evidenced by a few hairclips I found scattered across the bedroom floor.

I reported the issue to the reception staff, who were polite and apologized. They offered me a $50 minibar credit for the inconvenience and assured me that a cleaner would come to address the problems.

When I returned later, the shirt and hairclips were gone. However, the shower curtain, dirty tiles, and other stains were still present. Upon checking out, the reception staff did not mention any of this again, and no further apologies were offered.

Understandably, this had an impact on my overall impression of the hotel. That said, I don't hold the housekeeping staff entirely responsible. During my stay, I only saw one cleaner on my floor at a time, which seems like quite a low staffing level for a hotel with so many rooms.

Wine hour and complimentary coffee

Guests at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi can enjoy complimentary coffee every morning until 10 a.m. However, keep in mind that it's self-serve filter coffee only—no lattes or mochas here. That said, the coffee wasn’t bad and did the job. You’ll find the coffee available daily from large dispensers located at the entrance to the L'Amico restaurant.

Coffee isn’t the only thing on offer. Like other Kimpton hotels, the Eventi hosts a wine hour daily from 5 to 6 p.m. in the lobby, where guests can enjoy complimentary red and white wines. It’s a nice perk, especially if you want to grab a quick drink before heading out to dinner.

During my visit, the wine served was from Dark Harvest. While free wine can sometimes be hit or miss, I was pleasantly surprised. I had the chance to try both a cabernet sauvignon and a chardonnay, and both were quite enjoyable.

A blend of classic cocktail lounge with an artsy, chic vibe.

The hotel features a single bar, fittingly named Back Bar, located at the rear of the property, just past the lobby.

Back Bar is a chic cocktail lounge with art deco touches and beer taps that evoke a Metropolis-inspired style, all set on a gleaming, bronze-accented bar top. The elegant tile work on the floor and impressive selection of spirits give the space a refined atmosphere. However, the large TVs showing sports detract from the overall sophistication of the setting.

The bar extends into a spacious seating area, blending the traditional bar vibe with a more eclectic, bohemian feel. Mismatched rugs, sofa lounges, and cozy two-seat booths create a laid-back atmosphere.

Maintaining elements from Back Bar's design, the space is softened by dark walnut bookcases and features a small elevated area with sofas and a cozy fireplace.

True to its arthouse reputation, a striking light installation by Kwangho Lee hangs dramatically above the room, making a bold statement.

Throughout my stay, the bar was well-staffed, with several team members attending to guests. The bar offered a wide range of classic cocktails and house specialties, along with a carefully selected beer list.

The cocktail menu was impressive, featuring not only the usual options like a White Negroni ($19), but also upscale twists on classics, such as the Pappy Old Fashioned ($55), made with Pappy Van Winkle (10-year) bourbon and Demerara Angostura bitters.

Although I didn’t try the cocktails, I did enjoy the Infinite Machine pilsner by KCBC ($12), which was served in a unique beer-can-style glass. It was crisp, refreshing, and hit the spot. Bar snacks were also offered, but I didn’t notice anyone indulging in them during my visit.

A taste of freshly baked pizza and herby breakfasts

For dining, Kimpton Eventi guests can choose from two distinct restaurants. L'Amico, located near the lobby, is an Italian-inspired American eatery curated by chef Laurent Tourondel. Next door, you'll find Skirt Steak, a steakhouse with a fun twist: bottomless fries on the menu, accessible via the street out front.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to dine at Skirt Steak during my stay. It wasn’t open during midweek lunch hours, and on the evening I tried to go, it had closed early. However, I did have the opportunity to experience L'Amico, which was a highlight.

L'Amico offers a bright, airy atmosphere with a rustic-meets-New York loft charm. The space features retro-style light fixtures, exposed ceiling beams, and industrial-grade, floor-to-ceiling windows. The vibe is both relaxed and energetic. I particularly enjoyed watching the chefs work in the open kitchen, tossing pizzas into the restaurant’s large, bronze pizza ovens.

Wait times for dinner at L'Amico exceeded an hour, so I decided against dining there in the evening. However, I did have breakfast and lunch at the restaurant.

The breakfast menu offered a wide variety of choices, including multiple oatmeal and granola options topped with fresh fruit and berries, as well as pastries, muffins, bagels, and Italian-inspired egg dishes and pancakes. Some standout items included poached eggs with prosciutto and balsamic caramelized onions, and a delightful granola made with almond and acacia honey paired with whipped sheep's milk ricotta.

I opted for the Del Giorni ($24), which came with Italian herbed potatoes, roasted tomato, poached eggs, leafy greens, and toast. While the dish was presented nicely, I wished I had chosen something bolder. The potatoes were decent but seemed lacking in herbs, while the tomato was smothered in them to the point of being overwhelming. The greens were fresh but plain, missing a bit of dressing.

On the positive side, the poached eggs were done perfectly, and the sausage had great flavor. I also have to mention that the white Americano coffee ($5) was impressively good, much better than expected.

The meal wasn’t bad, but for the price, I anticipated a bit more flair and flavor. Given how quiet the restaurant was at breakfast, I’d venture to say other guests might have felt the same way.

Lunchtime, however, was a much livelier experience, with a mix of hotel guests and locals dining in. The lunch menu offered antipasti such as duck prosciutto with pomegranate-cranberry bruschetta, grilled octopus with cured olives and aioli, pizzas, and a selection of hearty mains like veal bolognese rigate, spinach and ricotta raviolini, and various chicken and steak dishes.

Taking the staff’s advice, I went for the veal and mortadella meatballs in a classic Pomodoro sauce, served with garlic-parsley focaccia ($23) as my starter. I also ordered the salsiccia pizza ($25), topped with Esposito sausage, caramelized fennel and onions, fontina Val d'Aosta, and sage.

The meatballs arrived so hot that they could have burned the skin off my tongue, though the waitress had warned me in advance. Once I could actually eat them, they were absolutely delicious. The tangy Pomodoro sauce complemented the tender, juicy meatballs perfectly.

The pizza, while fresh, had a slightly burnt crust. And much like the breakfast tomato, it was a little overwhelmed by the abundance of herbs.

A well-equipped gym for fitness enthusiasts

For those who can’t skip their workouts while traveling, the Kimpton Hotel Eventi offers a spacious gym on the fifth floor. It’s the perfect place to break a sweat while enjoying sweeping views of the city — and perhaps plotting your next big move.

The gym spans 1,000 square feet and is fully equipped to meet most fitness needs. It features Peloton bikes, ellipticals, stationary bikes, treadmills, free weights, and machines for chest presses and lat pull-downs, among other workout essentials.

I also noticed a spa on the same floor, though the Kimpton website's FAQs mention there isn't one. Regardless, it was closed during my visit.

For a more adventurous way to stay active during your stay, the hotel offers complimentary bikes for you to use.

Reasons Kimpton Hotel Eventi might not be ideal for you

• Housekeeping could be more thorough.
• If it's a quiet night, restaurants may close early.
• Some rooms have dimly lit and uncomfortable workspaces.
• Free Wi-Fi is only available to IHG loyalty members.
• Breakfast may not be worth the price.
• The hotel is pet-friendly, so if you're not a fan of animals, it might not be the best fit for you.

Accessibility Features

Kimpton Hotel Eventi provides both wheelchair-accessible rooms and rooms designed for those with hearing impairments. Accessible room options include king rooms with roll-in showers or accessible bathtubs, as well as king and queen rooms with communication accessibility features.

Guests can easily book accessible rooms by selecting the disability symbol when searching online.

In addition to accessible rooms, the hotel’s gym, spa, bar, and restaurants are all wheelchair-friendly, with either ramps or flat entrances. Elevators provide access to all floors.

Checking out of the hotel

If you're looking to stay in New York's Chelsea neighborhood without spending a fortune, the Kimpton Hotel Eventi is worth considering. But be aware, there are some downsides.

The rooms, while comfortable, feel somewhat outdated. They’re better than what you’d find in a budget hotel, but they don’t quite exude luxury. Additionally, my experience with room cleaning was disappointing. While this may have been a one-off, it’s concerning that essential maintenance like this was overlooked.

The Kimpton Hotel Eventi offers decent dining options — though somewhat forgettable — and a chic bar where you can unwind. The complimentary daily wine is a nice touch. Would I return? I’m not rushing back, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely, despite the issues I faced.