Travel + Leisure "It List 2021"

Editors' Picks of the Best New Hotels in the World - Rising out of a funky, low-slung beach bungalow community, architect Morris Adjmi designed the Rockaway Hotel as a first for New York City: an upscale, design-forward beach hotel. New York- and Oslo-based firm Curious Yellow took the lead on its interiors, including 53 bright rooms (as well as eight longer-stay suites), warmed by teak paneling and curved cane furniture; bathrooms are stocked with products by NYC purveyor Goldie's. And the public spaces mix vintage Giovanni Travasa chairs with installation pieces curated by the hotel's Chief Social Impact Officer, Michi Jigarjian, including works by artists like Tom Sachs (a Rockaway local). Outdoor space is abundant, from a pool deck to a rooftop terrace that offers dual views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Manhattan skyline. Dining options include the Rooftop, where chef Barry Tonks presides over a seafood-inflected menu, and the forthcoming Margie's and Greenhouse Café. A spa, as well as a locker facility for surfboards, is in the works.