Even the best, most high-profile hotels in New York City may tend to be on the tiny side. Not so at Ink48's penthouse. Dubbed "Heaven Over Hell" due to its perch above Helll's Kitchen on Manhattan's Far West Side, the huge layout has wraparound views of both Midtown and the Hudson River.
Out magazine recently checked in to shoot a fun (and super sexy) bathing suit fashion editorial with dancers from two of Disney's most popular shows: The Lion King and Aladdin. Then we wanted to find out some of the sumptuous events that have taken place in this comfy abode.
SLIDESHOW | Sexy Swimwear at Ink48
We caught up with John Garone, catering sales & service manager for Ink48, who handles much of the events that have taken place to find out about the weddings, proposals and more that have taken place in "Heaven Over Hell."
OT: The "Heaven Over Hell" penthouse has been used for weddings, but have there been any same-sex weddings? Can you describe some of the ways people have used the rooftop space along with the bedrooms and balconies for an event like this?
John Garone: This year, we hosted five same-sex weddings. We typically host the ceremony and reception in the same outside space and cater to smaller, more intimate, weddings of about 20-30 guests, but can host up to 60 guests. Most couples and their guests are from out of town and are in complete awe with the views of the city skyline and Hudson River.
How about proposals? Any romantic stories that you've heard about?
We recently had a proposal in the space. The man that was proposing ordered tons of his partner’s favorite flowers and had them all over the space (indoors and outdoors). He said yes and they enjoyed an intimate dinner in the space afterwards. Since our rooftop spaces is one of the best in Manhattan, we often get a lot inquiries for the space.
The room comes with some great amenities, but what about additional catering and other possibilities?
One major benefit of the space is that it is flexible and all of the furniture is moveable and removable to accommodate the guest’s vision. The floor to ceiling windows allow for plenty of natural sunlight and our location lends itself to limited obstructions which is a Manhattan rarity!
Tell us about some of the additional perks: art or decorating additions? What's it like when a guest asks to cater it to their specific tastes?
I usually recommend very simple décor such as flowers and votives, so guests are not distracted from the amazing views (and is budget-friendly!). Another perk is that couples also get to spend the night in the Penthouse after their wedding and enjoy the sunrise. The art in the space is also reflective of our hotel’s past — there is a piece in the entrance way of old books called "Waterfall," which pays homage to our printing house past. There is also a lot of view inspired pieces to complement our stunning views.
Can you give us more details about the "farm-to-table" menus and options for food and catering, along with specialty cocktails and desserts?
All of our catering is provided by Print. Restaurant, one of New York City’s premiere farm-to-table destinations featuring locally sourced menus and an in-house forager. Regarding our bar packages, we do feature “spike-it stations” as a nice enhancement for bar setups where guests can create and mix their drinks. An example is the “color my bubbles” station where guests can pour a glass of champagne and spike it with liqueurs such as St. Germain, Chambord, or Cassis and add juices, purees, or fresh fruit.
For more information on the 'Heaven Over Hell' penthouse at Ink48, visit the website.
Watch a Behind the Scenes clip of the Ink48 photo shoot:
