Looking for somewhere to stay in New York?  You might like Playland Motel (great website) in Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York.  Love the idea; restore a building with a focus on fun, and according to their website; collaboration, restoration and sustainability.  Bring in some sand and beach chairs, and then invite twelve artists/designers to ‘curate individual rooms in their own aesthetic.’

I love the casual hipster vibe.  But I found the rooms disappointing, I found them cheap looking :-(  Perhaps that doesn’t matter when you are planning on changing them every season (another great idea).  You can view all of the rooms on their website.

This place with its two restaurants, deck bar, boutique retail store, and house DJ,  is very ‘in’.  The owners also own other restaurants and nightclubs and there is no doubt they know how to throw a great party.  They also know how to get a lot of publicity – they describe Playland as a lifestyle brand.  Leaving me wondering however if the whole experience isn’t a little too contrived…