The Rockaway Hotel

72,000 square feet
6 stories, 53 keys
Queens, New York
2020

The Rockaway Hotel is a new getaway inspired by the history and fabric of the beachfront neighborhood—a unique place where New York City’s urban grid meets the Atlantic Ocean. Featuring a curated blend of guest rooms, furnished apartments, bars and restaurants, and community-focused amenity spaces, the mixed-use hospitality development will serve as a year-round destination for locals and visitors, alike.

Corner view of The Rockaway Hotel in Rockaway, Queens, its six stories clad in gray zinc paneling above a blue ground-floor storefront with “Food” and “Drink” signage

In recent years, Rockaway has seen a surge of popularity, but the beachfront community has been a destination for New Yorkers for hundreds of years. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a seaside getaway with an amusement park, luxury hotels, and thousands of bungalows.

Essential to local character, these humble and eclectic bungalows were an essential reference for the hotel’s massing and façade design. The mid-rise height of the new six-story building was carefully considered to avoid overshadowing the historic clapboard houses. Zinc paneling was selected to echo their color and form.

In its massing and programming, special care was also taken to prioritize the hotel’s views of both the New York City skyline and the Atlantic Ocean. Inside and out, the hotel captures Rockaway’s rare and authentic blend of relaxed beach town vibes and big-city verve.

Within, the interior architecture was designed to reflect the spirit of Rockaway—casual and approachable with a sense of lighthearted novelty. Open concept plans and honest materials were selected in collaboration with Curious Yellow Design to cultivate a cool and comfortable environment.

Lounge seating area with a white sofa, cane chairs, and a wood coffee table in front of built-in wood shelving displaying art and ceramics

Concrete stair with wood treads and a black metal railing with looped balusters, beside a marbled sculpture and potted plants on a landing

Guest room with a slatted wood accent wall, a cane headboard, a wall sconce, a small wood nightstand, and a woven leather bench

Guest room wall with a wood ledge shelf, a brass-framed mirror reflecting an ocean view, framed photographs, and a slatted wood accent wall beside the bed

Abundant live greenery softens the ambiance and adds biophilic vibrancy to the hotel’s indoor and outdoor spaces.

Bar under a skylight hung with plants, with leather-woven wood stools along the counter, high-top tables, and a blue-green tiled wall behind a potted palm

Poolside lounge at The Rockaway Hotel in Rockaway, Queens, with wood pergolas hung with large woven pendant lights over cushioned seating and potted grasses

Pool deck at The Rockaway Hotel in Rockaway, Queens, with wood lounge chairs and striped towels under white umbrellas, and cabana seating beneath wood pergolas

In addition to traditional guest rooms, the Rockaway Hotel’s furnished apartments offer a unique opportunity to create a temporary home away from home.