Meet Refinery: Front Desk Agent Gabe

If you’ve checked in at Refinery in the last few years, you’ve probably seen Gabe. He’s been with the hotel since Day One, back in 2013, initially as a bellman. The native New Yorker has since become a front desk agent, welcoming new arrivals. As part of our new #MeetRefinery series, we caught up with Gabe to learn more about his life at Refinery, plus his favorite neighborhood recs.

What’s your favorite aspect of being a front desk agent?

I love working with the guests, including the VIPs. Every day is memorable here!

What do you love most about New York?

The city’s diversity.

In the neighborhood

Where do New Yorkers really go? Gabe shares his favorige spots in Midtown.

Coffee Shops

Culture Espresso: 72 W 38th St; a212-302-0200

La Colombe: 1045 6th Ave; 917-386-0157

Lunch Options

Frankie & Johnnie’s Steakhouse: 32 W 37th St; 212-947-8940

Pokeworks: 63 W 37th St; 212-575-8881

Ben’s Deli: 209 W 38th St; 212-398-2367

Lazzara’s Pizza: 221 W 38th St #2; 212-944-7792

Chelsea Market :75 9th Ave; 212-652-2111

Food at Refinery

The lobster roll, hanger steak, lamb burger, kale salad, Mac n cheese…and of course the fries.

Drink at Refinery

An Old Fashioned

Peaceful Hangouts

Bryant Park, or going for a walk by the Hudson river

Culture Hubs

The MoMA, the New York Public Library, and the American Museum of Natural History

Hidden Gem

The Little Red Lighthouse, where there’s a nice trail, a picnic area, and a beach, plus peace and quiet. [Editor’s note: the lighthouse is in Washington Heights, about a half hour’s cab ride north of Refinery. Worth the trek? Absolutely!]