Recently, Chloë Sevigny told me that hotels have long been her happy place. “It’s that instant change of scenery,” she explained. “I love the little details that make a place feel special. Hotels have this 'anything can happen' energy, and who doesn’t love a place where you can relax, explore a new city, or have a staycation?”
The quintessential New Yorker and forever It girl is now starring in Hotel Tales, a new video series by W Hotels. In the films, text flashes on the screen that reads: “She checked in to prep for a new role, and checked out in another decade.”
Sevigny says that what she loves about hotels is the way they really do make you feel like you're stepping into a new world. “Great hotels have a distinct personality—almost an intangible energy and atmosphere that invites you to explore, to engage with the space in a way that feels both familiar and exciting.” She says she's always felt especially connected with the W brand because of the way it blends “style, comfort, and just the right amount of edge,” adding, “It’s exciting to collaborate with a brand that so fully embraces individuality and creativity in everything they do.”
One might assume Sevigny doesn’t have that much experience with the New York hotel scene, given that she’s been a New Yorker for decades. But she says it’s the opposite, actually—she loves a staycation. “It offers the opportunity to rediscover New York, seeing it through a new lens and uncovering hidden gems you might otherwise miss.”
Back in the 2000s, she’d visit the W Hotel in Union Square, so coming back to film the campaign videos there felt like a full circle moment. “Coming back to a place that holds so much history for me helps ground me. It's not just about the physical space—it’s the atmosphere.”
Union Square, too, is meaningful to her. “It’s the heart of so much energy and life in the city and bridges uptown and downtown. What I love about the W in Union Square is that it’s right in the middle of it all, yet it still feels like a hidden gem. I spent a lot of time in this area in the '90s…every time I’m here, it brings back so many great memories.”
You can hear her voice in the campaign film talking about a legendary party she attended there. “It was one of those rare nights when everything came together perfectly, and you knew from the very start that it was a moment you would never forget. All the right people were there, and we were celebrating a movie everyone was excited by. Big spaces in hotels are always great for get-togethers with friends.” So, in many ways, Sevigny coming back to the hotel for this new venture is very much like coming home.
Tara Gonzalez is the Senior Fashion Editor at Harper’s Bazaar. Previously, she was the style writer at InStyle, founding commerce editor at Glamour, and fashion editor at Coveteur.
