Penny of the Nolitan Hotel
Loves: people, large stuffed animal toys from Ikea (until they get chewed up), the stinky streets of Chinatown
Pet Peeves: being left alone (Astrid Stawiarz)
New York City knows something about pets in residence — the Algonquin has had a lobby cat since the late 1930s, and its latest inhabitant, Matilda III, is hosting her own debutante ball at the hotel’s Round Table Restaurant on Aug. 10.
But hotel hounds with actual “jobs” have been harder to find — until now. When it officially opens its doors tomorrow, downtown’s Nolitan Hotel will boast a director of pet services — Penny, an 8-year-old German shepherd-Rottweiler mix. She joins a shortlist of NYC hotel dogs that also includes Ginger, the teacup Pomeranian who lords over the lobby of the Muse Hotel in Times Square.
Ginger, who “works” for the Kimpton hotel chain — one of the most pet-friendly in the business — turns 10 this month. She started going to work with her owner, Muse concierge, Lauren Vitale, five years ago, and quickly became a fixture of the lobby.
“Guests are always surprised — and delighted — to see Ginger,” says the hotel’s general manager, Ericka Nelson. “For guests who may be missing their pets at home, seeing Ginger makes them smile.”
That’s why Penny has a job in this economy, too. Not that her job is grueling: In these dog days of summer, guests of the Nolitan will be able to find her sprawled out on the cool marble floor near the front desk.
“She loves people,” says her owner, the Nolitan’s general manager, Patrik Horstmann. He rescued Penny from a Humane Society shelter while living in Miami. “Wherever I go, or my wife goes, Penny wants to be with us. She’s always looking for someone to pet her. That’s why I started bringing her to work.”
As construction progressed this year at the new 55-room hotel on Kenmare Street, Penny spent her days with Horstmann at the office — and on scouting visits to local pet businesses such as Happy Paws on Houston Street, the hotel’s main partner for doggy and kitty amenities (besides a boutique, the shop offers walks, pet-sitting and doggy daycare).
Guests who’ll be staying at the Nolitan with their pet can complete a form in advance, detailing what their dog or cat loves and loathes, and the hotel will prepare their room accordingly. Once they check in, Penny will be on hand to suggest good dog-walking routes in the area (she’s partial to the grassy patches near the West Side Highway) and if Princess the Shih Tzu needs a spa appointment during her stay, the hotel will take care of booking it.
ID tags, toys, cookies, pickup bags and dinner bowls will be provided, although dog beds will not — “I wouldn’t want a used dog bed for Penny,” says Horstmann. He also admits that, yes, many guests with dogs in tow are going to let them sleep in their bed. That’s why there’s a $100 pet fee, to cover deep cleaning after the pups and kitties have checked out.
Horstmann and his wife have always taken Penny and their pit bull Elsie on their vacations, but are frustrated by the lack of nice hotels available. Some luxury properties like Ritz-Carlton allow dogs, for example, but have weight limits that favor only the small breeds like Chihuahuas and Yorkies. At the Nolitan, Horstmann wanted to “break all the rules” he had seen in hotel land. Meaning there are no pet weight limits, and no breed restrictions. After being turned away from many an inn, Horstmann wanted to create a place where all animals were welcome. “Well, maybe not the Bronx Zoo cobra,” he concedes.
Aside from pleasing Penny and having his best friend around during his workday, Horstmann wants his guests to benefit from having a dog around, too. Scientific studies have shown that petting animals can lower blood pressure and Horstmann has seen it in practice.
“Penny keeps everybody’s stress levels down,” he says. “When we had delays with the hotel opening, I knew I had to pep up the staff. Luckily, the dogs were here when I told everyone and they just said, ‘OK!’ and returned to petting Penny and Elsie. It makes a huge difference. If I won the lottery, I would move upstate and have a hundred dogs. They give you so much joy.”
pets@nypost.com