In a city driven by the pulse of possibility, the fusion of luxury and art in New York feels as natural as the hum of a late-night subway. Every corner transforms into a stage, demanding an open mind and watchful eyes to fully embrace the glitz of celebrity and the grit of authentic artistry to those fully living in it. Here, queer culture finds fertile ground to thrive, blossoming in ways both spectacular and intimate. GrandLife Hotels — more than just a destination for travelers — embodies a soul deeply connected to the communities it serves. Guided by the creative vision of Public Relations Manager Hannah Fair and the dynamic leadership of Marketing Director Michael Zayas, GrandLife has emerged as a beacon for honoring NYC LGBTQ+ history and talent.

Fair and Zayas have made it their mission to break boundaries while fostering spaces where the avant-garde feels at home. From iconic venues like Club Room at SoHo Grand Hotel, Roxy Bar, and the Roxy Cinema, GrandLife transforms hospitality into a curated cultural journey. Their events don’t just happen — they resonate, making live music and creative expression accessible to all, often with no cover charge. Even the properties long standing amenities are an experiential nod to the importance of music as a living, with Curated Vinyl programs featuring TEAC turntables and Marshall speakers, while guitars can be added to suites upon request.

But their vision goes beyond the surface. For Fair and Zayas, showcasing queer stories and uplifting LGBTQ+ creators isn’t just a feature of their programming — it’s their responsibility. As cultural curators, they’ve taken it upon themselves to weave queer history into their events, blending past, present, and future into moments that linger long after the final note has played. When we sat down with the duo, they shared the inspiration behind their work, their backgrounds, and why NYC remains the perfect stage for their bold, inclusive vision.

Congratulations on your work with GrandLife. Michael, we did our research, and it looks like you’ve been working in the hotel scene since about 2003. Hannah, you seem a little newer to the scene. But to both of you, why hotels?

Michael Zayas: Growing up surrounded by the diversity, energy, and culture of New York City, there was a part of me that just wanted to share the experience here with the world. The way I chose to do that was through tourism and hospitality. Telling the story of New York to travelers from all over the globe, and then hosting them while they're in town is pretty thrilling. 

Hannah Fair: Hospitality is a great mix of everything I love, art, music, cinema, fashion and food! It’s a chance to shape the narrative around places that are more than just places to stay — they’re destinations with character, style, and stories of their own.

Have you witnessed a shift at all in the landscape of hotel management and inclusive initiatives since the pandemic? 

MZ: After a few years of uncertainty, New York has rebounded with some of our best performing years in hospitality to date.

Historically, the queer community has occupied clandestine spaces in urban nightlife, forced to descend into the quiet underground in order to support a bustling and vibrant collective identity. Has this informed the imaginative non-exclusivity of the bars found in hotels like The Roxy New York? For example, The Django, which boasts the feeling of “entering another world”?

MZ: Not exactly. Whereas The Django is designed to give you the feeling of a Parisian boîte, the culture of the space is based on the premise that everyone is welcome. When you talk about the clandestine spaces of yesteryear in urban nightlife, that doesn't reflect the experience of a venue like Roxy Bar. When patrons come in for cocktails or live music, they are expecting to see queer talent not only on stage, but also as a vibrant part of the audience. Downtown New York has always lent itself to all types of people co-mingling and partying in a space together. The Roxy is a reflection of that.

In a piece for Totem Mag, Michael says, “New York is a beacon for the world, and LGBTQ+ people need to always be part of that story.” What’s your hope for queer spaces and hotel life outside of the city, and how do you incorporate the people who live on the outskirts of GrandLife?

MZ: The hope for queer spaces and hotel life outside of the city is that they continue to grow and thrive. Everyone needs to feel safe and appreciated in their own neighborhoods and towns. My hat is off to all of the people who are the public face of our community in these areas. What I want them to know is that there is always a safe space for them at Soho Grand and The Roxy. When people from the outskirts come across our digital channels or press, we hope that they can see a small part of themselves and know that they are welcome. 

HF: I hope that the industry beyond New York can see the example we set for authentic hospitality — where creativity and genuine connections come together. We’re constantly finding new ways to incorporate our community into exciting, impactful projects, showing just how powerful true hospitality can be.

In theory, a hotel stay is a temporary experience. A hotel-goer comes, they stay, they leave. How do you hope to see the experiences curated at GrandLife Hotels extend beyond just a few nights? What do you want to leave people with as they move on to their next destination?

HF: I love that we showcase a real downtown New York City experience. We aim to provide something unique and special. Ultimately, I want anyone who passes through to feel inspired and enriched by their time at Soho Grand and The Roxy. We want to instill a sense of belonging and connection, so when they leave, they carry a piece of New York with them. As someone who grew up in a small town, I also have a deep appreciation for the sense of wonder and excitement that a big city can offer. So, for me, it’s about providing guests with that cheeky bit of “shock and awe” that makes their experience feel larger than life — whether it’s through a special art installation in the lobby, an unexpected encounter with a celebrity, or simply the electric energy of being in the city’s most creative neighborhoods.

MZ: First and foremost, the hope is that people feel like they experienced something at our hotels and venues that they couldn't have experienced anywhere else. Whether it's an art exhibit in Soho Grand's Gallery, an Independent movie premiere at Roxy Cinema, a vinyl DJ set in Roxy Bar, or a rare American whiskey in the Grand Bar and Salon, everything here is curated and unique. Inspiring guests to learn once they've departed is the ultimate goal. Having them research a new flavor, a new sound, a new artist that we introduced them to...that's how we keep the experience going.

Music and culture are iconographic to a good hotel stay. How do hotels within GrandLife cultivate diversity not just in the people they invite to stay and celebrate within their walls, but in the people who create those experiences, too? 

MZ: It's the same mindset for everything. We have a responsibility to bring everyone to the table and hold each other accountable. As long as we keep everyone focused on the same goal, the end product is something that naturally flourishes.   

Hosting a relaunch party for Talentiish (a queer-owned talent management agency), screening Lypsinka: Toxic Femininity, hosting a photoshoot for over 100 drag artists for PAPER Magazine, there’s a lot you two have done for elevating queer creatives in the hotel space. What’s something you haven’t done yet that’s on your list?

HF: I would absolutely love to collaborate with an iconic New York designer to create special branded merch or maybe an exclusive amenity for the rooms. Our brands are so synonymous with Downtown NY, it would be really special to partner with someone that has a similar history. Do you have Marc Jacobs cell number by any chance?

MZ: Creating a music festival that combines all three stages at The Roxy Hotel and Soho Grand Hotel is tops on the list. Working with both properties to create a singular New York City music and hospitality moment is a big dream of mine.

Hannah, you moved to New York when you were just 17 years old. As you’ve come to grow and love and laugh and cry in this city, what keeps you tied to New York? And for both of you, what can you find in this city that you can’t find anywhere else?

HF: My community definitely keeps me around! I couldn't ask for a more supportive partner and group of friends. I came from a small town in Kansas and now I work with my idols including icons of the past/present/future and people who inspire me every single day. Who would want to leave? 

MZ: A new world in every neighborhood, bacon, egg and cheese at any hour, and your chosen family.

HF: Ray’s Candy, Joyface, and of course the legendary New York nerve and audacity!