Before you embark on your New York journey read about the hotels that will make your stay a memorable one.
The Library in Midtown Manhattan
The Library Hotel is more ‘literati’ than ‘glitterati’: more private club than hotel. Each of the ten guestrooms is dedicated to one of the ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal System: Social Sciences, Literature, Languages, History, Math & Science, General Knowledge, Technology, Philosophy, The Arts and Religion. Each of the sixty rooms is individually designed with a collection of art and books relevant to one distinctive topic within the category of floor it belongs to. Guests may request their room based on their personal interests. The Writer’s Den with its skyline views and the Poetry Garden, a sparkling green house, are perfect places to relax and absorb this culture.
Tips:
Access to the hotel’s video library of the American Film Institutes top 100 films — Monday through Saturday there’s a complimentary wine and cheese reception — For the night time players, magical nights await you at the Bookmarks Lounge on the 14th floor, which serve signature cocktails like the Great Gatsby and the Capote.
Sofitel New York in the Manhattan area
The contemporary 30-story Sofitel New York, represents the French art of living through its décor. Art work of old Paris and New York fill this space. Traditional French fare is served at the French brasserie, Gaby Restaurant and even the staff uniforms are designed by renowned designer Jean Charles de Castelbajac. Guests will enjoy the hotel’s evening turndown services, which include Evian water and a fresh cut rose. The Art Deco sitting room is the perfect place for some downtime as well as viewing the extensive collection of contemporary art that adorns the walls. The hotel’s award winning design surrounds a 30-story curved tower bordered by two 20-story wings, which overlooks the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building.
Tips:
Don’t leave New York without sampling the inventive French cuisine with Asian influences, served up at the Art Deco inspired, Gaby Restaurant — The Petit Bijou gift shop is an exquisite emporium with items imported from France.
The Hudson Hotel in the Midtown area
The Hudson Hotel is a brand new offering from hotelier extraordinaire, Ian Schrager. It is said to be the hippest hotel on the block with stunning views across the Hudson River. Designer, Phillipe Starke has created a fantastical world where flawless design dances with daredevil technology in a perfect combination of light, sound and shape. There’s an exhibition kitchen restaurant, a lobby bar, and library bar with billiards, indoor and outdoor private park, and a ceiling fresco by renowned painter Francesco Clemente, 18.000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event space and a business centre. The design was inspired by ocean travel romance and the setting of a private cabin on an upscale yacht. Vogue Magazine describes the hotel as “surreal chic, brilliantly designed, and gorgeous.”
Tips:
Hudson Sky Terrace located on the 15th floor is a large private landscaped terrace where you can enjoy cocktails and sweeping city and Hudson River views — For your sleeping pleasure, Hudson beds have Egyptian cotton sheets with 300 thread count.
The Dream Hotel in the Midtown area
The Dream Hotel in New York was opened by socialite-hotelier Vikram Chatwal in 2004. The décor includes a copper statue of Catherine the Great, Neptune and Madonna with child, all surrounded by mismatched armchairs. The design theme is best described as haute couture meets Alice in Wonderland ‘whimsical’. This luxury playground has all the latest technology and three lounges each offering their own delights: Subconcious is subterranean lounge with a Labyrinth of Alcoves, the Epernay and Lobby Bar is a vibrant space designed by architect Mark Zeff and AVA, named after movie star Ava Gardner is the Dream Hotel’s penthouse lounge which offers cocktails and stunning views of Time Square.
Tips:
The Chopra Center which is devoted to Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing science studied by founder Deepak Chopra is situated below ground. A glass elevator transports guests to this world of exclusive pampering – A feast of sublime Northern Italian cuisine awaits you at the Fellini-inspired restaurant, Serafina, designed by the Rockwell Group.
The 60 Thompson in the SoHo District
100 room luxury-driven lifestyle hotel by famed designer, Thomas
O’Brien is a favorite with the trendy downtown scene. The breathtaking rooftop “members” lounge, and Kittichai restaurant complement the modern and chic sensibility of 60 Thompson. This luxury hotel is set back from the street behind a courtyard of birch trees. The interior features photographs by Laura Resen and a roof garden that has a 360 degree view of Manhattan’s skyline. This hotel was selected as “One of the World’s Hottest Hotels” by Conde Nast Traveler and Entertainment Weekly named it the “It Hotel” for entertainment’s elite.
Tips:
Indulge your senses at chic Thai restaurant Kittichai on the ground floor with patio dining and a gold-suffused bar — Feel like a princess in swanky marble-swathed bathrooms with mosaic tile floors, and Philosophy bath products.
Trump International Hotel & Tower in the Manhattan area
Location, location… this hotel certainly is prime real estate: situated at the foot of Central Park, and just across Columbus Circle from the Time Warner Center. Opening in 1997, the contemporary 52-story tower hotel was designed by renowned architects Philip Johnson and Costas Kondylis. Today, Trump International Hotel & Tower is one of only four properties in North America to hold the prestigious Mobil five-star rating for both the hotel and its in-house restaurant, Jean Georges. With a host of unique innovations and complimentary amenities there is no doubt you’re residing in the world of the super-rich, Donald Trump. The rooms have ten-foot high ceilings with nine-foot floor-to-ceiling windows so guests can have the pleasure of all-round views of Manhattan.
Tips:
A 6,000-square-foot health club with 55-foot indoor lap pool and a full-service spa — For guests its business as usual at the 383 square feet Executive Boardroom with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Broadway and Lincoln Center — Each guest receives personalized stationery and business cards along with a cellular phone on request.
Hotel Plaza Athénée in the Manhattan area
Located on the fashionable Upper East Side of Manhattan, this hotel brings a bit of Europe to the finest streets of New York. Renovated in 2003, and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Hotel Plaza Athénée is without a doubt one of New York’s finest hotels. This European-style boutique hotel with its 152 rooms is located on a tree-lined residential street that offers a peaceful and home-like atmosphere. All of the rooms and suites have French fabrics, period furniture, artwork, and rose aurora marble bathrooms and suites. Earth tones and smoking rooms bring back a bit of old-world charm.
Tips:
Serious shoppers paradise: walking distance to Madison Avenue with Georgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany’s, Barney’s, Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman Department stores – – Don’t leave New York without having a cocktail at the Seine and Arabelle Bars where Carrie Bradshaw sat and drank when they filmed Sex in the City.
The 70 Park Avenue Hotel in Midtown Manhattan
One of New York’s most revered midtown hotels is situated near Grand Central Station, right on famous Park Avenue. The 70 Park Avenue Hotel recently went through an extensive multi-million dollar renovation under the direction of renowned residential designer Jeffrey Bilhuber, who has worked with celebrities such as David Bowie, Iman and Hubert de Givenchy. The hotel is decorated in warm earth tones and rich dark woods and the lobby living room features a 14-foot limestone and sandstone fireplace. The 188 newly decorated guest rooms including 6 parlors and 3 penthouse suites are bright and spacious with stylish neo classical décor and luxurious comforts.
Tips:
Leisure guests will find convenience in the walking distance from Fifth Avenue boutiques; the city’s finest arts and cultural centers, which include the Museum of Modern Art, Empire State Building, United Nations, Broadway and Times Square – – The 2,000 square-foot Penthouse Suite with wrap-around balcony and great views from its 17th floor perch is ideal for swanky social events or parties.
The Benjamin in the Midtown area
Originally opened in 1927 as The Hotel Beverly it was considered one of world-renowned architect Emery Roth’s most successful creations. The hotel was purchased and renovated to its original grandeur in 1999 by Affinia Hospitality and named after its founder, Benjamin J. Denihan, Sr. Today, this sophisticated, boutique style hotel has lavish marble bathrooms, rich mahogany-finished furnishings and a personal well-equipped business area, attracting both business and leisure guests. The Benjamin is famous for its custom-made mattresses adorned with Frette linens and down filled duvets. It’s probably the only hotel in the world that offers a menu of ten different pillows! One block from Park Avenue businesses, near the Empire State Building, the United Nations, Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue shopping.
Tips:
One of only four Five-Globe ECOTEL, certified properties in the world, this eco-friendly hotel’s core philosophy, encompasses every aspect of hotel operation and guest service — The Affinia Wellness Spa is a holistic experience that will transform your mind, body and spirit.
The SoHo Grand Hotel in the SoHo area
Built in 1996 as the first hotel in SoHo in more than a century; the SoHo Grand Hotel was designed by Bill Sofield and architected by David Helpern. This 17-story hotel is a favorite of the fashion and entertainment industries. The Grand Bar & Lounge, also known as “SoHo’s living room”, has recently been redesigned by renowned designer, William Sofield. Famous guests Kevin Spacey, Spike Lee and Naomi Campbell have stayed here. Pets have stayed here too. In fact dogs are offered their own toothbrush and toothpaste. A total of 367 custom designed rooms, 16-foot windows draped with 900-pound velvet curtains and a ceiling fashioned out of handmade mercury mirror glass embedded with chicken wire all make it the most fantastical place on earth.
Tips:
Near chic galleries, theaters, restaurants and shops: you’ll definitely run into someone famous in the TriBeCa, Greenwich Village and meatpacking district —
Speaking of famous, the hotel’s Gallery and Grand Bar & Lounge features the new ‘out there’ American cuisine like Maple Barbecued Quail and chocolate-dipped homemade graham crackers with brûléed meringue. Welcome to America!
