10017 Travel Guide
Instagram / Hotel Cocktails / Hotel Bar / Rooftop Bars / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags
Coolest Hotel Instagram Of The Day Goes To...
The Midtown Manhattan classic property has kicked off their Drink of the Day specials at Henry's Rooftop Bar (which we'll be talking more about tomorrow!).
This cocktail, called The Hemingway Daiquiri is made with 1.5 oz of rum, 1 oz grapefruit juice, and fresh lime juice. It goes perfect with the stunning view of the NYC skyline.
Sounds refreshing, no? Now if only Mother Nature would make up her mind with this weather. We've had our April showers, time for the May flowers and mojitos!
[Photo: Instagram]
Celebrity Scoop / Marriott Hotels / Residence Inn Hotels / Family-Friendly Hotels / Cat Cora / Gay-Friendly Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Openings / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags
New Residence Inn Midtown East Names Cat Cora "Mom of the Year"
Somehow a new Residence Inn opened in NYC on March 1st, and we heard not a whisper about it, until we were invited to their grand opening last week. The day happened to coincide with the brands third annual "Resident Mom of the Year" celebration, which always occurs near Mother's Day.
Sister hotel Residence Inn Times Square usually hosts this event (the first honor went to Holly Robinson Peete), however, this was an opportunity to showcase the new, 211-room Midtown hotel.
So, who was bestowed the honor of spokeswoman for Residence Inn's, all-suite, family-friendly properties? None other than Iron Chef, tv-host, and mama extraordinaire, Cat Cora.
Cat dazzled the crowd with her cute southern twang, warm personality, and ability to convince the crowd that cooking quinoa, stir fry, and parfaits is simple as pie in the hotel's kitchen.
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Daymond 'Shark Tank' John Is Heading To the Westin New York Grand Central
Fans of the hit ABC show Shark Tank ought to perk up when they hear about a new package being offered by the Westin New York Grand Central. Dubbed the "Game Changer," the three-night package offers aspiring entrepreneurs a premium Corner King room (pictured), complimentary New Balance sneakers and workout clothes (for lending only), and free WiFi.
Pretty sweet deal, right?
Oh, wait. We almost forgot the most important part! "Game Changer" guests will also receive a half hour consultation with the shark himself, Daymond John, via Skype or in person. Yes, the FUBU man himself.
The package is named after Game Changer Meetings, a service designed to connect business people all over the world with top experts in their respective industries. Of course, it depends what your chosen industry is. For example, if it has anything to do with suspicious-looking cigarettes, then these guys probably can't help you.
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Old-School Celeb Sighting at Andaz 5th Avenue
Listen here, you don't have to admit it, but we know at some point you watched Beverly Hills 90210. And for most of us, whether we secretly lusted for Dillon ( Luke Perry) or Brandon (Jason Priestley, but were stuck with a David Silver-type (Brian Austin Green), many of us were not Kelly's or Brenda's either. In fact, we were the Andrea Zuckerman's, and she, or rather Gabrielle Carteris, just happened to be in one of our favorite hotels, New York's Andaz 5th Avenue.
Now we know this place is a hot spot for bold names--everyone from Flo Rida to Kate Hudson comes here at one point or another, but it was refreshing to hear a throwback name making an appearance. We wanted to reach for our AquaNet, don some Bass Weejuns, tuck and roll up our jeans in that weird way (you know what we mean) and run down for an autograph.
One of our favorite HC tipsters was lunching at the Andaz when she realized she was smack dab next to our bespeckled babe--and she was, wasn't she, in that sorta librarian type of way? Always looking wiser than her years? And now we see she's 52 years old and we're a tad freaked out by that, because that means y'all are getting old, friends.
Sweet Suites / Manhattan Hotels / Millennium Hotels / Photo Gallery / → All Tags
Sky-High At ONE UN New York's Suite 2932
Today we're drooling over a Sweet Suite—the kind of top-tier, five-star, too-expensive digs that most of us will never be able to afford. But that won't stop us from fantasizing! From newly-renovated suites to panoramic penthouses overlooking cities, we'll cover all the biggies in this ongoing series. Got a suite we should know about? Send us an email!
This past fall, One UN New York not only unveiled Phase 1 of its major renovation project, but also re-named the hotel (it used to be known as Millennium UN Plaza) in an effort to re-brand the hotel as a top luxury destination for the neighborhood. And one of the shining gems of the renovation is Suite 2932, located in the 154-room West Tower.
One of several duplex suites in the hotel, guests here certainly aren't lacking on space, with a giant living room, dedicated work space, a bedroom on the second floor, two bathrooms (with incredible views), and a minibar with a Nespresso machine.
But don't just take our word for it—click through the photo gallery and see for yourself!
Hotel Renovations / Hotel Reopenings / Manhattan Hotels / Historic Hotels / Hotel Design / Hotel News / → All Tags
Radisson Lexington Drops the Radisson, Is Now Known Simply As 'The Lexington'
It's a move we've witnessed before—an out-of-date Manhattan hotel seeks to reinvent itself with a sexier design and a shortened name. Hence, the Roger Williams became The Roger. And now, the former Radisson Lexington will now be known as The Lexington.
The hotel actually dates back to 1929, when it was originally known as The Lexington (so essentially it's come full circle). But the hotel isn't just returning to its roots by name alone: the owners hired Dash Design, who's worked on flashy renovations at the W Union Square and the J House in Greenwich, CT, to breathe new life into the 84-year-old hotel. The theme of the new multimillion dollar re-design? the glamorous, jazz age of New York.
That 1920s theme is definitely trending right now—we've also seen it appear at Manhattan's two newest hotels, The Refinery and The Jade—though we don't mind since part of New York's charm lies in its past.
If you're wondering exactly what "glamorous, jazz age New York" entails, take a look at the photo above, or read this tidbit from the hotel's press release:
"Brilliant gold elevator doors with whimsical songbirds will offer a taste of the Lexington New York City's original construction and serve as the entry point to the upstairs area of the hotel.
Photographs and drawings reflective of the Lexington New York City's storied past will compliment imagery of today's music scene and hang salon style above the bed…a verse from Irving Berlin's Russian Lullaby will dance through the room, embroidered into elements such as the lamp shade, bed cover and drapery."
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Gerber Group Tries Out Something New At The Westin
Though the Westin New York Grand Central officially opened (in what was formerly the New York Helmsley) back in October, it took a little longer for the accompanying restaurant to launch, but it's finally here, and we're happy to report it's every bit as charming as the press release would have you believe.
The LCL Kitchen & Bar, as it's known, is a cafe, restaurant, and wine bar all rolled into one, serving boldface comestibles like Stumptown Coffee, Organic Avenue, Balthazar Bakery—all of which are guaranteed to lure a notoriously picky New York foodie crowd. And considering The LCL is open from 6am-2am during the week (6am-4am on weekends), it casts a wide net. Whether you're staying at the hotel or not, it's the kind of place you can go for a quiet breakfast, a business lunch, dinner with friends, a post-work cocktail, or a mid-afternoon cookie break.
In fact, we happened to try their chocolate chip cookies (served warm out of the oven and slightly gooey) recently, and, uh, yeah...two thumbs all the way up.
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Werk! The Westin New York Grand Central Is Just $179!
It's not often we see New York City room-rate deals outside Hotel Week that are actually deals. In fact, when Westin New York Grand Central announced a new package last month, the phone lines went haywire. Booking engines crashed. The sky fell into itself.
Seriously, this deal is pretty notable. Not only is it a rate that's less than $200 at a fancy Westin, but there's perks to boot.
The New Year, New You package encourages guests to remember their resolution of taking care of themselves, even on the weekends (apologies to every single bar in NYC but we're sober for this package). The package includes rates starting at $179 per night (not a typo!) in deluxe accommodations, Organic Avenue juice in-room amenity, complimentary New Balance lending gear lending (sneakers and workout accessories), access to Westin Workout studio, free WiFi and a late 4 p.m. check out.
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Even Picks An Odd Location For Its First New York Hotel
UPDATE 3:41pm: Even Hotels informs us that while the 44th St property is the first one they've announced, it won't actually be the first Even Hotel to open. Keep an eye out for more Even news in the coming months!
After several months of silence, it looks like IHG have finally settled on a location for the world's New York's first-ever Even Hotel.
Considering how much love NYC's been getting from various hotel brands, we're not too surprised to hear Even will be marking its territory there too.
IHG first announced the new healthy, fitness-oriented brand back in February. And though we learned a ton about what to expect inside the hotels (free WiFi, sparse furniture, peppy slogans written on the bathroom walls, extra-healthy food), we still didn't know where—or when—we would get to see one.
TravelPulse reports that the first Even Hotel in New York will open in 2014 at 219 E 44th St, which strikes us as a bit of an odd location, since it's practically on the East River, and nowhere near the subway. But unless that's the point? To compel guests to do even more exercise getting to and from the hotel? As if the in-room yoga mats and weight benches weren't enough?
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Westin Grand Central Fills Out The Old New York Helmsley
On Friday, we posted a photo from a hotel that's just completed a $75 million renovation, though as the empty bookcase suggests, there's still a bit of work to be done re-furnishing the place. Nevertheless, a discerning reader correctly identified the hotel as the Westin Grand Central, formerly the New York Helmsley.
Westin officially took over the property back in January, though the official opening didn't take place until Friday, when Mayor Bloomberg showed up for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Now, construction is basically over (aside from the lobby restaurant and those empty bookshelves), and the new Westin is ready for guests.
But what do the new rooms actually look like? Click through to see our photo gallery!
Reality TV Hotels / Breaking Amish The Show / Hotel News / Hyatt Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags
"Breaking Amish" Cast Bewildered by Hyatt 48 Lex
This room at the Hyatt 48 Lex is a standard set-up to some, a perplexing puzzle to others.
TLC’s new series Breaking Amish follows Rebecca a 20-year old Amish girl from Punxsutawney, PA and four other young Amish and Mennonites who have left their homes to live together in a Manhattan hotel—the Hyatt 48 Lex to be exact. This show can only be described as Real World:Amish Style, but instead of an enormous mansion, the five people are put into two rooms.
While the two guys are pretty comfy in their double bed set up, it gets a little tight for the three girls sharing one room. Look at that, seems like gender inequality is already rearing its ugly head!
But the hotel highlights are amusing although research has unveiled this is probably one of the most disingenuous shows out there. We've learned this gang of five--Rebecca, Sabrina, Kate, Abe, and Jeremiah--aren't as innocent as they're portrayed. Which makes it us now doubt these suprises they encounter from the beginning of their arrival. However, for entertainment purposes, we'll list 'em anyway.
*Poor Kate, a 20-year old bishop’s daughter from Lebanon, PA, doesn’t how to use her hotel key in the elevator to get upstairs. After a bit of nervous laughter (and some help from the front desk) she does eventually manage to reach the third floor.
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Where Can An Olympic Tennis Player Go In NYC For A Little Peace and Quiet?
Just the other day, we were reading a story about British Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray, who bragged about getting to stay in "a lot of different hotels" during his seven-year career. Lucky him. Now Murray's in New York City for this year's US Open tournament (which got underway yesterday), and he's saying he's after a quieter hotel, to help him focus when he's not on the courts.
Which got us thinking: where do people go in New York when they need extra quiet? Well, the first answer might be, "not New York." But we know there's more to it than that. Indeed, plenty of Manhattan hotels are in the business of making you completely forget you're in Manhattan at all.
The trick is where to find 'em...
