HotelChatter

Concierge Interviews / Hotel Video Tours / Hotel Concierges / Hotel Interviews / → All Tags

The Michelangelo Will Offer Theater Recommendations, And Then Spoil the Ending (If You Ask)

Where: 152 W 51st St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

The Michelangelo Concierge, James Jolis

Have you ever flirted with a hotel concierge? In our series, Concierge Interviews, HotelChatter goes behind the Front Desk and gets chummy with the men—and women—whose job it is to never say no. Filmed inside various lobbies, courtyards, and bar lounges, each video will offer a glimpse into the world of hotels from the people who know them best. Got a burning question you'd like us to ask? Or have someone in mind for us to interview? Email us your requests!

more ›

What Is This? / Hotel Lobbies / Hotel Design / Manhattan Hotels / StarHotels / Hotel Mirrors / → All Tags

What Is This at The Michelangelo?

Where: 152 W 51st St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

We like to keep it fun but informative here at HotelChatter so our newest series, What is This? is devoted to odd-looking items in hotels that upon first glance look as if they serve only a decorative purpose. But everything happens for a reason, right? And we're here to tell you what these things really do. 

We possibly made a few wishes come true yesterday when we broke the news that Public Chicago had decided to offer a limited quantity of $1 rooms this winter. Wahoo!

But what about all your other wishes? Your hopes and dreams? Your hidden, innermost desires? Well, that's where The Michelangelo, and its awesomely flamboyant mirror, come in. You see, this gilded looking glass, propped up on a wooden easel in the west corner of the lobby, is actually believed to bring good luck.

Upon arrival, guests are supposed to stand in front of it and make a wish. And after seeing some of the hotel's sweet suites yesterday, we know what we'd be wishing for if it was us standing there: an upgrade!

more ›

Hotel Christmas Trees / Manhattan Hotels / Jumeirah Hotels / Holiday Hotels / Hotel Chocolate / Hotel Food / Hotel Desserts / → All Tags

Choco-holics, Stay Away From The Jumeirah Essex House This Christmas

Where: 160 Central Park S [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

This is the kind of Christmas tree that you do not want to have around the house—because if you did, you'd just end up eating it.

Luckily, this 10-foot-tall beauty, made entirely of chocolate (white, dark, milk, fondant, you name it, it's on there), is on view inside the Jumeirah Essex House, which luckily isn't a place we frequent very often.

The chocolate theme is continued into the rest of the lobby with a weekend-only Chocolate Bar. Boy, this hotel is pressing allll the right buttons. Included in the mouth-watering buffet are a chocolate fountain, assorted truffles and house-made hot chocolate. Tickets go for $35 a head, but if you bump it up to $49, they'll throw in a glass of champagne.

more ›

Hotel Restaurants / Hotel Food / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Renovations / Hotel News / → All Tags

Whatever Todd English Is Doing At The Plaza Food Hall, It's Working

Where: 5th Ave at 59th Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

If we were Todd English's Food Hall at The Plaza, we'd be patting ourselves on the back right now. After a successful opening back in June 2010, the dining concept has literally taken off, forcing regulars to wait 45 minutes just to sit down for lunch on a weekday, according to the New York Times.

Now, the Food Hall is set to get even bigger. Rolling out a two-part expansion plan over the next six months, the concourse will benefit from 3500 additional square feet, making way for 132 more seats. Popping up in the space next week will be a brand new pasta bar, a 17-seat cocktail bar, cheese and charcuiterie shop, and 28 rentable wine lockers. And while in the past, the hotel's basement has proven to be the kiss of death for many high-end shops, part of the Food Hall's expansion includes a retail component selling items like pasta, flatbread, soup and tapenade—all made on the premises.

more ›

Hotel Shops / Hotel Shopping / Christmas Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel News / Hotel Fashion / → All Tags

Pretty in Pink for the Holidays at Betsey Johnson's Plaza Pop-Up Shop

Where: 5th Avenue and 59th Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

Love pink stuff? Love New York City's The Plaza Hotel? Hate the high prices ($75 headbands!) of the pink-perfect Eloise shop at The Plaza? We're with you all the way. There's some relief however, as The Plaza has just opened a Betsey Johnson holiday pop-up shop in the lower-level Shops arcade at the hotel.

We just went and roamed around it ourselves, and though it's itsy-bitsy, it definitely packs the pinkest punch. The store associates told us that Betsey wanted the shop chock-full of accessories, and that it is; her sparkly jewelry, funky watches, quilted clutches and even winter hats are everywhere. Rest assured they've got Betsey's signature clothing line as well, in all its crinolined, punky princess glory. The only thing is—when we expressed interest in a particularly stunning necklace but in a larger size—we were told that items are already beginning to sell out. Thankfully if you're that hard-up for something sparkly to wear to your holiday shindig, there are other Betsey shop locations around the city.

If you go, the Betsey Johnson pop-up is only open until January 9.

more ›

Hotel Spas / Concierges / Hotel News / Mystical Hotels / Psychic Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags

Le Parker Meridien Gets Help From A Psychic

Where: 118 W 57th St. [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

Next time we need help achieving that state of zen, we'll be turning to Le Parker Meridien. No one is apparently more mellowed out than Fitness and Sales Director Craig Rogers, who has recently been learning meditation techniques from his psychic, Linda Lauren.

Lauren (whose clairvoyant hands are pictured above) was profiled by the New York Times on Wednesday in a piece about business folks who consult with psychics about their travel plans. Like Rogers, who needed help with his stressful 50-minute commute from New Jersey, and who now receives meditation lessons to help calm his thoughts. Funny, we already considered the hotel a little one-track minded—with any luck, Rogers can help clear out the impurities once and for all.

more ›

HotelChatter Video Tours / Hotel Renovations / Historic Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Photo Gallery / → All Tags

Inside the Renovated Premier Rooms at The Warwick

Where: 65 West 54th Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

Once upon a time, The Warwick Hotel was home to Cary Grant--who lived at the Midtown hotel for 12 years. More recently, it became the temporary home of Iranian president Ahmadinejad.

But whomever is bunking down at the historic property built by William Randolph Hearst in the 1920s should be happy to hear the Warwick is halfway through a major room renovation project.

The new look features tech touches like one-touch lighting, iPod docks and flatscreens, but is inspired by the Hollywood glamour of the hotel's past, with lots of champagne shades, satiny fabrics and dramatically draped curtains.

more ›

Halloween Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Parties / → All Tags

Hudson Hotel Is Haunted! (And Other Spooky Happenings This Weekend)

Where: 356 West 58th Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

Is your costume all ready? We've been working on ours for well over a week (OK, more like fifteen minutes, but hey—we're New Yorkers, we're busy people!). In any case, it looks like there are a few options for you crazy hotel party crashers out there this weekend. From vodka open bars to haunted hotels to a fashion editor-judged costume contest, you certainly won't be twiddling your thumbs!

First up, Hudson Hotel has commissioned the talent of Adam Aleksander to transform the entire hotel into a creepy, crawly, underworld lair. Each of the hotel's three venues (Hudson Hall, Hudson Bar, and Library Bar), in addition to hosting eight separate DJ acts on Saturday night, will morph into different "concepts" like the formaldehyde-ridden Laboratory, Overgrown Swamp, and Butcher's Den.

Scared yet? It only gets better!

more ›

UN Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Protests / Political Hotels / Mahmoud Ahmadinejad / → All Tags

Why The Warwick Was So Popular This Week

Where: 65 W 54th St [map], NEW YORK, NY, United States, 10019

Despite their best efforts, United Against Nuclear Iran was not able to convince every hotel that it would be a bad idea to host Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. And now, after several days of being surrounded by vehement protests and demonstrations, The Warwick is probably regretting its decision to temporarily house the Iranian president and his entourage.

A CBS news reporter managed to sneak a camera into the hotel, and was welcomed by anti-Ahmadinejad activists, who had installed themselves on the eleventh floor. So what was the Warwick's excuse? Did they miss the memo? Were they making a ton of money? Did they just feel like going against the trend?

more ›

Hotel Rooftops / Spa Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Peninsula Hotels / → All Tags

It Sure Gets Sunny On The Peninsula's Sun Terrace

Where: 700 FIFTH AVENUE [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

Last week, we were invited to check out the newly-refurbished Sun Terrace on the twenty-first floor of the Peninsula New York. Well, this was a no-brainer. A private patio perched over Fifth Avenue that has been designed for the sole purpose of sunbathing? Why, yes, we'd love to.

The deck wraps around three sides of the Peninsula building, and at around 1pm (when we were there), the direct sun can be a little intense. We'd recommend visiting later in the day—but definitely go before it gets dark, as the views here are simply not to be missed. Technically, you have to be either a guest of the hotel or the spa to enjoy the terrace, but for the sheer experience of it, we'd happily sign up for the $285 "Summer Splendour" massage-facial-lunch combo. As long as it's not overcast, that's money well spent.

more ›

Fashion Week / Fashion Hotels / Morgans Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel Toys / Hotel Lobbies / → All Tags

Fashion Week Means New Toys In The Vending Machine

Where: 356 West 58th Street [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

Fashion week doesn't all have to be about VIP appearances, plus-ones, and cramming sixteen shows into one lunch break. It can also be fun! Take the vending machine at Hudson Hotel, which elevates the concept of the gift bag to a whole new level—though the stuff isn't actually free, any fashion hound with some extra cash is going to want to buy this stuff.

$14 copies of Catcher In the Rye have been switched out for items like a Ruby Kobo diamond-and-wood bracelet, a SANG A python clutch (above), Public School hand-made wool ties, and a Jolibe rabbit fur jacket. So, really, something for everyone here. And if you happen to like Tumblr (the easy-to-use digital media platform used by millions of musicians, artists, photographers and fashion writers), there's something here for you too.

more ›

Hotel Weddings / Crowne Plaza Hotels / IHG Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / → All Tags

Crowne Plaza Wishes You Long Love And Good Fortune

Where: 1605 Broadway At 49th St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10019

If you've always dreamed of marrying your special someone inside a Crowne Plaza, then this is without a doubt the promotion for you.

The pink-loving hotel chain is planning to wed eleven lucky couples at the Times Square property at 11am EST on November 11, 2011.

And just in case you didn't know: the address of Crowne Plaza Times Square 1605 Broadway. That's 1-6-0-5. As in, 16 minus 5 is—oh my gosh!—ELEVEN! This auspicious mini-mass-wedding will almost certainly open a powerful energy vortex into other Crowne Plaza dimensions, where no mortal has ever ventured. Needless to say, our RSVP is already in the mail.

more ›