Tag Archives: NYC

The NoMad Hotel. New York City, New York.

Hotel of the Week, , ,

It seems to me that the trend for savvy travelers is to stay at the newest “it” hotel when visiting New York, myself included. So after carefully curating my New York trip for the Armory Show, my hotel of choice seemed obvious.

The NoMad Hotel, considered the trendiest spot in New York City, had me a bit skeptical at first. How many more amazing hotels can New York handle? I thought it was going to be a hotel buildup that would fall from grace once I actually checked in. Needless to say I was wrong, very wrong.

The NoMad, which opened in 2012, is located in a towering Beaux-Arts building in the Madison Square Park area, neighboring Gramercy, Midtown and Chelsea neighborhoods.

Jacques Garcia, my second favorite hotel designer (after Kelly Wearstler) was the brains behind the fabulous hotel. This property so far drawn that even the most discerning travelers with sophisticated palates due to the careful attention to detail.

The 168-guestroom Parisian-style hotel has a cozy yet mysterious feel to it, which makes it ideal when traveling with your better half. Starting from the gigantic fireplace that was imported from a French Château to the exquisite food, this hotel is absolute flawless.

After exploring for a few minutes upon arrival, I was in love with every public area of the hotel: The soaring center atrium, the handsome library, the Hôtel Costesesque bar, the chic dining room and the rooftop.

Despite the opulence the property portrays at first glance, once settled, it gives you a casual vibe; sort of like being home alone at your uncle’s Parisian mansion. However, once you open the door to your bedrooms you will find that the contrast in the guestroom decor is unexpected. The lighter color scheme is simple and fresh, and for someone who works from hotel rooms constantly, working without feeling claustrophobic is a plus.

Because I like saving the best for last, I will now spill out the best part of the trip: The food. Chef Daniel Humm came up with the most brilliant creation ever: Whole-roasted chicken stuffed with foie gras, truffle oil and covered in brioche bread. The brunch is also a must, which basically means you will not leave your hotel during your entire stay.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Surrey. New York City, New York.

Hotel of the Week, , ,

Located in the Upper East Side of New York City, the Surrey is known for its luxurious atmosphere and spectacular location. In 1926, the Surrey was built as a residence hotel where guests like JFK and Bette Davis frequently visited. Over the years, the management of the Surrey has made sure to maintain the property’s history when it came time to update the hotel.

When you enter the lobby, you will be taken aback through the hotel’s modern décor: An interesting combination of modernity with classic touches blend so perfect, I wish I could take everything home with me. Each of the 190 rooms of the Surrey embody this décor, while also offering incredible views of Central Park or Madison Avenue. However, when visiting NYC, all my readers probably know that the room is just a small part of the NYC Experience.

Another feature that sets the Surrey apart from many other NYC hotels is the rooftop garden. As soon as you walk up to the 17th floor, your jaw will literally fall to the grown with the 360° view of the entire city, while noshing on the culinary creations of Daniel Boulud.

Also, if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, look no further than the Cornelia Spa, where I got pampered with fresh herbal teas and artisan honeys while awaiting for my neck and shoulder massage, which by the way worked wonders after a hectic shopping day. Note that you do not have to go to the Spa to feel relaxed, their shampoo and conditioner have the most divine aroma I have ever smelled. When I checked out, I bought a dozen to take home.

Additionally, the Surrey is a ‘posh pet’ hotel so guests like me that are obsessed with their four legged friends can tag along!

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Mark Hotel. New York City, New York.

Hotel of the Week, , ,

If strolling around the Upper East Side, having coffee at Sant Ambroeus, shopping along Madison Ave, or jogging around Central Park is your cup of tea, I suggest you leave whatever you are doing, hop on a flight and check-in to UES the Upper East Side Mecca, The Mark Hotel.

When you walk in to the hotel, you will quickly notice that this is a place to see and be seen for the fashion, art and film industries. Looking around you can observe that the design was a big part of the project, mixing the best of the French, American and Art Deco styles.

The Mark is fashion icon Anna Wintour’s favorite address when in need of a hotel, and you might also spot Katie Holmes, Russell Crowe, Mark Jacobs or Kelly Ripa to name a few. However, the hotel not only has the most divine guest-rooms, it also boasts the one and only Jean-George restaurant, a chic Freddik Fekkai hair salon, and an Assouline luxury book store.

When I walked into the hotel early in the morning, the lobby’s graphic checkerboard floor and stunning pieces of art created an epiphany: “This is my new favorite hotel in New York”. As I approached the front desk, a dozen sets of eyeballs were following me, ready to jump to my assistance if need be. After a fun weekend at The Hamptons, that was the exact kind of service I desperately needed.

I requested my favorite newspaper, a caramel macaroon from Laduree, and the paramount room service breakfast in the history of hotels: belgian waffles with a sliced banana, mixed berries, maple syrup and perfectly salty butter. Another favorite among the regulars are the lamb chops with fresh tomato BBQ sauce for dinner.

Upon resting my dancing feet from the night before, I started my usual hotel tour for this article.

I have to say everything was perfection, but the best part of the whole property (even better than my pancakes) was the glamorous art-deco bathroom. The deep soaking tub is big enough to have a party, and the shower water pressure is so strong, you will come out clean without using the soap once… don’t get me wrong, I did use it, but the thought did cross my mind.

The hotel is ideally situated in the heart of old New York, so put on some comfy shoes and walk over to the endless museum options: The Met, Guggenheim, The Whitney or The Frick. Another favorite activity among the guests is ordering a picnic basket from the hotel, and biking over to Central Park for a charming picnic under the warm summer sun.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.