French chef Gabriel Kreuther must have beat a record for the fastest Michelin star awarded to a new restaurant. Kreuther opened his eponymous restaurant in Manhattan just three months before inspectors from Michelin paid a visit. Whilst Michelin stars are often an indication of overly formal dining, or arrogant staff, Kreuther’s well-placed mid-town restaurant defies […]
Manhattan’s most famous green space, Central Park, sprawls through the center of Gotham City. But, edge a bit further out … and a 20-minute ride on Metro-North’s commuter train will take you to the New York Botanical Gardens(NYBG) in the Bronx. Welcome to 250 acres of tranquility – in New York City. It’s autumn, the […]
The last time I was in New York City I stayed at the Sofitel on West 44th Steer, right near Times Square. On this particular occasion I had been carousing somewhat heartily with an old friend, a US Cavalry officer fresh from Iraq, at a local Irish bar. Although the sun is starting to rise and I have my GPS fired up, I find myself wandering in ever increasing circles. I finally give up and hail a passing cab, one of the many new-fangled incredibly clean and shiny velocipedes that prowl the streets of the city that never sleeps nowadays.
I've long stopped counting how many times I've been to Manhattan. The goal isn't to see something new anymore, rather, go back and re-visit favourite places. But, as a recent last minute trip to the States affords me a weekend in the big apple during the peak summer season, it's forced me to look beyond my usual hotel go-to's which are full up.
The Strand’s location at 37th Street between 5th and 6th, incredibly convenient for access to Grand Central, shopping trips at Macy’s (just 3 blocks), nights at the theatre, and forays into Union Square. Staying Midtown, until now, was unchartered territory, but I’m hooked. Service at The Strand is friendly, relaxed and warm, and our 10am arrival wasn’t too early to get a room. Free Wi-Fi, newspapers, and iPod docks are becoming more the norm in the Big Apple, but are still a treat.
There are two prevailing popular visions of Los Angeles: the hard-partying nightlife of Hollywood, nights out on the Strip and in clubs on the West side, and the California dreaming of the canyons and beaches of Santa Monica.
There is no more scenic way to experience the sensation of having your heart in your mouth than by touring Manhattan Island by helicopter.
Forget about the bathrobe, if you’re going to steal one thing from New York’s Chatwal Hotel, take the mattress - it’s worth $19,000. The Chatwal is the crown jewel of Starwood’s Big Apple hotels.
As you duck down a set of unmarked stone stairs through that dank back alley, under the clotheslines and over the black puddles, the pungent smell of moss is punctured only by the allure of a hidden room. My footsteps echo up the steel fire-escape stairs and through the heavy black door of the Back […]
