insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 15 - May 2016 | Page 79

Touching down at JFK, we emerged into the crisp, cool air to hail our yellow taxi to take us across the water to Manhattan Island, our destination (like many first-time visitors) for this trip. New York is the most densely populated city in the USA and with people come traffic! So be prepared for your first experience in the city to involve blaring horns, busy streets and an often longer than anticipated transfer, albeit one made bearable by the looming iconic buildings, the glimpses of recognisable street signs and landmarks and that heady aroma of street food and city air that lets you know you have arrived in this bustling metropolis. Notorious as the ‘city that never sleeps’, I have to confess that I quite like a bit of z-time to go with my hedonistic city experiences, so it was reassuring to be met with an immediate sense of calm and tranquility when departing the bustle of the city through the sleek revolving doors of the WestHouse Hotel, our base for this adventure. Greeted at once by the concierge, the front of house staff and a pleasing aroma (later discovered to be the hotel’s own signature scent), I was checked in; not as a guest or customer but as a ‘resident’ – and this is what sets the WestHouse apart. Rather than being yet another luxury city hotel, the WestHouse aims to create a more homely (albeit with a pure thread of luxury) feel. Accommodation here in one of the 172 bedrooms and suites is more Uptown Manhattan apartment than standard hotel room, and residents (and their guests) have exclusive access to the hotel, its amenities and resident privileges. Ascending the elevator, my guest and I arrived at our far-from-humble abode for the weekend, a 25th-floor, one-bedroom city-view suite, with vistas of the city beyond and the dancing lights of Times Square and Broadway reflecting off every surface. It is easy to see why images from this hotel regularly feature on online inspiration boards for sleek, chic, hotel-inspired bedroom decor, for the WestHouse has got this just right. Combining the right level of functionality – comfortable sofas, desks and tables, luxurious king size bed and a handy gap in the sleek glass shower screen to allow you to set your rainforest shower to the right temperature without getting wet (genius!) – with style: cool grey walls, art deco inspired decor, contemporary lighting, DayNa Decker toiletries and GHD hair appliances. Yes, this would do just fine. And then there are the Resident Privileges such as the daily breakfast buffet served in the 23rd floor Terrace. Delights during our stay included fresh bagels, continental cheeses and meats, American breakfast and sweet pastries. Also included is a full Barista bar and non-alcoholic drinks service throughout the day, High Tea from 2-4pm, and as if that were not enough, enjoy Hours of Indulgence when, between 5pm-8pm light snacks and alcoholic beverages (including Champagne) are served in the Den. This is not forgetting complimentary Wi-Fi, free local calls, in-room bottled water, a 24-hour business centre and a 24-hour fitness centre! It was tempting just to ‘live’ here for the weekend, but of course the city was calling and from its W55th Street location, just around the corner (or block) from Central Park, Carnegie Hall and walking distance to 5th Avenue, the WestHouse pro ved to be the perfect base. Never has the adage ‘so much to do, so little time’ been more apt than in a fleeting weekend trip to NYC. It’s almost hard to know where to begin, what to do and when to do it, which is where CityPASS New York City came to the rescue. Contained in one handy little booklet was our key to the best attractions at a discounted cost, and often with queue jump entry! From this we planned our whole sightseeing adventure… Avoiding the traffic and costs of cabs we knew one of the best ways to get around was to walk (but bring sensible shoes – my guest and I covered 30km in three days!). The block systems are actually really easy to use; ‘Streets’ with W is everything West of 5th Avenue and E everything East, and the vertical ‘Avenues’ are mostly numbered ascending from East to West although downtown is more complicated. For longer journeys use the subway which is easy with a Metrocard, and begin your day at an attraction to avoid the queues and then have time to stop for brunch, lunch, coffee, dinner or whatever else, whilst hitting the shops on the way back, meaning you don’t have to be laden with bags whilst sightseeing. it from W34th to Gansevoort Street, you’ll end up in the Meatpacking District where industrial warehouse architecture meets hipster creativity; sights, sounds and tastes not to be missed! And of course shop till you drop and eat as much as you can; from the delicious street food to the amazing fine dining restaurants, the options are endless (see our handy guide on the next page for our favourites); and take in as much as you can before coming home for a long rest! 201 West 55th Street New York, NY 10019 [email protected] www.westhousehotelnewyork.com CityPASS www.citypass.com/new-york Head uptown, take in 5th Avenue, walk through Central Park to The American Museum of Natural History, wander around Bloomingdale's and then pit-stop at Serendipity3 for their famous Frozen Hot Chocolate. Take a subway to Grand Central Station, walk up to The Rockerfeller Centre for Top of the Rock’s glorious Central Park and city views (if you are really short on time my advice is to do either Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building during the day and the other at night), go to Radio City, grabbing a cupcake or Banana Pudding from Magnolia Bakery on your way. Walk through Times Square at night, but also venture back early morning for a whole new less crowded perspective. Head downtown, you can catch an English soccer match at Smithfield Hall (much to my guest’s delight) and grab some amazing pancakes next door at Johny’s Luncheonette (much to mine!), before heading to Battery Park to catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (remember to stand on the starboard side – that’s right to you and me – for the best photos). Back on dry land you can walk to the 9/11 Memorial, an oasis of calm and reflection. Take the subway to midtown and immerse yourself in Macy’s before ascending the art deco elevators of the Empire State Building for those iconic nighttime vistas and hitting Broadway for a show. Make sure you take time to walk the High Line, this park along an old railway line gives you some great views of the city and if you walk south along 79 Holiday Extras offers a wide choice of holiday booster options including UK airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire and holiday insurance. Located in Kent and established in 1983, Holiday Extras makes travel easier for over 7 million holidaymakers each year. The company has been listed ten times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For and reached number twenty in 2016. www.holidayextras.co.uk