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
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