Well we’ve all heard this before, “You don’t need a nice room in New York City because you’re never in it.” Well we all like a nice room wherever we are, that’s part of the fun of travel so I don’t agree with that old adage.
I just got back from New York City and I think I have found a way to spend your money on a good hotel that you will enjoy without breaking the bank.
It’s the boutique hotel. By that I mean the style of hotel not the brand.
The W was the first hotel operated by a major chain that tried to embody the ethos of a great boutique hotel and since then many properties have opened all over the world but New York leads in great boutique options.
Today there are many small hotels in New York to recommend. Kimpton has properties, the Soho and TriBeCa Grand are great and then there is Dream Hotel Chelsea Market which is part of a small but growing chain. This hotel is for the young-at-heart crowd. You don’t have to be a millennial, just have a zest for life. This property is well located right across the street from Chelsea Market which is a haven of brilliant food. You can get the best seafood lobster sandwiches, sushi and so much more there. It’s a foodies heaven.
Okay back to the hotels.
When choosing a hotel in New York City go for hotels that don’t have a big chain affiliation as generally they will disappoint you to no end.
The reason is that most of the big chains mainly operate massive hotels in NYC. The Sheraton in Times square, the Hilton Midtown all feel like you’re at Penn Station rather than in the lobby of a luxury hotel. They are too big and frankly they don’t cope well with the traffic.
I was just at the Hilton Midtown and it got busier than JFK in the lobby. There were huge lines for checking in, even huge lines to store your bag . No personal service and the rooms were so small that you could not even swing a cat.
These hotels let their respective brands down. Hilton can have some wonderful locations but NYC is not one of them. This particular hotel needs to be smaller and have less rooms to accommodate.
So my advice in NYC is to research online, ask around and stay clear of the large chains. Let me know if you have any hidden gems in NY as I’m always interested in new places to stay.
Daniel Green, the Model Cook is a Celebrity Chef known for his healthy approach to food and living well. With TV, books, magazines and live appearances, Daniel spends his time helping fans to cook better, feel better and live better. He’s also an avid traveler and a self-confessed Foodie.
To contact Daniel or learn more visit www.themodelcook.com or follow on Twitter and Facebook
