Message for NYCFoodSnob
 

Dear NYCFS,

I am spending Xmas in New York. VERY excited. I know that you have very discerning tastes in hotels/food/life experiences, etc. I feel I can trust your opinion on this. My partner and I would like to stay in a boutique style hotel in New York (i.e. no chain 5 stars). I'm looking for some character, maybe a bit on the modern side but not necessarily.

We need a pool. We need a spa. We need sauna. In the absence of any children, we are hotel junkies. When we go to visit his family in Adelaide, Australia, we stay at a fabulous hotel called The Embassy which has rooms with a modern kitchen. That way, I can make myself a coffee whenever I like and then go sit on the balcony to watch the city wake up. It is one of my most favourite things to do in this world.

I'm well aware that NYC will be cold in December so I don't need that balcony. However, we want to stay somewhere special as we will have 5 days to really relax.

If you have any recommendations, I would love to hear from you.

best,
AllyPally

I think you would like Le Parker Meridien. It appears to have all your criteria - boutique type hotel, modern style, views of Central Park from the higher floors - it's on 57th street.

Pool, sauna, great location.

http://www.leparkermeridien.com/main.html


I am curious to know what NYCFS thinks about it!

Dear AllyPally,

I'm happy to hear of your excitement to spend Christmas here in NYC. In 27 years, I've only done it 3 times. People say they love it and I can see why they would.

I'm not in business to address individual recommendations on fodors. All I can offer you is this:

I find the term "boutique hotel NYC" a bit oxymoronic. Throw in a pool, spa, and a sauna and I'm baffled. NYC isn't Montecatini. Nobody comes here to relax. They come here to stay up all night.

Many people love The Parker Meridian. It's not my taste. The Ritz-Carlton (more my taste) and The Four Seasons are here but I don't think they have spas. I hear good things about The Peninsula and their famous Spa. I know several celebrities that enjoy their stay at Rihga Royal (no spa). My personal favorite is Plaza Athenee (no spa). The Plaza Athenee is the first choice among the female divas in Hollywood and with good reason. Unfortunately, their website leaves much to be desired. However, their service, style, and location are hard to beat and the Penthouses are divine. I could live there.

If you settle on a hotel that doesn't offer spa services, be sure and investigate Manhattan's wonderful free-standing spa facilities. There are some very creative spa businesses here and you and your partner could have much fun trying a few. That's what I would do.

Good luck and have fun!

Dear Flygirl & NYCFS

Thank you so much for your help. NYCFS, you have given me a lot of food for thought, pardon the pun. Partner and I don't normally 'spa' our ways through the great cities of the world so I agree with your point about NY but after a fabulous stay in Berlin this weekend in a hotel with a newly opened spa/pool, it was just so nice to have a quick hour in the pool after a hard day's sightseeing. The staying up all night is a different story. I've hit the age where I need a siesta in order to do that (not that siestas are a bad thing!!)

The freestanding spas in New York sound like a great idea. Hadn't even thought of them!!

AllyPally,
You might want to look into the Mercer Hotel, The Soho Grand or 60 Thompson in Soho. All the "cool & hip " side and there is a Bliss spa not far away.

There are some hotels with indoor pools besides the Parker Meridien. The most elegant is probably the Peninsula. The Millenium UN Plaza while a bit glitzy does have a beautiful pool on the 27th floor with great views of the city. Mnay of the rooms also offer outstanding views. Since it tends to cater to UN people, it may be a good value at Xmas time. But yes, it is a 4-5* chain.

Assuming you are prepared to give up the pool/spa idea I have a few suggestions. The website tablethotels.com allows you to select hotels in various cities based on style (modern vs traditional etc.) & amenities. You might try it out for NY & see what comes up.

I've recently read about a new boutique hotel called the Alex in a fairly central location (east 40's). It has frette linens, jacuzzis & poggenpohl kitchens. I've not found any reviews of it on the web. It may be too new.

Watch out for the Peninsula - I had brunch there with my friend about 10 years ago, and it cost $147 for two way back then!! Just plan on spending some major bucks at that one!

Ritz Carlton @ Central Park has a wonderful spa.

The New Mandarin Oriental New York opens Oct 2003 www.mandarineoriental.com has what you are looking for check out the website