JETSETTER: A Trio of Hotel Fabulosity in New York

Summer in New York!

When a girl finds a deal, she's gotta tell your friends about it. Those planning a trip to New York City, this one's for you.  With three phenomenal New York properties that run the gamut for every type of urban traveler - boho, uptown or dowtown chic, there's something for everyone. Your hotel options are: the Ace New York, the Surrey and the Gramercy Park Hotel. Dates are available into September, so whether you're itching to take a break from the beach for some nightlife or needing to check in on a beloved client (and take in a show while you're there), the Big Apple is ready to be taken in style.

ACE HOTEL

20 W 29th St.

New York, NY 10001

 
Jetsetter Review: Two blocks east of Penn Station, the 12-story Ace Hotel has the formula for cool figured out. Two hipster guys decked out in tats, vests and Buddy Holly specs are there at the front door to greet. Wildflowers are for sale in the entryway. The Ace Hotel proves that staying in an ultrahip hotel in NYC doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice class or comfort.

This hip hotel serves up a chill style with serious flea market finds (Hubble telescope chandelier) and curious collectibles (stuffed badgers). Housing the Stumptown coffee shop, the Breslin restaurant and the new No. 7 sandwich shop, this eclectic hotel is constantly filled with locals and foreigners, with an NYC atmosphere that is unexpectedly unique.

What's to love:

• Bearded baristas at Stumptown Coffee
• The ultimate gastropub, the Breslin Bar, and the delicious new sandwich shop No. 7
• Musical amenities like vinyl record players; turntables can be requested from the front desk
• The fun travel shop, No. 8
• An in-house gym and four computer labs
• Funky design style

What to know:

• Bunk beds aren't for everyone. (There are other beds and room types available)
• The Breslin is open late-night; it gets packed and can be tough to get a table or seat. Reservations are not accepted.
• Not a typical tourist area; you'll have to walk a few blocks to get to the sights.
• More of a hip college campus vibe than a traditional hotel scene.

   

 

THE SURREY HOTEL

20 East 76th Street

New York, NY 10021

 
Jetsetter Review: Perched on a posh, tree-lined block just east of Central Park between Madison and Fifth Avenue, The Surrey’s high credibility and low visibility make it a desirable location for those who like to stay under the radar. Guests can rub elbows with power players at the famed Café Boulud, the Parisian Bar Pleiades or at the new 17th floor roof garden. Taking inspiration from the quintessential Manhattan townhouse, The Surrey invites guests to experience New York as an Upper Eastsider.
 
The Surrey's salon rooms have an apartment-style feel. The furniture is residential, with clever design references like a 1920’s Art Deco walnut inlay bar or the 1930’s European lamp. Best of all, there’s an in-room bar with full size bottles and garnishes — no $15 minis here.

 
A perk of being at The Surrey is the award-winning food by executive chef Daniel Boulud (available in-room 24/7); the downstairs Café Boulud is known for some of the best French food in New York. The vest-and-tie-clad waiters serve with precision. The Café’s elegance, fine cuisine and high level of service are to be expected — and yet despite the Michelin star, it still feels like a neighborhood treasure that's meant for locals.

Leaving the hotel, one passes Upper East Side moms pushing strollers in 4-inch heels. Indulge at Michael Kors and Christian Louboutin boutiques on the block or opt for some window-shopping of the artful kind instead and peek inside the Gagosian Gallery.
 
What to love:

• Hot new rooftop garden
• Steps from Museum Mile
• Bouloud Bar, Restaurant and room service
• The Surrey Spa's “jet-lag renewal” treatment
• Classic Upper East Side location, just one block from Central Park

What to know:

• The somewhat more formal atmosphere may not appeal to everyone
• Some rooms have interior-facing views
• WiFi is $14.95 per day

GRAMERCY PARK HOTEL

2 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10010

 
Jetsetter Review:  The Gramercy Park Hotel was brought to life by the king of boutique hotels, legendary Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager. With the help of filmmaker and artist Julian Schnabel, Schrager turned the Gramercy into a highly styled mix of Pop Art, Baroque and organic elements, for a stunning bohemian effect. And it’s the only hotel in Manhattan with a key to Gramercy Park. The Gramercy may be grown up, but it’s a vibrant, spirited playground.
 
At the Gramercy Park Hotel, it’s all in the carefully selected details: velvet throws on the beds, comfy wing chairs, Mario Badescu moisturizer in the bathroom and cut crystal glasses that accompany the minibar. Clearly Schrager knows how to handle the little things that mean a lot to his clientele.

Guests play backgammon among original Warhols in the Ava Room; in the Sophia Room next door, there’s more art and a ceiling installation covered entirely with light bulbs. There’s more than $40 million worth of art on display throughout the hotel, including in the guestrooms, which boast classic Magnum prints.

The on-site restaurant Maialino serves Roman trattoria-style cuisine. It’s a Danny Meyer eatery, which pretty much guarantees an incredible dining experience.
 
What we love:

• The scene at the Roof Club, complete with the occasional celebrity guest
• Danny Meyer's trattoria-style Maialino restaurant
• Art, art everywhere, from Warhols to more modern experimental pieces
• An on-site gym that's actually worth using
• Celebrity-spotting at The Rose Bar
• One-of-a-kind surprise performances from artists like Rufus Wainwright and even Guns N' Roses

What to know:

• Though the hotel is historic, the design is forward-thinking; traditionalists may prefer a different hotel
• Since this is an older building, standard rooms are a bit smaller than newer hotels
• The bars can be difficult to get into; reservations are required after 9 pm, though you may be bumped for a celebrity at any time

The Summer in New York - 3 Hot Hotels SALE ends 7/28/10 at midnight ET, so be sure to check them out for all the information, to hold your room or to visit other lovely travel destination opportunities.

Jetsetter is free to register, so please Be My Guest! xo