Travel

New York New York!

Having been lucky enough to travel to some pretty darn fabulous travel destinations for my job over the years I’ve got to experience some awesome things. I’ve sat at the pointy end of the plane, dined underwater, and even luged my way around a mountain.

However when I’m asked ‘What was your favourite Hotel?’ one place comes to mind straight away…. The Pierre Hotel, New York.

Steeped in History, never in my life have I ever felt so glamorous! The Pierre is where to the first televised Oscars were held, home to Jackie O who kept a private apartment here and the chosen accommodation to many an upper class traveller (oh la la!)  Located on New York’s famous 5^th Avenue, this iconic hotel had me hooked from the moment I dragged my rugged looking luggage through it’s prestigious front doors. (Opened, of course, by an immaculately dressed doorman).

Not only is this hotel located on one of the world’s best-known streets, it is situated directly overlooking Central Park.

But that’s not all folks! Queue name-dropping intro music here… This hotel has had many heads grace it’s pillows. You may have heard of some of them.. Coco Chanel, Jackie O, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Mick Jagger and Andy Warhol. Oh and Jana Hocking! Ha!

My two-night stay left me feeling giddy and contemplating a career change. It can’t be that hard to become an A-list movie star? Right? For how else will I ever be allowed through its doors again?

In I glide (tumble, stamp, drag my feet) through the front doors only to be greeted by a charming concierge who takes my luggage and directs me to the lift which is manned 24/7 by white gloved attendants. Yes that’s right, it is someone’s job to stand in an elevator all day and press the buttons so you don’t have to go through the tiresome task of doing it yourself!

Then it’s straight up to my room, oh and by room I’m talking a fancy self-contained apartment that looks like it may have once appeared on MTV Cribs.

Every room has a flat screen TV. The lounge room, the bedroom, and even the bathroom. The bar fridge contained every form of candy you could ever want and a large selection of alcoholic beverages. There was even a fully-equiped kitchen should you wish to cook (as if!).

All plans for that night were hastily cancelled in favour of watching ‘Sex in the City’ in my giant bath and room service was ordered promptly. Why would you ever want to leave!

They spare no expense on making your stay a fabulous one. There are umbrellas' waiting by the door should you wish to actually leave your hotel room, the ballroom looks as if it was painted in heaven with the walls decorated in paintings of clouds and cherubs and shrubs (home of the original Oscars!), and the continental breakfast leaves nothing to be desired for.

If you ever win the lottery or decide to splurge your life savings on something completely indulgent make sure you spend at least one night at this hotel. You won't be dissappointed (even if your accountant is!).

http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/Grand-Palaces-And-Iconic-Hotels/The-Pierre-New-York/Overview.html

If you do manage to get yourself over to the Big Apple, here are my top 5 must-do-touristy-things:

1.     A hop on-hop off bus tour to get your bearings
This fabulous tour will take you through The East side, West side, Midtown, Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca, Financial District and Harlem. The tour guides are all locals and will give you a non-snore-worthy history of each district. Give yourself a day to do this.

2.     The Harlem Gospel Tour
This tour will change your life!! A friendly guide picks you up via bus from midtown and transports you to a local Harlem church where you are allowed to sit in on a sermon and take part in lots of happy-clapping and singing. You can’t help but get involved. It's very funny to watch a group of shy tourists slowly start bobbing their heads, before leaping up from their seats to take part. I think the locals were laughing at us not with us, but whatevsss! It's awesome! 

3.     See a Broadway play
I think this one is fairly self-explanatory. This is where the best-of-the-best come to act, sing and dance their way to stardom. Make sure you buy your tickets from the TKTS booth located in Times Square and you should be able to score same-day seats to your desired play for half the price.

4.     Shop, shop and shop some more!
While you can’t go past Macy’s for a day of shopping heaven.. or Victoria's Secret... or Gap... or Tiffany's (oh Tiffanys!), make sure you also visit Greenwich Village Farmers Markets where you can buy authentic American delicacies such as warm apple cider (ahh-maze!), pumpkin pie and there are some incredibly talented street artists selling their works.
Tip: When at Macy's make sure you stop by their information desk to pick up your 'International Visitors Card' that will allow you 10% off all purchases.

5.     Central Park
Words can honestly not describe how stunning this giant park is. There are so many different areas to explore you will forget you are in the middle of a city. There are baseball pitches, street performers, a stunning pond, an ice-skating rink, hot nut stalls, gorgeous walking tracks, horse and kart rides and SO much more. The best part is you can spend a whole day here and not spend a dime.

A few other favourable mentions have to go to: Magnolia Bakery (the BEST cupcakes in the world- as seen on Sex and The City), Soho- home of the original hipsters, Shake Shack- for a peanut butter milkshake mmm!,  Battery Park- for a proper New York hotdog, The Letterman Show- mandatory NY viewing! Madison Avenue- window shop till your hearts content, Tiffany's- you haven't been to NY until you have had a 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' moment, The Met- even non-art-lovers will walk away from this with a new perspective on things.

There is so much more I can add to this list but that would take all day.  There is something for everyone so make sure you include it in your bucket list.