The GEM Hotel in Chelsea

There’s no place like New York City during the holiday season, and the GEM Hotels, with three locations in the city, are offering their popular “Cool Yule” offer once again.  Nightly rates under the package start at $150 per room (excluding applicable taxes) during select time frames (Nov. 21-25 and Dec. 16-27, 2010).

Additional savings are also available – guests who successfully complete a holiday-themed scavenger hunt can get additional savings, in the form of a 25% coupon off their next GEM stay, valid January through March 2011 (with some exclusions). Not only will you get a great coupon, you’ll also have fun exploring the city.  The scavenger hunt is a great way to see things you may have otherwise overlooked.

The GEM Hotel chain currently offers three locations in New York City – a Midtown West location at 449 West 36th Street; the GEM Hotel SoHo, located at 135 East Houston Street; and the GEM Hotel Chelsea, located at 300 West 22nd Street. A fourth location, the GEM hotel Union Square, is currently under development.  Each GEM Hotel location offers guests some great amenities including wide-screen flat-panel LCD televisions, complimentary high-speed Internet access, clock radios with iPod docking stations, and coffee makers complete with Wolfgang Puck Coffee.

Photo credit: The GEM Hotels

The Lobby of the Carlton Hotel

When you think of holiday shopping in Manhattan, surely Macy’s is one of the first places that comes to mind.  With the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade a staple in many homes across America, Herald Square is certainly a major holiday shopping destination in New York City.

This year, the Carlton Hotel in the NoMad (north of the Flatiron and south of Herald Square) section of NYC is offering a holiday shopping package which will offer guests a discount at the Macy’s Flagship Store in Herald Square, Manhattan.  The Macy’s Shopping Package at the Carlton Hotel includes the following:

• A one night stay in boutique accommodations at The Carlton Hotel
• A Macy’s Signature Tote Bag
• A 10% Visitor Savings Pass at Macy’s
• A box of Frango Chocolates

This package is valid now through March 31, 2011 and the package starts at $359 per night excluding taxes.

The Carlton Hotel in NYC offers a variety of amenities, including same-day dry cleaning and laundry, valet parking, a complimentary 24-hour fitness center, plush bedding, complimentary high-speed wireless internet access, plush bedding, and 42 inch flat-screen LCD televisions.  The hotel recently opened a new full-service restaurant, Millesime and it’s also pet friendly (for a $50 non-refundable cleaning fee).

The Carlton Hotel
88 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10016
212.532.4100

Photo credit: The Carlton Hotel

All through November, The Plaza Hotel in New York is celebrating the birthday of its most infamous guest ever. No, it’s not Charlie Sheen, who’s not nearly as precocious as Eloise.

Eloise at The Plaza Hotel, New York

Eloise, Kay Thompson’s fictional character who wakes up bright and early and runs around creating havoc all day at The Plaza, turns six on Nov 4. In her honor, The Plaza Hotel is throwing a day-long birthday bash for her. Events for the day include Eloise Tea at The Palm Court.

There’s also an Eloise at the Plaza event which includes a book reading by author Kay Thompson, along with games, prizes and pink cupcakes. A limited-edition porcelain Eloise Doll (only 100 exist) will be sold exclusively at the Eloise At The Plaza event.

On November 11, Eloise illustrator Hilary Knight will join author Sam Irvin for a book signing event of his new book called KAY THOMPSON: From Funny Face to Eloise. The book signing (5-7 pm) will be followed by a performance at the hotel’s Palm Court restaurant by Peter Mintun, Kay Thompson’s favorite pianist.

For a more complete Eloise experience, there’s always the Eloise Suite, designed by fashion designer Betsey Johnson. The Eloise suite is on the hotel’s 18th floor, and has two rooms – one for you (the parents) and one for your little Eloise.

The wacky pink Eloise suite has candy striped wall panels, a zebra-print carpet and a signature Plaza chandelier fitted with pink. The custom-designed bed has pictures of Eloise and her name flashes in neon on the wall.

The suite also has a disposable Eloise camera, wall mounted flat screen TV, a DVD player with Eloise DVDs and books, Eloise dolls and Eloise printed robes and towels.

Guests who book into the Eloise Suite are met by an Eloise Ambassador and led to the suite, where a photo is taken of your little Eloise and you get to take home the framed photo, along with an Eloise bathrobe and lots of other goodies.

Photo courtesy Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

More info: Eloise Suite hotline: 646-599-8365

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