Escaping to Central Park with the Helmsley

Winter in Manhattan can be beautiful.  The after-Christmas time can be the perfect time to visit, because crowds and lodging prices are much lower after the holidays.

The luxury hotel Helmsley Park Lane Executive Suites is offering a package to guests from January 3, 2011 through March 31, 2001 – the “Experience Winter, New York Style” package.  Guests can take advantage of some great luxury activities, such as a one hour complimentary Hansom Cab Ride in Central Park or a complimentary one and a half-hour private chauffer driven tour of Manhattan.

The  Helmsley Park Lane’s “Experience Winter, New York Style” package includes:

• A three-course dinner for two in The Park Room Restaurant
• Half-hour massage for two, side by side by two trained masseuses
• One hour Hansom Cab Ride in Central Park or one and a half-hour private chauffeured driven tour of Manhattan’s highlights

This package starts at $675 per night with a two-night minimum stay.

The Helmsley Park Lane, a 46-story hotel, offers deluxe amenities, along with gorgeous panoramic views of Manhattan.  Amenities include a complimentary 24-hour fitness center, concierge services, a staffed business center, high-speed wireless Internet connection, flat-screen TVs in guest rooms, and on-site valet parking.

The Helmsley Park Lane
36 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019
212.371.4000

Photo credit: The Helmsley Park Lane

The Exterior of the Castle on the Hudson

Are you looking to relax and unwind in the New York suburbs this winter? Castle on the Hudson, located thirty minutes north of Manhattan in Tarrytown, NY, is offering a relax and indulge package.  The package is valid on Sundays through Thursdays until March 2011.  Here’s what’s included with the package:

• Overnight accommodations at the over-100-year-old castle
• A three-course prix fixe dinner for two at Equus, the five-star on-site restaurant
• Continental breakfast for two with option of in-room dining

Room taxes, restaurant taxes, and beverages are not included in the relax and indulge package.  Rates range from $450 for a deluxe king/double queen room to $835 for a luxury suite.  Junior suites are also available.  To book, use the code REWLAXIND.

In addition to the beautiful setting, The Castle on the Hudson offers a variety of deluxe amenities to guests, including luxury linens, bathrobes, and comforters, complimentary high-speed internet access, in-room Direct TV satellite system, and stereo sound system. In addition, the hotel boasts a Zagat-rated on-site restaurant Equus, as well as a fitness center, an outdoor pool (open only in the winter) and option for in-room spa services.

Castle on the Hudson
400 Benedict Avenue
Tarrytown, NY 10591
1 800 616-4487

Photo credit: Courtesy of Westchester County Tourism

A Guestroom at Distrikt Hotel

The Distrikt Hotel, a newly constructed boutique hotel in New York City, is offering a “Lullaby of Broadway” hotel package from now through March 31, 2011.  Experience the world-famous excitement of Broadway, by staying in Midtown Manhattan and seeing some of Broadway’s hits.  The Distrikt is just a short walk from Broadway, so it’s great location for your Broadway adventure!

The package, which starts at $499 per person (excluding tax), offers a choice of two shows from a selection of more than thirty musicals and plays both on or off Broadway.  If your stay includes a matinee day, you may also choose to add a third show to your package.  Guests also receive a souvenir Broadway basket to take home.  This package is a great way to immerse yourself in the Broadway experience.

The Distrikt Hotel, named for Manhattan’s diverse districts (Distrikt is Dutch for district), is a 32-story hotel from Choice Hotels.  Priding themselves on superior service and amenities, Distrikt offers turndown service, overnight shoeshine, luxury bath products, complimentary internet access, Frette robes, Frette bath and bed linens, and an iHome docking station for your iPod/iPhone.  Rooms are outfitted with airport grade windows, so the loud sounds of Manhattan won’t interrupt your sleep.

Distrikt Hotel
342 W40th Street
New York, NY 10018
212 706 6100

Photo credit: The Distrikt Hotel

You can be one of the million people brave enough to be in Times Square watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, or you can be one of the 100 million who’ll be watching it on tv, safely parked in your couch.

Or… you could be one of the few smart ones who’ll be in Times Square and watch the ball drop live and in person, but from a comfortable viewing perch up in a hotel.

New Year's Eve in Times Square, New York

These are the few hotels in Times Square that have a clear view of the ball, and some that are even going out of their way with NYE packages and specials.

Crowne Plaza Times Square: NYE package for 2 includes a luxurious room, a bottle of champagne, party favors, free welcome amenity and 2 spots in a special viewing area to watch the Times Square Ball Drop live.

Renaissance New York: Distance from ball drop – 0 miles. Hard to beat that. They don’t have an NYE package per se, but the rooms that do have a ball drop view (may not be available) are worth a lot more than any package deal.

Casablanca Hotel: Package includes a champagne toast on the roof to watch the extravaganza unfold below. Also includes a bottle of Italian wine, free breakfast buffet, and a dinner party (with open bar) for 2 on Dec 31 at the hotel’s restaurant and a wine and cheese reception before that.

DoubleTree Guest Suites: Package includes suite plus overnight parking, breakfast and a bottle of champagne delivered on Dec 31. Two day minimum stay (Dec 30-31) required.

Marriott Marquis Times Square: Hard to talk about Times Square and New Year’s Eve celebrations without mentioning this hotel, since they do have a view of the ball drop and their NYE party is one of the hottest tickets in town. For more details, call 212-704-8747.

Hampton Inn Manhattan (Times Square North): One of the closest hotels to the ball drop. They don’t have an NYE package, but if there’s a possibility for scoring a relatively cheap room in Times Square for New Year’s eve, then it has got to be at this hotel.

Photo credit – Countdown Entertainment, LLC (courtesy Times Square Alliance)

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