Penthouse at Trump SoHo in New York City
I know the hotel industry is expecting 2011 to be a good year, but I’m still surprised to see how much expansion is taking place in luxury accommodations. Maybe there’s something to this “economic recovery” talk after all.
Eloise just got herself some shining new diamonds – an early Christmas present from the AAA, which just announced the 2010 AAA Five Diamond Award winners, with 113 hotels on the list – including The Plaza Hotel and The Pierre New York-A Taj Hotel.
Eloise at the Plaza
The Plaza re-opened last year after a massive three year renovation. The Pierre, likewise, re-opened earlier this year after a $100 million renovation. In a funny co-incidence, both iconic New York hotels first opened their doors on Oct 1. The Plaza opened on Oct 1, 1907 and The Pierre on Oct 1 , 1930.
Here’s the AAA’s full list of 2010 Five Diamond Lodgings. The list now also features the Mandarin Oriental in Boston; Encantado - An Auberge Resort in Sante Fe, N.M.; and The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. Florida and Nevada each scored 3 more properties on the list.
Speaking of Eloise, she now has a second home in the Big Apple – the New York Public Libary. The Library ‘acquired’ a colored-pencil sketch of the Eloise painting that hangs in The Plaza. They got the sketch as part of a donation which included the personal papers of novelist E. Annie Proulx and Hilary Knight, who drew Eloise for the Kay Thompson books.
No word yet on whether Eloise will be joined at the Public Library by her nanny, her pug Weenie, and Skipperdee – her turtle.
Photo of Eloise at the Plaza painting by susansimon.
Related posts:-
The Plaza Hotel’s Christmas Spectacular and Other Deals, New York City
New York City Day Trip
This is the first part of a series showcasing the best gyms in hotels across the United States. We’ll start with the most populated city: New York, and work our way through popular U.S. destinations. Travelers venturing to New York know they are in for some walking but what if your trip is all stuffy business meetings and thinking outside the box? (Raise your hand if you’re in corporate America and hate that phrase.)
To keep your fitness routine going while you’re away, consider one of these hotels that really put some thought into their gyms.
The New York Palace offers top of the line equipment and 7000 sq.ft. of spacious fitness center and spa.
If you find yourself without running shoes and workout clothes, (because you’re like me and forgot to pack that sort of thing) don’t sweat it (heh). The New York Palace offers complimentary sneakers and workout clothes! Each of the many cardio machines has it’s own personal screen. Also free? Bottled water and fruit.
Trump International Hotel and Tower:
Personal trainers at your service at the Trump International Hotel and Tower, NYC.
If you are a Plus One Active user, you will certainly find access to that as well as the internet in this hotel’s fitness center. On top of having free personal trainers at your service, the center also can provide, upon request, a comprehensive fitness evaluation and nutritional counseling beyond ‘stay out of the carb-filled mini bar in your room, Missy/Mister.”
The Affinia Dumont in New York City has a Fitness Concierge!
Complimentary Experience Kits come in yoga, running, and strength-training flavors and they are yours if you stay at this fabulous hotel. In addition to the Experience Kits, the Affinia Dumont boasts a beautiful fitness center that is sure to get your mojo moving. The Fitness Concierge (swanky!) “can offer fitness-related information about the neighborhood. And he can act as your personal trainer in our fitness center, or provide a complimentary fitness evaluation by request. (Yours, not his.)”
The Hyatt and the Grand Hyatt:
The Hyatt can deliver workout clothes to you room within an hour. (Charges apply.)
Trusted source TODAY loved this chain of hotels for their 24 hour fitness centers, as well as the service (gym clothes delivered to your room within an hour.) “Some locations even offer customers a Garmin Forunner, a wrist-top GPS monitor, which you can borrow from the concierge and use during your run.“ TODAY went on to rate the fitness facilities a 5 out of 5. {source}
The W
With three locations in New York City, The W covers a lot of ground both in geography and with their stunning “Sweat” centers. Like the New York Palace, each cardio machine is outfitted with it’s very own screen. No peeking!
While there are many more hotels in New York that boast beautiful workout centers, you and I both know the trick is motivating yourself to get into one. With so much to do in New York City, you’d be hard-pressed to find me on a treadmill when I could be taking pictures of the sights of The Big Apple. Still, these hotels seem to get it right.
Photo credits: The New York Palace, Trump International Hotel and Tower, The Affinia Dumont, The Hyatt and the Grand Hyatt, and The W.
Courtesy of Kimpton
The Muse Hotel in Manhattan is pretty, you guys. And they’re doing special things for Valentine’s Day.
Starting at $199 per night, The Muse is offering little things that will make you love them. These little things include:
Courtesy of Kimpton
Kidding, kidding. But check this out. Meet Ginger (right).
Ginger is “Director of Pet Relations” and works side by side at The Muse with owner/concierge Lauren Myerson. that’s right. They’re pet friendly. They even have a “Pampered Pooch Package” wherein they spoil your dog for you.
I read about the package. Please, someone. Take me to The Muse and tell them I’m your dog. Kthx.
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