United States of America

New York

From the uptown glitz of the Upper West Side to the downtown bohemian chic of the West Village, from Chinatown to Little Italy, from Murray Hill to Midtown, you are presented with entirely different sights, sounds and even smells in each neighbourhood. Make a vague plan of what you want to see, but beware - the fizzing energy of Manhattan is bewitching, and it could carry you completely off course. Just make sure you see the best sights, like the Empire State Building with its amazing views, and leave plenty of time for the fabulous shopping!

Eats and Drinks
There are thousands of restaurants in this city representing every type of cooking possible. 21 Club is a New York institute, as is Diner, a converted dining car with a loyal clientele. Chat 'n' Chew, just off Union Square, is a heartland eatery where people chat as they wait to chew on gooey, piping hot macaroni cheese or a mountainous Holy Cow burger!

Getting There
There are 4 Virgin Atlantic flights per day to JFK, and 2 flights a day to Newark.
Airport transfers available at £30 per person return

Getting Around
The fastest way to get from A to B in Manhattan is by subway, although for sheer street-level stimulation, you can't beat walking!

Hotels Hilton Garden Inn Times Square The Hudson Sheraton New York and Towers Blakely W New York Soho Grand Hotel Tribeca Grand 70 Park Avenue Grand Hyatt The Waldorf=Astoria Helmsley Park Lane Ritz Carlton New York, Central Park Jumeriah Essex House Washington Square Hotel Dream Hotel The Muse Hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Times Square
West 50th Street

In Our View
New York is at your feet when you stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Times Square! Spacious guest rooms feature a hospitality centre with microwave and fridge – handy when the on-site convenience store sells ready-to-cook meals! For delicious French/American cuisine, look no further than the atmospheric Pigalle Restaurant. Reminiscent of an authentic 1950s’ Paris café, it’s open 6.00am-2.00am daily!

Where is it?
Just steps from Times Square and the Theater District, in the heart of New York City.

Facilities
Pigalle Restaurant – breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Pavilion Pantry (convenience mart). Fitness centre. FREE daily newspaper. COMPLIMENTARY morning coffee.

Room Info
369 rooms on 15 floors in 1 building with 4 lifts. All with air-conditioning, TV with on-command films, high-speed Internet access, 2 telephones, safety deposit box, iron and board, and hairdryer. Each room also features a hospitality centre with tea/coffee maker, fridge and microwave. Non-smoking rooms on request. Rooms with 1 king-size bed or 2 queen-size beds, sleeping max 4 persons.

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The Hudson
Boutique Hotel
West 59th Street

In Our View
Designer Philippe Starck's surreally inspired creation, with its neon-lit escalator leading to a 40ft-high ivy-covered lobby, is one of the liveliest and coolest places in town - and the location is great.

Where is it?
On the west side of Midtown. A 1-block walk to the subway stop, and an easy walk from Central Park and the Theater District.

Facilities
Hudson Cafeteria. Hudson Bar with glowing glass floor. Refreshment lounge on every floor. 15th-floor solarium and rooftop terrace with outdoor dining. Workout room. Library with cognac bar, billiards and Internet. In-room massages available.

Room Info

804 rooms on 24 floors in 1 building. All with air-conditioning, TV with pay films, CD player, safe and white Egyptian cotton sheets. Rooms are compact and have 1 queen-size bed, sleeping max 2 persons.

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Sheraton New York and Towers

7th Avenue and 53rd Street

In Our View
The Midtown location is great, with the Museum of Modern Art 2 blocks east and the Broadway theatres to the south and west. Central Park and Times Square are within walking distance, too. From Streeter's glass-walled New York Café you can watch life go by over breakfast. The new Library Bar is a cosy place for an early evening cocktail or nightcap. You also have the option of dining in Hudson's Bar & Grill, and, of course, there are many more restaurants within walking distance.

Where is it?
In Midtown, on 7th Avenue and 53rd Street. 1 block from the subway. Radio City Music Hall and Broadway theatres an easy walk.

Facilities
The Avenue Restaurant (breakfast and lunch), Hudson's Grill (dinner), Hudson Bar and Library Bar. Health club with fitness centre and spa services on request. Use of pool at Sheraton Manhattan. 24-hour room service. Internet access.

Room Info
1,750 rooms on 50 floors in 1 building with 10 lifts. All with air-conditioning, cable TV with pay films, alarm clock/radio, tea/coffee maker, safe, iron and board, bathrobes and hairdryer. Rooms with 1 king-size bed or 2 double beds, sleeping max 3 persons.

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Blakely

West 55th Street

In Our View
At the Blakely, they favour comfort over flashiness. Rooms have a pleasingly traditional feel, with comfortable oak furniture. There's a rather stylish Italian restaurant on the premises, which also caters for room service. The Midtown location is conveniently central.

Where is it?
In mid Manhattan, at West 55th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Within walking distance of 5th Avenue shopping, Central Park, Broadway theatres, MoMA, and the Rockefeller Center. Less than 2 blocks from several subway lines.

Facilities
Abboccato restaurant (a 2-star Michelin-rated restaurant) serving authentic Italian food. Room service by Abboccato. Internet access in lobby. Wireless Internet in rooms.

Room Info
118 rooms on 17 floors in 1 building with 2 lifts. All with air-conditioning, oak furnishings, flat-screen TV, CD/DVD player, tea/coffee maker, full kitchenette with sink, dishes and cutlery, mini-fridge, microwave, safe, iron and board, Frette robes, Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy duvets, hairdryer and umbrella.

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W New York
Lexington Avenue (49th and 50th Streets)

In Our View
One of the city's first designer hotels, it's a contemporary classic with its famous living room-style lobby and cool bar and restaurant. Rooms have every amenity you could need, and there's an alluring spa if your tired feet need a massage.

Where is it?

In Midtown on Lexington Avenue (49th and 50th Streets). A 2-block walk from the subway and an easy walk from Midtown attractions including Grand Central Station.

Facilities
Heartbeat restaurant and Whiskey Blue bar (set up by Cindy Crawford's husband). Oasis lounge for quick meals. Bliss 49 spa, fitness centre, CD and video library. 24-hour room service. 24-hour in-room massages available. Laundry/valet service.

Room Info
688 rooms on 18 floors in 1 building. All with air-conditioning, TV with pay films, video, CD player, tea/coffee maker, mini-bar, safe, iron and board, bathrobes and hairdryer. Rooms sleep max 2 persons.

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Soho Grand Hotel

In Our View
SoHo is the city's epicentre of chic sophistication, and with its modernist architecture and plush interiors, this iconic hotel reflects the style and glamour of downtown New York. The Grand Bar & Lounge, with its welcoming sofas and in-house DJ, is known as 'SoHo's living room'.

Where is it?
In SoHo, on West Broadway between Grand Street and Canal Street. Near subways and in walking distance of Greenwich Village, Little Italy, Chinatown and TriBeCa.

Facilities
Grand Bar & Lounge serving cocktails and light gourmet meals with live DJs. The Gallery restaurant with avant-garde art and photography, serving classic American cuisine with a twist. 24-hour fitness centre. CD library. COMPLIMENTARY pet goldfish upon request (!).

Room Info
363 rooms on 17 floors. All with air-conditioning, flat-screen cable TV with pay films, iPod, Bose SoundDock, DVD player, radio/CD player, gourmet mini-bar and safe. Rooms with 1 king- or queen-size bed, sleeping max 2 persons.

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