Next Up Manhattan Spring Bite of The Big Apple Hotels!

Like London, a new hotel or restaurant emerges practically every week in New York! Old School and New School, five-star luxury hotels for every taste!

On the cusp of spring, I plan to spend a few days exploring new hotels in the Big Apple. We have our favorites, and my last night will find me at The Lowell, who hosted our favorite Entourage Family. We made sure a tea kettle was ready and waiting in each suite for the merry Irish Clan Celebration.

The Lowell New York

Reopening after four years, The Four Seasons on 57th Street, what could be a better address? Although we book Four Seasons downtown at least twice a month for a devoted Four Seasons Addict! Midtown is always a desired location.

The Four Seasons on 57th Street

One of our favorite rep teams has shared their newest NY Stunner: The Fifth Avenue Hotel, a Leading Hotels property, who VIP’s our peeps! With a self-proclaimed Flâneur sensibility and a prime location in the eclectic NoMad neighborhood currently in the midst of a cultural renaissance, The Fifth Avenue Hotel is New York City’s hottest new design hotel. This luxury property 110 distinctly designed guest rooms and 43 suites housed in a historic 19th century mansion, designed by famed architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. Each evokes a different sensibility with distinctive color palettes, eclectic collections of art, and furnishings to imbue elegance and charm. I’m plotting my stay.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel

Of course, any Firmdale property is always on our radar, The Warren Hotel is the newest opening on the edge of Tribeca and the Financial district and I’m staying! Kit Kemp is the Queen of pattern and personality.

The Warren Hotel

Mandarin Oriental, one of New York City quintessential five-star hotels, just off Columbus Circle offers elite service, impressive views and a glamorous 75-foot lap pool overlooking the Hudson River. You can’t be any closer to Thomas Keller’s Per Se!

The Mandarin Oriental New York

The Surrey has been reimagined with Corinthia Hotel group in the upper east side. Ideally located, mere steps from Central Park and shopper’s mecca, Madison Avenue. Signature Suites are inspired by the bridges of Central Park. Hot ticket restaurant Casa Tua is open to the public.

The Peninsula deserves another look, it’s been years since I’ve stayed, always a favorite of our Montecito peeps. One of the most magnificent in Midtown! Ultra Luxury outposts in Beverly Hills with the Chic Pink Suite and in Chicago.

A London transplant, sibling property. The Twenty-Two Members Club set to open January 2025. Set on Union Square, comprised of 77 bedrooms, a restaurant and a private members club. The highly anticipated development will open within the nine-floor Margaret Louisa Home on Union Square and comprise a 77-bedroom hotel, restaurant and private members club. The room count includes 17 suites, plus an expansive rooftop penthouse under a vaulted roof with dramatic city views. The hotel’s second floor will house a dedicated private members space, while the ground floor will welcome the public to all-day dining concept Cafe Zaffri. The Twenty-Two New York, founded by hotelier Navid Mirtorabi, and Jamie Reuben (Reuben Brothers), co-founders of the original London property, in partnership with real-estate developer and native New Yorker, Michael Chetrit.

Faena New York spring 2025 debut. The latest opening for Accor’s luxury boutique brand. Located within One High Line’s East Tower, by the High Line and Hudson River. Faena New York will comprise 120 rooms and suites, each boasting breathtaking views and décor. 

The much-anticipated rebirth of the Waldorf Astoria has been pushed back to spring 2025. The historic hotel closed in 2017 to undergo an extensive restoration and has seen its number of bedrooms reduced from 1,400 to 375, which will allow the rooms to be some of the largest in the city, 

You can always treat me to a cocktail at the timeless Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel with 253 rooms, Forbes awards it Five Stars! You ask why Bemelmans? With masterpiece murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the classic Madeline children’s books, Bemelmans is a cozy New York institution, an upscale piano bar with sparkling stories and casual chatter, the bar dates to 1947.

Travel Tribe Journeys – Summer Enticements

The days lengthen and warm and we begin to dream of escape. Where to go – spring break to fall – our Clients are plotting & planning – some have already left footprints on sandy beaches and scoured the souks in Marrakech.

Morocco – it is hot, hot, hot! Spring break found many of the five-star hotels sold out, we prevailed for a last-minute request.  We also have May travelers headed to Morocco. We love La Sultana in Marakech and Kasbah Tamadot in the scenic Atlas Mountains, activities include mule trekking to Berber villages. Side car excursions, hot air balloon escapades, Tagine cooking classes, private visits to Yves Saint Laurent home at the Majorelle Garden.

Mustique – Indigo seas and the year around perfect weather combined with an embarrassment of stunning Villas, make this a superb crowd free destination One advantage, our Villa team can offer many properties for 5 nights minimum- some don’t require a full 14 day stay- 5- 8, 10 days – many owners are flexible.

The Maldives, recent booking for two weeks at The Four Seasons Landaa & Kuda Huraa – my faves! Swim with manta rays hovering above and below you, floating in the gentle turquoise seas. Sail away to the spa across the bay, nothing prepares you for the sapphire seas and sugar white sandy beaches. I’m pining to return!

Four Seasons Maldives Kudaa Hura Resort, the Maldives
Four Seasons Maldives Kudaa Hura Resort, the Maldives

Japan – oh my, take a number – you are certain to run into friends at the sacred temples! A plethora of new offerings, innovative exclusive luxurious experiences; gardening with a master designer, with a long lineage of acclaimed gardeners who is currently entrusted with palace and temple gardens. Visit little known private Kyoto gardens. VIP experiences await fans of traditional theatrical performances. A master of Noh, an ancient performing art known for its fantastical masks and flowing robes has created a contemporary and well-designed space dedicated to the craft in a private theatre in the masters own home.  Long list of unique offerings.

Japan Journey

New York, spring fling at The Whitby, in midtown. Kit Kemp’s most recent addition to the city vibrant color and pattern abound!

France, in particular, the iridescent Cote d’ Azure. You may bump into friends at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc or the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, summer sizzlers! Days spent bobbing on yachts in private coves, followed by exceptional French cuisine.

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, Cote d’ Azure.
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cote d’ Azure.

Paris in June- doesn’t it sound dreamy? Le Meurice return guests love their VIP attention.

Le Meurice, Paris Luxury Suite

Oh, a multi generational family of 12 is headed back to The Ranch at Rock Creek – they’ve visited multiple times and can’t get enough of Ranch and Rodeo life, Giddy Up !

The Ranch at Rock Creek
The Ranch at Rock Creek

Peru – Machu Picchu adventure for Spring break- the world-renowned complex, a sublime jewel of Incan civilization, built on a towering ridge of granite and tropical forest. As you enter the Sanctuary see the iconic Sun Gate you will be awed by the imposing and skillful architecture of the Watchtower, the Temple of the Sun, and the royal Inca residences. Adventure awaits. Another smashing stay at Belmond Hotels!

Machu Picchu Belmond Hotels

One lucky dad is cruising with his son, on a Linblad National Geographic Alaska Journey to the Bering Straits wilderness touching coast of Russia Journey. Visit Provideniya, Russian Federation, at the western limit of the rich transboundary area known as Beringia, Provideniya is often called “The Gateway to the Arctic”- no Russia visa required!

One of our VV sophisticated art collectors swooned at the latest gallery collections at the recent New York Art Fairs while luxuriating at The Lowell this week!

The Lowell Hotel New York

Big Five – African Safari for eight friends at the VV best lodges with our private safari team. Our fourth African safari and gorilla trek this year.

Rwanda Gorilla Trek mom & baby & toddler
Kenya Safari endless horizons

The eternal city of Rome will enchant a family of summer travelers, ask about our exclusive activities. Practice The Art of Doing Nothing Italian Style: L’arte di non fare nulla.

Hotel de Russie Roma

Tuscany a romantic Journey of exploration and staying at all three Belmond retreats. These foodies are checking off the top trattorias! A romantic honeymoon encompassing Five Luxury Belmond properties throughout Italy and Sicily – The Ultimate Grand Tour!

Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo Sicily
Belmond Villa San Michele Florence

Amsterdam – always a great add on following Italy, Anne Frank, Van Gogh – private boats to cruise the canals.

We are plotting a fall Munich, Paris, London and Paris Journey for a group of eight friends – in memory of a dear friend and family member, an intrepid traveler who passed away this year. A Toast to a Well Lived Life and Enchanting Travel.

Paris

Last but not least, Punta Mita Four Seasons was chock a block full of our spring break clients!

Four Seasons Punta Mita

The globe is whirling with exotic options – days are lengthening, plan a Journey!