Travel Spotlight: New York City

New York bound! Memories await for a luxurious getaway adventure

Dave Brown

This December I graduate(d) to the young age of 50. And as a father of a six-year-old son and a wonderful wife and best friend, we plan to go with another couple to New York City in the summer.

But as you read through and enjoy this season’s issue, I’m happy to include a winter feature on New York’s Manhattan and a group of prestigious hotels and restaurants you’ll want to visit should you make your way there this winter.

Certainly, if you’ve never been, then New York was probably only seen through such warm, romantic comedy movie classics like An Affair to Remember, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Annie Hall, Manhattan, and my all-time favourite, When Harry Met Sally.

I don’t know what it is about New York. It could be the jazz, Broadway, the incredible resDESTINATION SPOTLIGHT taurants, the breathtaking hotels or just CenLibrary Hotel Collection tral Park and the endless blocks of incredible Ranked Top four hotels in NYC by TripAdvisor buildings and museums to enjoy. Whatever it members! is, it’s calling and we often answer. Always in New York’s top 10!

As Ottawans, we’ve seen live concerts of Oscar Peterson, Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., and countless musicals and other New York talents. In short, Ottawans are no strangers to travelling the world and all sorts of adventures.

So as this is a feature on New York, with a profile on some hotels and establishments highly recommended from the community experts from tripadvisor, read on. And if you go this winter or upcoming spring, remember there is much to see and enjoy.

RESTAURANT MUSTS!

While scouring the internet and tripadvisor, we focused on a popular steak house and Italian restaurant. The } two that stood out with great reviews were:

DESMOND ’S STE AKHOUSE Sitting in the top two per cent of NYC restau- rants is this popular steak house which gets tripadvisor words like, “The best way to start a night,” or “Great service, great food,” and “Steak dinner melted in your mouth.”

Check them out on your visit to Manhattan, and enjoy the ambiance!

TONY ’S DI NAPOLI If it’s an Italian meal you’re seeking, look no further. This TripAdvisor top one per cent restaurant in Manhattan raves the following customer quotations: “Stomach busting portions,” and “Excellent vibe, excellent food, excellent service!”

If it’s pasta you prefer, then this is the Italian restaurant for you. See you there!

LIBRARY HOTEL

299 Madison Avenue at 41st Street,New York, NY 10017 PHONE (212) 983-4500 FAX (212) 499-9099

An oasis of modern elegance, the Library Hotel and its attentive staff provide a thought-provoking experience to sophisticated travelers with a passion for culture and individual expression. Each of the 10 guestroom floors is dedicated to one of the 10 major categories of the Dewey Decimal System: Social Sciences, Literature, Languages, History, Math & Science, General Knowledge, Technology, Philosophy, The Arts and Religion. “The Library Hotel has been selected as a Fodor’s Choice Gold Awards 2010 winner in the category of ‘Most Roman- tic Hotels.’ 147 West 43rd Street Between Sixth Avenue and Broadway New York, NY 10036 Phone: 212-869-1212 Fax: 212-391-7585 www.casablancahotel.com rooms@casablancahotel.com

CASABLANCA HOTEL Celebrated as one of New York City’s most popular hotels, the Casablanca Hotel is a hid- den gem, just steps away from vibrant Times Square. Inspired by the romance of the movie “Casablanca,” this oasis of luminous Moroc- can glamour and hospitality is only outshined by the talented and eager to please staff. Rick’s Café, a relaxing upstairs club room, serves complimentary refreshments 24 hours a day, including deluxe Continental style breakfast each morning and wine & cheese receptions every evening from 5-8 p.m. Winner TripAd- visor 2011 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best Ho- tels US and Top 10 Hotels Best Service US, and recipient of the Certificate of Excellence Award 2013.

Trip Advisor quote “If you’re visiting New York City for the first time and want a prime location with great ambience, then the Hotel Casablanca on 43rd Street is your place.”

365 Park Avenue South at 26th Street, New York, New York 10016 PHONE (212) 685-7700 FAX (212) 685-7771 www.hotelgiraffe.com

HOTEL GIRAFFE Designed to celebrate the architecture of the Art Moderne period which has distinguished this vibrant Manhattan Eastside neighbourhood since the 1920s and ‘30s, Hotel Giraffe embodies the gentle power, grace and beauty found in nature’s most beloved animal. Hotel Giraffe’s inspired spaces and award winning guest rooms create an immediate sense of effortless luxury and unparalleled comfort. In the Grande Lobby, guests enjoy complimentary refreshments, including deluxe European-style breakfast and wine & cheese receptions. Voted “Best Boutique Hotel” in Best of Citysearch 2007 and “Best Family Friendly Hotel” in Best of Citysearch 2010.

Trip Advisor quote “We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hotel Giraffe, from the comfortable beds and beautiful rooms, to the delicious breakfast and wine/cheese every evening. Great location for access throughout the city, and very helpful/pleasant staff”.

Trip Advisor quote “The Library Hotel is fabulous in every aspect. The rooms were a hidden treasure ... comfortable and updated.” “We were made to feel really welcome as soon as we arrived but it had started in the days before that with emails. The staff

were unfailingly polite and helpful.” “I just completed a five day stay at the Library Hotel. The room was very comfortable, well furnished and the space well organized. The breakfast was a highlight. The staff super helpful. The location is perfect!”

60 East 54th Street between Park and Madison Avenues, New York, NY 10022 Phone 212-753-1066, fax 212-980-9278

www.elyseehotel.com

info@elyseehotel.com

HOTEL ELYS� E

The timeless style of classic “Old New York” sets the stage for an unforgettable experience in one of Manhattan’s most desirable neighbourhoods. With the romantic ambiance and gracious service of a private country inn, the Hotel Elysée is consistently acclaimed as one of the city’s best loved hotels. As the home of the world famous Monkey Bar, Hotel Elysée was once a playground for the rich and eccentric and has been the permanent NYC address of many movie stars, artists, writers and intellectuals over the years. Hotel Elysée was twice voted the most romantic hotel in New York by Citysearch and was named “Best Small New York Hotel” by Travel & Leisure magazine. Recipient of the Certificate of Excellence Award 2013.

Trip Advisor quote “Hotel Elysée is a gem in NYC! After walking into Hotel Elysée you are surrounded by a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. My husband and I loved the feeling of a smaller boutique hotel instead of one of the many chain hotels.”

When you visit New York, visit us for a night of Italian food!

“Next to the popular Casablanca Hotel, come in for a night of Old New York Italian favourites since I first opened in 1959.

My cooking comes from Southern Neopolitan traditions, and are served up in huge family style platters for 2 to 3 people.

My recipes have been handed down to my children who have continued to bring our traditions to you. We have watched thousands of New York families grow up with us at our dinner table, and we invite you to come and see us anytime!”

Voted #1 Ital an Restau ant n New Yo k b TRIPAD VISO R

In T mes Square On 43rd St ree be ween 6 h and 7 h Avenue T. 212.221.0100 | www.T nysNY C. m

Where steak meets style . . .

Ne York Cit ’s premiere steakhouse!

. . . just steps from Times Square and the Theat rE Dist rict!

in t he Heart of Manhatt an 513 7th Avenue at 38th Street

DesmondsSteakhouse.com 212-391-6900

FOR après-ski atmosphere, the outdoor enthusiast can choose from 70 kms of cross-country ski trails; dogsledding; snowshoeing or skating with the family. Afterwards, cozy-up by the famous towering six-side stone fireplace where you can relax with a nice book or conversation. Only 45min away, you can visit their website at:

www.fairmont.com/montebello

All depend on one thing.

Stuart Log Cottage Traditional cabin for rent in the Ottawa Valley • spacious living room with large stone fireplace • large loft bedroom suitable for family • 4 piece bath with tub and shower • full kitchen with fridge, stove • private dock on Mink Lake www.StuartLogCottage.com (613) 628-3311 For more inFo pLeaSe CaLL maDeLYn CoCHrane mBa Consultant (613) 723-7200 madelyn.cochrane@ investorsgroup.com 2 Gurdwara road Suite 500 nepean, on K2e 1a2 your next move. Are You Ready? We can help. Ask about THE PLAN (™)Trademarks owned by i G m Financial i nc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.

an overnight stay at the wakefield mill inn + $35 heron wine bar + breakfast draw held in january! email to:

wakefield@ottawaoutdoors.ca *Cannot be combined with other promotions (subject to avail.)

+ Access to gatineau park trails +outdoor hot tubs ( fireplace pkg)

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Indoor Golf Club Come indoors for a night of golf! • play some of the best courses in the world • great Tuesday night indoor golf league • come for stags, office functions or just a night with your friends • real golf clubs with real photographic images. Many customers who’ve played

Pebble Beach etc, say it’s unbelievable! • totally different from cartoon courses • take golf lessons with CPGA pro

Joe Dubinski • 7 state of the art simulators • fully licensed, pool table, big screen tv • Book your tee times with us! Bent Grass Indoor Golf Club 150 Robertson Road www.bentgrassgolf.com (613) 820-2582

outdoors ottawa Your dream vacation. Your next ski trip. Your early retirement.

All depend on one thing.

your next move. maDeLYn CoCHrane mBa Consultant Are You Ready? (613) 723-7200 We can help. madelyn.cochrane@ investorsgroup.com Ask about THE PLAN 2 Gurdwara road Suite 500 nepean, on K2e 1a2

Stuart Log Cottage Traditional cabin for rent in the Ottawa Valley • spacious living room with large stone fireplace • large loft bedroom suitable for family • 4 piece bath with tub and shower • full kitchen with fridge, stove • private dock on Mink Lake (613) 628-3311 For more inFo pLeaSe CaLL www.StuartLogCottage.com