One of the most attractive and enticing things about staying in New York City is the multitude of hotels one can choose from. Over the years, so many of the neighborhoods have been revitalized, bringing a new energy that attracts trendy restaurants, hip boutiques, new hotels and of course, lots of people. At Global Trade magazine, since many of our readers travel to New York City for business and pleasure, we think it is only fitting to keep sharing some of the hotels we enjoy.

THE TRUMP SOHO

Recently, I had the opportunity to stay in one of my favorite neighborhoods; SoHo in lower Manhattan. Over the years, it has been fun to see this area become so vibrant and exciting. It was about four years ago the Trumps (I say the Trumps with an “s” because it is Donald Trump’s adult children who run the hotel division of the business) built Trump SoHo at the corner of Spring Street and Varick Street. The location of this “small-but-big” 46-story tower hotel offers great access to Wall Street, shopping, restaurants and transportation.
The two-story lobby is not grand but dramatic enough to say it’s hip, comfortable and luxurious. In fact, I would say the same about the rooms. I had a corner suite with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased stunning views of Manhattan. (It literally took my breath away when I walked in). Even the tub in the marble bathroom was positioned to take advantage of the all-encompassing views—from the Hudson and East River to Midtown.

For our C-Suite readers, the Trump SoHo offers eight different penthouses to choose from—all with floor-to-ceiling glass to take in those dramatic Manhattan views. And for those who want to plan anything from intimate dinner parties to executive meetings of more than 200 guests, multiple rooms are available with state-of-the-art technology. I highly recommend the SOHI meeting room—its sweeping 46th-floor views atop the hotel will make any event a memorable one.

Koi SoHi is the only restaurant in the hotel. Known for Asian Fusion cuisine—it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Although I didn’t get to try lunch or dinner, I did have a breakfast meeting at the restaurant and to my surprise I had one of the best frittatas I have ever had.

The hotel also has two bars and The Library, offering cocktails, coffee and light fare.
But with the spectacular views in my room and the healthy and diverse choices from the in-room dining menu, I elected to enjoy appetizers before I went out for the night. On that score, I can highly recommend the tuna tartar. Another recommendation, especially after meetings, sightseeing or shopping, is to try the Spa at Trump.

Although I didn’t have time to try it myself, I did get a tour of the 11,000-foot Turkish décor spa, salon and health club which is known for having New York’s only hammam Middle Eastern bathing tradition. And finally for the frequent traveler to NYC, Trump SoHo offers their signature service: Trump Attaché. This special service allows guests to keep their clothing and personal items at the hotel and includes an extensive list of services and amenities.

THE LONDON NYC
Let’s face it, Midtown is truly the heart,the center of Manhattan. It usually is where most business and leisure travelers end up staying. On this trip, I had the opportunity to try a boutique hotel I had been told about on a couple of occasions—for location, luxury and value—The London NYC located at West 54th between 6th & 7th adjacent to the theater district.

Discreetly tucked away from the nearby hustle and bustle of Midtown, The London NYC was once a 54-story residential building before it was transformed in 2006 into a luxury hotel with 561 rooms. What makes these rooms so attractive is that they are all-suite accommodations in a city that is known for hotel rooms being on the small side. My room had a comfortable sitting room with French doors separating the spacious bedroom. The guest rooms/suites/apartments/penthouses have all been designed by David Collins—combining modern chic design with rich fabrics like luxurious Fili d’oro Italian linens and hand-woven throws. Marble is used throughout the bathrooms.

The lobby area is somewhat small but modern and stylish like the accommodations. Another shout out goes to the wonderful staff that is most friendly and helpful. Off to the right of the lobby is the lively London Bar and The Maze with its sophisticated cuisine by Gordon Ramsey. From the fun bar-food menu I enjoyed the Kobe beef sliders and French fries. I know it sounds simple enough but they were extra delicious. The handsome couple next to me was raving about the large selection of cheeses, meats, crackers and other delectables, so much so that they insisted on sharing it with me. Who was I to say no? However, if you do decide to enjoy the London bar I would recommend that you do so without time restraints.

Fitness types are going to love The London’s well-designed 2,900-foot fitness center—The London NYC Club. Personal trainers are available to guide you in the club’s extensive selection of free weights and high-performance cardio-vascular machines. Also available are rooms for private events and meetings and the delicious food Gordon Ramsey’s culinary team prepares. Next time you need to stay in the heart of Midtown, consider a stay at The London NYC—it lived up to its reputation: location, luxury and value are all there.