The Exchange Hotel, situated on Front Street, New York City, is a small, stylish hotel that provides luxury accommodation to its guests. This hotel takes its definition of boutique hotel quite literally and offers top, personalized service, exclusive features, competitive rates and other reasons why it remains such a popular venue for out-of-towners.

Try the Exchange Hotel for Luxury Accommodation
Renovated in 2005, the Exchange Hotel boasts 53 rooms to suit any traveler’s needs. From its standard guest rooms to its one-bedroom suites, visitors are sure to find a restful place to put their feet up after exploring the exciting city of New York. All rooms are decorated with style and exquisite taste and all offer televisions, fax machines, internet access, bathtubs and little extras such as coffee makers. The Exchange Lounge is where visitors can enjoy a complimentary breakfast every day or use the area for events of up to 100 people. A fitness center and business center is also available the use of hotel guests.

Central Accommodation in the Heart of New York
Whether you need to attend an important meeting in the busy Wall Street District or simply want to take in the attractions of the area, the Exchange Hotel is perfectly located for you to take your pick. The hotel is close to the Historic Front Street and the South Sea Seaport, giving you the opportunity to truly savor downtown New York in luxury. Take a leisurely stroll to classic New York sites such as the Statue of Liberty, Trinity Church and the New York Stock Exchange. For an intimate, luxurious New York experience that affords you one of the most ideal locations in the city, the Exchange Hotel is truly not to be overlooked.

NewYorkJourney.com features a detailed review of the Exchange Hotel along with other hotels in the Financial District.

One of the greatest cities to visit in the world in December is undoubtedly New York. This is the place where visitors and locals alike can truly experience the magic of the holiday season, as the whole city gets dressed up for the occasion. From the magnificent Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, to the angelic Christmas carol singers on every street corner, to the wonderful department store window displays along Fifth Avenue, New York in December is a treat for all the senses. There are countless holiday concerts and shows to take in, as well as the ultimate ‘Christmas in New York’ experience – ice-skating in one of the parks or at Rockefeller Center under the tree. New Year’s Eve in New York is one huge party, with street events, restaurants and bars participating until the early hours of the morning. Visitors can choose the classic New Year’s Eve experience by watching the ‘ball drop’ in Times Square at the stroke of midnight.    

Temperatures are quite cold during December in New York. Average highs are around 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius), while average lows can hit 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or a chilling zero degrees Celsius. This is no reason, however, to avoid the great things happening in the city over this time period. By packing appropriate clothing – long, wind and waterproof jackets, warm trousers, comfortable, waterproof walking shoes, gloves, hats and scarves – visitors will still be able to enjoy all that New York has to offer in December and more! 

New York is also a great time to get down to some serious Christmas shopping. With so much abundance and variety, it would be difficult not to find that right something for everyone! New York department stores simply vie with each other to get shoppers through their doors, with great products, enticing bargains and the most beautiful decorations ever seen.  Happy Holidays!

Set in the heart of New York City, this chic hotel has the aura of a traditional gentleman’s club, combined with all the pampering and amenities that the contemporary traveler is seeking in an establishment. This small, luxurious hotel started out its days as a private political club and its owners have managed to retain the atmosphere of exclusivity and discretion through subtle New American Classical décor and handsome rooms.

City Club Hotel Offers Great Location
The City Club Hotel offers 65 rooms housed in a discreet nine-story building and is conveniently situated in the middle of mid-town New York. Guests can enjoy close proximity to many of the city’s legendary sites, including Broadway, the New York Public Library, Grand Central Station and Time Square. The hotel is also a stone’s throw away from the greatest shopping areas in the city, Fifth and Sixth Avenues and in easy traveling distance to Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park and top New York entertainment and nightlife spots.

Luxury Dining at DB Bistro Moderne
Owned and operated by celebrity chef Daniel Bouloud, guests at the City Club can enjoy luxury dining at DB Bistro Moderne in the hotel’s lobby. There are two dining options, divided by an excellent wine bar, in the restaurant – a casual front area and more intimate and traditional back dining area. Guests can try Bouloud’s renowned French American menu for a truly excellent dining experience.

Top Class Accommodation at the City Club Hotel
Guests will enjoy quality accommodation at City Club Hotel, including luxurious features and extra perks to make them feel extra welcome. Feather down bedding, C.O. Bigelow stocked bathrooms and complimentary newspapers are just some of the ways that hotel management makes guests feel welcome. In addition, the hotel offers complimentary passes to the famous New York Sports Club and state-of-the-art entertainment features in every room. For definitive luxury in a small and intimate setting with character, the City Club Hotel is a must-try for New York visitors.

Click for a review of City Club Hotel at NewYorkJourney.com

Nothing quite epitomizes Christmas in New York City like the legendary Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which stands tall and proud in one of the greatest cities on earth during one of the most beautiful seasons of the year! The tradition of lighting up a Christmas tree outside this famous center began as far back as 1933 during the dark days of the Depression, in a bid to bring some Christmas cheer to weary laborers. Since then, without fail - except for the wartime period – New Yorkers and visitors are awestruck each year by the splendor of this crowd-stopping, truly magnificent creation.

The beauty of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lies both in its size and the fact that it is decorated by thousands of lights threaded through its limbs – making it one of the most majestic sites of the season. Below the tree lies the famous Rockefeller ice rink where skaters can glide their way under the branches of the tree and experience the real magic of Christmas in New York City. Christmas carolers take their place under the tree to sing the beautiful psalms and traditional tunes of the season in the weeks leading up to the holiday. Famous horn-blowing angels customarily occupy the plaza that leads to the tree.

Every year, the official lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is broadcast coast to coast, with a celebrity host and all the pomp and celebration expected from such a happy event. This year’s official tree lighting is planned for November 28th at 7 pm. The tree will stay lit each day from 5.30 am through to 11.30 pm. until approximately January 6th. For a true ‘Christmas in New York’ experience, this is definitely not something that should be missed over the holidays.

Click for more information on the Rockefeller Center at NewYorkJourney.com.

If it’s a cosmopolitan yet intimate New York experience that you’re after, look no further than the Flatotel – a tower of 258 rooms that combines custom designed rooms, excellent service and state of the art entertainment features to provide you with exactly what you are looking for in a New York hotel. While Flatotel prescribes to all the characteristics of a boutique hotel, it nevertheless offers you luxury-sized rooms to make your stay just that more comfortable.

Great Rooms and Amenities
Most rooms at Flatotel have been remodeled and are therefore of the highest standard when it comes to décor, design and comfort. Snuggle up on custom designed beds that come with 100% cotton Egyptian bed linen. All deluxe rooms come with modern entertainment and technology features such as dual phone lines, fast internet connection, flat screen televisions and much more. Enjoy the convenience of large rooms that can fit in those little extras to make your stay more homely such as a compact fridge, a microwave and a coffee maker. If you’re visiting with a larger group or family, try one of the hotel’s family suites. Take in a delicious meal at the Moda restaurant that offers a delightful Italian menu amidst beautiful décor. Seasonal outdoor dining is available from May through to October.

The Flatotel is Ideally Located
Situated in midtown New York City, Flatotel could not have been more conveniently located for the contemporary traveler who enjoys stepping right out into the excitement of this amazing city. Enjoy walking to all New York’s favorite attractions, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral, CBS, Rockefeller Center, the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Television and Radio. You are also in perfect proximity to the Broadway Theater District and Times Square, making this truly one of the best-placed hotels in the city. Try the Flatotel for all the convenience, luxury and personal service that it is so famous for.

Click to make an online reservation or head to NewYorkJourney.com for a review of Flatotel.

‘Tis the season to be giving and what better place to shop for the holidays than New York City. November is when all the major department stores in the city unveil their magnificent holiday window displays to entice buyers and this is definitely a spectacle not to be missed!  

One of New York City’s most popular department stores, Macy’s, unveils its two holiday windows in early to mid November, prior to Thanksgiving. One window is a changing theme, while the other always depicts a theme from the classic Christmas movie, “Miracle on 37th Street”. Another store famous for its exquisite holiday window displays is Bloomingdales on Third Avenue, which are unveiled towards the end of November or early December. The displays stay in place until well after New Year. Bloomingdales’ displays are always classy and showcase intricately detailed scenes. 

Also displaying their holiday windows in late November is Saks Fifth Avenue, the New York City department store icon conveniently located near Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This store’s window display is especially popular with families as it is always whimsical with a touch of fun. Last year, the department store created a stunning Snowflake theme display, complete with movement and music. Around mid-November, Bergdorf Goodman unveils its sophisticated holiday window displays, usually incorporating stunningly authentic antiques and the height of fashion. Other stores to look out for include Barney’s and Lord & Taylor. 

Visitors who wish to make a day out of window display viewing should remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers in case they are tempted to go into the warm, heated stores! While most of the major store windows can be viewed in less than two hours, visitors should take their shopping time into account as well! Window-shopping has never been such a pleasure!

Situated in Midtown Manhattan, The Alex Hotel is synonymous with understated luxury and minimalist décor. Nothing goes unnoticed in this hotel and every whim of every guest is catered for through impeccable service. Guest rooms are bright and modern, with state-of-the-art technological equipment to give visitors comfortable amenities combined with contemporary features. The Alex Hotel boasts one of New York City’s top dining locations, Riingo, run by the award-winning chef, Marcus Samuelsson (previously of Aquavit), which provides diners with superb Japanese and American cuisine in a buzzing resto-bar atmosphere.

The Alex Hotel in Prime Location
Positioned within easy driving distance of all major New York airports and within comfortable walking distance of many of the city’s attractions, no other hotel beats The Alex Hotel when it comes to location. Visitors can enjoy an easy stroll to Grand Central Station, or they can enjoy some of the many attractions in midtown Manhattan such as the Theater District, Times Square and Wall Street. Although public transportation is situated right near the hotel, private transportation can also be provided upon request.

Guests Enjoy Top Amenities
The Alex Hotel offers luxury amenities down to the finest details to all its guests. All bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms boast flat television panels and guests enjoy high-speed internet access, and DVD players for ultimate entertainment indulgence. Every suite in The Alex Hotel is fitted with top-of-the-range kitchen equipment and bathroom amenities are of the Frederic Fekkai signature range. The hotel also offers a full concierge service, 24-hour room service off the Riingo menu, Dean and Deluca snack trays, a fitness center and designer bed linen. For working guests, The Alex Hotel also provides ample meeting facilities, either in the restaurant or the hotel’s penthouse for private meetings or dining receptions. With its immaculate service, décor and location, The Alex is everything that guests are looking for in a hotel when visiting New York City.

Click to make an online reservation or go to NewYorkJourney.com for more information on the The Alex Hotel.

Every year, over two and a half million people line the streets of New York to watch the most spectacular holiday parade in history – The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 4000 people march their way among stunningly beautiful and intricately created balloons and floats for 2.5 miles through the streets of New York, before passing outside the city’s famous department store Macy’s. In fact, it was a handful of Macy’s employees who, in 1924, decided to entertain the crowds on New York’s streets with their impromptu parade down the avenue. Today, more than 50 million people watch this extravaganza on NBC television broadcasts throughout the day. 

This year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – the 81st - will take the usual route, beginning at Central Park West and 77^th Street, proceeding to Columbus Circle and moving down Broadway. The parade finally turns at 34th Street, moves past Macy’s Herald Square and comes to a dramatic end at Seventh Avenue. As always, the event covers around three hours – beginning at 9 am and ending at 12 noon. Visitors are advised to get to the area very early (some even go around 6 am!) to get a good viewing spot, due to the popularity of this parade, and to dress appropriately as November can be quite chilly in New York.

This free parade is definitely one of the city’s most eagerly awaited events and will comprise 15 magnificent float-balloons called falloons that represent some of the more popular characters in contemporary media. In addition, more than 50 balloons will vie for the spectator’s attention. Traditionally, stars and celebrities take part in the parade, although they are usually outshone the sheer beauty of the event itself. Marching bands, clown groups and school bands will ensure that spectators are kept entertained for the entire event.

Click for the official site of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Created as an apartment building in the 1950s, the Helmsley Carlton House Hotel offers you all that you are seeking in a New York hotel – top location, luxury accommodation, personal and friendly service, excellent amenities and those small touches that separate the mundane from the truly spectacular hotels. As part of the Helmsley chain of luxury hotels, you just know that you are in good hands from the moment that you step through the doors of this beautiful 17-floor building.

Top Location
Madison Avenue. 61st Street. The address of the Helmsley Carlton House says it all in terms of location. This is the perfect hotel for tourists and business people alike who love the convenience of staying in the very heart of the City that Never Sleeps. The hotel is a mere heartbeat away from the shopping Mecca of the world – Fifth Avenue - where you will find yourself surrounded by some of the most stylish and desired shops and restaurants on the planet. Meander only one block down to Central Park or two blocks to the Empire State Building to enjoy the very best that New York has to offer.  

Top Amenities
From the white gloved elevator attendants to a doorman who is on duty 24/7; from its fully equipped gym to its competent business center, the Helmsley Carlton Hotel manages to offer you that little bit extra when it comes to luxury service. All rooms are equipped with individual guest room climate control, state of the art entertainment features, in-room safes and a nightly turn down service. If you’re in town on business, you won’t even need (or want!) to leave the comfort of your own room, since it comes with two or three phones, a fax machine plus the convenience of an on-site secretarial service and 24 hour switchboard. For a hotel that answers all your needs in terms of location, comfort, convenience and pure pamper, the Helmsley Carlton House is your next address in New York City.

Click for more information on the Helmsley Carlton House or for other Upper East Side hotels at NewYorkJourney.com.