I called the hotel to see if I was hip enough to stay there after a bit of time on their website where I definitely felt out of the demographic pictured.  I didn’t quite ask that exact question but did ask “what is the mix of guest ages?”  The New York City hotel has a popular rooftop club and is a darling in the lifestyle hotel category for those who like to take selfies (there’s a selfie station in the lobby).  The friendly staff member on the other line laughed and said “it’s for everyone”.  I pushed further and he probably thought I was crazy – he sounded nice, a bit older like me (in his 40’s) so I decided to take a chance.  This was my first stay at a Moxy Hotel and the Moxy NYC Times Square Hotel, a stylish (almost boutique like) hotel from Marriott Hotels.  Having been Starwood loyal for my entire travel life, the recent merger has expanded my hotel choice and I was trying something new and with my points redemption, the Moxy Hotel Midtown Manhattan was it.

The Moxy Hotel Brand

The hotel space continues to blur the lines between boutique hotel, luxury, budget and affordable and The Moxy seems to straddle all of it. Marriott lifestyle brand is The Moxy, which it classifies as affordable luxury with a sense of play and design for what its guest’s value most.  You won’t find a coffee maker in the room or other space hogs (i.e. – desk, cabinets, closet, large furniture, etc.), the room has everything you need. If you fancy a foosball game, just go to the lounge on the 2^nd floor where you can also meet friends for cocktails or coffee chats.  It’s a hotel designed for you to stay, play and experience.  Each touch point is an experience for your senses.  At any age, we all like something new and fun.  I will concede that being solo didn’t make me brave enough to venture up to the rooftop bar when the comfy bed was calling instead.

NYC Location #AtTheMoxy

Located just two blocks from Penn Station, the Moxy Hotel NYC is in a great location to walk to/from much of midtown.  If you want to use the subway just go back to Penn Station for a plethora of options including the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) for easy to/from JFK Airport. The hotel address is 485  7^th Avenue (36^th & 7th Avenue), it is an easy walk on 7^th Avenue to Times Square at 43^rd Street.  While the Hotel chooses to have Times Square in its name, it’s actually about a 7-10 minute walk from 36th to 43rd (remember numbered streets are shorter distances vs. the never ending distance between the avenues).

Marriott Elite Arrival at The Moxy NYC

When I arrived at the hotel (entrance on 36^th Street), the expansive lobby ceiling art is the first thing I noticed along with the second floor loft lobby area that looks down below.  There were six staff attending their desks for a quick check in.  I was welcomed as an Elite member of the Marriott program and given an upgraded room from the double (lowest category) to the Queen room.  The rooms are snug to begin with so this was a welcomed upgrade.  I was provided a token (given to all guests as applicable) for a free glass of sparkling wine (or snack) at the second floor bar and given my room keys for the 8^th floor.  With a rooftop bar and second floor bar, I wanted a quiet option. If this is important to you as well – make it known in the reservation and when you check in.

The Moxy NYC Elevators

On the Marriott site, I had read a bit of grumbling about the elevators being odd and corralling all the folks into one car but when I arrived and learned more, I was really impressed by the elevators. There are four elevator banks (serving 612 rooms) and two video screens on either side.  You choose your destination – second floor restaurants/bar/living room, downstairs gyms, guestrooms, etc.  If you are going to your room or secure floor, you will waive your key card on the monitor and are the directed to an elevator number.

The second floor is open so no key card is needed (there are also stairs if you prefer).  When the elevator arrives, it has the floor numbers listed on the panel and you enter with no key to swipe, no buttons to press, the elevator has the directions and everyone on is off to their destination.  As I was on the 8^th floor, the elevators from my guest room floor were quick to arrive during my three day stay.  Overall, I liked the smart elevator technology.

The Moxy NYC Queen Room

Walking off the elevator and around a few turns, I found my room – it had an odd looking door with a frosted window. When I opened the door, it was just as I imagined from the photos online (a rare occasion that the online experience is the same as in person).  My bed was against the window (one way in) with the sink outside the bathroom. The vanity had multiple mirrors and shelves for your stuff.

The wall was filled with hooks/pegs (I really loved this) which held a foldable table and chairs to utilize the space. There is no closet in the room but the pegs/hooks more than enough made up for this (you’ll be surprised at how much you hang up on the pegs vs. throwing balled up clothes in your suitcase).

As I walked toward the bed, I saw the beanbag chair in the corner.  At the bed, I pulled out the lower drawer to reveal a safe.  Next to that was a compartment for your luggage or bags.    Opposite the bed was a flat screen television that would be lovely if I wanted to stay in bed all day with movies (free Wi-Fi means you can stream from your devices).  If you want to pull the shades down you needed to climb on the bed (a bit annoying but it was only me).

The only negative in the room was the loud air conditioner along the windows which seemed to go off every ten minutes to cool the room (it was an unusually hot, humid, sticky end of September).  If you are a light sleeper, you may want to use the ear plugs that are bedside (remember there’s a rooftop club that is open until 2 am during the week and 4 am on the weekends) or press the phone button for a night time story to help you prepare to sleep.

The 200 sq. ft. room felt perfect for one person and might be snug for two given that there is only one entrance to climb into the bed. Also if you are very tall, the configuration I had might not work for you as your feet might touch the television/wall so if that is a problem, tell the front desk staff.

The Moxy NYC Bathroom

The bathroom was subway tiled and a nice size with the walk in shower.  The water pressure was good and the toiletries by muk. (an Australian brand) were environmentally friendly and smelled great – sadly I wasn’t able to bring them home with me.

Other Moxy NYC Room Types

Other NYC Moxy room types include bunk beds, beds against each other and even a twin room for one person (you need to order that “crash pad” from the rooftop club bartender). If traveling in a group, with small kids or other configuration, there seems to be a room option for you at The Moxy NYC Times Square. If staying longer than 2-3 nights, definitely look to upgrade to larger room type.

The Moxy NYC Restaurant – Legasea

While I had a fancy opening party to attend for the conference, I know better than to go hungry so settled into the hotel restaurant Legasea Seafood Brasserie, owned by TAO Group, for a burger and fries.  The restaurant, which is gorgeously designed,  focuses on seafood but it also has comfort foods and appetizers served in the restaurant, at the bar and lounge area.

It was early (5pm) so the restaurant was empty whereas the Moxy bar area and living room lounge were crowded.  Despite ordering a sandwich, I was given fresh bread so of course, I would eat it immediately…..it was bread with sea salt on top – carbs and gluten be damned! Then my freshly made in house burger arrived with a cascading side of fries.  While I intended to save room for the recommended sea salted caramel chocolate cake (just typing that is causing a craving), it was not that day – I was happily full of burger, fries and a glass of wine.

Amenities  & Fun at The Moxy NYC

The lobby has a barber shop (the Blind Barber at Moxy) and access to the Egghead quick stop restaurant on 7^th Avenue (they do breakfast sandwich delivery to the room).

There is a basement gym, rooftop bar/club at Magic Hour (hotel guests get priority in the line) and mini golf (more for Insta photos).  None of which I was able to visit or experience given my schedule.  I was tempted by the foosball table and lobby games though!

Overall Impression – The Moxy NYC Hotel

My first Moxy NYC Hotel experience was quite surprising in a good way.  For such a long time, I had avoided Marriott hotels because they were bland and boring vs. the boutique hotels I’ve fallen in love with around the world but the Moxy NYC Times Square is quite the opposite of a Marriott.  It is an affordable design hotel with hints of boutique hotel.  With over 612 rooms with interesting room layouts, I can’t quite call this a boutique hotel but it does really deliver that boutique experience for guests of all ages which is quite the feat.

This is New York, so while you know the room will be smaller than most, it’s the service that will make or break your stay. At The Moxy NYC Times Square you get friendly staff that deliver a surprisingly high touch experience with a sense of fun – the lobby says it all – it’s a bit cheeky, has a selfie station, atrium art and games to play. Maybe that’s the biggest surprise at The Moxy NYC Times Square – it’s more than about a place to rest your head, its a reminder that you are never too old to have fun, laugh and smile.

Marriott Award Stay at The Moxy NYC Times Square

My trip to NYC was booked two days prior to arrival (for a conference) and since the city was hosting the United National General Assembly (traffic nightmare) it meant that most hotels, even budget ones, were selling for over $500 per night.  I was able to redeem 35,000 per night for my stay at the Moxy NYC so that was a great deal.  I booked my award reservation direct via the hotel app. 

The many brands of Starwood Hotels (now part of Marriott) range from budget to luxury and I tend to stay mid-range hotels (Westin, Sheraton, W) when I travel.  As I needed to reposition myself to New York for an award ticket on British Airways from JFK,  I figured why not stay overnight, go to a Broadway Show and catch up with friends in New York City.  I’m not sure what was going on in the city for that night but rates were $400+ at even the most budget of budget hotels.  This is why having points currency available in my Starwood hotel account was key to being able to book a last minute room in Midtown Manhattan at the Four Points Times Square (aka Four Points by Sheraton Midtown Manhattan). I’d never stayed at a Four Points by Sheraton before but for one night, it looked like a good option with positive review and at 12,000 points (more than 3% ROI for me) was a great points deal.

Four Points Time Square Location

The hotel (SPG category 5), is pretty central for most of the things you want to do, see and taste in New York City Midtown.  Located at 326 West 40^th Street, the hotel is between Hell’s Kitchen and Times Square (a 5-10 minute walk to the Theatre District and Times Square) and about 25 mins to Rockefeller Center. The Port Authority bus station entrance is at the corner across from the NY Times building, which meant that the area is busy with people.  Also at the corner is the subway entrance for the A line which I took to meet the Brooklyn Walking Tour.

Arrival in Midtown

From Penn Station, I took a taxi to the hotel due to my luggage, otherwise, I would have easily walked. I arrived after the standard 3pm check-in so my room was thankfully ready.  I was acknowledged as a loyalty Marriott member and thanked for my loyalty.  The Times Square Four Points hotel features were explained to me (lobby bar, restaurant, coffee area, free Wi-Fi, etc.) before I waited for one of three elevators to whisk me up to the 19th floor.  For a hotel with 244 smoke free rooms, I was surprised that the elevator wait was minimal in the lobby and on the guest room floor.  When I arrived on the preferred floor, I found my room around the corner.  This floor was small with only eight rooms. It was nice not having to walk down that long hallway to the room.

Four Points Times Square – Standard Room

When I opened the door, to be honest, I was surprised that this was a Four Points by Sheraton (its a category 5 and I thought Four Points were budget hotels but I was wrong).  The room décor and flooring (cute plaid carpets) was recently updated as the hotel has done a refresh (it still had a bit of new room smell). It definitely shared features with The Sheraton in the way that Aloft is the companion property of W Hotels. The only initial disappointment was the loud air con/heater in the wall.  You can’t have everything with older buildings in New York City.

The bed, a Four Points signature bed, was a comfortable respite from my journey from Philadelphia so I crashed out for a few minutes before walking to the Broadway theatre for my ticket to “Dear Evan Hansen” later that evening. There is a storage cabinet that held an iron, ironing board, safe and to my surprise – SLIPPERS!  Seriously folks, slippers have become my thing now – in many hotels only suites get slippers so I always ask for them because I will not walk in any hotel room in bare feet or in my socks (my OCD moments).

The room had a full length mirror, flat screen tv, ample desk working space, free bottle of water (usually a SPG member only benefit but at the Four Points Times Square it’s standard for all) and many outlets.

The bathroom contained a newer walk in shower with a small sink and shelf for your stuff (a bit too small for my stuff).  The amenities were in environmentally friendly refillable containers in the shower so nothing to steal take with me.

The weather was unusually hot so I did need to kick off the air conditioning for just a little bit.  The noisy machine was distracting and if you are a lite sleeper might bother you.  I slept a good bit as the black-out shades were pulled shut but the noise did disrupt my sleep a few times during the night.

Lobby Bar Happy Hour

The lobby bar was surprisingly crowded the night I arrived and the day I left, from Happy Hour into the late night.  On the Wednesday after check out, the lobby bar was hosting a happy hour with free appetizers that the chef was walking around.  He had chips, dip and empanadas on the first go round and said he had more to bring out.

Breakfast at Gotham Bistro

Breakfast is served (for a fee) in the back dining room.  I didn’t stay for breakfast given my early time for the Brooklyn Walking Tour.  The menu prices seemed quite fair for an ala carte breakfast and the dining room pleasantly designed. There are many options for breakfast in the area (sit down and takeaway) but the Gotham Bistro would have been my first choice if I didn’t have the early appointment.

Overall – Four Points Times Square Hotel

One night in Manhattan, the Four Points Times Square Hotel was a nice surprise.  That it was recently renovated even better and an option for a Marriott award stay perfect for the trip. The staff were lovely and ordered me a car to JFK with their preferred vendor which saved me time from searching online.  The hotel is a nice base for visitors to New York City and the Time Square/Hell’s Kitchen area for one night or longer.

I had one day in New York to explore before my 10 pm flight to London but what to do and where to go from morning to night without a hotel room to come back to?  Maybe a Brooklyn Walking Tour? Despite my many visits to New York City over the years, there are a few “touristy” things still left on my checklist that I just can’t seem to bring myself to pay for or participate in so I decided to check out the New York City Airbnb Experiences.  Airbnb Experiences is a new feature that is meant to connect travelers (tourists like me) with locals who are keen to share their knowledge via a tour or experience.  It was there that I saw the “Brooklyn and Manhattan Walking Tour“.  It was a three hour tour for $30 – I had to look at that again because I thought it said $30?!  It did, so I quickly purchased that tour to reserve my spot. Within a few minutes, I received a message from the tour guide, Brian, confirming my reservation, providing meet up information and sharing his cell phone number in case of questions, emergencies or delays.

Travel from Midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn

The tour would start in Brooklyn so I needed to take public transit from Midtown Manhattan to the meeting point.  Since the meetup was at 8:45 a.m. during the rush hour commute, I wasn’t keen on Uber, Lyft or a taxi given the traffic and tolls.  The issue was me as I chose the train that seemed to be most direct with a quick walk (according to both Google Maps and Citymapper) and that was my first mistake.  Both apps took into account delays and such so I waited on the A train (it was late so I texted Brian) when I should have apparently taken a different train and transferred.  The A train eventually arrived and I boarded with the Brooklyn Bridge stop planned.

Lost in Brooklyn Walking Tour

When I came up to the street, I immediately became the blue dot on Google Maps that gets lost as I’m the worst blue dot ever!  I ended up wandering the area for a few blocks before returning to the subway exit and going the other way.  I stopped at a Fire Station to ask for directions and then was on the right route, texting Brian that I was on my way and would meet the group at the first stop.

Manhattan Skyline from Brooklyn

I’ve never visited Brooklyn before so I was keen to explore and take lots of photos of the Manhattan skyline from across the water.  I met the group of three (a couple from Norway and an artist from Sweden) and the guide, Brian, in the park.  We then moved along to learn more about Brooklyn as Brian, who is a licensed tour guide (not required in NYC but he felt it was worth it) told us about interesting stories and facts along the way.  He has just started offering this tour via Airbnb Experiences based on tours he’s done for visiting friends and family so he thought best to share and supplement his income (which currently consists of au pair, teacher and artist).

We learned about the pier transformation to serve the residents of the city rather than build even more expensive housing.  The piers are now served by a new ferry service from Manhattan so it’s easy to get to Brooklyn and take advantage of the parks, pool and volleyball sand.  There are many Brooklyn Bridge events scheduled this summer to entertain people – movie nights, volleyball, basketball clinics, kayaking and more per the Brooklyn Bridge Park press release.

The Brooklyn Bridge Waterfront

We walked our way over to the star of the walk – The Brooklyn Bridge.  As we neared it, photos were taken.  As we walked under it, photos were taken.  As we walked past it, photos were taken.  We all wanted photos with the bridge, the Manhattan skyline and all angles of interesting Brooklyn life. Along the way, Brian filled us in on the history of the Brooklyn bridge (leave it to a woman to get it finished!).  We then found benches for a seated break to learn more (and in my case, enjoy my snack).  It was a bright sunny (and surprisingly hot) day with a few clouds stopping in to tease us with rain (sunscreen reminder!).

Before we would walk over the Brooklyn Bridge we had a few stops to make – restaurants/cafes, shops, the carousel,  and ferry boat stop along the shoreline, through the park and most important – the restroom and coffee shop!

After the coffee shop stop we turned around and stood in the middle of street with the other tourists (needing to move quickly when cabs and cars needed to drive through) to capture the iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge, the one that all the movies and television shows love to use (think Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, etc.).  The view under the bridge framed by buildings in DUMBO while framing the Empire State building in the distance.

Brooklyn Bridge Photo Walk

When it was time to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, we were told “stay in the walking lane, do not walk in the bike lane, it’s for your safety”.  He wasn’t kidding!  The bikers were using bells, horns and their voices to clear the bike lane to avoid colliding with masses of tourists.  The bikers have their own lane on the bridge, as they should, but seriously don’t even try to cross the line without looking both ways twice as I did to get a photo.

Our group spent a good deal of time walking over the bridge, asking questions and learning more. When we arrived back in the city as evident by the vendors selling souvenirs (note there are a few water/snack vendors on the bridge if you forgot to bring your own).  We walked toward City Hall and to be honest, could have ended the tour right then and there at 3 hours – noon.

Lower Manhattan Walking Tour

As Brian has just started offering this tour, he is still working out the timing, group size, etc. The rest of the tour (the Manhattan part) was yet to be seen so he asked us if we wanted to continue and we all said “yes”.  The couple from Norway needed to call their Airbnb to see if they could store their luggage for a bit longer.

The Oculus at the World Trade Center Station

We then proceeded to the new World Trade Center Station (transit hub and metro center) to learn the history of the competing subway lines (it was also a nice relief to be out of the sun in the air conditioning).  The lines were privately owned at one point and competing which is why they are not connected and often seem to run the same ways.  Of course, that didn’t last long and they are no longer privately owned so work continues to connect subway lines.  Walking underground in the newly constructed pedestrian hallways we arrived at the Westfield World Trade Center Mall to the Oculus viewing point before proceeding outside to the 9/11 Memorial.  The Oculus was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. The station is said to be the third largest transportation center in New York City connecting eleven train lines in the city.

9/11 Memorial

This (lower) Manhattan walk should be its own tour as you contemplate the sites – a few minutes isn’t really enough.  The 9/11 Museum is open to the public with an admission fee.  Brian said that on Tuesday nights the museum offers free admission from 5 p.m. (tickets limited). We walked around the World Trade Center memorials (there are two – one for each building) and learned that the names on the memorial were not alphabetical but rather grouped together by how they were found together, it was hard not to be emotional.

On the day of our visit, many roses were placed inside the names signifying a birthday.

One bit of hope found in the rubble was a tree that survived that day and was nursed until it could return to the site.  It is now surrounded by a fence. In the distance, an art sculpture was damaged and remains that way.

Visiting Wall Street

As we walked away from the 9/11 memorial site toward Wall Street, you are reminded of the many pre-cautions in place now – barriers (concrete and metal), security, police and scanners – to name only those I could see (so much more I couldn’t see).  Entering Wall Street is also a different experience from my many prior visits.  There are no cars – there are barriers up around the street and visitors to the Stock Exchange have their own security entrance.  One dash of hope that remains as I remember it is the steps filled with people.

We would end our Brooklyn & Manhattan Walking Tour at Wall Street.  I would then walk two blocks away in search of the “Fearless Girl” and Bull of Wall Street.  I was saddened by the swarms of tourists – swarm is the right word as I couldn’t get a photo by myself without hoards of people around me – I gave up and took only a photo of the Fearless Girl flanked by tourists bits and pieces in the photo.

Final Thoughts –

Brooklyn Walking Tour & Lower Manhattan Walking Tour

The Brooklyn & Manhattan Walking Tour, part of Airbnb Experiences, was really an incredible way to see both Brooklyn and the city without the tourist bus, without the hordes of tourists on those busses and without the high prices the companies charge.  The fact that Brian took the time to get licensed as a guide for New York shows his love of the city and his commitment to presenting accurate information on his tours.

I would definitely recommend the walking tour – bring water and snacks and don’t be a bad blue dot on the map.  Go directly to the subway station (make the connections).  As I mentioned to Brian, the tour should be split into two distinct tours. The Brooklyn Walking Tour should end at 3 hours (which is already a long time to be walking in the sun) when the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge meets City Hall.  From there, you can do your own timeline to the Oculus, 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Note:

• I scheduled an hour from Midtown via the subway and was still late (there was a wait at the cash only ticket counter, plus a long walk underground to the A train platform and delays I didn’t factor in) for the tour so check out Google Maps, CityMapper and other apps for information and add at least a fifteen minute buffer. If you are a bad blue dot like me, add extra time.   You may want to leave even earlier and enjoy breakfast in Brooklyn before meeting the tour at 9 a.m. to ensure you are on time.
• I was one of the first to take this new tour so it may change once Brian works out the timing, size, etc. and resumes later this summer.

Visiting New York City is often fraught with sticker shock when trying to find a hotel ($500+ for a Four Points anyone?) as the prices vary wildly during the year with the cheapest options in the winter months of January – February.  For a last minute trip to New York City in March for a networking event, I decided two days before and having the Hotel Tonight app made my trip both possible and reasonable by finding me a boutique hotel in the middle of it all – between Times Square and Rockefeller Center.  The find was the Sanctuary Hotel, a hotel I’ve never heard of or read much about.  The cost was $100 (plus $23 tax) for a Sunday night! The other rates I found online were $250-300+!  This was an easy decision to book on my phone.  Once done,  I started sharing this find with all of my friends “can you believe this find!?” It was like winning the NYC hotel lottery.

Location – The Sanctuary Hotel Near Times Square

The hotel is in the middle of W. 47^th Street literally ½ block from the madness of Times Square and two blocks from Rockefeller Center.  Despite it’s location, it really was a sanctuary escape from the outside world.  The stairs leading up to the heavy doors were manned by a doorman. The location is fantastic for the tourist to New York as well as the business traveler who has to meet clients in Midtown. If you need anything, it’s only steps away from the hotel 24/7.

Hotel Arrival

I almost missed the hotel when I was walking on 47th street as the entrance stairs were not what I was expecting.  When I saw the Sanctuary Hotel sign, I was then greeted outside by the bellman who took my small suitcase inside to the front desk.

When you entered inside, it took a few moments for your eyes to adjust as you literally entered a new world Sanctuary with darkened lobby, fireplace and décor that wasn’t quite hotel but more relaxing spa.  The front desk welcomed me and told me of all the hotel amenities included (wifi, continental breakfast) as well as the elevator to use to whisk me up to the rooftop bar (a lovely secret spot).  I forgot my toothbrush and toothpaste and the front desk had extra to share.  I was given a map of the area and would visit the front desk a few times during my stay.  The Concierge desk is opposite the Front Desk.

The Sanctuary Hotel Lobby

I would be remiss not to mention the lobby.  With two distinct seating areas and fireplaces, this is small but relaxing spot to meet people or just be.  The hallway to the second set of elevators and the adjoining building where my room was located was lined with statues in a sanctuary theme.

Behind the front desk is a door to the hotel lobby bar which was opened for those wanting a drink or to have a work space.

My Queen Room at The Sanctuary Hotel

The hotel has 113 rooms decorated in colors like cognac, orange and chocolate. I couldn’t find my room on the hotel website, so understandably, my room was tiny for the price.  Hotel Tonight is often the place for hotels to sell those small rooms, extra inventory and my odd no view room. I expected tiny, not small so I was quite surprised by the use of space.  It was for one night only so I really only needed a clean, quiet spot to sleep. The hallways were darkened and my hallway (wing?) had only seven rooms on the floor.  My room faced an interior fire escape so zero view which was fine but that also meant it was really quiet.

When I opened the door, I immediately saw the bed and chandelier!  The room was tiny but for those of us who have sailed in the inside cabin, small is relative. The room utilized the space quiet well by removing bathroom wall and having a shelfing unit to showcase in room minibar snacks (reasonably priced) and a good closet space. The tv is mounted above the no view window and easy to control from the bed (your only seating option). It’s a good size for one, two might be snug.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro7R0ZLqjgM[/embedyt]

The oddity for some but design focused to others was the glass enclosed shower in room.  For those traveling with others (this would be a small room to share), there is a curtain that can be pulled to shield the shower view. The bathroom is open whereas the toilet room has a door.

The Continental Breakfast at Sanctuary Hotel

The hotel includes a continental breakfast in the room price which guarantees folks will eat in the on-site restaurant.  For most, including me, the additional breakfast menu is a lure to complement the breads and fruit.  The prices are relatively cheap compared to nearby breakfast options and prices so stay onsite.  The staff were friendly and the food was good start to the day.

The Sanctuary Hotel Rooftop – The Haven

I rode the elevator to the rooftop bar, The Haven, to explore the options.  As it was still a very cold winter night, the bar had plastic walls up to keep the heat inside (making for awful photos). There were two distinct areas with tables, bars and music tables.  It was a quiet Sunday night with about ten people.  The winter theme was ski chalet hence the blankets at each table and the food/drinks menu.  I can only imagine in warmer months that this is a pretty busy place with DJ spinning music and people spread throughout the tables, bars and seating areas.

Overall Thoughts – The Sanctuary Hotel

Wow, did I get lucky, really lucky, with this Hotel Tonight find in New York City.  I was able to try this hotel out for only $100 + tax when the regular pricing is often $250+ a night.  Hotel Tonight is a wonderful way to save you money and expose you to a few really good hotels you’d probably never find on your own.  The Sanctuary hotel tends to attract international guests based on my conversations at breakfast with folks from Europe and South America.  So if you are in the mood to try a new boutique hotel in New York City, do look into The Sanctuary Hotel, it really was a lovely escape from the streets of New York City despite being in the center of it all.

Disclaimer: I’m not sure that Hotel Tonight $100 will appear again but you can try your luck (download the Hotel Tonight app).  Use my Hotel Tonight discount code (SWOLKO1) to save $25 on your first booking.

To be honest, I didn’t know much about Hamilton on Broadway other than “it’s the hottest (and hardest) ticket to get” and something about the revolving list of actors playing the King.  I didn’t listen to the soundtrack, didn’t have the t-shirt or lament on Facebook about never winning the line lottery.  All I did was watch the Tony Awards and wonder if I can find one ticket to Hamilton. So I went online to the Hamilton website where it had just posted “after the Tonys, a new block of tickets will go on sale” and thought it was meant to be.  But then I had to wait for the show to end and of course being telecast live, it didn’t end on time.

Hamilton – Buying Tickets Online

During my wait, I sent a note to a Facebook friend who was a massive fan – she had the soundtrack and had been trying to get tickets for her family of four for a while.  She was super excited and had her husband on one laptop while she was at the ready on hers.  As for me, I was also ready to “GO!” and find my one ticket to Hamilton – surely there would be just one lonely ticket available in this block of tickets.  I actually found four tickets (for my family) in one window and made the mistake of having another window open in the same browser where I had found two seats (me and a friend).  When I went to “buy” the seats, the error returned that I had two browsers open and had to start all over – now I was ten minutes into the sale, would I have a chance?

It was September and while my friend found four seats in December for her family, I found one ticket to Hamilton in March and had to wait a whole six months!  Despite the absurdity of ticket fees added onto the already pricey upper orchestra seat, I hit “buy” and that aisle seat was mine – all for the low, low, price of $248.25 (ridiculous I know, I could have sold the ticket on Stubhub and turned a profit).

Hamilton Box Office Ticket Pickup

Again, I was going in blind to what I was going to see.  I had arrived in New York City a day early and went to the box office to pick up my ticket in my attempt to avoid the massive lines.  I’m old school and wanted the actual ticket to the show rather than print at home, plus I liked the security of having the ticket at the box office rather than carry it and risk losing it.  I was told that the ticket would arrive 30 minutes prior to the show (thwarting my attempt at retrieving it early) but if I timed it correctly, I would pick up my ticket and stroll in as the box office had its own line and entrance doors – no need to go back outside to the end of the line.

When I arrived near the theater, I had to walk in the street avoiding cars to get to the box office.  There were a few lines for tickets – that line was for the lottery, that line was for ticket holders, I’m not sure what that line was but I walked to the front of all the lines with a few glances of course and was told by staff to get in this line for box office (only two people ahead of me).  When I walked in and up to the box office window to get my ticket, the ushers opened the doors and I had timed it perfectly!  I picked up my lonely one ticket to Hamilton and the usher quickly scanned it and I was one of the first people into the Richard Rodgers theatre.

Hamilton – the Ladies Room Escape Plan

With every theatre visit, I scope out (and map my escape) to the most important location – the ladies room!  Generally located in the basement, I needed to figure out the quickest way to get there at intermission.  As I climbed the two flights of stairs to the upper orchestra, I mentally mapped my route, noting to stay left and dart across the lobby when the time came.  At my seat, I noted both the number of steps to climb (four) and scanned the Playbill for the last song performed before intermission (“Non-Stop”).  Now, I had my ladies room escape all ready – up four steps, make a right, down two flights of stairs staying on the left, dart across the lobby avoiding bar and souvenir patrons and down the two flights of stairs to the basement.  If the bathroom run was a sport, I’d be a gold or at least silver medalist.  During intermission, I would be one of the first to arrive at the ladies room with other “runners” rather than wait in the lines that wrapped around the stairs and into the orchestra section of the theatre.

Hamilton – Orchestra Seating

All theatres differ in the location of “orchestra seats”.  For my one ticket to Hamilton, I had to climb the two flights of stairs to the back section of the orchestra which was located under the mezzanine ceiling but still with a good unobstructed view of the stage.  Note that “standing room only” spaces that those in the lottery won ($10 each) while only a few rows behind me had obstructed views of the performances on the upper stage.

As the seats started to fill, the excitement was palpable – kids (and adults) were taking selfies, people were clinging to their $40 t-shirts and $20 program books while others moved closer to the stage for their pictures.  The last time I experienced this type of excitement was the first season of Wicked when I saw Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth – they were electric so I wondered if the cast of Hamilton would be the same.

Hamilton, The Musical

Well, history can be boring but Hamilton has managed to weave in a fantastic production from start to finish.  It was a Saturday matinée and I was hooked – on every word, each movement, the dancing, the intricate choreography, the costumes.  If you fancy yourself a musical theatre fan, you will enjoy the classic Broadway production with the updates that make this a modern classic.  There are only a few parts that rap but it actually makes sense and blends in seamlessly.

The King

A highlight for me was Taran Killiam as King George.  He received a welcome applause on his entrance and that’s when I realized who he was (a former Saturday Night Live player).  The King has gone through a few famous Broadway faces and is only on stage for about ten minutes but he really has the best parts to move the action, make you think and realize why the folks ran away from Britain to start the new world.  Plus he is hilarious and it’s the laughter than bring levity to the history. This is the role he is meant to play!

Overall – One Ticket to Hamilton

I’m definitely a fan now and want to know more about Alexander Hamilton.  It thought my history books gave me the highlights but Hamilton, the Musical on Broadway brought the facts to life in a way that becomes more memorable. All that hype? Totally worth it! Hamilton is reboot for a modern audience while also celebrating the classic Broadway musical we’ve grown up on.  So I’d suggest signing up for the email updates to learn of the next ticket sale and buy your one ticket to Hamilton (or more) for a fun day/night at the theatre learning (or revisiting) history in a fun way.  Hamilton is also traveling to city near you – if near you is Chicago or London.  But Broadway is always a fun travel experience giving you a reason to visit New York City for a luxury weekend (hotel, dinner and a show).

New York City has a dizzying array of food options and yet, I always find myself in Midtown Manhattan in search of food – solo.  While in the past, I’ve ventured to Chelsea for Eataly, the frigid weather kept me within a few blocks of the Refinery Hotel in the Garment District and the Broadway theatres on my last visit.  My puffy winter coat along with layers of hats, gloves and scarves seemed a bit too much to find space in a small cafe or at a bar seat so I jumped into the deep end of OpenTable for a Saturday night dinner for one (not all restaurants take a reservation for one so you may need to book a table for two to get a seat).  I scrolled past many early options, starting at 5 p.m. which was fine as I had matinée ticket to Hamilton.  Many openings had a * indicating alternative seating which can mean a bar seat or open kitchen counter which can be a bonus or have you seated with a view of a wall which sucks.  I decided to go with my happy place – red meat, red wine and chocolate cake – aka a steakhouse.  Having seen STK around the world on my travels, I decided it was time to explore the trendy steakhouse so I booked my 5:30 table for one at STK Midtown Manhattan.

STK Midtown – Location

The restaurant is set back from the street so I almost missed it if not for the stop light as I was walking in the wind.  I looked left and saw the sign STK behind the outdoor seating area of the office building. I also saw a fireplace in the window and I was freezing so of course that looked inviting from ½ block away.  Located on 6^th Avenue (aka Avenue of the Americas) near 42nd street across from Bryant Park and two blocks from the new Whole Foods.  It is also a short walk from Radio City Music Hall and Grand Central.

Arrival

Looking as if I was arriving from the cold tundra which was just outside, three staff instantly greeted me at the front host stand.  One took my coat, another said “follow me” and the other “enjoy your meal”.  It was a quick blur as I was whisked from the frigid memory of outside into the warm interior.  We walked past the front dining area, through the bar area, up some stairs to the elevated dining room with plush leather booths and tables with a view of the entire restaurant.  I had my own dinner theatre of people watching from the back corner of the restaurant – it was early on a Saturday so no nightclub DJ or party scene to deal with – just a relaxing early dinner.

STK Midtown Décor

Unlike the traditional dark wood-paneled steakhouses that you are most familiar with (and that I do love), STK Midtown was a design delight with vaulted ceiling design, white leather, wood accents and gorgeous tall vases with fresh flowers.  It was a dining room for all.  My table was along the wall of banquette seats so they can accommodate large parties (they also have a private dining room and back bar).  Next to me was a corner booth and I could see families, friends and a few children (and babies in high chairs) throughout the dining room.  It was early in the night, not quite 6 p.m. but the pre-theatre crowd was filling the room pretty quickly and it was nice to see how the steakhouse is evolving to capture diners of all ages including families.

STK Midtown Food

The décor was not a distraction from the wonderful food.  Classic steakhouse options abounded on the menu at familiar price points.  Various cuts of beef with topping and sauce choices shared space with other entrees like fish, oysters, appetizers and sides.  While I was tempted by the short rib ravioli, two pieces for $24 deterred me as I dreamed of dessert instead.  I would request the dessert menu to take a look to see how to plan out my dinner and depth of indulgence. It should be noted that the desserts are not made in-house by a pastry chef so that was initially disappointing to know but helped in my planning as I spied three dessert contenders.

I chose the smaller filet option, the 6 oz. medallion and added a healthy side of asparagus.  Side choices are meant to be shared so take note when it’s just you.  Try as I might I wasn’t able to eat the entire plate of asparagus which was seasoned and grilled perfectly.  It was the bread that did me in, I forgot to say “hold the bread” on my gluten-free diet and lacking any carb willpower I dug into the bread pulling off each piece happily stuffing the warm, buttered bread in my face.  Washing this down with a glass (or two) of Malbec made me happy.

The food was even better than it looked – and it looked pretty good at first glance.  I topped the filet with peppercorn crust and it came with a brown au jus sauce (I was definitely a dipper and dunker that night).  The tenderness of the beef with the spicy pepper and flavorful gravy was a delicious combination to enjoy.

STK Midtown Dessert

The server was attentive to check on me at various points of my meal which was welcomed and not too much or too little (sometime solo diners can be ignored or fawned over by restaurants). I told him I needed a break before dessert.  He suggested the “warm cookie” as the best dessert but unknown to him, I had a Bouchon brownie and double chocolate cookie in my bag, along with boutique chocolates from La Maison du Chocolat (my after theatre diversion and reason I was slightly late for my dinner reservation).

I chose the Berry Parfait as it sounded refreshing and a bit healthy (berries).  When it arrived it was a deconstructed berry crumble – three scoops of creamy raspberry sherbet with berry compote in the middle with graham cracker crumble sprinkled around.  I surprised myself when I ate it all!  I guess some part of my lactose intolerant brain thought it was ice cream and relished the idea of eating ice cream again without getting sick.  Never mind that it was literally 10 degrees outside – I was warm in my happy place of red meat, red wine and dessert!

Final Thoughts STK Midtown

My dining experience from start to finish was fantastic.  As a solo diner, I would definitely return to STK Midtown and also try their other locations around the world hoping to replicate my dinner experience. At no point did I feel odd dining solo, I was treated like any other guest which was good to see.  My meal with two glasses of Terrazas Malbec cost $112.15 before tip – a luxury dinner to complete my luxury weekend in New York City.

Over the years, I’ve seen many modern art pieces really test my limits on “what is art”…  There have been times where I said out loud what I was thinking in the gallery which wasn’t good when I was thinking “are you serious?  And got a few nasty looks.  But I guess that’s what art is supposed to do – create a feeling that causes a reaction.  I’ve left more than one gallery/museum over the years when my reactions were just too much – I found a cookie to feed my feelings – feelings of “I could do that and it wouldn’t be called art!” or other thoughts that insult my artist friends who will then school me on “what art is”.  A classic example was The Art Institute of Chicago – I loved it until I hit the modern art wing and the rocks in a circle.  So when I happened upon the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City, I wasn’t sure whether I would love it or hate it.

When Mom and I finished our Sunday stroll on the High Line in New York City, we found ourselves outside the Whitney Museum of American Art where we met my local friend. Since one of my employee work discounts includes free admission to the Whitney for myself and two guests we decided to explore the museum and take in the views of the city and the exhibits.   Normal admission is $25 and some credit card customers have free or discounted admission opportunities (check out your credit card benefits in NYC). The tickets are timed to handle crowds and not get too overwhelming especially in the large elevators that slowly take you floor by floor.

The Whitney Museum designed by Renzo Piano

The building was designed by the famous Renzo Piano and the open expansive interior along with the tiered terraces outside, make the building itself a work of art. View the interactive design review from the NYTimes.  We started at the top of the museum choosing to explore the outdoor patio/terrace spaces that we had spied from the High Line.  It was a bright and sunny day in NYC and the views were quite impressive.  It’s a bit of art in itself if you think about it – people on display on the terrace, using the stairs between levels and sitting out enjoying the sun.

Studio Cafe at the Whitney Museum

Before our gallery visit, we stopped for cake and coffee in the café.  It’s a bright open space with a portion of the outdoor patio set aside for café guests.  There is table service and we ordered coffee and sweet treats – Mom & I ordered the milk and cookie (hold the milk), my friend chose the scone with fresh crème. The massive triple chocolate cookie that arrived warm was one of the best cookies I’ve ever had (it’s in my top 5). Service was good and the only disappointment was that we were charged $8 for the cookie, I had ordered just the cookie but they sell only the cookie & milk so despite my lactose intolerance and no milk option for me, I had to pay the full price.  That’s a bit cheeky in my opinion.

Whitney Museum Galleries

We left the café and started exploring the floors below, walking from one end to the outdoor patio end on each floor.  It’s a small footprint so you won’t tire easily however, if you need a break, there is seating available on each floor prior to the outdoor patio entrance.

American Art at the Whitney Museum

I won’t lie, there were a few pieces of art that evoked a strong feeling of “seriously?” but this time I kept it to myself (ok, for the most part). However, mom and my friend, both ladies in their 70’s, somehow forgot their inside voices and were quite loud about their opinions in the gallery but they can get away with it.  It made me laugh when both questioned the camping equipment and the gold sneakers as I was thinking the same (if you are an art aficionado, please explain the following to me in the comments below).

While there were a few artists and art pieces I recognized, most were new to me. With a collection of photos, paintings and freestanding pieces, the galleries were arranged to stimulate your senses with a variety of art types.

Whitney Museum Terraces & Garden Views

The outdoor spaces were a mix – one had a sculpture, one was a small garden and the other just spaces for you to stand and enjoy the views of Chelsea.  The views on a clear sunny day were fantastic.  There weren’t many seats available to sit (except for the cafe) outside so many wandered out and back into the very chilled museum (the air conditioning was quite cold the day of our visit).

Final Verdict – Whitney Museum of American Art

The Whitney Museum of American Art is quite easy to visit and for me, at least, educational as I don’t know much about current American artists (too much time in Paris perhaps at the Louvre and Musee D’Orsay?).  The price might be a bit steep for some but do check to see if your credit card offers discounts. The open galleries and expansive spaces made it feel less like a stuffy museum and more like a posh gallery that you want to explore.  The outdoor terraces provide a nice break and incredible views of the city. It’s a nice way to spend a few hours before or after your High Line visit as well as a destination on its own. For more information about the museum and planning your visit to the Whitney, visit their website.

Have you visited the Whitney Museum in its new Chelsea location?  Are you a fan?

It seemed natural for a Sunday morning to go for a walk in New York City.  But rather than head to Central Park, I thought that visiting the High Line would be perfect for Mom.  It was one thing she hadn’t done on all the prior trips (one day bus tours).  So while I would have normally walked to the High Line from the hotel, given Mom’s recent knee surgery, we opted for a cab to the starting point (not far from the Javits Conference Center at 34^th street between 10th and 12^th Avenues).

If you’ve not heard of the High Line also called the High Line Park, you’re not alone. Many of my friends were unaware and so was Mom.  Years ago, someone got the bright idea to convert the abandoned elevated rail track into a horticultural attraction high above the busy streets of New York City.  The result is a lovely green space with wooden seating areas (and a few lounge chairs), space to sit and watch the world below. They’ve also added food and shopping carts plus an outdoor café.  The success of the High Line has led many other urban cities, like Philadelphia, to reconsider their abandoned rail tracks to see if they can recreate the magic that New York has to attract residents and visitors outside to enjoy nature.

Since the High Line opened, massive gentrification has occurred and old buildings are being replaced by shiny new apartments and condos.  One of the first to take a chance on the area and the High Line was The Standard Hotel.  With rooms overlooking the High Line, for a while it became a voyeurs dream (imagine hotel room, curtains open, audience below). The Standard is a luxury boutique hotel in the area with a rooftop pool and a street level restaurant/café.  So at the end of the walk, you can be among the glamorous folks as well as the baby buggies.

There was a bit of construction ongoing so the High Line was shielded by protective netting and scaffolding in certain parts.  After climbing the stairs (there are five elevators at certain points of the park), Mom and I began our stroll. It was Sunday morning before noon so it wasn’t too crowded yet.  We walked slowly as Mom was pointing out all the cool things to me (I’ve been many times over the years and still find it fascinating).  The concrete benches were designed to come up out of the rail and you would see the rail theme interwoven throughout the walk.  They tore out most of the original rail tracks to create accessible walkways and common spaces for people to enjoy.

As we turned into a more narrow section and walked between the buildings, you could see street art, fancy condos and surprisingly two joggers attempting a Sunday run through the ever building crowds. We stopped for a break and a women pointed out the birds above as we sat in the shade (not many shady spots so wear sunscreen or bring a hat if needed).

Further along the path, it split into two options – one side could sit and watch through the plexiglass the urban scene below, the other walked toward the passageway that contained stalls selling food and vendors selling art and local crafts.  An outdoor café was on the lower level.

As we neared the end of the walk on the High Line, I pointed up and told Mom to look at all the people up there!  It was the new home of the Whitney Museum of American Art.  They had installed three levels of outdoor space and I could see many people outside taking in the wonderful views of New York City.  At the end of the High Line (Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking district not far from Chelsea Market), you can exit via the stairs or the elevator.  The High Line gift shop and restrooms are located here (under shade) if you need to make a stop.

We walked down the stairs and were enveloped by the New York streets of people walking by – some toward the Whitney, others crossing the street for the shops and yet others out for Sunday brunch.  Whereas the High Line was peaceful and serene, the streets of New York were full of life – throngs of people, taxis, Ubers and other trappings of urban life.  We met a friend at the Whitney to explore their interesting collection and to relax with a coffee before becoming those people above looking down at the High Line with a bird’s eye view.

The High Line is FREE in New York City, you only need to bring good walking shoes, sunscreen and sunglasses.  End to end is approximately 1.45 miles so not too far.  There are many places to sit to rest, read a paper, enjoy a coffee or catch up with friends.

Mom enjoyed this small slice of New York City.  Given her current mobility issues, it was much more doable than Central Park would have been and at the end of the walk, she had a coffee and art reward.  Sunday in NYC doesn’t get better than that – coffee, art and visiting the High Line.

Visiting the High Line & NYC?  There are FREE public tours scheduled throughout the year – check out the main website for more information.

The first time I visited the British Airways lounge JFK at Terminal 7, I was with my niece and we had just fled the city that was gridlocked due to a Presidential visit in our own version of the Amazing Race.   I was stress out upon arrival while my niece was eyes full of wonder at all the food and the fact that it was free. Despite having come from dinner, my niece filled her plate with mini sandwiches, nuts, M&M’s and, to placate me, a piece of fruit.   For my return visit to the lounge, it was a less stressful arrival with Mom.  Our flight was the last one of the day near 11 p.m. and Labor Day weekend the lounge wasn’t as crowded as it could be.  We Mom walked in and saw the food stations, she like my niece had wide eyes and asked “is this all free?”, “Yes, all free”.  It was the start of her luxury holiday to Paris & London.  So let’s explore the British Airways Lounge JFK and see what Mom liked.

Arrival

The lounge is located upstairs from the gate/terminal area.  When you arrive in the terminal from the special Business/First security area, you need to follow the signs past the boarding gate and small food court and make a right.  You go up the escalator and into the lounge lobby.  The staff was pleasant but not as welcoming as the ladies at the BA lounge in Philly.  Our boarding passes were scanned and we were directed to proceed into the business class lounge area.  We passed the luggage storage area and an empty room with work stations.  There is also a children’s play area in the lounge.

The British Airways Lounge JFK

When you arrive you have two sides of seating area with the bathrooms and food stations in between, almost an H shape.  There is a surprisingly water feature in the middle of the room which can be relaxing or annoying depending on how you treat the sound of falling water. Scattered about are lounge chairs which are a bit low (as evidenced by having to help Mom stand up), couches, small tables for groups and outlets in the side tables and along the wall.  It’s rather a large lounge but no natural light and low ceilings so it feels smaller depending on how many people are milling about.  The set-up and decor is similar to that in Heathrow, Manchester and Philadelphia so there isn’t much to distinguish it from others in my opinion.

There is a window but you get to look over the check in area down below which at the late hour didn’t make for any good people (or celebrity watching).

The British Airways Pre-Flight Dining Room

For British Airways customers (the lounge is also used by OneWorld elites), there is a pre-flight supper served where you can sit down and enjoy a hot meal prior to boarding.  I generally take advantage of this in Philadelphia when I fly the sleeper flight (soon to disappear, sadly) but since Mom & I had just come from dinner, neither of us was interested in another meal.  We were greeted by the hostess who showed us the menu and told us to come back at any time.

The Food Stations

British Airways lounges are pretty consistent in my experience with enough of this, that and the other to satisfy your snacking or light meal cravings.  You won’t go thirsty as the drinks bar is fully stocked with soft drinks, juice, water, beer and liquor to help yourself. If you have a food thing like me (no dairy, no gluten) then you will need to settle on fruit and nuts and look to eat in the dining room.

At the British Airways Lounge JFK the fruit is in the middle of the aisle hopefully prompting passengers to take a healthy snack on the way to the plane (we picked up bananas).

The buffet had a small sandwich selection, cheeses, meats, yogurt and such.  Packets of snack foods like potato chips (or crisps as they say in the U.K.) were offered along with the snack jars of M&Ms, nuts and cookie (I still miss the Walkers shortbread I used to stock up on).  In the far corner if you are walking the interior perimeter, you will find the Pub area with beer on draft, juices and snacks.

The British Airways Elemis Spa at JFK

Years ago, I lucked out and was able to use the BA Arrivals lounge in Heathrow to experience a complimentary spa treatment only because I was on the first plane to land and arrive at the lounge. All the visits after that they were booked up. British Airways has offered free spa treatments to arriving and departing passengers in Heathrow and in JFK it is offered to departing passengers.  For First Class flyers you can pre-book up to 28 days in advance, for the rest of the lounge guests, it is first come, first served.  Treatments last just 15 minutes but can really make a difference pre/post flight.

Since my niece was only eleven at the time of our first visit, I wasn’t able to use the Elemis Spa and leave her alone. This time, I could definitely leave Mom alone as she was enjoying all the free food, drink and Wi-Fi.  I walked to the other side of the lounge to inquire about appointments and there were two left (the last of the night) so I booked Mom & me for chair massages.

I walked back to Mom who was comfortable enjoying her first luxury lounge experience and said “time for our spa treatments, let’s go”.  She looked at me and without questioning said “ok”.  This was the start of the luxury treatment from British Airways on our trip (we would visit the T5 Concorde Room on the way home).

Our massage therapists were both male (if that’s a problem for you let the desk know when inquiring) and the massage treatments would be in massage chairs with clothes on.  If you think that’s a deterrent from a “real massage” you would be mistaken. You have a few choices when booking – Calm, Serenity, Energise, Rebalance treatments which are listed and noted face up or face down.  You will need to sign a release form as with any spa treatment.

I told my therapist that I usually do sports massage and that my neck & shoulders prevent any massage from being relaxing.  He started with asking me for my aromatherapy preference for my face down treatment and then for the next fifteen minutes, he worked out (best he could with limited time) the knots in my neck & shoulders and put on an icy hot type of gel on my neck once he was done.  Mom chose the face up massage and sat in a massage chair the entire time which her therapist was able to provide a relaxing treatment.  Both gave the soft sell on Elemis products but didn’t push as I said we were limited to 100 ml as we had connecting flight at Heathrow.  The spa has products for sale to anyone interested. We tipped our therapists and were ready for our flight to London (connecting to Paris) collapsing into the nearest comfy chair trying not to fall asleep as we were both so relaxed from the massage treatments.

Final Thoughts – BA Lounge JFK

I’m not a fan of JFK airport as it is old and the gates cramped but relaxing at the British Airways Lounge JFK before the flight does make it less stressful.  With the plethora of food and drink options, you won’t go hungry.  With the spa treatments, you can definitely add a bit of luxury and relaxation before your journey begins.  It is a nice way to spend a few hours before your flight.  Mom loved it and she had no idea what was next, namely a Club World flatbed seat with a return on First Class and the British Airways Concorde Room at Heathrow.  For now, she was happy just like my niece before her traveling and relaxing in style at the airport.  Now that she knows about airline lounges, how will she ever go back to waiting at the gate for a coach flight?

My “travel hacking” hobby as some call it, has definitely provided me with unbelievable memories from trips around the world.  One of the best parts of this “hobby” is sharing the travels with my family.  Two years ago, my then eleven year old niece, traveled on her first trip to Paris & London (business class) with me.  For Mother’s day, I surprised my Mom with a trip to anywhere in Europe as I had a 2-4-1 ticket** on British Airways to use and enough Avios points to make it interesting. Mom originally said “Ireland and London” but then changed to “Paris & London” after comments from the peanut gallery (i.e. – my teenage niece and her mother, my sister, who said “Mom you won’t drink in the pubs and Ireland is a lot of green landscapes”).  You can read the funny conversation with Mom as she turned out to be my toughest client yet for her first trip to Paris & London.

British Airways Business & First Avios Awards

Finding two award seats on British Airways (or Open Skies, their New York – Paris subsidiary) proved to be a bit daunting.  I needed a flight from Philadelphia (there are only two flights a day) or New York (JFK or Newark where there are close to twenty flights a day to London) to Paris with a return from London to Philadelphia.  The online booking system can’t handle that so I looked up each segment to find two seats in business class before calling the reservation center to book it for me. Lucky for me, Jessica answered and was a star to help me put the trip together.  By the time I was able to confirm that Mom could go in September, many of the flights I found were gone.

I explained the trip purpose, “mom’s first trip to Europe in advance of her 75^th birthday” and Jessica was now invested in helping me (plus I was her last call for the night so she was keen to go home as well).  She was able to book us New York (JFK) to London (LHR) in Club World business class with a connection in Club Europe to Paris (CDG).  Our return would be London (LHR) to Philadelphia (PHL) in First Class since that was the only award open around our dates. I had enough points and do like First Class so I said “that’s fine” and we were booked for 135,000 Avios and $2,400 in taxes.  Business class is normally $5k return with First often near $10k so for me, Mom was worth it.  For comparison, two coach tickets to London would price out at 100-120k plus taxes/fees. We had lie flat beds, lots of champagne, lounge and Concorde Room access, spa treatments and special attention for mom. Jessica gave me her direct email address if I needed further assistance or wanted to book additional parts to the trip (hotel, car, tours, transfers, etc.).

Once the tickets were booked, the fun part began – where to stay and what to do for Mom’s first trip to Paris & London? Compounding the decisions was the fact that Mom forgot (?) to disclose her knee surgery scheduled for July.  Her arthroscopic surgery would definitely affect the fact that she picked two walking cities (more on that in later posts) and tire her out quicker.  She said she wanted to sleep each day to at least 8 a.m. which we did (except for two days) and not get crazy with the itinerary so we did 1-2 things a day and for the most part were back at the hotel/flat by 8 p.m.

So I settled on the following 10 Day Itinerary for Mom’s First Trip to Paris & London, starting in New York City. You will read more about each bullet point in upcoming posts.

New York Weekend Itinerary (2 days)

• Amtrak Acela from Philadelphia 30^th Street State to New York Penn Station
• Refinery Hotel, a boutique hotel near Bryant Park (we had our own rooms)
• Visit the Refinery Rooftop Bar for views of the Empire State Building
• Broadway Show: Beautiful (AMAZING!!!)
• Sunday morning walk on The High Line (free)
• The Whitney Museum (at the end of the High Line)
• Quick peek inside Chelsea Market

First trip to Paris Itinerary (3 ½ days)

• Hotel Therese, a boutique hotel in the 1^st arr equidistant between the Louvre, Tuileries and Paris Opera (separate rooms booked to preserve our mother/daughter relationship)
• Versailles on the unguided ½ day tour. We took a bus and were provided an audio guide
• Guided tour of the Paris Opera (best tour for only $17!)
• Lunch at Galeries Lafayette (my secret lunch spot)
• Eiffel Tower Visit
• Louvre Highlights VIP Evening Tour with Wine Tasting
• A day in Epernay, visiting Moet & Chandon Champagne cellar tour and tasting
• Burgers at American diner – Breakfast in America
• Boat Ride on the Seine
• Notre Dame visit
• Breakfast at the famous Angelina (known for Chocolate & Hot Chocolate)

Eurostar Premier Class – Paris to London

I kept a watch on the Eurostar fares and signed up for their emails so I was alerted to a 30% sale in Premier class which is like Business class.  It included larger seats and food/drink included that was served by trolley and staff.  Mom enjoyed this train experience.

First Trip to London Itinerary (4 ½ days)

• OneFineStay flat rental in Kensington (a 2 bedroom, 2 bath mews house rental with full kitchen)
• Buckingham Palace State Room Visit (open only August – October)
• Dinner at Hawksmoor (one of my favorite steakhouses in London)
• Dinner at The Ivy Brasserie in Kensington
• Quick visit before closing to the Harrods Food Hall
• Shopping at Marks & Spenser and Primark (Mom’s a shopper!)
• River Boat Ride on the Thames
• Day Tour to Stonehenge & Bath
• Tower of London private tour with Context Travel
• GBK Lunch (Mom wanted a milkshake and a burger)
• Sky Garden visit in the Walkie Talkie building (free)
• Flytographer Photo Session in London
• Pub visit with friends

British Airways (Club World and First Class Awards)

• Elemis Spa Treatment (complimentary) in the British Airways JFK Lounge (walk up)
• Club World (business class) flight to London
• Giraffe lunch at LHR T5
• LHR T5 Galleries Lounge
• Club Europe flight from London to Paris
• The Concorde Room at T5
• Elemis Spa Treatment (complimentary) for Mom in the British Airways T5 Lounge (pre-booked)
• British Airways First Class flight from London Heathrow to Philadelphia

So this was our itinerary for Mom’s first trip to Paris & London to see the highlights on our Mother/Daughter trip to Europe.  It’s much different from the ten day itinerary I planned for my niece’s first trip to Paris Itinerary Kids & London Itinerary Kids, but the common thread for both is that all meltdowns can easily be solved by ice cream, especially Magnum Ice Cream bars!

Have you traveled with a parent?  What did you learn about the planning and/or trip that you can share with others?

** A 2-4-1 Travel Together ticket is a bonus for using the Chase British Airways credit card and spending $30k in one year.  Thankfully, the award is valid for two years, since I earned that from my former job because I don’t normally spend that much on my credit card in a year.  You need to then redeem Avios points for one ticket and you get one free, the only technicality for many is the taxes associated with the award are expensive.

Golden Tours is a local London tour company that I’ve used for many attractions.  Check out their offerings. (Note that I may earn affiliate commission if you book something – don’t worry it’s only a few pence).