Highlights of my 36 hours in NYC
Where to stay, what to eat, what to see and what massage you MUST get...
If you read last week’s email, you know that I lived in NYC briefly after college while working for the brand Theory. IMO the best way to enjoy NYC, if you aren’t privately funded by your parents (which I wasn’t) and aren’t a millionaire (not yet at least!), is through visiting. You get to enjoy the sights! the food! the culture! without killing yourself with the NYC work grind while also simultaneously not being able to afford anything you want to do :)
This trip was by far my quickest. Just 36 hours. I definitely recommend going for longer, but I had to squeeze this trip in between all the kid’s end of school activities and some upcoming post school travel. I took the 6am flight to have more time, which I hope to never do again because that wake up time nearly killed me. As I am getting older, I am realizing I have some limitations :) and strong preferences.
Why the quick trip? I am working on an iteration of something I have had in my head for two years and my husband finally said - you need to just go and get it started. So I did! I hope to share it with you all soon.
The moral of my NYC story though, is be curious. Be curious about people. Introduce yourself. Be open. Stay connected. Because you never know who you might meet and how that person might help you on your journey.
#1 Where to Stay
There are two hotels I always try to stay at in the city but because of the last minute nature of my trip, both were too expensive. I love The Marlton Hotel in Greenwich Village for its European charm. The rooms are small, but beautifully appointed. The finishes are stunning and the attention to detail is something you can feel. The hotel only has 107 rooms which I love. When in NYC, I try to avoid huge hotels filled with tourists, but instead love to seek out little gems, like The Marlton. Like in Europe, they also offer a free breakfast each morning - I usually prefer to sit in the greenhouse for the lovely light. The location of this hotel is one of my favorites too.
The second hotel I love is the Public Hotel on the Lower East Side. It was designed by Ian Schrager (of Studio 54 fame) and has 367 rooms. The second I walked into my room I was totally hooked. The rooms are completely wood paneled, which rounded corners and it feels like you are on a ship. Such gorgeous design. And the way the bed is lofted into the floor to ceiling window nook so you go to bed looking at the incredible sky line - amazing. They also have a super vibey lobby and fantastic elevator for taking photos :)
#2 To See
The most jaw dropping thing to see in New York right now (that is totally free!) is the French department store, Printemps, that just opened in the Financial District. The one word to describe it is SUMPTUOUS. Every single detail has been considered - the colors, the finishes, the textures, the merchandise…Literally everywhere you look it is a feast for the senses. I would plan to grab a drink or quick bite in their floor level cafe or one of their stunning bars. And be sure you see the whole store!! The women’s shoe gallery is probably one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever been in. And be sure to use the restroom too because I don’t think a more gorgeous public restroom exists.
#3 Treat Yourself / Body
Trust me on this one. You MUST go to Four Seasons Body Work on 8th Street. You will look at it from the street and see the slightly run down interior and well used leather recliners and think - am I really doing this? Yes, yes you are. For $37 you will have the best 60 minute leg massage of your life (or you can do 90 minutes!) You literally cannot beat the price. Or the firm pressure of the massage. Many of the massage therapists do not speak great English, but the person behind the desk does. One reason I also love The Marlton Hotel is that it is on the same block as Four Seasons :) so it makes stopping in so easy. And because Four Seasons is open until 1am I have been known to stop in after dinner. Usually, I go multiple times when I am in town because you cannot beat the price or the massage. If you go, you MUST let me know what you think!
#4 Treat Yourself / Breakfast
New York is full of fantastic food. If you are looking for a great coffee and pastry spot, Maman is a great option. The vibe feels feminine / French country and is replicated in all of their shops. Oprah is obsessed with one of their cookies and Martha Stewart just did a collab with them. But for me, it’s about the gorgeous and delicious pastries.
#5 PIZZA
NYC pizza is a thing, right? But where to go? We lean towards square cut, thicker crust these days so here are my two top recommendations.
My husband and I stumbled upon Village Square Pizza (5 locations in the city) on our last trip totally by accident. One look at this pizza and you know it’s going to be incredible. The other spot is Prince Street Pizza (just 1 location in NYC but one just opened in Chicago and there are multiple in CA and a couple other cities.) Same thing, we were starving and walked past and the vibe pulled us in. There is nothing like a great slice of pizza.
That’s it for this week! As always if you want to follow me on @alischwebel I would love it :) And feel free to drop me a note via DM or in the comments below.
I know we are all busy, so the fact that you took the time to read this post means so much. I am truly so glad you are here. And if you like what you are reading, consider sharing “me” with your friends!