Imagine waking up in a lavish suite with the day ahead full of indulgences that only the economic powerhouse that is the Big Apple could provide. In a city that millionaires frequent, the options for visitors to treat themselves are wide-ranging and can include opulent hotels or VIP access on Broadway.
Groups hoping to develop a dream vacation to New York City or to include just one extravagant item on their itinerary can rest assured that the most populous city in the country knows how to create memorable luxury experiences. Pamper your group with any of these restaurants, hotels, shopping excursions and upscale attractions for a carefree trip to the City That Never Sleeps.
La Sirena
A wealthy businessman in New York has to take his clients to the most fashionable new restaurant in town. La Sirena fits that bill, as the restaurant’s modern and elevated Italian trattoria fare has garnered much positive attention.
“La Sirena recently opened at the Maritime Hotel in Chelsea,” said Chris Heywood, senior vice president of global communications for NYC & Company, the city’s tourism promotion office. “It has a 40-foot enclosed glass bar. It’s very chic.”
Opened in February by renowned chefs Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, La Sirena features favorite dishes like baby octopus Siracusa-style and grilled swordfish Messinese. Its stunning bar sits as the centerpiece to the two elegant dining rooms that each seat about 100 people.
Daniel
For traditional groups that may not want the trendiest spot of the moment, try instead a five-star restaurant with staying power. Daniel has solidified its reputation over the years as one of the most acclaimed fine-dining restaurants in New York.
Started in 1993 by Daniel Boulud, the restaurant found immediate critical success for its modern French dishes. A renovation in 2008 styled the restaurant with Neoclassical archways, 18-foot coffered ceilings and colorful paintings.
The refined interior, first-rate service, world-class wines and signature dishes such as black sea bass with Sarawak pepper ensure diners leave eager to return.
The Beekman
An 1883 building that housed the first performance of “Hamlet” in New York will open one of the most highly anticipated luxury hotels in the city. The Beekman’s summer opening will reveal extensive renovations to the terra-cotta and brick architectural gem.
“Luxury is alive and well in the hotel sector,” said Heywood. “The Beekman Hotel’s opening is very exciting. It’s an absolutely beautiful hotel.”
The landmark building that previously served as a theater, one of the city’s first high-rises and where Edgar Allan Poe crafted much of his work, will welcome guests with high ceilings, vintage furnishings and spacious marble baths.
Waldorf Astoria New York
With a history so famous it has inspired a popular salad of the same name, the Waldorf Astoria New York continues to serve as the standard for opulent accommodations in the Big Apple. The 1,232-room hotel offers not only lavish rooms, but also a sought-after spa and a five-star dining experience.
The 1931 hotel, which has served as host to royalty, presidents and Hollywood stars such as Frank Sinatra, has stayed modern with recent renovations totaling $300 million. The hotel oozes with ornate style in the heart of the city, with the theater district, Fifth Avenue shops and Central Park all within walking distance.