Tag Archives: Sex and the City

New York in Autumn

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Autumn is the best time to visit New York, the weather is mild but bright and the city has calmed down after the summer craziness. As this was my second trip to NYC, I had already ticked off most of the must-see sights and so we were able to indulge, seeking out aspects of the city that most interested us, including food, cocktails, nail bars, coffee shops, art and design. Following recommendations helped us find our way around while also discovering hidden gems, here’s what we found:

Sleep

Sherry Netherland – a palace of style and sophistication, located on the corner of Central Park amongst the gorgeous designer outlets of 5th Avenue, this hotel defines luxury and offers sensational views of the impressive city skyline.
Giraffe Hotel – a cute and quirky boutique hotel: a cosy place to stay with a relaxing lounge to hang out in and have breakfast. Stylish enough to earn a place in the Sex and the City film (one of the suites was used for Big’s office!)

Eat

The Breslin – this super cool restaurant and bar is located inside the Ace Hotel, and is fun even just for a drink. Try the cocktails, indulge in a British classic dish and have your photo taken in the retro booth… a memorable haunt.
The Burger Joint at Meridien Parker – inside a posh hotel behind a red velvet curtain is a humble burger joint… offering perhaps the best burgers in town for just six dollars. Only in New York would you find such a crazy juxtaposition, and such insanely good burgers.
Prospect – if you are travelling into Brooklyn, this trendy eatery is well worth a try… offering indulgent dishes and cool drinks with a jazzy soundtrack.
The Modern at Moma – a magical Michelin star restaurant adjoining the brilliant modern art museum. Indulge in beautiful food and exceptional cooking. The lunch menu is particularly reasonable.

Drink

Employees Only – a secret bar near Bleecker Street with divine cocktails… sit at the bar for people watching and to pick up tricks of the mixology trade. E.O won best cocktail bar a few years ago, a well deserved accolade.
Death & Co – a moody prohibition cocktail bar serving up exquisite cocktails and great bar food.
Blue Bottle – the best coffee in Brooklyn, creamy, smooth, divine.
Black Book – our favourite coffee shop in Williamsburg, oodles of character and charm and great coffee too.

Shop

I must admit our shopping was not as successful as we had hoped, both prepared to break the bank if we couldn’t resist NY steals…
Dylan’s Candy Store – the ultimate sweet shop
Victoria’s Secrets – for pretty underwear
Mast Brothers – a chocolate empire… wondrously big bars of dark chocolate in a variety of flavours, packaged up in patterned paper.
We found the most intriguing boutiques in Williamsburg, Brooklyn… visit on a Saturday morning for the weekend buzz when the independent shops and vintage stores are all open and ready to bargain with you.

See

High Line – a transformed railway track allows keen walkers to see the city while wandering down a lovely new path.
9/11 Memorial – a poignant memorial of America’s traumatic attack is realised on the site. Two thunderous waterfalls mark the loss.
The Met Warhol Exhibition tells the tale of this famous pop artist while also illustrating his influence on contemporary artists.
Guggenheim – Picasso Black & White – the current show at the great Guggenheim, a monochrome treat for Picasso fans.
Sex and the City Tour – the girlies’ guide to New York… follow in the four fashionistas’ footsteps, travelling by coach to their most familiar hang-outs.
Spiderman musical on Broadway – the most extravagant show in town… though damned by the critics, no-one can deny that it has the wow factor.
A gig at Le Poisson Rouge – we were lucky enough to catch British band Michahu and the Shapes at this hip Bleecker Street venue. Join the students at Le Poisson Rouge where there is always an intriguing band to discover.

No city moves faster than New York, so any write-up feels instantly out of date… at least if you are visiting soon, you will have a few thoroughly modern tips to get you started.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MISS: Sex and the City Tour, New York

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As Manchester is the rainiest city in the UK, I took full advantage of miserable, wet days whilst at University by snuggling up with girlfriends on the sofa and delving into the Sex and the City boxset. How we all wished we were the SATC girls, living a fabulous life that revolved around gossiping, shopping and endless cocktails in New York City. I knew the words to practically every episode by heart and felt like the famous four were long lost friends. So when Milly told me that we would be visiting all the sites where our idols spent their time, I could hardly contain my excitement.

As 40 giggling girls, plus 3 men (obviously dragged along by their persuasive girlfriends) clambered onboard the tour bus in the Upper East Side, it started to rain, which immediately took me back to those days in Manchester, where my love of SATC first began. Milly and I adored our tour guide, a part time actress from Manhattan, who we decided we would quite like to adopt as our very cool and seriously fun older sister. She instantly had all 43 tour goers whooping and cheering, in the mood for a very good time.

As the tour navigated the city, various locations from the six series and the most recent films were pointed out. The coach was kitted out with small televisions, and as we drove past exciting landmarks, we were shown short clips that took place right where we passing. We started at The Plaza Hotel, where Carrie said goodbye to Mr. Big and also where Mr. Big hosted his engagement party – to another woman! Our driver took us through the Upper East Side, passing the New York Library where Carrie and Big nearly tied the knot, then stopping for a quick browse of the ‘Pleasure Chest’ where Charlotte bought her ‘rabbit’. A few tour goers made some cheeky purchases, which they were too embarrassed to ‘show and tell’ to the rest of the bus – I wonder why?! Moving downtown to SoHo, we were given enough time for a speedy pit stop for boutique shopping in Bleeker Street and more importantly to refuel with coffee and a super sweet Magnolia Bakery cupcake. After a walk around historic Greenwich Village, what better way to end the tour than heading to Scout, the bar Aidan and Steve opened on the show, for the cocktail SATC made famous – the  Cosmopolitan.

Our experience on the Sex and the City tour was so enjoyable, I would thoroughly recommend this to any girls seeking a small piece of Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte’s fabulous New York lifestyle.

For more info, visit: www.screentours.com and www.nycgo.com

Written by a Thoroughly Modern Miss, Susie Hemsted.

Hotel Giraffe, New York

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We arrived very late at the Giraffe Hotel, exhausted from the flight and over-excited about our arrival in New York. I was massively relieved when we were greeted quickly by an understanding member of staff who allowed us upstairs to our room without extensive questioning. Though dark outside, the room still glowed luxuriously, a comforting retreat decorated in warm reds and browns. We collapsed into the giant plush bed and fell sound asleep despite the honking and hooting of cabs outside.

Giraffe Hotel is the first member from the family of Library hotels that we visited. Inspired by the architecture and design of the Art Moderne period, this hotel hopes to embody the power, grace and beauty found in the animal kingdom’s tallest member! The ‘look’ is classic and traditional but with an updated modern twist. Our room was heavenly, more of a suite with a large living area and huge bed, I felt sad we could only stay one night. Thoughtful touches could be found everywhere, a little box of chocolates and wine, lush plants adorning every corner and a little library of vintage books on the shelf. The list of complimentary amenities in the hotel is impressive and includes: passes to a nearby fitness centre, wine and cheese reception each day, selection of daily newspapers and high speed internet throughout the building.

We were most excited to hear about Hotel Giraffe’s recent role in Sex and the City: The Movie. Apparently the Piano Suite was transformed into Mr. Big’s apartment, a fact also mentioned during our special Sex and the City tour of Manhattan. It makes sense too, the rooms are characterful yet businesslike, perfect for adapting for films.

The downstairs grand lobby is a hub of activity: friends meet, guests mingle and visitors chat over coffee and bagels. We sat here for a while the next morning at a cute table by the window with lots of light, the perfect place for our map plotting and planning. Breakfast at the Giraffe is a relaxed help-yourself European style buffet, with endless coffee, cakes, croissants, fruit and cereal. All fresh and yummy and we had to restrain from gorging too much… it was definitely not a good idea to try every flavour of the mini madeleine cakes.

We were sad to say goodbye to the Giraffe so soon, this hotel offers a calm and comfortable place to refresh and restore whilst staying in this exciting city.

More information here.

http://www.hotelgiraffe.com/