New York, more specifically Manhattan has a rough area of 22 square miles and somehow over 650 hotels manage to cram into there. A densely populated island which gives it the unique skyline it has. The issue is if you book any one of those 650+ hotels your views are typically poor, there are exceptions with the likes of Trump international, The Pierre, The Ritz Carlton, Etc but with price tags North of £400 per night excluding fees and breakfast you best have deep pockets. As a photographer by day (or by night for that matter) I know perspective is everything. To truly appreciate Manhattan you have to be an outsider looking in. Look at the opening scenes of Paul Giamatti and Damien Lewis’ “Billions” or “Suits” or any other big movie or TV show shot in NY and you’ll soon see what I mean.
Z Hotel NYC, Based on Long Island is what I would deem to be one of the most awe-inspiring hotels in New York. Checking in after a mid-day flight from the UK walking into the room and having this view. Breathtaking, truly amazing even for someone who visits the area a couple of times a year.
The room its self was a “Superior Room with 1 Queen Bed” which was plenty of big enough. A nice walk-in shower with a good few bars of pressure, Toiletries from Hermès was a nice touch. The bed was a bit of a hindrance in the sense that you didn’t really want to leave it.
With travelling from the UK you have a very nice little biological advantage of waking up “early” on your first morning there. As much of a struggle as it is to leave a comfy bed, you are rewarded in troves. Sunrise over NYC, the night time view might be astonishing but you then go to sleep. Starting your day on the rooftop terrace watching the sunrise is a must. You could just lay in bed and have the same view but you don’t get the full experience, the noise, the fresh air,
Onto breakfast, if you aren’t having a local toasted bagel you’re doing it wrong. Mix in some full-fat Philadelphia, some bacon or even both with a coffee, OJ and some fruit and you’re ready to tackle the concrete jungle.
Z Hotel offers free shuttles for guests from the hotel to Manhattan (60th street subway entrance, Lexington) every hour from 07:00. You do have to book them but it is as simple as saying your name at reception and however many people are in your group. The shuttle drivers are locals and extremely friendly, What does it matter that they are local? They know who’s playing tonight, They know all the best places to visit for drinks, food, shopping, etc. They know the weather for the coming week. They know if there are any planned disruptions on the subway. You can get any of this information whilst taking the trip across the Queensboro Bridge. Take note though the last shuttle back is at 23:30
Included in the room were a couple of complimentary drinks vouchers at their sports bar in the lower level. A plethora of screens all showing different games there’s something for most sports fans.
