Up until this past week, I had no idea there was a section of Manhattan called Turtle Bay. Seriously! Turtle Bay is technically on the east side of Midtown Manhattan. It extends from either 41st or 43rd Streets to 53rd Street, and eastward from Lexington Avenue to the East River’s western branch, facing Roosevelt Island (Thanks Wiki!). With my knowledge intact, I was able to discover a gorgeous and brand new hotel on 47th between 3rd and 2nd that is a must for anyone this holiday season and beyond. This location is called The Bernic, and after my experience there this weekend it is definitely a place you are going to want to check into.
Here are the facts about The Bernic to get you a little more familiar. The property lies just blocks away from the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal and within striking distance from the shopping destinations of midtown Manhattan, Rockefeller Center and Times Square. Floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies in almost every room offer a view, so vivid, guests will almost be able to touch the city’s iconic skyline. The property commissioned blind contour artist Ian Sklarsky to produce works for the lobby, public areas and for every guest room, taking cues from the nearby United Nations with a weltanschauung theme centered on eight “cities of the world.”
I did a two night stay there from Friday to Sunday, and was met with a ton of fantastic positives upon my checkout on Sunday morning. For one thing, I am incredibly impressed that this was built from the ground up, which general manager David Lopez briefed me on over the weekend. I found it made for a much more authentic experience, as there is a bigger sense of pride for an establishment who starts from nothing and ends up making something that is quite spectacular. Also, as someone who inhabits several parts of Manhattan, I really do enjoy that The Bernic is somewhat left of center as this part of the city isn’t busy at all yet is only a couple of blocks away from Grand Central which practically gets you everywhere.
The Bernic was nice enough to set me up in one of their superior king rooms on the 8th floor, which was stunning upon first entrance. The room is built sort of like a short hallway that emerges into a plush bedroom, with windows that adorn the sights of New York City and so much more. Fully equipped with complimentary WIFI, APPLE TV and more amenities, the overall theme and look of the room itself was quite lovely as it had a gorgeous blue color to it, not to mention how incredibly comfortable the bed was. Cap it off with a spacious bathroom and shower, and you are left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated on each day you left for the big city.
They also have a fabulous Italian restaurant on premise called Allora, which serves as a great example of not having to leave The Bernic to experience some of the best Italian cuisine in Manhattan. Myself and a guest dined there on Saturday, and were beyond thrilled with the quality of food we were presented with, not to mention the hospitality that we received as well. With a “spirit of Old New York” mentality, Allora is a great place for tourists to get the vibe that they are dining at a place celebrities like Frank Sinatra would’ve ate at back in the day, which I love. Standout dishes for us included their Pollo Mt. Etna, which is Chicken with sweet and cherry peppers in an aged reduced balsamic vinegar (the best balsamic vinegar I have had, maybe ever), as well as their Scampi Alla Milanese, which has Shrimp in a light pink sauce with anchovies and capers. Simply delicious. More information can be found here.
Want even more amenities with The Bernic? Guests at the Bernic will be treated to luxe touches like a bespoke pre-arrival concierge app, house-made signature lavender lemonade and the exquisite scent of white tea and thyme wafting through the halls. Rooms feature radiant floor heating, bath amenities by Beekman 1802, complimentary coffee via an en-suite Nespresso machine, luxury linens and terry, Sterns and Foster luxury bed, turndown service via Chocolat Moderne and a book collection curated by Strand Bookstore.
What’s even better is that their prices are not through the roof so it won’t break the bank either before or after the holiday. I highly recommend trying The Bernic out on for size and see if it fits. Chances are, it will. For more information, check out their official site.