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Theater Review: 9 to 5 the Musical

Technically, the name of this online publication is Manhattan Digest. And it’s easy for our New York elitism to bleed through into…well…practically every aspect of our daily lives. Sometimes we Gothamites are so deeply entrenched in our belief that New York City is the center of it all, that we fail to take notice to the notable offerings around us. I use the collective “we” here, because I too, have been guilty of this snobbery.

This happened last weekend when I crawled out of my hole of oblivion and hopped an Amtrak train from Penn Station to Philadelphia. Granted, I was there to to run a half marathon,but prior to my departure, I was reminded of the terrific and often overlooked theater scene dwelling in Pennsylvania’s largest metropolis. It was here where I saw a delightful and improved stage version of Dolly Parton’s notorious film about eighties working girls, 9 to 5: The Musical.

The show had a short life when it opened on Broadway in April 2009. Critics found it tawdry and dated and although Parton’s name and influence was present, it wasn’t enough to generate box office dollars. The production, in Times Square’s Marriot Marquis closed 6 months later in September. Since then, it has found its’ groove among regional theaters, including the well regarded Walnut Street theatre where it is enjoying a run through Oct. 19th.

This story of girl power centers on Violet Newstead (Dee Hoty), Doralee Rhodes (Amy Bodnar), and Judy Bernly (Amanda Rose). This spunky trio punches the daily clock and attempts to climb the corporate ladder but is shot down at every angle by their misogynistic boss, Franklin Hart, Jr. (Paul Schoeffler). If that weren’t enough, they must deal with Hart’s obsessively loyal administrative assistant, Roz Keith (Mindy Dougherty). Violet cautions an overwhelmed Judy on her first day that Roz is Mr. Hart’s eyes, ears, and throat and “if you want to gossip in the ladies room, check under the stalls for feet first.” The women concoct a plan to kidnap Hart and finagle a way for Roz to attend a French Vocabulary School. They continue on their mission to teach Hart a lesson on respect.

The premise is implausible, but the sense of nostalgia is perfectly intact. So are the vocals from this predominantly female cast. Each of them have their moment to shine and deliver Parton’s score with fresh vivacity and vigor. It is possible that producers caught wind of the weaknesses of the Broadway production and the criticism that it felt out of date. In this version, a pre-recorded Dolly Parton welcomes the show via digital projection and introduces all of the leading players. Parton informs the audience that the show takes place in a time when “apples and blackberries were things I picked from the field” and knowingly winks at the time frame. Admit it: If Dolly Parton can’t bring a smile to your face, you’re either the world’s crankiest person or you’ve had one too many botox injections.

There is nothing overly cerebral about the story, but it remains a feel-good satire on the injustices and monotony of office life. It also provides the opportunity to hear some fresh Grammy nominated music from Dolly, delivered by a Broadway quality talent. So, dispense with your New York City highbrow attitude and shower our neighboring city of brotherly love with a bit of romance.

9 to 5: The Musical is now playing at Philadelphia’s Walnut Street Theatre (825 Walnut Street) now through Oct. 19th. For tickets and information, visit: http://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/ or call 215-574-3550.

Aloft Hotel 100 Days Of Music Kick Off Tuesday!

by Ryan Shea

What is better than 100 straight days of some of the best music out there today? How about a chance to win a free night at one of the best hotels in the New York City area? You heard that right, famed hotel chain Aloft is opening up its 100th Hotel and is celebrating it in a big way- by kicking off 100 days of music with Rock & Roll heavyweights Better Than Ezra this coming Tuesday at their location in the heart of Brooklyn at 216 Duffield Street. The show starts at 7pm.

Better Than Ezra is a band that has been around for more than 20 years now, spurring chart topping hits like “Good” from their debut album “Deluxe” as well as other big time hits such as “In The Blood”, “Desperately Wanting” and “King Of Now Orleans” which all fared very well on the rock charts and stations at the time. They are back with their first album in more than five years called “All Together Now” which was just released on September 9th. This album finds Better Than Ezra collaborating Grammy nominated producer Tony Hoffer, who has worked with the likes of legends from Beck to Depeche Mode just to name a few. Should be a big performance to help Aloft Hotels celebrate their 100th hotel and the kickoff of 100 nights of music.

Now all of my readers have a chance to get in on the fun. Hit up [email protected] to enter into a contest for a free night at the Aloft Hotels and a chance to meet Better Than Ezra! I will email the winner on Tuesday morning! Good luck to everyone! More information about Aloft Hotels on their official website. For all of you Manhattanites or visiting soon there are locations not only in Brooklyn but also in Harlem on Fredrick Douglass Blvd. Definitely a great place to stay if you are in the area!

Late Summer- New York City Photography

by Mark Giarrusso

Late summer in New York is always a slightly bittersweet time. Autumn is always beautiful here but the days are shorter, the weather will soon cool, and the leaves will change color and fall to the ground. New Yorkers know how dreary winter can be weather wise and they are always looking to make the most out of every summer day. Here are some scenes from around Central Park of people doing just that.

Summer in the City — Wedding Day, Central Park, NYC, Photo by Mark Giarrusso, 2014

4 World Trade Center Photos

by Mark Giarrusso

12 and a half years after the tragic day of September 11th, 2001 the new World Trade Center has risen in the Financial District in New York City. These photos were taken this spring from 4 World Trade before the building was entirely open to the public. Does it replace what was lost? No. Can it’s mere presence erase that horrible day from history? It can and will not. But that is not its function. Nor should it be. With views that sweep across New Jersey, New York Harbor, the Freedom Tower, and uptown with the Empire State Building dead center on the horizon, it simply reminds us that We Will Rise.

Photographers note: All of the below photos were taken with an iPhone as I was unable to bring my camera into the building.

World Trade 7 — 4 World Trade, NYC, 2014 Photo by Mark Giarrusso

World Trade 6 — 4 World Trade, NYC, 2014 Photo by Mark Giarrusso

World Trade 1 — 4 World Trade, NYC, 2014 Photo by Mark Giarrusso

World Trade 2 — 4 World Trade, NYC, 2014 Photo by Mark Giarrusso

World Trade 5 — 4 World Trade, NYC, 2014 Photo by Mark Giarrusso

World Trade 4 — 4 World Trade, NYC, 2014 Photo by Mark Giarrusso

World Trade 3 — 4 World Trade, NYC, 2014 Photo by Mark Giarrusso

Places To Stay in New York City- Casablanca Hotel

by Ryan Shea

One of the main reasons why tourists and people come to New York City has to be the inevitable location of Times Square. Known for its glitz and glamour for historic locations such as FAO Schwartz & Radio City Music Hall to its seemingly gritty aspect that still remains over the course of its existence, it is one place that people love to check out, take photos in, and enjoy the day or two seeing the sights. As someone who works semi in this district, I find myself surrounded by a bevy of different hotels, both boutique and chain, offering many types of amenities for your upcoming stay. So which one should you choose when you are visiting New York City? I recommend the Casablanca Hotel, located right in the heart of Times Square on 43rd between 6th and 7th Avenue. As part of the fabulous Library Hotel Collection, this of the four boasts the most frequented of the four areas where the others are located and has a clever and unique aspect that drive the others to be some of the most successful hotels in New York City.

Casablanca Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: Casablanca Hotel

Just for our readers, here is a bit of history about the Casablanca Hotel. The hotel is of course inspired by the 1940’s Academy Award winning movie “Casablanca” starring screen legends Humphrey Bogart & Ingrid Berman. An oasis of luminous Moroccan glamour and hospitality, The Casablanca Times Square is only outshined by its talented and eager to please staff. I recently stayed for a night at Casablanca, and was truly impressed by the look and feel of the hotel, from its beautiful and vibrant colors, and what struck me the most was the true inspiration that this hotel gets from the movie of the same name. As someone who is big into hospitality, the staff couldn’t have been anymore gracious or helpful in my short stay there, from the check in to check out I felt like a valued customer who would come back at a moments notice.

The great thing about the Casablanca Hotel is that just like the other hotels in the Library Hotel Collection, they offer several great amenities that make it worth the stay for sure. Take a look at these fabulous offers-

A lavish continental breakfast including hot oatmeal, boiled eggs, bagels and cream cheese, fresh whole fruit and fruit salad with berries, assorted cereals, yogurt, pastries, muffins, juices, freshly brewed coffee, tea, espresso and cappuccino served daily in Rick’s Cafe;
The New York Times, the Daily News and the New York Post are also available each morning.
Cookies, fresh fruit, coffees and teas throughout the day.
Prosecco, fine wines, imported and domestic cheeses, and hors d’oeuvres each evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wireless High Speed Internet access throughout the hotel, with a computer for guest use in the Rick’s Cafe.
Daily passes to the nearby New York Sports Club, which features a full range of cardio and strength-training equipment; aerobic, cycling and body-sculpting classes; and sauna.

They also have some great offers outside of the fantastic ones listed above to enhance your stay while you are in New York City. Here are a couple of really awesome ones-

The American Museum of Natural History Package-

Skip the line with 2 VIP passes for the American Museum of Natural History including special exhibitions, the planetarium and IMAX, along with great savings on your prepaid accommodations.

Top Of The Rock Package-

Enhance your stay with a trip to the Top of the Rock and enjoy a bird’s eye view of NYC! Stay 3 nights or more in 2014 and receive up to 20% off our standard rates, plus 2 tickets to the Top of the Rock observation deck. Enjoy the breathtaking views of New York City from the 69th floor of this iconic New York City venue.

So the next time you are visiting New York City or have a friend or family member that is doing so, why not recommend The Casablanca Hotel? It will sure be an experience they won’t forget. To learn more about these special offers as well as rates and much more check out their official website.

Places To Stay While In Manhattan- Hotel Giraffe

by Ryan Shea

Sometimes things come best in a set of three. TLC, Bacon Lettuce & Tomato, and of course those guy triplets that make you giddy whenever you see them (hehe). Another shining example is the Library Hotel Collection, which has allowed me the privilege to stay in three of their four wonderful hotels (Casablanca Hotel Soon!). The first was The Library Hotel two weeks ago, followed by The Hotel Elysee last week, and finally I had the amazing experience by rounding it out with their last hotel, Hotel Giraffe.

Of all the hotels that I stayed in with the collection, this one happened to be the most current and modern just by way of design, architecture, and sophistication that it brought throughout. Whereas Elysee was more “Old New York” and Library felt like a “Posh Reading & Sleeping Experience”, Hotel Giraffe was a more modern take on the three. Located in the heart of Gramercy, which is now known by NoMad, I truly got to experience what a fantastic place this was. I loved how the room was designed, and it featured splashes of red (my favorite color) throughout. The bed itself was super comfy as well as the other amenities in the room such as the big couch, the beautifully designed bathroom, and beyond anything the lovely hospitality to which I was treated.

During my stay I sat down with Director of Sales & Marketing Ashley Van Goehring about how Hotel Giraffe started and what it has going on for the hot summer months. Take a look.

When was the Hotel Giraffe founded?

Hotel Giraffe opened its doors to the public in December, 1999. This December marks our 15^th birthday.

What does your hotel pride itself upon?

Like each property in the Library Hotel Collection, Hotel Giraffe prides itself on our excellent customer service and our ability to create a unique and exciting experience for our guests. From the minute you are greeted at the front door, we want you to feel like you’re at your ‘home away from home’. We were so proud to receive a 2014 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor because it really reinforces how important the guest experience is for people visiting New York City!

I got a very modern, sleek type feel when I stayed there. Is this what guests should expect upon their stay?

The style and architecture of the hotel is inspired by the Art Moderne period, so there is absolutely a sophisticated grace in the lobby, rooftop and guestrooms. I personally find that though our style exudes that subtle sophistication, it’s the warmth of the hotel that bring people back!

You are located right in the heart of the NoMad district. What restaurants or places do you recommend your guest see when they stay at Giraffe?

We are delighted to be a part of such a vibrant neighborhood, which is now commonly referred to as NoMad. We always recommend the rustic-Italian inspired Bread & Tulips, located in Hotel Giraffe. Guests of the hotel receive a 20% discount when dining in the restaurant! And because we’re in the warmer months of the year, we are happy to boast about the Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Giraffe, located on our 12^th floor. It has become quite a popular neighborhood destination for cocktails and appetizers! Of course, we are also so fortunate to be located near the famous Shake Shack in Madison Square Park!

What are some of the awesome amenities that your hotel provides?

We proudly offer Library Hotel Collection’s Signature Guest Amenities:

Continental style breakfast buffet in the Grand Lobby

Selection of coffee, tea, juices, cookies, and fruits throughout the day

Wine & cheese reception evenings from 5pm-8pm

Wireless high speed Internet access

Evening turndown service

Passes to nearby New York Sports Club

Is this the only Hotel Giraffe in the world or are there more?

There are no other Hotel Giraffe’s in the world, but we are happy that our LHC family is expanding! The Aria Hotel Prague which we launched 10 years ago has rejoined our collection and are excited to open the Aria Hotel Budapest in late 2014. We are also going to be opening Hotel X Toronto in Canada in 2015, it’s a wonderful time to be a part of this collection

Do your rooms have particular themes like some others in the Library Hotel Collections?

Though our rooms are not individually themed, in each room our guests will absolutely enjoy a relaxed atmosphere featuring captivating photography. And if you look closely, from the room number plagues to the copy of Tall Blondes located in each room, you’ll find quite a few subtle hints of giraffe!

What else can you tell my readers about your fabulous hotel?

We are currently offering a quirky and romantic Summer package, Summer Fling! Upon arrival, guests who reserve this package receive 2 express tickets to the Empire State Building, a $20 gift certificate to Shake Shack and voucher good for 2 complimentary cocktails on our Rooftop Lounge. This special is available through August on our direct website, www.hotelgiraffe.com.

The Hotel Giraffe

365 Park Avenue South

212-685-7700

Hotel Elysee- Old New York In The Modern Era

by Ryan Shea

When we live in such a modern world that we do with all the technology available at a moment’s notice, sometimes it is good to just stick with the classics. So when you are looking into a nice hotel to stay in, why not one that boasts the stay of legends like Marlon Brando, James Caan and Tennessee Williams? This is of course, The Hotel Elysee. This legendary establishment, which has been around for almost 100 years, is located in the heart of midtown and is surrounded by beautiful scenery, restaurants and so much more. I got the opportunity to stay one night over the weekend and had a wonderful time.

Manhattan Digest, Hotel Elysee — Credit to: Hotel Elysee

The room itself was gigantic. Like mind-blowingly huge! But it was filled with so many beautiful items. The grand piano (which actually worked) was magnificent and really added such a nice touch to the entire experience. I loved all of the beautiful portraits that was on the walls and coffee tables, as well as the incredible furniture that covered most of the room. The bedroom itself was super comfortable, and included my very own terrace!

As an avid television watcher, I was happy to see that there were two separate ones in the bedroom and the living room. This space is large enough to entertain multiple guests, so I would recommend that instead of going out for the night why not stay in at the Hotel Elysee and host your guests? Overall, with the hospitality and the amazing room it was a fantastic stay that I hope to experience again.

While I was there, I got to interview Cheryl Golde, Director of Sales & Marketing, about the Hotel Elysee and what makes it so unique and awesome.

When was the Hotel Elysee founded?

It was founded in 1926.

What does your hotel pride itself upon?

Our customer service and our staff for sure 🙂

I got a very classic, old fashioned type feel in my particular hotel stay. Is this what guests should expect upon their stay?

Yes, we are absolutely “old world, old New York”

What restaurants or places do you recommend people check out that are nearby to Hotel Elysee?

We definitely recommend the Monkey Bar located in the hotel as well as Cellini, just across the street.

What are some of the awesome amenities that your hotel provides?

Complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary nightly wine & hors d’oeuvres reception from 5-8pm, complimentary wifi, complimentary passes to NYSC, 2 complimentary bottles of water upon arrival and a Belgian chocolate bar.

Is this the only Hotel Elysee in the world or are there more?

There are other Hotel Elysee’s, however they are not affiliated us.

Do your rooms have particular themes like some others in the Library Hotel Collections?

Each of our Presidential Suites is themed after an individual. We have the Presidential Suite honoring Vladimir Horowitz (which houses his piano), the Presidential Suite honoring Tennessee Williams and the Presidential Suite honoring Vaclav Havel.

What else can you tell my readers about your fabulous hotel?

The Hotel Elysee is on East 54^th Street between Park and Madison Avenues and is walking distance from the world’s best shopping such as Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, just to name a few. The Hotel Elysee has been home to movie stars such as Marlon Brando, Ava Gardner, Sidney Poitier, John Barrymore and James Caan as well as to artists such as Maria Callas and Vladimir Horowitz, whose personal piano still stands in the Hotel’s Piano Suite. In addition, famed writers such as Tennessee Williams, Harold Robins and James Clavell and legends such as Joe DiMaggio and Tallulah Bankhead have called the Elysée home over the years. The original concept of the European-style hotel was to offer “discreet and uncompromising” personalized service, which it continues to do each and every day. The Hotel Elysee has been home to the Monkey Bar since it opened. Today, Graydon Carter, the editor of Vanity Fair and owner of the Waverly Inn is the new owner with his partners Hotelier Jeff Klein and Jeremy King.

Hotel Elysee

60 E 54th St

(212) 753-1066

Official Site

The Library Hotel- A Unique Stay at a Beautiful Place

by Ryan Shea

Hard to believe that even in a city like New York you can run into a rut when it comes to finding something creative and unique to spark many facets of your mind. Well I believe I found it this past weekend when I stayed at the truthfully beautiful Library Hotel, located on Madison Avenue between 41^st and 42^nd Street. This is part of the “Library Hotel Collection”, which boasts itself on the main page as “A Novel Approach To Hospitality”. That is quite the understatement. Two things I never thought I would say in a single sentence is “Fabulous Hotel Stay” and “Dewey Decimal System”. Why would these be together? Stay tuned to find out.

I went into my experience at The Library Hotel as I do with most of my reviews with not doing too much research and going in with low expectations as my hope when I leave is that I am blown away to a certain extent. The Library Hotel met my expectations and so much more. The hotel is in a fabulous location in the first place, as it is nearby Times Square but isn’t surrounded by the exhaustive traffic that the main part of the area experiences. Upon my entrance something that I noticed, on top of the fantastic hospitality that I experienced, I noticed an assortment of books throughout the main lobby. Now this really wasn’t a shock to me as it is called The Library Hotel, but upon further investigation I found out that each floor was devoted to each classification of the Dewey Decimal System. TOTES COOL!

Library Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The Library Hotel

For instance, I was on the 5^th floor which is considered Pure Science (not my best subject in school FYI). I stayed in the epically cool Dinosaur room, which is located adjacent to the Astronomy room. The way the room was designed and colored was stunning, from its beautiful white bed and shades of brown throughout the bedroom to the variety of blues in the gorgeous bathroom. Of course there were countless books about Dinosaurs, which brought me back to my high school days but I was able to divulge in a couple of them while I stayed which made the experience that much better.

This hotel screams for a quiet atmosphere (nice juxtaposition ay). You feel as if you are staying at a hotel version of either a lovely café or an upscale Library. Something that was a bit off for me when I checked in was how small the television was, however this place isn’t designed for you to sit around and watch repeats of shows you can watch at home. I get the sense that they want you to experience all it has to offer. And boy does it have a lot to offer. When you stay at The Library Hotel, you get these fantastic amenities to go along with-

Bountiful continental breakfast buffet every morning including pastries, bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, cold and hot cereals, boiled eggs, yogurt, juices, freshly brewed coffee, tea, espresso and cappuccino.
Evening reception offering Prosecco, fine wines, imported and domestic cheeses, fresh bread, crackers, and crudités.
Selection of coffee, cappuccino, teas, juices, cookies, and fruits throughout the day served in the Reading Room.
Wired and wireless high speed Internet access throughout the Hotel.
Access to New York Sports Clubs throughout Manhattan.
Evening turndown service with bottled water and Belgian chocolates.
Access to a selection of DVDs, daily newspapers and over 6,000 books.

One of my favorite parts of the Hotel was The Reading Room, which is mentioned above. It reminded me of a Barnes N Noble type, and the assortment of food they provide was quite delectable. I sat down the other day with VP of Sales Adele Gutman (sweetest lady ever!) and Director Of Sales Ivana Bolf, to find out more about this amazing location. The hotel started roughly 14 years ago in 2000, and was able to weather the tough storm that was 9/11. Something they delightfully describe is how customers will love the vast amount of rooms they have that coincide with how the Dewey Decimal system operates. “We have such unique rooms from The Fairy Tale Room to the Erotica room and the one you stayed in. We really want the people who stay here to really love each and every moment of it”. A lot of hotels have gone through its ups and downs in the flip flop of an economy since 2000, so when I asked how has this hotel stayed so popular throughout (and even named one of the best boutique hotels in NYC), the answer was simple. “We believe in making a human connection. When people come from near and far to stay with us, we want them to know that we are there for them throughout their stay. Making eye to eye connection, taking care of whatever their wants and needs and providing an excellent experience with the amenities we provide are the reasons why we have been able to do so well over the years”, says the lovely Adele.

Even if you aren’t a huge cultural or literary aficionado, I would highly recommend staying at The Library Hotel. It is such an incredible experience that anyone who is traveling near and far should stay at. Take a look at their official website for more information and check back here for future Library Hotel Collection reviews.

The Library Hotel

299 Madison Avenue (Between 41st and 42nd Street)

(212) 983-4500

Tryp Hotel In Times Square South- My Review

by Ryan Shea

TRYP Hotel, Manhattan Digest — Credit to: The TRYP Hotel

When it comes to lodging in New York City, the options are plentiful, luxuriating and for whatever price point you pay should leave you feeling happy that you stayed. You can stay at a hotel chain that is worldwide known or even one that is only local to the Manhattan area. I was lucky enough to find a bit of both in The TRYP Hotel, located at 345 West 35th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue, conveniently in between Times Square and Penn Station. TRYP, which is part of the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, just celebrated its second anniversary in New York City, and is still the only TRYP location in North America (excluding one in Quebec, Canada). Already a hit overseas in Europe, TRYP Hotel sits conveniently adjacent and somewhat front and center of the trendiest parts of Manhattan, from Hell’s Kitchen to Chelsea, and packs a great punch with it in its hospitality, color, vibrant look and overall satisfaction that each guest gets.

The lovely people at TRYP Hotel were kind enough to let me stay one night and experience the hotel first hand. I was instantly impressed by the look and feel of it, including the beautiful decor of the lobby as well as the restaurant and bar which is located right when you walk in. As someone who is familiar with hospitality due to many of my peers majoring in it at my alma matter, I was very impressed with the speed in which I was taken care of yet at the same time was spoken to friendly & kindly by the staff who detailed everything about my stay and let me know of all the local hotspots and amenities that I would receive while staying.

Manhattan Digest, TRYP Hotel — Credit to: TRYP Hotel

The room itself was breathtaking. I stayed in one of their premium rooms, which took class and elegance to a whole other level. Upon my entry there was a beautiful white colored couch that turned into a relaxing sofa bed in case I had extra guests. The color scheme of the wood finish with the couch and the side table really gelled well overall with the feel of the room. The bathroom was edgy and hip, with a immaculately colored red finishing on the shower that complimented the black floors. The King size bed was truthfully fit for a King yet could fit three more people in it if need be. It was very comfortable and made it that much harder to leave the room and head out with my friends. The baby blue wall coloring mixed with the black curtains had a great vibe to it, and the black headboard was really charming with its writings about famous quotes about New York City itself (the greatest city in the world, etc). The great thing about this premium room is really not just the decor but the space in it as well. If its just one person it works, but if you have a bigger party you can find room for them and then some. Here is a little more information on the history of the TRYP Hotel decor.

The hotels decor was created by New York City-based designer Glen Coben of the Manhattan-based architectural and interior design firm Glen & Company. The design, which includes sustainable elements, exposed brick walls, reclaimed wood and tile floors, colorful accents and wrought iron screens, reflects the property’s central New York City location and the TRYP by Wydnham’s brand’s Mediterranean roots.

Additional hotel features include complimentary high-speed wireless Internet (huge plus for me as other hotel stays charge. Tisk Tisk) access in all guest rooms, high-definition flat-screen televisions with international channels, concierge services, business services, 24 hour fitness center and nearly 1,200 square feet of function space that can accommodate up to 70 attendees.

I got to speak with the general manager Verdell Ekberg, who was very instrumental in making my stay a very pleasurable one. He let me know a lot of key facts about this location, such as the median for who usually stays there happens to be the Generation X/Y group of people, furthering my belief that this is a place to stay at if you are young and hip. They are also in the process of expanding their North American presence, mainly in the United States, with new locations opening soon in Long Island City and Atlantic City. Something that I noticed TRYP Hotel does that he further talked about was that each employee’s name badge didn’t have what their exact job title was under their name, but what their ultimate passion was. For instance, one employee who I developed quite a liking for due to her warm presence and candor, had “fashion” under her name plate. What is great about this in my opinion is that it gives the people that work there more than just a job title but someone you can strike up a conversation with that goes beyond the norm. That to me makes TRYP even more unique than it already is.

Before I left, I was treated to their delicious breakfast buffet that is full of filling and yummy food, fit to satisfy anyone. Overall, I would rate this hotel a 10 out of 10 in my opinion for all the reasons listed above. This is a place that I would highly recommend staying at just to see what all my fuss was about. Take a look at the official site for booking info, as well as upcoming contests and specials that TRYP is having. It’s worth the stay, trust me.

TRYP Hotel

345 West 35th Street

212-600-2440

Great Rates at Affinia Hotels This Week!

by Ryan Shea

In today’s day and age, we are all looking for that great deal to save us money yet still give us the satisfaction of what we paid for. Nothing could be truer for the hotels that we stay at. Many of us believe that the more money we pay for a hotel the nicer the place will be, better food, accommodations and so on. Well Affinia Hotels are proving this week that you don’t have to go for broke to have a nice stay in the best city in the world.

Affinia, a collection of boutique hotels, is launching a 3-day only Perfect Rate Sale featuring accommodations at its six properties in New York City and Washington DC starting as low as $109 per night. Perfect for those visiting Manhattan for Super Bowl 2014, locals seeking a stay-cation, families visiting New York and/or Washington DC for a winter escape and more.

The Affinia 3-day flash sale starts today, Wednesday, January 8 and ends Friday, January 10 for hotel stays through March 31, 2014.

Two of Affinia’s properties, Affinia 50 (Midtown) and Affinia Manhattan (near Times Square and Broadway), have both recently completed multi-million dollar top-to-bottom renovations. From the smart professional feel of the elegant Affinia 50, to the entertaining allure of Affinia Manhattan, each of the six properties Affinia properties delivers a unique and authentic neighborhood experience.

Affinia’s Perfect Rate Sale features the following participating properties with rates including the below. Travelers can visit www.affinia.com, or call 1-866-246-2203 and mention promotional code JAN3DY to make reservations.

Affinia 50: $129
Affinia Dumont: $119
Affinia Gardens: $149
Affinia Manhattan: $119
Affinia Shelburne: $119
The Liaison Capitol Hill: $109

So what are you waiting for? If you have a friend that is struggling to find a place in this post-holiday madness that is New York City, why not recommend Affinia Hotels as an option? They are guaranteed to have a great time and not feel depleted monetarily. Check out their websites for more information. Happy New Year everyone!

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