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Places To Stay in New York City- Casablanca Hotel

by Ryan Shea

Casablanca Hotel. Manhattan Digest

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.
Casablanca Hotel, Manhattan Digest
Credit to: Casablanca Hotel

 

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.

Filed Under: LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL Tagged With: casablanca hotel, library hotel, manhattan digest, times square

Places To Stay While In Manhattan- Hotel Giraffe

by Ryan Shea

Hotel Giraffe, Manhattan Digest
Hotel Giraffe, Manhattan Digest
Credit to: Hotel Giraffe

 

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.

Hotel Giraffe, Manhattan Digest
Credit to: 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.

Hotel Giraffe, Manhattan Digest
Credit to: Hotel Giraffe

 

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 15th 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!

Hotel Giraffe, Manhattan Digest
Credit to: Hotel Giraffe

 

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 12th 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!

Hotel Giraffe, Manhattan Digest
Credit to: Hotel 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

Filed Under: LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL Tagged With: art moderne, bread & tulips, gramercy district, hotel giraffe, library hotel, library hotel collections, madison square park, manhattan digest, nomad, shake shack, trip advisor

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