When one embarks on an adventure to the Big Apple, no doubt their place of residence plays an important role in the overall experience. After all, New York is the city that many have come to expect so much from based on its immortal images in movies and other popular culture venues. And what does one look for in that elusive New York hotel? One that fits like a glove in terms of the old mantra ‘location, location, location’, service, quality, uniqueness – and of course, your wallet too…
Even though everyone knows that New York is the city that never sleeps, it is a well-kept secret that sometimes its residents do take naps. Shocking, isn’t?
It’s unlikely that I will ever find a hotel in New York that will replace the landmark Beekman Tower as my all-time favorite. After all, it’s a perfect haven in every way.
THE BEEKMAN TOWER HOTEL
3 Mitchell Place | At 1st Avenue and East 49th Street, New York City
The Beekman is nestled in a very nice, quiet neighborhood that is only a few blocks away from the United Nations. Not surprisingly, many ambassadors and other dignitaries stay here. The added convenience is that each suite has a mini-kitchenette (with a stove-top, microwave, sink & fridge), a spacious living room to receive guests and a separate bedroom. Just in case for some reason you are suffering from a rare condition and don’t have anything to do in New York, there are television sets in each room. Although the lobby is fairly small (standard for New York), the suite is particularly large.
The décor is gorgeous Art Deco, which provides plenty of old-fashioned charm to this hotel. Lately it has become increasingly difficult to find a hotel that doesn’t look like every other hotel—and this one certainly doesn’t.
The staff are extremely helpful, going above and beyond duty. There are no attitudes. Just a very laid-back and helpful vibe. Needless to say, during my stay, there were no disturbances, no noise, everything was in perfect working condition and clean. And when luggage needed to be stored away, there were no problems there either.
Coming back to the Beekman each night was like coming back home, but cozier. It felt like a luxurious private apartment more than a hotel. If I could, I’d move in permanently. (Who knows, maybe one day they'll put out an ad for a writer-in-residence)
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHT:
The Top of the Tower restaurant was named in a book as one of the most romantic places in New York. It’s easy to see why. Although I cannot say that the food is at all above average, the Cosmopolitans I had were divine (though not inexpensive—but worth it!). But it’s really not so much about the drinks or the food as it is about the experience. Having drinks at that restaurant around 2am was probably one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Naturally the company had quite a bit to do with it, but the atmosphere was pure magic. It felt like a scene from a movie. The view of the harbor was mesmerizing, like it was shot and presented by some legendary cinematographer, the flickering candles and the classy-yet-so-down-to-earth service provided the ideal setting and the real treat, the pianist, was not merely the score, but also the soul of this picture. He played both old and new favorites (though I much prefer the old) with his own unique touch without ever destroying the appeal of the song. I've been back, and although the pianist has changed, the experience is just as magical.
CONS:
-Although it’s a very pleasant location, it does require a bit of a walk or short taxi ride to most attractions.
-It’s not the least expensive hotel around (ranging from $290 to as much as $1,300), though deals do come around and its price vs. value ratio is ideal
VERDICT: 4.5 out of 5
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