Just returned from a great couple trip to the Big Apple! We flew into LGA and out of Islip… it was the only way that our frequent flyer pts would work. Islip is way, way out of the city. Took the Long Island Railroad then Taxi-ed it out to the airfield. Southwest is the only major carrier in and out of Islip.
The Wonderful Waldorf
Ok…we are not trust fund babies..but I had a bunch of Hilton pts to use…so we spent two free nights at the Waldorf Astoria. It is everything and more than promised. We were upgraded to a corner king room in the main hotel. Towers were full? A lot of attention to detail. Our last night we splurged. One of Luci’s lifetime goals is to stay a night at the Plaza Hotel. It was sold and was out of commission for a number of years. So we felt we had to hit it on this trip. Half the hotel is now private residence.
Ok… the Plaza experience is pretty overwhelming. In advance of you stay, they ask for your approx arrival time to prepare for you. The Plaza is now managed by the Fairmont organization. President’s club membership is helpful to getting the full treatment. Luggage was dispatched with ease and care. When we stepped off the elevator, we were greeted by our “butler” . The entire lobby area is bathed in white and blue marble. Heavy accents in gold and crystal.
A Room at The Plaza
Plush thick carpets and over the top gold accents welcome you as you walk into the room. Everything in the room is controlled by a single wireless remote. Comfy bed. Morning brunch was really good as well. Butlers are on call 24/7 and although our requests were minimal, they are well known for their uncanny ability of getting anything, period. From sold out shows to exotic food requests: if it can be got, they can get it.
Of course you can find other options for hotels in New York, the Waldorf Astoria and Plaza are perfect in every way, but the cost to stay there is pretty hefty and may not fit your budget. The price of accommodations will depend of the location and stars of the hotel. It’s a good idea to look online and compare the different hotels to make sure you choose one you like and more importantly one you can afford.
New York City Highlights:
Ayn Rand’s Grave, West Point Military Academy, Hamlet (Jude Law), UN tour, Context travel: Immigrant food tour and Wall street insider tour, Tenement Tour, Vermeer exhibit.
This trip is best told with pics:
We rented a car and took a 2hr drive up to the West Point Academy. One of Mike’s ancestors was the superintendent there before the civil war. We took a short bus tour. All that our guide wanted to talk about was Army/Navy football. So we are now steeped on the rivalry, and learned a little about the place.
We then drove onto Peekskill, NY. We visited one of our favorite author’s grave. Ayn Rand is buried beside her husband Frank O’Connor. The graveyard is the final resting place for many of the nations most notable athletes, tycoons, musicians and other mucky-mucks. Ayn was buried beside a life size $ sign.
You can arrange to take a UN tour in one of the five official langs of the UN. It takes 45mins and gives you an understanding of the role and mission of the UN. Highlights was the main chamber and “seeing” where the Holy See sits.
We went and saw Mama Mia!
And Hamlet with Jude Law. Luci stalked the stage door, and had a conversation with him.
Hicksville, NY is a stop on the Long Island Railroad. Mike used to be the mayor.
A couple of sights of the Context Travel Immigrant food tour:
Cole Porter’s Steinway Piano at the Waldorf
We are Mike and Luci.