downtown New York sights

the Oculus and Liberty Tower (c) 2023 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Downtown Manhattan is distinctly different from uptown or midtown. During my previous stays in NYC, I've (mostly) stayed at hotels in midtown — the vicinity of 59th Street (Central Park South) — and the Upper East Side. These parts of New York feature world class museums (the Metropolitan Museum, the Guggenheim, the American Museum of Natural History), high end shopping on Madison and Fifth Avenue, and of course Central Park, one of the world's greatest urban parks.

East River bridges (c) 2023 by David Ourisman

Downtown has a different character. It's a mixture of old buildings, new skyscrapers, and ethnic neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Little Italy, and Greenwich Village. We are staying at Four Seasons New York Downtown, a hotel so close to the Oculus that I am looking at it through my desk window as I write this article. And just a half mile to the east is the historic South Street Seaport where I walked at lunchtime, grabbed a slice of pizza, and snapped this photo of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

Where to stay downtown? We are enjoying our Oculus Suite at the Four Seasons (to which we were graciously upgraded) and are going to do a site inspection tomorrow afternoon at the new Ritz Carlton NoMad. And there are plenty of other choices including The Greenwich Hotel, an intimate downtown boutique property owned by famed actor (and new papa) Robert De Niro, another favorite of my clients.

Next trip to New York, consider staying downtown!

copyright (c) 2023 by Ourisman Travel LLC.  All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member.

 

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hotel ratings | on whom do you rely?

Conde Nast, a respected travel journal to which I subscribe, publishes an annual list of "the best" hotels, resorts, cruise lines, airlines, and destinations in the world. Their methodology relies on a survey of hundreds of thousands of respondents. Their list of "the best," always interesting at best but laughable at worst, raises a significant question. On whom do you rely when choosing a hotel for your stay in a destination?

The limitation of their methodology is, of course, the subjective judgement of Conde Nast's respondents. I make the following assumptions:

1. Readers can only validly rate hotels at which they have actually stayed.
2. Travelers tend to validate their own decisions, giving good grades to hotels at which they've chosen to stay.
3. Hotel guests virtually never conduct site inspections at other hotels in the destination, so they have a limited body of impressions on which to make comparative judgments.

Here are some of the stranger results of the 2018 Readers Choice Awards.

New York City. The Chatwal is rated the #1 hotel in New York City. While The Chatwal may be a good choice if you want to stay right on Times Square, I wouldn't call it the best. Viceroy Central Park, rated the #6 hotel in New York City, might be a good choice if you're looking for "affordable 4-star comfort," but its room are quite compact. Inexplicably, these hotels are rated above some of the very best luxury choices in the world (much less NYC): the two Four Seasons hotels, Ritz-Carlton Central Park, Mandarin Oriental, and the Park Hyatt.

Los Angeles. I have no argument with the Readers Choice here, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, a gorgeous new hotel that has won a lot of praise. What's inexplicable is the lowly rating of the two Dorchester Collection properties in LA — Hotel Bel-Air at #20 and Beverly Hills Hotel at #28. So many lesser properties are ranked higher than these absolute jewels.

Northern California. Some good choices at the top of the charts (Auberge du Soleil at #3), but how is it possible that there are twenty-three (23) hotels ranked superior to Post Ranch Inn, a romantic, picturesque resort high above the Pacific Ocean.

Southern California. Kimpton hotels (not known as a luxury brand) get #1, #2, and #3 on the list. At the same time, Santa Barbara's absolutely idyllic Belmond El Encanto, slips to #30.

London. While the top hotels on CN's list do have their fans, it's inexplicable that the JW Marriott Grosvenor House (at #8) can outrank top hotels like The Goring (#36) and The Dorchester (#39), two of my favorite hotels in the world.

Rome. Hotel Eden is arguably the best property in Rome, but it doesn't even make it into the list of top hotels in Rome.

Florence. The WOW hotel in Florence, the Four Seasons Firenze, is ranked #9 in the city.

Budapest. There are seven (7) hotels listed in Budapest (among the Central Europe Top 15). The majestic Four Seasons Gresham Palace, whose Danube View rooms are coveted for their views of the Chain Bridge, is ranked 6th of those 7. Nonsense!

Hawaii - resorts. FS Maui (#2) and FS Hualalai (#4) make sense (although I'd personally flip those rankings). But how can FS Lana'i at Manele Bay, on a gorgeous beach with perhaps the most luxurious Four Seasons rooms in the world, be ranked #24? And even more puzzling ... how can Four Seasons at Koele be ranked at #13. While I love the Lodge, it has been undergoing renovations and isn't even open. Sheer craziness!


The value of a luxury travel advisor is clarified by all of this. Like many of my professional colleagues, I have done site inspections at hundreds of hotels and have made side-by-side comparisons of the best luxury hotels in the world, those that have been vetted by Virtuoso and accepted for membership. There is no one "best" hotel for each traveler, but the job of your travel advisor is to help you determine your best choice, given your preferences and your budget.

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Silversea | three deals in one

Three deals in one on Silversea, a truly luxury, all-inclusive cruise line, for selected 2018 sailings.

Deal # 1 — Last Minute Savings Offer on an all-inclusive, all-suite Silversea luxury cruise. This includes:

• one-category suite upgrade. If the upgrade is not available, you'll receive a $500 onboard credit instead.
• an onboard credit of $1000 per suite — use for shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, and more

Deal # 2 — 5% discount off the brochure prices for the Silversea Last Minute Savings offer

Deal # 3 — round-trip transfers for the next 5 cabins sold by Brownell travel advisors for 2018 cruises

A few selected cruises... 

6OCT (7 days) — Galapagos cruise, from $7,100 pp
26OCT (10 days) — Montreal to New York, from $4,000 pp
31OCT (10 days) — Fort Lauderdale to Barbados, from $4,200 pp
13NOV (11 days) — Hong Kong to Singapore, from $6,100 pp

Your exclusive Brownell 5% discount scores you an additional $400 to $710 off these fares (and free round-trip transfers for the next 5 cabins sold). Get in touch with us!

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Airbnb | a cautionary tale

the Airbnb apartment described by David Rowell

Airbnb has become quite popular among travelers. Whether seeking economical accommodations for a business trip or family vacation, many travelers have been satisfied with what they've booked. But definitely not all.

Be aware that Airbnb doesn't always work out the way you'd expect. Travel blogger David Rowell recently wrote of a sub-standard experience in his article Should You be Using Airbnb. After renting the (apparently attractive) apartment pictured above, he experienced the following problems.

1. The rate quoted by Airbnb website was $65. By the time "cleaning" and additional fees were added, he ended up paying $85 per night. Plus tax on top of that.

2. 48 hour free cancellation policy? So said the headline on the website, but this language is misleading if you're thinking in terms of hotel cancel policies. Airbnb bookings can only be cancelled for free within 48 hours of making the booking, not up to 48 hours before arrival.

3. Lack of flexibility. Airbnb doesn't offer the flexibility that business travelers require. On a business trip and need to shorten your stay by a day? You'll have to pay for that day. Want to add an extra day at the end of your trip? While usually a non-issue for a hotel, Airbnb isn't set up this way.

4. Reaching "management" can be an issue if a problem arises. The access code to his apartment didn't work. He had to email the owner, then sit on the steps and wait for a reply — no phone number provided, no front desk to help.

Other bad news he didn't learn until his arrival:

5. There was a climb of 25 steps to reach the front door of the apartment, lugging a suitcase.

6. The neighborhood was sketchy, homeless persons sleeping under a nearby bridge.

7. The lack off a desk meant there was no place to accomplish the work he had to do.

8. Inadequate air-conditioning. He even asked. Despite the owner's assurances that the apartment was air-conditioned, it turned out to be a single window unit in the living room. Totally ineffective in mitigating the 90º temperature in the bedroom down the hall, getting a good night's sleep proved impossible.

His verdict:

The apartment has a five-star rating on Airbnb, and something like 300 generally gushingly positive reviews.  I found it a hellish experience full of unexpected gotcha moments.  And at the end of it all, I was expected to do the dishes, load the washing machine with used sheets and towels, and take the trash out to the rubbish bins around the corner of the building – all the things one doesn’t want to do when on vacation, and doesn’t have time to do when traveling on business.

Is there a better way to rent an apartment or home? I recommend our Virtuoso travel partner One Fine Stay. Yes, you'll pay a bit more, but every property has been vetted. You'll be met upon arrival by a professional team who will let you into your apartment and explain how things work. You'll get a midweek and end-of-week cleaning. You'll be provided with an iPhone, data included, with a one-touch button for assistance 24/7. One Fine Stay even provides concierge services. Read a review here!

Virtuoso amenities are offered in London, Paris, Rome, Milan, New York, LA, San Francisco, Boston, and Miami: your choice of a $100 credit on stocking your refrigerator prior to your arrival ... or a $100 credit toward guest experiences arranged with their concierge. You simply have to book through a Virtuoso travel advisor.

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Silversea luxury cruises | exclusive promotion

50 selected voyages

5% savings - pay in full by 31JUL

$1,000 shipboard credit

one category suite upgrade

Virtuoso Voyages amenities

Those are the headlines ... I've looked through the fifty selected cruises, and here are details from two interesting itineraries.

October 16 — New York to Montreal (10 days)
Begin your vacation in the Big Apple, then board the Silver Spirit for a trip that takes full advantage of the autumn colors as you sail up the Atlantic coast and into Canada's St. Lawrence River. Vista Suites begin at $4900 per guest.

New York
Newport, Rhode Island
Portland, Maine
Bar Harbor, Maine
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Saguenay, Quebec
Quebec City
Trois-Rivieres
Montreal

Virtuoso Voyages amenity — your choice of Nova Scotia Wine & Culinary Experience, $175 credit per person toward purchase of a Virtuoso product, $150 shipboard credit per person


November 13 — Hong Kong to Singapore (11 days)
The cruise begins in Hong Kong, easy to reach from the U.S. and well worth visiting for a few days before you board the Silver Shadow. Your cruise takes you down the coast of Vietnam — 28 hours in Ha Long Bay (convenient to Hanoi) and 54 hours in Ho Chi Minh City. Vista Suites begin at $6100 per guest.

Hong Kong
(Day at Sea)
Ha Long Bay — 1 night in port
Chan May
Da Nang
(Day at Sea)
Ho Chi Minh City — 2 nights in port
(Day at Sea)
Singapore

Virtuoso Voyages amenity — your choice of a "highlights of Hoi An" excursion, $175 credit per person toward purchase of a Virtuoso product, $150 shipboard credit per person

Silversea is a true luxury cruise line, all ocean-view suites, all with butler service, and most with private verandas. Guests enjoy all-inclusive 24-hour dining, complimentary beverages including champagne, select wines and spirits, complimentary transportation in most ports, and free WiFi. Gratuities always included.

Click here to begin planning your Silversea Cruise!

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

into shopping?

store windows in Milan (c) 2018 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Everyone has different reasons for vacationing in the fashion capitals of the world (New York, London, Paris, Milan). Me? I inspect hotel rooms everywhere I go ... and I'm perfectly content just to glance at store windows and keep on walking. But many luxury travelers are into serious shopping. Is that you?

Finding exclusive boutiques is an art. When you're home, you already know exactly where to find the most on-trend selections from luxury fashion houses. But when you arrive in an exclusive fashion destination, where do you even begin to look for expertly curated, high-end selections?

An expert personal shopper — with sartorial expertise particular to your destination — is your ticket to shop-till-you-drop. While your hotel concierge might make suggestions, seasoned shoppers will fare better by turning to a personal shopper. Your luxury travel advisor has connections in every major shopping destination in the world, and we can help you plan the shopping trip of your dreams.

Of course, we'll also help you accessorize your shopping vacation with a lavish hotel room that suites your style and taste.

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

boutique in Beverly Hills

double-double room at Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

Do you prefer smaller or larger hotels? Most of the Virtuoso hotels in Beverly Hills range from 170 to 395 rooms. Larger hotels can offer such advantages as larger spas, more elaborate exercise facilities, and multiple dining outlets. Your chance of being upgraded can be better when a hotel has more rooms.

But boutique hotels offer a kind of charm that larger hotels cannot, and such properties pride themselves on the high percentage of repeat guests. After a few stays, you'll get to know the staff, and they'll get to know you and your preferences... As an example, I love the experience of going into the breakfast room at The Lowell in New York and having the same waiter.

Viceroy L'Ermitage has tried to create an Upper East Side ambience in their small (only 117 rooms) property in Beverly Hills. Understated yet comfortable, the hotel has recently completed a thorough and successful renovation. Rooms are large — 650 sq. ft. at a minimum — offering a simple elegance without being splashy. But wait until you get into your dressing room. Lots of closet space, makeup mirror with settings for both artificial and natural light, and a trifold runway mirror to help you get everything right for a dressy dinner, Beverly Hills party, or perchance the Academy Awards!

For a real treat, book one of the suites in the hotel's residential wing, but whether you book a room or a suite, Virtuoso guests receive daily full breakfast for two, a $100 hotel credit towards F&B or spa, and complimentary WiFi.

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

100 Best Hotels in the World?

doormen at The Goring, #71 on T+L's list of the world's 100 best hotels

Travel + Leisure has just listed its readers poll of the 100 best hotels of the world. I've personally stayed at or visited twenty-one of the hotels on their list. My bottom line? While there are some beautiful hotels, resorts, and safari camps on the list, I have to question the survey's methodology, as the results are screwy.

Here's what I look for in a top hotel:

1. Location. Is the hotel or resort where you want to be? Does it provide a setting with great views or convenient access to attractions you want to visit?

2. Quality of the physical product. Is the hotel well maintained, offer an attractive lobby, and clean rooms with updated furnishings?

3. Room size. In my opinion, space is the ultimate luxury. 400 square feet is my minimum standard for a Deluxe Room. Bathrooms should ideally provide dual vanities (when couples are traveling), a large enough counter to hold all your toiletries, separate soaking tub and step-in shower, and ideally a WC (i.e., there's a door between the bathroom and toilet).

4. Scale of property. In general, I prefer boutique hotels and dislike mega-hotels. On the beach, I like low rise buildings that blend into the landscaping; I dislike resorts that look like a big concrete box by the beach. In large cities, a 200 room hotel is large enough to provide full services while boutique hotels may be more personable but lack some facilities.

5. Service. Requests should be handled quickly and accurately. Concierges should provide great advice and services, and there should be adequate staff so that guests are not waiting in a long queue. Bags should come quickly to your room. Room service should be delivered when requested, and food should be hot. Restaurant staff should provide attentive service — no waiting around for a coffee refill, etc.

6. Amenities. Hotels that provide value-added amenities through Virtuoso or our preferred partnership relationships offer a big plus to my clients.


Here's my commentary on the T+L list of the top hotels in the following destinations:

London
43 - Forty One
68 - The Milestone
71 - The Goring
88 - The Lanesborough
89 - Egerton House

Forty One is a boutique hotel occupying the top floor of Rubens at the Palace in London, but I would never consider it the top hotel in London. It's not even the top Red Carnation hotel in London! Is this, as T+L suggests, the best city hotel in Europe. No way! My top three hotel choices in London in no particular order are The Goring, Four Seasons Park Lane, and The Dorchester.


Paris
69 - La Reserve
79 - Le Bristol

La Reserve is a new boutique hotel with a gorgeous physical product (my wife loved seeing it during our site inspection), but FlyerTalk readers have reported that its service is not yet up to speed. My top three hotel choices in Paris are Le Meurice, the Four Seasons George V, and Le Bristol. I also love the newly refurbished Plaza Athenee and the Ritz Paris.


Florida
49 - Gasparilla Inn
55 - Acqualina
67 - The Biltmore, Coral Gables

The thought that Florida would have three of the world's top 100 hotels is frankly a bit bizarre. I'd go for Four Seasons Palm Beach or The Setai South Beach.


New York
64 - The Surrey
91 - Greenwich
92 - Knickerbocker

The Surrey is a nice boutique hotel on the Upper East Side, and the Greenwich is a nice boutique hotel in TriBeCa, but these are not my choices for the top hotels in New York. My top boutique hotel is The Lowell. My top traditional hotel is the Ritz-Carlton Central Park (in a Deluxe Park room with an incredible panoramic view over the park at all of northern Manhattan). My top contemporary hotels are the Four Seasons and the Mandarin Oriental.


San Francisco Bay Area, California
12 - Farmhouse Inn
37 - Rosewood Sand Hill
53 - Brewery Gulch Inn, Mendocino
96 - Inn Above Tide, Sausalito

Don't get me wrong. I love Farmhouse Inn, and I'm astounded that it would be named the #12 hotel in the world (and I'm sure my friends at the Farmhouse are equally astonished). I really don't get the other three hotels on the list, especially Inn Above Tide which is basically a renovated motel. Went in for a short site inspection — tiny, nondescript postage stamp of a lobby. Small breakfast area — not even a restaurant. Nearby Cavallo Point is so superior in every way. And how could they leave Post Ranch Inn off the list?


Hawaii
5 - Montage Kapalua

Montage Kapalua has gotten rave reviews from clients who have stayed. All residential units, this resort is next door to the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. But never in a thousand years would I rate this hotel #5 in the world, tied with Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, Australia. Nor would I rate this the top resort in Hawaii — that would be Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island.

copyright (c) 2016 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

do Airbnb and VRBO make you nervous?

They should! Airbnb and VRBO have become a very popular way for travelers to find economical accommodations while traveling. Many travelers have enjoyed their stays, but I've also heard some horror stories (and so have you).

What can go wrong? Here are a few potential problems you'll occasionally experience when renting directly from an owner you don't know:

Pictures posted online may bear no resemblance to the actual rental unit.
Squalid conditions — the home you rent may be filthy and messy.
Flights are delayed — and you can't reach the landlord.
Let me in! You show up, and no one's there to unlock the home.
Problems and more problems with appliances not working and plumbing, electricity, and air conditioning breaking down. Update, 12SEP, 2016 — just heard about someone currently trapped in her AirBnB in New York because the doorknob fell off.
Sometimes it's a scam. On rare occasions, the rental for which you prepaid doesn't actually exist. The "owner" has taken your money and run.

There's a much better way to rent a home in Paris, London, Rome, New York, LA, and more cities soon to come. It's called OneFineStay, and it's a member of Virtuoso, the world's foremost consortium of luxury travel suppliers and travel consultants. Here are the advantages of using your Virtuoso travel consultant to book through OneFineStay.

(1) The Virtuoso amenity is a very nice pair of cashmere slippers for you and your traveling companion(s). You only get these when you book through your Virtuoso travel advisor.

(2) Every home is vetted. I'm told that only 10% of homes are accepted into the rental pool.

(3) Need airport transfers? OneFineStay can get you from the airport to the front door of your home.

(4) Someone is waiting when you arrive. A member of the OneFineStay team will be there show you the home, explain how everything works, provide your keys, and...

(5) You're provided with an iPhone with local calls and data included, preprogrammed with a one touch button to ask for assistance 24/7.

(6) Clean sheets and towels are provided for your stay. OneFineStay uses their own linens, not the owner's. Your home is professionally cleaned before your arrival, you get a mid-week cleaning (for every 7 days rented), and the home is cleaned after your departure.

(7) Some of the homes are absolutely gorgeous! Take a look at the London home in the picture above.


Yes, it will cost more than an Airbnb or VRBO booking, but you do get what you pay for: a beautiful home for much less than a hotel room, great service ... and peace of mind.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Donald Trump | 7 Virtuoso hotels

I had the Christmas Eve buffet last night at Mar-a-Lago Club, the former estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post that Donald Trump has transformed into an incredible Palm Beach club, and had the opportunity to meet the iconic Mr. Trump.

Donald Trump is a unique individual; there is nobody else in the world whose name graces four Virtuoso hotels. As a Virtuoso travel consultant (whose job it is to sell his hotels), I reasoned that we were business partners and that he would agree to have his picture taken with me. I think he rather admired my chutzpah!

As with any Virtuoso hotel, you receive a significant value-add when you book through any Virtuoso travel agent (at no additional cost to yourself). Here's the deal with the (updated — seven) Trump hotels and why you should consider them for your next stays.

Trump International Hotel New York

• Upgrade at time of arrival, subject to availability
• Complimentary continental breakfast for two daily for duration of the stay
• Guests choice of $100 USD equivalent Spa Services credit or $100 USD   equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay
• Early check-in/Late check-out (subject to availability)

Trump International Toronto

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Equivalent Resort or Hotel credit,  to be utilized during stay
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Trump SoHo, New York City

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests via room service
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
• $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay

Trump International, Chicago

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
• $100 USD Resort or Hotel credit, to be utilized during stay
• Additional Seasonal Welcome Amenity for Virtuoso Guests
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Trump International Golf Links and Hotel, (County Clare, Ireland)
the former Lodge at Doonbeg

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests at restaurant
• 75 euro Lunch Voucher for Darby's Restaurant
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

Trump Turnberry, Scotland

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests
• A complimentary round of golf for two on our Kintyre Course OR Afternoon Tea for two in our Grand Tea Lounge once per stay*
• Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability
• *PLEASE NOTE: This amenity is booked and confirmed at check-in and cannot be booked in advance during the reservation stage

Trump International Washington DC (scheduled to open mid-2016)


Donald Trump is all about the art of the deal, and here's your chance to get the best deal from his association with Virtuoso!

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. As affiliates of Brownell Travel, we can provide our clients with Virtuoso amenities and amenities from other Brownell preferred hotel partners including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Virtuoso Week | OneFineStay

Here's #3 on my top ten list of things that caught my interest at Virtuoso Travel Week.

A luxury version of airbnb and VRBO, OneFineStay is the perfect choice to rent a home or apartment in

     London
     Los Angeles
     New York
     Paris

Pictured above is the living room of an apartment on Passage Saint-Antoine. While it's not the most central location, this attractive 1BR apartment in the 4th arr. east of the Bastille and north of Ile St-Louis. Equipped with a King bed, washer and dryer and WiFi, it's extremely well-priced. For a random week in October, the rate is just $702 per night (flexible rate paid at booking, but cancelable and refundable up to 48 hours before arrival) or $621 per night (with some stiff cancellation fees).

Advantages over airbnb, VRBO and their kind…

• exclusively managed, thoughtfully curated, insured
• WiFi, housekeeping, and concierge services
• check-in and luggage assistance
• Quality linens and toiletries provided by OneFineStay
• complimentary iPhone with unlimited data and domestic calls
• personalized local recommendations on custom iPhone app
• 24-hour access to "front desk" service support
• 1600+ homes — from studio to multi-bedroom

Virtuoso amenities. While a privately owned apartment can't be upgraded, Virtuoso guests receive a pair of his and hers Arlotta cashmere slippers, and early check-in/late check-out if available.

Play around on their website. There are hundreds of choices, with homes as large as seven bedrooms. For instance, I saw an attractive 7BR, 6 bath home in Notting Hill, London from $1579 per night.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website. tasales@onefinestay.com

Park Hyatt New York | a Virtuoso preview hotel

Park Studio Suite at the Park Hyatt New York

During my recent trip to New York, I had a "hard hat" site inspection of the Park Hyatt New York. Located on 7th Avenue between 57th and 58th Street, this is a good west side location, convenient to Broadway shows and Carnegie Hall. Still under construction, I was able to get a good sense of what the hotel will be like once ready for occupancy. In a word, the Park Hyatt New York will be a winner!

Fans of the Park Hyatt aesthetic will appreciate the cool, masculine, yet residential atmosphere of the hotel. Materials are elegant and attractive, and the design team has done a fabulous job in creating both public spaces and guest rooms. Guest rooms will be on floors 8 - 23 of this entirely new build with 118 guest rooms and 92 suites. Lead-in Park rooms average an impressive 530 square feet, and Park Deluxe rooms are even larger. Pictured above is the one display room on property, a Park Studio Suite at 680 square feet. Every bathroom in the hotel has everything you would expect for a new state-of-the-art hotel — dual vanities, a large rounded-rectangular soaking tub, rain shower, and WC. I found the view on high floors facing west to be especially interesting.

The hotel's 25th floor features a 60-foot long lap pool, jacuzzi, and fitness center. Michelin-starred chef Sam Hazen will preside over the hotel's restaurant which will be an American/New York grill. Other guest services include free internet, free bottled water, free bike rentals (the hotel is just two blocks from Central Park), and complimentary car services within a 2 mile radius. Park Executive Suites and above receive round-trip airport transfers from the three New York airports.

Virtuoso amenities offer added value to guests who book through their Virtuoso travel consultant: complimentary daily full breakfast for two guests, $100 hotel credit, room upgrade if available at check-in, and early check-in/late check-out if available. Rates will be competitive with other top New York five star luxury hotels; guest rooms will start around $700 in low-season and $1100 in high-season.

copyright (c) 2014 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

9/11 Memorial | must see in NYC

New York City is one of the world's most popular destinations with world-class museums, hotels, and food. So much to see and do, but here's something to be sure to include when visiting New York… the 9/11 Memorial on the site of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

We visited on the Friday after Thanksgiving, having previously made reservations online — highly recommended as there were hundreds of visitors at 10 a.m. even on a very cold morning. A very understated memorial, the square footprints of the two towers have engraved plates memorializing each of the 2,983 individuals who lost their lives in New York, at the Pentagon, or in the crash site in Pennsylvania.

After visiting the Memorial, be sure to visit St. Paul's Chapel of Trinity Episcopal Church near the site of the World Trade Center. This church provided shelter and ministry during the ordeal of 9/11, and there is a very brief service of prayer and remembrance each day at 12:30 p.m. in the chapel.

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Viceroy New York | moderately priced luxury

Deluxe Park View room at the Viceroy New York

Well-located in midtown Manhattan (two blocks south of the park at 120 W. 57th St, just west of 6th Avenue) and nicely priced for a luxury brand, the Viceroy New York is a brand new hotel, just open a month. I had the opportunity to see the hotel today (during the Thanksgiving Day Parade). The Viceroy is a good option for business travelers to New York City.

The interior design of the hotel is intended to remind guests of the ambiance of a cruise ship. The hotel offers the amenities that most business travelers would want for a comfortable stay: a 24 hour fitness center in the basement, as well as a relaxation pool with water heated to over 100º (consider this either as a very small lap pool or a very large jacuzzi). The Viceroy features Marc Murphy’s new restaurant, Kingside and his New American cooking.

Rooms are compact but well designed to provide a lot of hidden storage (though no closets). The bedding features luxurious Sferra linens. Guestroom bathrooms have a single vanity and step-in shower (no soaking tub) — so the Viceroy will fit the needs of a business traveler who is traveling alone, but not ideal for couples traveling together. Standard (Superior) rooms are quite small and look south toward the back of the buildings on 56th St. Deluxe rooms are a bit larger (more like a typical Superior) with views across 57th Street; larger windows admit more natural light. Deluxe rooms on higher floors provide a view of Central Park (though nothing like the view that you would have from a hotel on 59th Street). Higher floors are definitely recommended here as the rooms will be brighter.

Viceroy New York is a good value. Two blocks south of the Park and two blocks west of 5th Avenue, you’ll love pricing that’s nearly half off the room rates at the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, or St. Regis. Not (yet) a member of Virtuoso, I have usually been successful at getting room upgrades and a complimentary continental breakfast as amenities for my clients.

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. As affiliates of Brownell Travel, we can provide our clients with Virtuoso amenities and amenities from other Brownell preferred hotel partners including Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and more. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Mandarin Oriental New York | luxury with a view

dawn at the Mandarin Oriental New York

I was seated in the Mandarin Oriental New York lobby early Saturday morning and grabbed this picture with my iPhone. Not the perfect photographic instrument for low light photography, but it captured the moment. Mandarin Oriental New York's lobby overlooks the southwest corner of Central Park, with an unobstructed view down 59th Street. The crescent moon to the left of the skyscraper to the right added a stunning final touch to the scene.

The Mandarin Oriental is an extremely nice place to stay. We spent three nights in a Deluxe Hudson River room which featured equally interesting west-facing views of the Hudson River and New Jersey beyond. The room was attractively decorated with contemporary Asian decorating motifs. While the bedroom was not overly large (it felt like a Superior), the bathroom was perfect — a soaking tub with a view (see below), a large vanity with two sinks, a large rain shower, and separate WC. It's a great room for couples.

sunset from our soaking tub at the Mandarin Oriental New York

Central Park View rooms face east and offer a view of Central Park. Although they have the same square footage, Central Park rooms have larger bedrooms but smaller bathrooms (just one vanity … and no view from the tub). For the ultimate accommodations and views, book a Deluxe Central Park Suite — truly a wow room and a no compromise solution to where to stay.

Virtuoso guests receive an upgrade at booking, daily complimentary continental breakfast for two, and a $100 spa credit, and you can also take advantage of Suite Temptation packages offering third night free if you book a Deluxe Suite. Just book through your Virtuoso travel consultant.

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

New York at Thanksgiving

walking south down Fifth Avenue (Central Park to the right)

Thanksgiving in New York has been a tradition for a number of years, as my sister lives there, my daughter goes to school there (Columbia), and my son and daughter-in-law live on the east coast as well. So I'm preparing to go once again to the Big Apple next week.

Where to stay? I've stayed at a number of different places. As my sister lives on the Upper East Side, I've split time between the Plaza Athenee and The Lowell, two very nice boutique hotels in residential neighborhoods. But this year — as my daughter's apartment is on the Upper West Side, I'm spending three nights at the Mandarin Oriental New York.

Mandarin Oriental New York is located on Columbus Circle at the southwest corner of Central Park. It's a great venue for seeing Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; you can see it from the hotel's lobby high above the Time Warner Building. I'll post my review right here on Travel Horizons, as well as a review of the new Viceroy New York which I'll be visiting for a site inspection on Thursday morning. The Viceroy is a reasonably priced luxury hotel on W 57th Street at 6th Avenue, so I'm quite interested to see what it's like.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers! It's my favorite holiday of the year … still a family holiday that hasn't been overly commercialized.

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Peninsula Hotels | PenClub amenities

the new Peninsula Paris (under construction)

Peninsula is one of the preeminent hotel families in the world with properties in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, New York, Chicago, Beverly Hills, Bangkok, Manila, and Paris (under construction). I have visited seven of the ten Peninsula hotels in the world!

Brownell has been invited to become a member of the Peninsula PenClub — an exclusive preferred partner collection of the best luxury travel agencies in the world. And the good news is the exciting benefits that we can offer you at every Peninsula hotel in the world:

• Peninsula Time - truly flexible check-in and check-out times*
• Full daily set breakfast for up to two persons.
• Room upgrade subject to availability.
• Complimentary 30-minute extension on a 50-minute regular-priced Body or Face treatment.
• Unlimited in-room wireless Internet.

Any PenClub affiliated travel consultant can get you these amenities when you book your Peninsula stay at the Pen Club rate.

*You must advise your travel consultant of your arrival time so that this can be communicated to the hotel. If your own room is not ready, you will be provided with another accommodation until your room is ready for you. Blackout dates apply. As an example, the Peninsula Beverly Hills won't be able to provide this service during the Academy Awards when the hotel is totally sold out.


copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

top ten list from Virtuoso Travel Week

Here, in no apparent order, is my top ten list of things heard last Wednesday and Thursday at Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas. Details are a bit sketchy (they're based on my scribbled, almost-legible notes, so I'll have to call in some cases for full details). Please email me, or contact your own Virtuoso travel consultant, if you want the full information on these travel opportunities.

1. Four Seasons George V is providing guests the opportunity to take complimentary cooking classes and also flower workshops. You can also sign up for guided early morning runs through the streets of Paris.

2. Peninsula New York is offering a guaranteed Virtuoso upgrade at booking and a complimentary three hour Mini Cooper tour of New York (as per James Baker, Senior Travel Industry Sales Manager).

3. Need a day room at DFW? Consider Four Seasons Dallas which is offering a day room rate - and enjoy their great spa while you're there. Beats the Admirals Club (unless you really enjoy all-you-can-eat pretzels and cookies).

4. Park Hyatt Washington, DC has a Family Plan — get a second room for just $125.

5. If you book Mandarin Oriental Bangkok as a FAN Club booking (instead of a Virtuoso booking), you'll receive a $100 hotel credit (in lieu of the Virtuoso Thai Buffet lunch for two).

6. The Peninsula Shanghai has a fabulous new Virtuoso exclusive amenity. A smart phone provided guests is pre-programmed with emergency numbers, a button to contact the concierge, and maps and guides of Shanghai attractions.

7. Want to rent a Balinese villa, complete with chef? Virtuoso provider Asia World Indonesia has a variety of rental villas all over the island at price points to satisfy all budgets. 

8. Snowdance Resort is a small ski destination with rustic cabins, great food, Virtuoso amenities ... and free skiing and snowboarding.

9. Is there a Lamborghini or Bentley in your future? Maybe not in your driveway, but you can drive like a billionaire for a week or weekend through Virtuoso provider Hertz.

10. Some amazing deals at Amangiri and Amangani this winter with minimum night stays. All-inclusive meals at Amangiri, and/or your choice of all-inclusive meals or free skiing at Amangani.

Virtuoso travel consultant (search here on Google)

copyright  (c)  2013 by David Ourisman LLC.  All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Four Seasons New York | make your stay better

What would be better than spending a long, decadent weekend at the Four Seasons New York? One of New York's most elegant hotels, it's located just half a block from Fifth Avenue with its world-class shopping.

Here are four ways I can make your stay even better:

1. Third Night Free. You'll get one of those nights free until April 7 (valid for certain room categories - check the FS website for your desired dates).
2. Guaranteed upgrade. A Four Seasons Preferred Partner exclusive offer, my clients will receive a guaranteed one category upgrade at the time of booking for all new reservations for travel through April 7, 2013. (Maximum upgrade is into the Park View Executive Suite).
3. Free daily breakfast for two. A full American Breakfast for two can easily cost $70 + tax. My clients enjoy a complimentary breakfast for two every day of their stay.
4. $100 Spa Credit. A massage would feel really good right now, and my clients will receive a $100 credit toward any spa service. (I recommend you reserve in advance to secure your desired time).

You can only get these benefits by making your booking through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner travel consultant. There is no added cost to you, and you pay the hotel when you check-out, same as if you made the reservation yourself. Why not step up to the best and spend your New York weekend at the Four Seasons New York?

Four Seasons New York (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2013 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

New York Christmas decorations

Mandarin Oriental New York is located on Columbus Circle at the southwest corner of Central Park, high atop the Time Warner Center. The ground floor of the building contains an upscale shopping mall with some festive holiday decorations. A client has shared this video and given me permission to post it on Travel Horizons.

With a contemporary Asian style, Mandarin Oriental New York is a good choice if business takes you to the West Side, if Lincoln Center is in your plans, or if you just want a killer view of Central Park from the lobby bar.

Virtuoso amenities include an upgrade at the time of booking (which really works out to be a nice discount on your room), daily continental breakfast for two, and a $100 spa credit for 2013. And when there are third night free promotions, the Virtuoso amenities also apply. Don't book online, as these value-added perks are available only through a Virtuoso travel consultant.


Mandarin Oriental New York (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2012 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.