Principal Account Managers Serena Dines and Joanna Cross have just come back from a flying visit to New York, where they visited a number of our property partners and clients, as well as managing to fit in a few of the city’s famous sites.
Serena and Joanna tried to stay in as many of the apartments we represent out there as possible, giving them first-hand experience to pass onto our clients. These included 777 Sixth Avenue, Times Apartments, 235 West 48th Street Apartments and Union Apartments.
For serviced apartments in New York City, they highly recommend 777 Sixth Avenue. These apartments look out over the Empire State Building so the views are simply amazing.
If you’re travelling with family and looking for apartments outside Manhattan, Serena and Joanna recommend Passaic Avenue Apartments in Clifton, New Jersey. With an on-site swimming pool, a cinema room and rates half of those in Manhattan Island, yet still within commuting distance of Port Authority in Manhattan (by a short bus journey), it’s a win-win situation.
• If you want good food, The Spotted Pig is a must. Jo says: “It’s a fab place. The chef is British and the signature dish is a blue cheese burger with rosemary salted skinny fires – yum! It’s lovely, laid back, bohemian and simply awesome.” Serena also recommends Carmines: “They have ridiculous salads and chicken parmagiana!”• Shake Shack do the best milkshakes around. “Each small milkshake has nearly 1000 calories of deliciousness in it,” Serena says.When travelling on business it can be hard to find time to fit in all the exciting attractions the Big Apple has to offer, but here are a few of Serena and Joanna’s top tips if you do manage to get a moment to yourself:
• Mandarin Oriental is an ideal place to have breakfast or afternoon tea. The views of Central Park are incredible.
• If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Magnolia Bakery is a must. They have delicious cupcakes which, if you’re travelling on business, are perfect for taking to your clients.
• If you’re heading downtown to the city, jump on the subway instead of getting a taxi. You may think it will take longer but the roads are jammed so it's just not worth getting a taxi. Here are Serena and Jo's travel tips:
• The best time to head to New York is the first week in January - Christmas decorations are up until the 7th of January, there’s a strong likelihood of snow, the accommodation prices are slashed and the sales are a bonanza.
Finally, here's something to avoid:
• Wine! “Stick to cocktails,” Serena says. “Good wine in New York costs a buck, or 70. We found out the hard way!”
