Manhattan: Midtown to Soho with Fabulous Firmdale Hotels

Like many of the world’s great cities, the vibe changes from neighborhood to neighborhood. To really get a sense of a place, staying in a new part of town on each visit, in my opinion is essential.

I visited New York twice over the past month and while I stayed in completely different neighborhoods, both visits were at the fabulous Firmdale Hotels. I had the pleasure of staying at The Whitby in Midtown just off of 5th Avenue and a block from Central Park, as well as the Crosby Street Hotel in the heart of Bohemian Soho. Both stays were exquisite.

If you are not familiar with Firmdale, you might want to be. The Kit Kemp-designed hotels are located throughout London and in two New York neighborhoods. Guests tend to become immediately loyal as the hotels, while filled with fun art and color, are also very tastefully done and make one feel like they are at home. The signature floor to ceiling windows invite in a great deal of light, so important in cities filled with skyscrapers or possibly known for a bit of rain.

The Whitby –

A birthday surprise for 16 year old, Isabella and her friend, Ella –

Wow! Welcome to the two bedroom penthouse at the Whitby with wrap around balconies allowing for multiple perspectives and places to relax.

Bubbles and scrumptious chocolate cupcakes!

Floor to ceiling windows throughout with wrap around terraces –

Kit Kemp colorful design, homey and artsy –

The penthouse terrace is enormous, perfect for breakfast or entertaining –

The kitchenette comes stocked with fruits and vegetables for a healthy snack or perhaps a Bloody Mary –

My favorite part of the penthouse is playing wonderful old records on the player –

For a full tour of the two-bedroom penthouse at the Whitby, check out my video –

The art throughout is such eye-candy!

Standard Rooms and Jr. Suites have the same airy design, with carefully selected furnishing and floor to ceiling windows!

Go for the Junior Suites to have the wonderful bath tubs and dual vanity –

Firmdale restaurants are never an after-thought and are always delicious, a place for locals and guests alike!

Live jazz and expertly prepared cocktails were a treat –

New York is so safe and feels great for the teens to head out on their own to explore and shop –

While we had an incredible dinner at NYC Catch which I can highly recommend, the girls perhaps preferred our post theatre dinner at the infamous Black Tap –

Humongous burgers at Black Tap –

And even larger shakes (or shall I say dessert in a shake?) – this is what Black Tap is most famous for!

Mean Girls was a perfect broadway show to catch with the 16 year olds –

The Rickshaw ride to post theatre dinner was a blast –

We had a wonderful time exploring uber hip Brooklyn and the shops of Cobble Hill. We took the subway over to Brooklyn –

Cool Cobble Hill –

The ferry back to Manhattan was a great way to see the city’s best views!

As much as I love taking public transportation in cities as a way to get to know how the locals move about, an occasional taxi is also a must.

The Crosby Street Hotel: SOHO –

A couples reunion trip: Re-connecting with the Gendells and the Donnelleys in NYC!

How did these three globe-trotting couples meet? The Gendells from Atlanta and Donnellys from Australia met while vacationing in Maui. The Madrids joined both families one summer and rented a villa in the South of France and became fast friends. The reunion was a long weekend in New York City! This time the three couples re-united in NYC! I love how oceans have no barriers to friendships!

The Crosby Street Hotel has a whimsical and playful signature Kit Kemp design –

Welcome to the Crosby Street Hotel –

All of the rooms have great light, with floor to ceiling windows –

Firmdale restaurants are always destinations in themselves welcoming guest and locals alike –

Avocado Toast is my favorite breakfast treat –

And outdoor living space is enjoyed on a glorious day –

The San Genarro festival in Little Italy took place during our weekend and was an easy walk from the Crosby Street –

Our first night with the group was spent enjoying quite a few delicious libations –

…and then heading out for dinner at Cosme –

Below are mushroom tostadas (Sadly, the rest of the spectacular meal was consumed before a picture could be taken, but hopefully this gives you an idea).

Cosme is a restaurant in New York City’s Flatiron District serving contemporary Mexican-inspired cuisine from Chefs Enrique Olvera and Daniela Soto-Innes, along with their business partner Santiago Perez. Dishes are rooted in Mexican flavors and traditions, while also celebrating local and seasonal ingredients from the Hudson Valley and surrounding region. Cosme’s beverage program focuses on artisanal spirits and mirrors its cuisine, letting the high quality ingredients shine.

Soto-Ines was awarded Best Female Chef –

Though I did not get any pictures, I can highly suggest taking a walking tour or apartment visit at the Tenemant Museum –

Always an incredible story and critical in understanding who we are as Americans but particularly interesting to me at a time where the question of Immigration is at the forefront of our news and political discussion today.

Sharing Stories of the Immigrant Experience

The Tenement Museum celebrates the enduring stories that define and strengthen what it means to be American. We share stories of the immigrant and migrant experience through immersive guided tours, educational content and programs. These experiences are all developed, with one important goal — to advance the understanding of immigration and to highlight its role in the ongoing creation of our nation.

Throughout history and into the present day, millions of people moved to and around the United States in pursuit of the American Dream. While it may at times be easy to see the gaps between “us” and “them,” a closer look reveals how these newest citizens demonstrate the human spirit of our nation’s ideals. The understanding that results is that it doesn’t matter why they came; what matters is that they did.

Hudson Yards – is now open and it is great space for a stroll, shopping and food galore. We loved spending time at Jose Andre’s LITTLE SPAIN –

Our final night dinner was at a gem of a find, ATOBOY – with its eclectic fine-dining Korean food served in a casual family style setting. DELICIOUS!!!!

ATOBOY is a restaurant in the NoMad area by the Husband and
Wife Duo – Chef Junghyun Park and Manager Ellia Park.

Chef Junghyun Park is the former Chef de Cuisine of Jungsik –
a two Michelin starred Korean restaurant in New York.
Ellia comes from various experiences including Kajitsu,
Maialino, and Noreetuh.

The restaurant is adventurous yet well-thought-out, which serves
Korean-inspired family-style cuisine in three shareable dishes of your choice.