I have a love-hate relationship with Manhattan. The love starts right here in my room in the Concorde Hotel in the Park Avenue Plaza District. A wall of windows brings in lots of light while also giving us sweeping views of the New York City skyline.
The hotel is not new; it used to be headquarters for British Airways New York-to-London crews and not open to the public. Redesigned, renovated, and reopened in 2018, The Concorde is as sleek and shiny as the jet plane for which it was named. Now, it’s a luxury four-star boutique hotel, hosting travelers from around the world in its tall skinny building.
Rooms at The Concorde
Our room on the 25th floor is super comfortable with efficient use of minimalist furniture. For example, drawers tucked under the bed allow extra storage, and a mini fridge hides in a cupboard next to the desk. Bedside tables seem suspended on either side of the bed, adding to the airy vibe. The closet is just the right size for hanging a few pieces of clothing and stores an ironing board, iron, and small safe.
Moreover, the bathroom is as spacious as those we find in resorts, not downtown hotels. Ours has a separate walk-in shower, tub, sink, and toilet. Molten Brown toiletries, a magnifying mirror, and bathrobes/slippers are a pleasant surprise.
Each of the 37 floors has no more than four guest rooms, so it’s possible to get to know your “floor mates” at the elevator. We met a lovely couple from Australia. The hotel has 122 rooms and suites, including the 650-square-foot Ambassador Parlor featuring a living room with a fireplace and a kitchenette on the top floor. In addition, a one-bedroom suite on the 10th floor features an outdoor terrace furnished with seating to enjoy those views associated with New York City.
Amenities at The Concorde
Besides the bathroom perks, we have a Nespresso machine and a variety of coffee and teas in the room. A business center on the third floor offers 24/7 coffee, water, and ice. A fitness center is on the fourth floor. And pets 25 pounds or smaller can join you for no additional fee.
The Concorde Staff
The best amenity is the staff, a small multicultural crew that welcomed us warmly when we arrived. They have been super helpful with directions and suggestions as we head out to explore the city. Oh, by the way, there’s an umbrella stand at the front door, which was helpful on the day it was raining
Dining at The Concorde
Off the lobby, the Bonsaii Cafe offers breakfast in the morning from 8 to 1 p.m., and at 5 p.m. morphs into a trendy Tapas Bar, pairing small plates with wine from an extensive list.
You can enjoy your food in a charming adjacent seating area.
What to do close by
Walking is the best way to get around (traffic is the hate part of my relationship with the city), so we set out to see what was nearby within walking distance. We found 5th Avenue and its fabulous stores like Tiffany, Dolce & Gabana, and Gucci; Rockefeller Center; Radio City Music Hall; Grand Central Station; St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Central Park and Museum of Modern Art. One place where we took a ride-sharing car was to the Lincoln Center to see Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera House. This was on my bucket list and I was not disappointed!
Restaurants
Masseria dei Vini celebrates Owner/Chef Pino Coladonato’s roots with authentic dishes from his native Puglia, Italy. All the Italian favorites are here, served in an elegant but not pretentious space.
Masseria Caffè sits next door to Masseria dei Vini. Owned and operated by Pino’s son Vito, it offers a variety of panini, frittatas, salads, and Italian pastries you can’t find anywhere else.
Limani — A blue infinity pool is the centerpiece of this beautiful dining room where all-white leather seating transports you to the sunny shores of Greece. In this elegant atmosphere, we enjoyed the authentic cuisine of the region. Indeed, from the richest olive oil to the freshest fish flown in daily from the Mediterranean, it was a meal of discovery. For example, I had never tasted Kolokithi, thin-cut zucchini and eggplant served with lightly fried kefalograviera cheese and tzatziki. It was a delicious appetizer.
The Concorde Hotel
127 E. 55th St.
New York, NY 10022
212-355-2755
https://www.concordehotelnewyork.com/
Claudia Carbone is an award-winning travel writer and member of the Society of American Travel Writers, North American Travel Journalists Assoc. and Denver Woman’s Press Club. Currently, her work is published in The Denver Post, Colorado Expression Magazine, MTN Town Magazine, London Sunday Telegraph, GoWorldTravel.com and RealFoodTraveler.com. Her blog Sleepin’ Around covers any place you can sleep on vacation.
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