New York is the definitive destination for an urban honeymoon, especially following an autumn or win

Ultimate Honeymoons: The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York City | vtravelled Blog 338 Subscribers Subscribe to RSS | Email 4,675 Followers Why not follow us too! Front Page Community How To News Places Archives Home Places Ultimate Honeymoons: The Pierre, New York City Ultimate Honeymoons: The Pierre, New York City Published on October 3rd, 2012 by Maxine Sheppard
New York is the definitive destination for an urban honeymoon, especially ritz carlton hotel singapore following an autumn or winter wedding. The city is arguably at its most beautiful at this time of year and certainly at its most romantic, with chestnuts roasting on street corners, skating at the Rockefeller ice rink and boat rides under a canopy of fall foliage on Central Park Lake.
Next in our series ritz carlton hotel singapore of ultimate honeymoon hotels in Virgin Atlantic destinations is Manhattan s The Pierre, ritz carlton hotel singapore A Taj Hotel , where we step comfortably back in time into the lofty realm of Old New York. Here you ll find a refined, slower-paced world of clinking teacups, lazy cocktail hours, opulent public spaces and impeccable service, where royalty, political heavyweights and stars of stage and screen have sought solace and privacy for decades. The roll call of glamorous guests is as impressive as it is long, with everyone from Audrey Hepburn, John Wayne and Princess Grace to Richard Nixon, Andy Warhol and Mick Jagger having made The Pierre their New York base at some point. If only these walls could talk Where in the world
Among the grand dames of luxury Upper East Side hotels and apartment buildings, The Pierre is the grandest. The historic property at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and East 61st Street ritz carlton hotel singapore has soared over the southeast corner of Central ritz carlton hotel singapore Park since 1930 when it opened to great fanfare, with the aim of creating the atmosphere of a private club or residence. The architects ritz carlton hotel singapore took much inspiration from Versailles, with the upper floors of the Georgian-style skyscraper resembling a French chateau; a design ritz carlton hotel singapore which guaranteed the grandiose structure eternal landmark status on the Upper Manhattan skyline. The Pierre Hotel from Central ritz carlton hotel singapore Park © 2012 Taj Hotels
Directly opposite two of Central Park s east side entrances, the hotel lies within the Upper East Side Historic District , surrounded by imposing neo-classical mansions, towering apartment ritz carlton hotel singapore buildings and brownstone townhouses. The old money neighbourhood has long been synonymous with vast wealth and societal standing, and unsurprisingly ritz carlton hotel singapore the stretch of Madison Avenue which lies one block to the east is packed with designer boutiques and department stores. Inside the hotel The Pierre lobby © 2012 Taj Hotels
Following a $100 million renovation which was completed in 2009, the hotel re-opened with all-new interiors, reconfigured public spaces and a contemporary sheen. But while the 21st century Pierre boasts state-of-the-art technology and a fine collection of Indian modern art, the overall vibe upon entering the glossy 61st Street lobby is still thoroughly traditional. This old New York icon remains a top-to-toe classic, with old-fashioned mail chutes on every floor and beaming elevator ritz carlton hotel singapore operators manning the lifts. Park View guestroom at The Pierre © 2012 Taj Hotels
All the 189 high-ceilinged guestrooms (including 49 suites) are extremely bright and spacious by New York standards, and have been designed to feel like private apartments. The residential-style decor makes good use of natural light and a neutral colour palette to offset the heavy textiles, richer woods and bolder colours, and the rooms feel comfortably plush and upmarket without seeming overly ostentatious. Guest bathroom at The Pierre © 2012 Taj Hotels
Turkish marble-clad bathrooms continue the feeling of understated luxury. Walk-in glass-walled showers and oversized showerheads come as standard, while some rooms have a separate tub and additional flatscreen TV.
Best of all though are the jaw-dropping views from the park view rooms and suites, which really are quite mesmerising from morning until night. Front-facing rooms look across Central Park s pond, ice rink and wooded trails to the Upper West Side beyond, and benefit from spectacular sunsets. North facing side rooms have views of the entire length of the park and the glittering architecture of the Upper East Side. View over Central Park © 2012 Taj Hotels What makes it special?
Staying here really is like stepping back into another era, which explains why the hotel is top of the list for society weddings, photo shoots and film and tv locations. Many of the hotel s interior spaces have been seen on screen, more recently in hit TV series Mad Men when room 435 became the makeshift offices of ad agency Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce. The Garden Foyer © 2012 Taj Hotels
Large banqueting spaces like the Grand Ballroom, Cotillion Room and Garden Foyer are unlikely to feature ritz carlton hotel singapore highly in a honeymoon break, but it s worth taking a peek inside just to witness the sheer scale and craftsmanship of the restoration work. The Rotunda, on the other hand, is the crowning glory of the hotel and deserves to be appreciated at length. The 1967 trompe l oeil murals are not as traditional as they first appear, with the painter s cat and various members of New York high society depicted, including a woman with young children said to be Jackie Kennedy. ritz carlton hotel singapore The Rotunda © 2012 Taj Hotels
The Two E Bar/Lounge is our preferred space for extended lingering however; a sunken, seductively cosy space formed from the hotel s original reading room, backed with a gleaming art deco copper bar. The venue serves light meals throughout the day, including an extravagant afternoon tea, before the mood lighting transforms the seating ritz carlton hotel singapore area into a contemporary cocktail lounge for evening. Grown-up, intimate, but distinctly non-formal, the bar is a favourite among neighbourhood residents as well as hotel guests, and feels like an insider s secret. Two E Bar/Lounge © 2012 Taj Hotels
Brand new Sirio Ristorante will open in October 2012, named after Tuscan restaurateur Sirio Maccioni and sister restaurant ritz carlton hotel singapore to Sirio Ristorante Las Vegas. The interior is inspired by the 1950s and 60s imagery ritz carlton hotel singapore of Federico ritz carlton hotel singapore Fellini s film La Dolce Vita , with the casual dining space lined with black and white images of Italy. Michelin-rated chef Filippo Gozzoli has been enlisted from Verona, and his new menu of traditional and contemporary Italian dishes is infused with Florentine, Tuscan and Parisian influences. Sirio Ristorante © 2012 Taj Hotels Beyond the hotel
Midtown and Uptown Manhattan are literally on your doorstep. ritz carlton hotel singapore It s a two minute walk to Tiffany Co and the start of Fifth Avenue s famous shopping strip. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), ritz carlton hotel singapore Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Plaza are all within a 15 minute stroll, as are The Shops at Columbus Circle and the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts across the park.
In the other direction, you re well placed for leisurely explorations of Central Park and New York s Museum Mile , with the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum all a short distance away. Essentials
For trips further afield, the 5th Ave/59th Street subway is one minute south (for direct services to Midtown, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn) and the E 59th Street stop is three blocks east (two stops to Grand Central Terminal, or for trips Uptown).
The Pierre is part of the luxury Taj Hotels group, a Virgin Atlantic ritz carlton hotel singapore Flying Club partner. Flying Club members can earn miles with our extensive global network of hotel, airline and car rental ritz carlton hotel singapore partners, so if you re not yet a member here s all you need to know . Rooms are available from $595 + tax (about £370) in low season.
Maxine is the editor of vtravelled, the Virgin Atlantic travel blog. When she's not snooping around new cities ritz carlton hotel singapore with her beloved camera in tow, she can normally be found bashing away at her piano or drooling over photography, design and architecture blogs. She writes on her own site at Untraveller.com . If you liked this, you might also like... ritz carlton hotel singapore Ultimate Honeymoons: Jalousie Plantation, St. Lucia Ultimate Honeymoons: La Residence, Cape Winelands New York City: An Insider s Guide Ultimate Honeymoons: Umaid Bhawan Palace, India New York City, Mad Men Style New York City: Celeb Spotting Hangouts One comment so far luxury holiday blog says: October 10, 2012 at 7:05 am
Hi Maxine!Thanks for sharing the photos!My husband likes it.Spending my honeymoon there would be perfect!Were planning to take a month vacation from work and were looking for a unique place to stay to spend our moments ritz carlton hotel singapore together.I ll put The Pierre in my bucket list.
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