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Experience of the Month: Christmas shopping in New York


Christmas shopping in New York

Trendsetter and shopping capital of the world, the Big Apple is ready and waiting to fill your Christmas stockings.

Seasonal shopping in New York City never disappoints and now we can get you there direct from Stansted thanks to Jet2.

The holidays arrive with the Black Friday sales in November, so splurge on big-name designer labels in Bloomingdale’s and essentials in Macy’s, before heading to Fifth Avenue for the likes of Barneys New York, Saks and Bergdorf Goodman. No Fifth Avenue excursion would be complete without a trip to Tiffany and Co - grab yourself a bagel en route and embrace your inner Audrey Hepburn by enjoying breakfast outside.

Break up the Christmas shopping with New York’s endless attractions. Catch a yellow cab to Times Square and soak up the hustle and bustle, head to the top of the Empire State Building or ride the Staten Island Ferry for breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.

NYC skyline

Enjoy some culture with a trip to one of the city’s many museums, walk along the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the street performers in Central Park. We can’t promise Rudolph, but we can guarantee a horse and carriage to show you round some of the 843 acres.

Instead of a queue of restless partners waiting outside the changing room, they too will be infatuated with the magic of Christmas in New York, including the Rockefeller Center’s ice rink in front of its huge tree, the festive window displays and the opening of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.

In the city that never sleeps, you won’t find a silent night, but you will discover bagel shops open at 4am. If that sounds like heaven, read on for a selection of some of our favourite hotels the city has to offer...

 

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Located on a charming, tree-lined street, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée is an Upper East Side boutique hotel that has been a home away from home to royalty, world leaders and celebrities since 1984.

Situated just steps from Central Park Zoo, Museum Mile, New York City’s prominent art galleries and the city’s finest shopping, the hotel boasts 143 guestrooms, including 26 suites, with spacious outdoor solariums and balconies.

The lobby features a French-inspired reception and a mural painted to resemble an antique tapestry, which has become a trade mark design.

Arabelle restaurant, with its gold domed ceiling, offers American cuisine highlighting local, organic ingredients and is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday Brunch. 

Bar Seine - known for its décor of rich velvets, animal print fabrics and leather floors - offers cocktails, a curated wine and champagne list and a refined afternoon tea.

Walker Hotel Greenwich Village

Walker Hotel Greenwich Village

The unique design, central downtown location and warm hospitality of Walker Hotel Greenwich Village, secures its place as one of the luxury boutique hotels in NYC.

Each of the Walker Hotel's 113 rooms are named and designed to showcase the vintage charm of the reception.

Guest rooms feature chic art-deco inspired furnishings and bathrooms recall classic NYC living with black and white subway tiles.

Italian Frette linens, Bluetooth stereos and free-local calling offer an at home experience that invites you to settle in.

Hidden inside the charming hotel is Society Cafe. A new market-to-table American restaurant, fueled by farmers’ market ingredients, with a seasonally driven menu that is bound to excite guests.

Roger Smith Hotel

Roger Smith Hotel

Located in Midtown Manhattan, The Roger Smith Hotel is a warm and charming space with 132 rooms and suites.

The hotel is walking distance from the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Broadway and the shops at Fifth Avenue.

Championing the city’s rich artistry, both the lobby and first-floor bar, Lily’s, have rotating gallery spaces.

As one of the longest-running family-owned Midtown hotels in NYC, the hotel has maintained a distinct identity for more than 80 years, all in the heart of one of the most changing cities in the world.

Amenities include free wireless internet, gym passes to a sports club and free local phone calls.

The Refinery Hotel

The Refinery Hotel

Originally built as a hat factory and tea salon in 1912, this gorgeous space was launched as a hotel 101 years later.

Located on a bustling block of the Fashion District next to couture houses, stalwart wholesalers and eco startups, the 12-storey hotel boasts 197 rooms, an industrial-chic design and a 24-hour fitness centre.

The property also hosts Parker & Quinn, an American bistro, and Winnie’s, where dapper mixologists serve cocktails and pour from an extensive whisky selection, and a stunning all-weather rooftop lounge with views of the Empire State Building.

Even in the winter, city sunsets glow through a retractable glass roof. Inside, a fountain and fireplace provide a backdrop to sets by a roster of live musicians and DJs.

 

Getting there has never been easier, with flights departing from London Stansted to John F. Kennedy International Airport on 16, 23, 30 November and 7 December.

For more information on mini-breaks to New York, or to make a booking, get in touch.

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