The Greenwich Hotel
New York, United States[view map]
Guestbook
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The Greenwich Hotel truly was very good but the outstanding crew on the front desk really made the trip. Helpful , attentive, polite, friendly and always a step ahead of what we wanted. By some distance the best front desk/concierge of any hotel either of us has ever stayed at. Lots of other great things at the hotel: huge bed, lots of goodies in the room, spookily cool spa and pool, lovely library bar and the best toiletries of any hotel. We are aficionados of such things and these – Red Flower – are sublime. They have a shop at 13 Prince Street, but it doesn’t sell the bars of soap so be VERY nice to the maid and get some extra…
Other useful local things:
On balance, don’t go to Chanterelle, the well reviewed restaurant around the corner from the Greenwich. The food and the service are very good but it is not, repeat not, a romantic venue. Too bright and too much business going on. Also, the average age of the diners seemed to be somewhere well north of 70. I know it’s ageist but it did not create a party atmosphere. Eat at Ago or the Tribeca Grill instead.
Other things you should do:
Take the helicopter tour, in my case arranged as a surprise by a conspiracy of my own Mrs Smith, the charming Nicole from Mr & Mrs S and the aforementioned front desk. Well worth it – take the 20-minute flight. Less probably isn’t enough and more probably won’t add much.
Do have brunch at 202 in Chelsea Market (75 9th Avenue). Nice food, relaxed vibe and delicately nested inside a chic clothes and housewares shop. Don’t eat too much as the market is full of great food shops (tins of brownies from the Fat Witch Bakery are nice things to bring back).
More cerebrally – a New York favourite is McNally Jackson bookshop at 52 Prince Street. Lots of cool NY books and many other interesting books and magazines you can’t get in the UK.