Advice on travelling: This is the ultimate hotel tip for Christmas shopping in New York
Going to New York for Christmas shopping? This year everything is possible again. FOCUS online travel expert Carsten K. Rath took a look around New York and is introducing one of the most unusual new hotels in the city – an oasis of calm in the midst of the city’s Christmas hustle and bustle.
I’ve been to New York countless times in my life and I’m always fascinated by the diversity and energy of the mega-metropolis. This time, among other things, I want to look at a luxury hotel that is currently causing a sensation around the world: the newest hotel in the Aman Group.
About the expert
Carsten K. Rath is a lecturer and management consultant on the topics of service and leadership excellence. He used to manage luxury hotels like the Adlon in Berlin. With his expertise as a former grand hotelier, he now travels to hotels all over the world and reports on his experiences on his platform, among other places www.travelgrand.ch. Rath finances the trips he reports on in this column himself and independently describes his personal impressions.
I hardly get off at the corner of Fifth Avenue/57. From the street out of my yellow cab, I am literally sucked in by the extreme Manhattan noises that are so familiar.
Russian billionaire bought floors for $500 million
I’m standing in front of the Crown Building – the neoclassical building underwent a massive transformation over the years and, as of last summer, now houses the Aman New York.
For more than ten years, a suitable location was sought in what is probably the most competitive (and most expensive) hotel city in the world. In 2015, Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin bought floors 4 to 24 of the historic building for a whopping $500 million.
I enter the hotel through the imposing yet Asian-restrained portal. I am immediately greeted by my name and escorted to the elevator, which takes me up to the actual reception.
Glass sound insulation protects the interior from noise
Even before I get into the elevator, I notice that something has changed since I entered the building: This hotel is already completely noise-free here in the entrance area. The New York noise level is hidden.
I later find out that the entire building is protected from the noisy outside world by elaborate glass soundproofing. From now on and in the next few days I feel what makes all Aman’s: the calm.
I stay in one of the regular rooms, but even this room is 70 square meters, which is extremely spacious by New York standards. I really like the walls with multiple layers of textured panels and the muted tonal colors. The bathrooms are large and of the finest quality.
Each of the suites here in the house also has a modern fireplace – there are 200 fireplaces in total at Aman New York. My jet lag makes me fall into my huge comfortable bed – in seconds I’m in dreamland.
Central Park: A jogger’s paradise
The next morning I am active very early, I still feel the time difference and I urgently need to move. The Aman is ideally located in Manhattan: diagonally across from the infamous Trump Tower, two blocks away from other hotel palaces, such as the Peninsula and the Regent. As a jogger, I’m drawn to Central Park – the south-east entrance is just two blocks from Aman.
The Hyatt Grand Central, once built by Donald Trump and located in Midtown Manhattan, directly at the Grand Central Terminal train station, is also recommended. Here, a night in a double room with breakfast costs from around 500 euros.
Back at the Aman Hotel, it’s time for lunch: The Arva, the Italian restaurant in the hotel, is open all day. There I enjoy perfect pasta with a panoramic view of Central Park, which I just jogged through.
Spa on three floors – with indoor and outdoor pool
Then it’s time to explore the huge Aman Spa – spread over three floors. The centerpiece is the 20 meter long indoor pool lined with day beds with a very pleasant – not too low – temperature for me. Also great: the hydrotherapy facility with ice fountains and state-of-the-art multi-sensor showers and the huge outdoor pool.
The wellness center includes seven spa treatment suites and four additional spa houses, each with its own private terrace and outdoor plunge pool.
My conclusion: The Aman New York is grander than almost any hotel I’ve ever experienced. The attention to detail, the exclusivity that I can feel from every corner is unique. Just like the tranquility that makes Central New York almost feel like a luxury vacation resort.
- Price info: So much luxury comes at a price, making the Aman one of the city’s most expensive hotels. For example, the rates for a Fifth Avenue Junior Suite in December are between 3,000 and 5,000 euros including taxes and fees, depending on the day of the week. More info below www.aman.com
The FOCUS onlineInsider tips:
- Jogging route: The best thing to do is early in the morning in Central Park, the largest park in Manhattan, for a long jog of almost 10 kilometers, which leads around the green lungs of New York and past the Central Park Reservoir. If you want something more comfortable, you can rent a rowing boat and paddle on the lakes. I also really enjoyed exploring the park by bike on the perfectly signposted bike paths – amazing how big the park is.
- vantage point: Open for just under a year, The Summit at One Vanderbilt, the 427-foot-tall platform, is the first observation deck to be located on Manhattan’s east side. Great views of the nearby Empire State Building, East River and Central Park.
- Excursion: The Manhattan, Brooklyn and Coney Island Helicopter Tour is the longest helicopter flight available in New York and is quite impressive. Be sure to reserve well in advance – since helicopters are no longer allowed to fly on Sundays, flights on the remaining days are quickly sold out.