Living the High Life

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The Luxury Connection is your source for luxury product reviews, travel choices and articles on living the high life.

Here you will find the latest in luxury living from around the world.

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New York City's Luxury Boutique Hotels

Every veteran New York traveler has their favorite hotel. Whether you are visiting New York City for the first time or the hundredth, you will find all the big name hotels to satisfy every taste when it comes to service and amenities.

Competition for the patronage of New York's upscale visitors has never been more fierce, however, and for those who find the larger luxury hotels to be somewhat generic, a high-end boutique hotel offers a more uniquely sumptuous experience.

These hotels are stylish and fresh, which explains why many often host elegant 'after' parties with such panache. Here are a few offerings to get you started. Some are well-known, others are new and still others are well-kept secrets. Each review contains a link to the hotel's website where you can peruse pictures and rates, and decide what suits your fancy. Enjoy!

Hotel Gansevoort

Billing itself as 'The First Full-Service Luxury Hotel in Manhattan's Meatpacking District,' the Hotel Gansevoort is a delightful new choice in an up-and-coming area. The hotel is hip and modern; the rooms are chic and soothing and feature amazing views. Included are your daily Wall Street Journal or New York Times newspapers, continental breakfast, same-day laundry services, Wi-Fi (throughout the hotel) and other thoughtful touches. They even offer pet-friendly floors, a growing trend in NYC.

The Shoreham

Centrally located in midtown Manhattan, the Shoreham is a very convenient place to see and be seen. Your needs have been considerately anticipated all through your visit, from well-thought-out packages which include tickets to MoMA (the Metropolitan Museum of Art), to 'iJoy' massage chairs in suites to relax in after a long day. The rooms are simple, chic havens of relaxation with beds that purportedly feel like heaven.

The Gramercy Park Hotel

This legendary location in Manhattan has been re-done by Ian Schrager and offers a distinctly artistic place to call home during your stay. The Gramercy is visually stunning, drawing on a combination of modern touches mixed with antiques which pay homage to its' history, resulting in a stylish and contemporary setting. The bold use of color throughout is not for everyone, but will be deeply appreciated by those who enjoy Schrager's visionary touch.

Dream Hotel

Part of the Epoque Hotel group, Dream Hotel is definitely a unique indulgence. Ornate and visionary, it bills itself as an 'haute couture hotel.' This hotel manages to be modern and timeless all at once, with influences ranging from Ayurvedic healing to the visual stimulation of modern art and the infusion of technology. Conveniently located between Central Park and Times Square.

Hotel 57

An oasis of serenity, the trendy Hotel 57 is a luxurious and convenient place to stay in midtown Manhattan (east side). The rooms are contemporary and geared for rest for the busy traveler, with flat screen TV's, ultra-modern bathrooms and pinpoint reading lights above decadent 340 count Egyptian cotton bedding.

Soho Grand

The sexy and sophisticated Soho Grand is located at 310 West Broadway, and was a trendsetter when it opened in 1996, leading the gentrification of SoHo. The sleek Soho Grand is the perfect place to entertain or as a stepping-out point for fabulous nearby shopping. Decor is funky, loft-like and modern, and the young-ish, hip crowd will feel right at home here.

The Carlyle

A standalone property in quality and sophistication, the Carlyle is a sanctuary of refinement and privacy. Quiet elegance and privacy are the watchwords here, and it has been home to diplomats and business and entertainment leaders who value discretion and world-class style. Each suite has a decidedly residential feel, and is luxuriously outfitted to be a decadent home-away-from-home. The Carlyle is geared towards sophisticated and worldly guests who value polished service and traditional elegance.

The Lowell New York

"Located on a quiet, tree-lined street off Madison Avenue, The Lowell is in the heart of New York’s most exclusive and fashionable Upper East Side." Couldn't have said it better myself! This description from the Lowell website paints the perfect picture. The Lowell is understated, classy and beautiful. The rooms are comfortable and relaxing, with plush couches and gorgeous, peaceful views.
Many feature beautiful fireplaces and terraces (be sure and request a fireplace if you prefer one). Most suites have kitchens.

Enjoy your next trip to the Big Apple!

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