THE EMPIRE HOTEL - INTIMATE VIBES IN MANHATTAN
2019 was filled with a whirlwind of events that left me verklempt, so in need of a breakthrough of some sort, I broke my typical protocol and booked two round trip tickets to the city that never sleeps! The next day my sister and I boarded our flight and landed two hours later in New York City! - - - You and I haven’t been able to travel lavishly as of late, so, reminisce with me about my luxury accommodations at the Empire Hotel, a modern, boutique hotel in Manhattan.
DESIGN
We could see the colossal neon Hotel Empire signage as our shuttle driver approached West 63rd Street. Upon entering the foyer and then the lobby, I felt intimate vibes that hinted at down to earth, yet discerning tastes. Our check-in was informative about its popular rooftop bar and pool, etc. As we walked to the elevators, I noticed the gold ottomans and velvet seating, but it was the symmetrical black and white flooring that stood out. The Superior Room had an intimate aesthetic, but with spicy red and orange accent colors. It was a small room with just enough space to include two comfortable double beds, a spacious closet, and a sleek, but cramped bathroom; the printed and textured wall paper and carpet stole the show this time.
LANDSCAPE
A reservation at the Empire Hotel positioned us only 250 ft away from the Lincoln Center of Performing Arts and an estimated 550 ft from the historical landmark Central Park on the Upper West Side of NYC. Ironically, we spent my birthday, July 13th, outside in the dark during the blackout in Manhattan (which happened 42 years ago on the exact same date). After taking the stairwell to our room, we woke up the next morning to our BLACK bellman recommending the Flame Diner for a hot breakfast; on the way we found that we were a few blocks away from Times Square and steps away from the subway stations.
