We had many recommendations of things to do and places to stay while in New York City but by far, the best recommendation we had came from one of my readers – Sarah. When I put it out to the Miss Chardy Facebook community “Where to stay in NYC?” Hotel Elysee was the winner.
Hunting for accommodation is a sport I take very seriously so I left no stone unturned. I hunted and hunted and hunted for the best possible deal and hotel. I kept coming back to Hotel Elysee. There was something about it. It just felt right. I had a good feeling. And I am so glad we trusted that feeling and went with Sarah’s recommendation because it was the best hotel. Oh we seriously can’t speak highly enough about it.
When hunting I think they had me at “complimentary canapés and wine each evening from 5-8pm” and “breakfast included”. Oh stop.
I contacted the hotel and got the best deal I could. It wasn’t cheap but in comparison to other large hotels and what they offered it was the best. The thing I loved about Hotel Elysee was the size. It wasn’t a huge chain hotel. Sometimes they can feel sterile and impersonal. It was a smaller boutique type hotel. Old charm. The staff were so friendly and welcoming, it had a really warm vibe about it, cozy!
The wine and cheese evenings were probably our favourite part. After a full on day pounding the NYC pavement it was so nice to go back to our hotel, which was located Midtown East in a lovely quite location. 54th Street between Madison and Park. From our room you couldn’t even hear traffic or sirens. We would head back to our freshly made up room, drop our gear and head down to the club room – with everyone else, because they obviously loved it too – for some wine and cheese. This is where we met quite a few people. It is just so social because you might end up sitting on a lounge across from other visitors. Of course Bec and I have no trouble striking up a conversation so we met some really interesting people.
We even met 2 old girls from Sydney – Carolyn and Carmel. Ok so maybe they weren’t that old, but they let me call them Old Girls. Oh they were an absolute hoot. We had so many laughs with them and even took them with us down to the World Trade Centre the day after we met them. They were such good fun. On our last day I took Carmel with me to the Dry Bar for a Blow Out.
And there were the Southern Belles from Savannah Georgia. This lovely lady – Susan – came up to us on our last night and told us how much she loved our earrings and I was putty in her hands.
She had me with that fabulous southern accent. I was up faster than you can say “plantation” to have my photo taken with her. I mean look at those pearls and that striped jacket, isn’t she just the best. Susan was there with a bunch of friends, she said they come every year for birthdays that end in zero or five. Said they have been staying at Hotel Elysee for about 20 years and wanted to know how on earth we found this gem.
I couldn’t help myself, I just had to go over and say hello to all the Southern Belles… I put on my bad southern accent and said “Do y’all live on a plantation” ….. turns out one of them does – Diana, or Lady Di as I called her. They were all so glamorous, I feel like I found “my people”… my southern belles, dressed in bright colours and pearls!!!
The breakfast was amazing too, it was held in the same room as the wine and cheese affair. So it wasn’t like eating in a dining room, it was so cozy and friendly and the food was just amazing. Best fruit salad I have ever had.
Our room was fabulous too. We had no complaints what so ever. Those beds were so bloody comfy, with thick crisp linen.
The hotel was in such a convenient location. Quick walk to the shops on 5th Avenue, Central Park, not far from the Upper East Side. Walk to the Rockefella Centre & Kate Spade!!! We even walked home from Times Square at 1am, never felt unsafe.
So if you are ever in New York City and looking for accommodation head to Hotel Elysee, you will not be sorry.
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