From downtown buzz to uptown glamour - we round up the places we visted on our 2014 trip to New York.
The Sherry Netherland
Where is it? 781 5th Ave (on the corner of 5th Ave and East 59th Street).
Nearest subway station: 5th Ave and 59th (N,Q,R)
The rooms: There are a range of guest rooms and suites, distinguished by whether they're a courtyard or city view. Our courtyard room was one of handful with two double beds. We thought it was pretty spacious for a Manhattan hotel.
Other pluses included a mini fridge stuffed with complimentary soft drinks (and with plenty of room for you to stash a nice bottle of wine from the Sherry-Leymann Wine & Spirit stores just two blocks back from the hotel) and we also liked the bathroom cabinet which came with all the things you'd actually need when you're staying away - including toothpaste, brushes, deoderants etc.
To kickstart the day, each room comes equipped with a Keurig coffee machine. And if you are determined to keep all the calories you're ingesting at bay there's a decent sized gym in the basement. Of course the linen is beautiful, the TV is flat screen and there's the usual luxury hotel amenities you'd expect, like a turn down service.
Service: With just 54 rooms and suites - the rest of the building is given over to super-posh apartments (one's currently on sale for upwards of $90m) - the Sherry for its size has a boutique feel to its service. White-gloved lift operators suss you out for the first day you're there and after that they'll always know which floor you're on. And - if you come downstairs dressed for sunshine and it turns out to be suddenly tipping it down - they'll gently nudge you back to your room to change into more appropriate attire.
Food: There's no hotel restaurant or bar, but you can access Cipriani from the hotel lobby and guests get a 20% discount on food and drink there.
We thought: it a perfect hotel, particularly if your trip to New York isn't just about the food (heaven forbid!). It's in such a great location, near to all the shops and the park - a quintessential New York hotel in fact.
Find out more: The Sherry Netherland website
Crosby Street Hotel
Where is it? 79 Crosby St (between Prince and Spring St)
Nearest subway station: Spring St (4, 6)
The rooms: Every room here comes complete with floor to ceiling warehouse windows - if you want to make like you're living the New York dream with your own studio apartment in Soho, this is where you come. We were lucky enough to be in one of the one bedroom suites so we had our own lounge with sofa and armchairs, but to be honest what we really liked was lolling by the windows on cushions looking out at that view.
The bathroom was absolutely beautiful - and stuffed with gorgeous Miller Harris toiletries. And if you had time to take a leisurely bath, the TV in the bathroom would probably be a handy touch.
Food: We weren't here long enough to avail of the food in the Crosby Bar this time - but we have had the epic weekend brunch on a previous trip which we highly rate).
Service: This is a nothing-is-too much hotel with a concierge service and front of house team that does their best to make your stay in New York a great one.
We thought: this was a great place to stay if you want to be downtown close to all the restaurants and bars (and to be frank - who doesn't?). With a buzzing bar and yet enough quiet space for residents, it covers all the bases.
Find out more: The Crosby Street Hotel website
Hot Dinners stayed as guests of both The Sherry Netherland and Crosby Street Hotel
The Hot Dinners 2014 guide to eating and drinking in New York
From steakhouses to food courts, diners and bars - here's where we ate, drank and stayed on our 2014 trip to New York.
