REDESIGNED CONCORDE HOTEL IS A LUXURY HOMEBASE IN THE HEART OF MANHATTAN

REDESIGNED CONCORDE HOTEL IS A LUXURY HOMEBASE IN THE HEART OF MANHATTAN

I have a love-hate relationship with Manhattan. Love begins in my room at the Concorde Hotel in the Park Avenue Plaza neighborhood. The wall of windows lets in plenty of light while offering expansive views of the New York skyline.

The hotel is not new; it was the headquarters of British Airways crews from New York to London and was not open to the public. Redesigned, refurbished and reopened in 2018, the Concorde is as stylish and dazzling as the jet it is named after. It is now a luxurious four-star boutique hotel that welcomes travelers from all over the world in its tall, slender building.

CONCORD ROOMS

Our room on the 25th floor is very comfortable, with effective use of minimalist furniture. For example, the hidden drawers under the bed provide extra storage space and the mini fridge is hidden in the cupboard next to the desk. The bedside tables seem to hang on both sides of the bed, which creates airiness. The wardrobe is just the right size to hang a few items of clothing and has an ironing board, iron and small safe.

The bathroom is also spacious, as we find in resorts, not downtown hotels. We have a separate shower cubicle, bath, sink and toilet. Molten Brown toiletries, a magnifying mirror and bathrobes/slippers are a pleasant surprise.

Each of the 37 floors has up to four guest rooms, so you can get to know your “roommates” by taking the elevator. We met a nice couple from Australia. The hotel has 122 rooms and suites, including the 650-square-foot Ambassador Parlor with fireplace and kitchenette on the top floor. In addition, the 10th floor 1 bedroom suite has a furnished outdoor deck with seating to enjoy views of New York City.

CONCORD SERVICES

In addition to the bathroom benefits, our room has a Nespresso machine and a variety of coffee and tea. The business center on the third floor offers 24/7 coffee, water and ice, and the fitness center on the fourth floor. And pets up to 25 kilos can come along for free.

CONCORDIA STAFF

The best comfort is the staff, a small multicultural crew who greeted us warmly when we arrived. They were very helpful with directions and suggestions as we went to explore the city. Oh by the way, there’s an umbrella stand by the door, which came in handy on a rainy day

FOR LUNCH AT CONCORDE

Outside the lobby, Bonsaii Cafe serves breakfast from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on the 17th turns into a trendy tapas bar that pairs small plates with a wide selection of wines.

You can enjoy your food in the lovely sitting area next to it.

WHAT TO DO NEARBY

Walking is the best way to get around (traffic is a hated part of my relationship with cities), so we headed out to see what was nearby within walking distance. We found 5th Avenue and its great shops like Tiffany, Dolce & Gabana and Gucci; Rockefeller Center; Radio City Music Hall; Central Station; St. Patrick’s Cathedral; Central Park and the Museum of Modern Art. One place we bought a ride was to Lincoln Center to see Toscana at the Metropolitan Opera House.

RESTAURANTS

Masseria dei Vini celebrates owner/chef Pino Coladonato’s roots with authentic dishes from his native Puglia, Italy. All Italian favorites are served here in an elegant yet unassuming space.

Masseria Caffè is next to Masseria dei Vini. Owned and operated by Pino’s son Vito, it offers a variety of Italian sandwiches, omelets, salads and desserts that you won’t find anywhere else.

Limani – A blue infinity pool is the centerpiece of this beautiful dining room, where all-white leather chairs transport you to the sunny shores of Greece. In this elegant atmosphere we tasted the authentic food of the region. From the richest olive oil to the freshest fish arriving daily from the Mediterranean, it was a feast of discoveries. I had never tasted kolokith, thinly sliced ​​zucchini and eggplant with lightly fried cephalograviera cheese and tzatziki. It was a delicious appetizer.