Crains New York - July 8, 2013 - (Page 25)

INSIDE HELLUVA TOWN simon & schuster Source Lunch New Amtrak chairman trains sights on funding P. 26 Out and About NY Philharmonic plays in Prospect Park P. 27 Suite deal for book lovers Travelers with a literary bent may find the Algonquin Hotel quite compatible. The storied property has teamed with publisher Simon & Schuster to offer a package befitting its literary history. The newly dubbed Simon & Schuster Suite, with prices starting at $459, is stocked with classic books as well as advance copies of new releases and book memorabilia. In addition to breakfast, guests get one new release to keep. Simon & Schuster is “a great iconic name in publishing, and we like to think of ourselves as a great iconic name with literary ties,” said hotel General Manager Gary Budge of the new partnership. The Algonquin is famous for its Round Table, a group of writers including Dorothy Parker who met there regularly during the 1920s. The hotel, which became a Marriott property in 2011, hosts a Meet the Author event with Chuck Klosterman on July 8, its first in a series of readings planned with Simon & Schuster writers. —lisa ferber BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG FAMILY: (From left) St. Louis residents Vernon and Jessica Ross and their daughters, Taylor and Christina, and nephew Malik take in Times Square. Shows get shipshape holland america line —theresa agovino Kid stuff Forget Orlando: New York City is gaining a reputation as— surprise—an affordable family destination buck ennis Holland America Line has tapped Ryan Stana’s firm, RWS & Associates Entertainment, to create five original musical productions for its guests on two of its ships. To put on the best shows possible, he is scouring New York to find a 20,000-square-foot space where he can replicate a cruiseship theater, just for rehearsals. This way, he said, his actors can be familiar with their surroundings as soon as they hit the decks. The only aspects of the experience Mr. Stana won’t be able to replicate are the waves. Ship stages can be bigger than their Broadway counterparts, he said, but the real issue is recreating the backstage area so the performers know how to get on and off and where to wait for cues. He hopes to find a place by September so the rehearsal space can be open by January. “On Broadway, you have four weeks of technical rehearsals, and on a ship you only have two or three days,” said Mr. Stana. “We want to be show-ready on the first day.” T BY MIRIAM KREININ SOUCCAR he lobby at the InterContinental New York Times Square is usually packed with executives in business suits. But lately, a new clientele is gaining on the briefcase crowd: kids. ¶ In fact, on long weekends and school vacations, there are so many family guests that the hotel has been forced to rent an extra 50 rollaway beds from a medical-supply company in addition to the 45 cots it has in-house. ¶ “Sometimes I look around the lobby and it’s just full of families,” marveled Hervé Houdré, the hotel’s general manager, who also oversees InterContinental’s properties on the East Coast.¶ Orlando, Fla., still reigns supreme as the country’s No. 1 tourist destination for families. But New York City is giving it a run for its roller coasters. Families are flocking to New York, once perceived as too grown-up and unfriendly for travelers with tots. A bevy of more affordable hotels, and a growing number of Broadway shows and other attractions aimed at kids, along with an international campaign by the city, have helped make the See FAMILY on Page 26 EASY ON THE WALLET What the Ross family of St. Louis spent during their five-day trip to NY in June: Airfare $600 sale price plus flight voucher $1,000 Hotel with Groupon Taxis/subway Shopping $50 $250 “A ton of looking but very selective buying.” July 8, 2013 | Crain’s New York Business | 25

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - July 8, 2013

Crains New York - July 8, 2013
IN THE MARKETS
BUSINESS PEOPLE
SMALL BUSINESS
INSIDER
REAL ESTATE DEALS
OPINION
GREG DAVID
NICOLE GLAROS
IN THE BOROUGHS
TOURISM REPORT
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR THE RECORD
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - July 8, 2013