Recommend October 2012 - (Page 34)

onsitereview S E P T E M B E R 2 0 12 the surrey, new york city lorri robbins Select accommodations feature private terraces. Location, location, location. Yes, The Surrey—New York City’s only Relais & Chateaux property—is utterly magniﬁcent, but its location in a quiet Upper East Side residential neighborhood and just around the corner from the Whitney, not to mention steps away from Central Park and the best of Madison Avenue shopping, puts it over the top when it comes to Manhattan hotel stays. Even with 190 spacious and elegant salons, including 30 onebedroom suites, guests here feel as if they’re staying in a posh New York City residence rather than a big hotel, and its status as the ofﬁcial VIP hotel for the Whitney Biennial only adds to its exclusivity. Complementing its prime location is the top-end service from the highly efﬁcient staff and an ambiance that is never snobby or stuffy. It’s an idyllic setting for the truly well-heeled traveler who seeks out fabulous accommodations in one of the world’s greatest cities. “At The Surrey, we distinguish ourselves by residential design coupled with personalized and unique experiences,” says general manager Shan Kanagasingham. “Our target clientele is comprised of discerning guests who have a keen sense of luxury, appreciate a ﬂawless product and intuitive, approachable service.” He adds that, “Guests are often impressed with the warm, genuine service delivery by our team, especially that of our knowledgeable Les Clefs d’Or concierge.” onsite delights That rooftop garden is only one of the many onsite goodies. Cafe Boulud offers the well-known chef’s contemporary approach to classic French cuisine. “It is vital to have a notable chef on property, as food and wine are undoubtedly key elements when traveling,” says Kanagasingham. “Chef Boulud is able to add another interesting layer to the guest experience with both Bar Pleiades’ extensive cocktail and bar menus as well as Cafe Boulud’s seasonal menus.” Art aﬁcionados, meanwhile, will of course love the fact they’re steps away from some of the city’s ﬁnest cultural institutions, but the hotel itself offers its own collection of contemporary art. “We have a collection of 31 original modern artworks by iconic artists,” says Kanagasingham, “and the extent of our artistic offerings plays a major role in our relevance to the Upper East Side.” Notable art and exquisite dining might please some of your clientele, but no true elite traveler can do without a spa ﬁx. The Surrey’s newly re-launched Cornelia Spa at The Surrey contains three treatment rooms and two spa suites. The spa, says Kanagasingham, “features a carefully curated treatment menu, and spa guests are offered a tasting speciﬁcally prepared to complement their particular treatment as a ﬁnishing touch. For instance, a toast point with caviar and creme fraiche follows our Reparative Caviar and Oxygen Quench facial.” Kanagasingham says that a couple of the hotel’s most unique offerings include the in-room mixology program, “providing guests with the opportunity to learn how to prepare their favorite classic cocktail in their salon or suite. We also offer Post Pets,” he adds, “a program for guests traveling with their four-legged friends. It includes a Surrey monogrammed bed, all-natural Mac ‘n Cheese biscuits from Bocce’s Bakery,” and other treats. The hotel offers the 2-night East Side Revival package, with rates from $2,025. It includes accommodations in a Deluxe Salon with an upgrade to Grand Deluxe Salon (based on availability); 1-hour nutritional consultation and healthy restaurant recommendations from a local expert on nutrition; plus two Cornelia Spa Signature massage treatments and two detoxifying treatments. ● Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): Out & About in New York City (October 2011) contact information The Surrey: (888) 419-0052; thesurrey.com recommend.com stylish accommodations The salons and suites, ranging from 350 sq. ft. to 2,127 sq. ft., are ultra-chic with Beaux-Arts—the building itself was built pre-war in Beaux-Arts architectural design—and Art Deco custom-designed furnishings as well as artwork that ranges from prints of 1700s etchings to contemporary B&W photos of New York scenes. Select salons feature ﬁreplaces, private terraces and soaking tubs, while many suites include small kitchens, as well as those coveted terraces overlooking Manhattan—those views are enough to stir the soul of even the most jaded of travelers. Of course, because nothing but the best will do, guests will luxuriate in custom Duxiana beds, Pratesi bathrobes, Sferra linens and bath amenities by Laura Tonatto of Milan. Clients with very deep pockets should book the loft-like Penthouse with 10-ft. ceilings, a wraparound terrace and direct access to The Surrey’s English Rooftop Garden. “We feature the neighborhood’s only private roof garden,” says Kanagasingham, “offering spectacular views of the Empire State Building and downtown Manhattan.” 34 october 2012 http://www.recommend.com http://www.thesurrey.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend October 2012

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Sofitel Luxury Hotels
Tour Talk: Travcoa
A Villa Vacation in Europe
Napa Valley Revisited
Gateway Canyons Resort, Colorado
Vintage Palm Beach
The Surrey, New York City
The Best of India at ITC Hotels
St. Regis Offers City Sophistication & Barefoot Luxury in Mexico
Mexico Boutique Hotels' Stellar Collection
Four World-Class Private Island Resorts
Update: More on Luxury Private Island Resorts
In Santa Catarina, Brazil, the Surf's Up for Luxury Travel
Indigo Bay Island Resort & Spa, Mozambique
New Offerings on Luxe Cruise Lines

Recommend October 2012