I have always had a desire to explore living in New York City. For at least half a century and it is hard to believe that this Grandma can utter that time period as an adult, I look at New York real estate and locations daily. My long (we never say old) dear friend for over half a century who is a New Yorker dissuaded me from my favorite theatre district saying it is all tourist and too crowded and dirty for any extended stay. She dissuaded me from Fifth Avenue area citing parades every weekend which I got to view first hand and saw the noise, crowds and difficulty in living. She, and our personal needs, guided us to the Midtown East and Upper East side of Manhattan.
Yes, when we had the opportunity and need to spend a month in New York City, I explored all alternatives, including thousands of Air BnBs and hotel options in Midtown East and Upper East Side, making many sight visits. Those who know me personally know that I checked everything and anything available. For temporary exploration stays, we saw that my friend was right, hotels and extended stay alternatives on the east side are most convenient due to the new Second Avenue subway. Check out the Courtyard Marriot Midtown East, with the subway entrance within steps of the hotel, for hotel visits to New York City for up to a few nights. It is in the same building with a different entrance than Sloan Kettering Cancer Center doctors’ offices and medical facilities.
For our one month stay, we chose the Bristol Plaza at Third Avenue and 65th Street and it exceeded our expectations in every way. If you are coming to New York for a month or longer, there is no where else you should stay. Being in a convenient, walkable, safe and beautiful residential neighborhood, in a safe and beautiful luxury facility with fully equipped kitchen and every amenity you may desire, what you spend on lodging will mean savings on everything else. Yes, it is New York City and everything around you that you need is open 24 hours a day. You can get groceries and everything delivered, including cookies at 3 am.
The Bristol Plaza accommodations are large and luxurious with sofa bed in the living room, marble bath, granite countered fully equipped kitchen with gas stove and oven, full size appliances, large bedrooms that accommodate king beds with deluxe linens and Down, Inc. pillows, Frette bathrobes, daily maid service, concierge and doorman service. All daily amenities include those you would get in a luxury hotel, shampoo, soaps, etc. There are some studio apartments. The views are of greenery and park like atmosphere and open city views, including an outdoor park area to relax outside the well appointed large lobby. And even more that puts the Bristol Plaza over the top: a roof top swimming pool, indoor luxurious lounge with coffee, juices, and daily newspapers, outdoor luxury deck with covered private and uncovered areas with beautiful open city views, two exercise rooms, sauna, locker rooms, and even outstanding complimentary yoga classes twice a week!
The city is at your fingertips, as the subway is but two short blocks away bringing you to the theatre district in one (57th and 7th Avenue) to two stops to Times Square, Rockefeller Center in two stops, and Soho, the Lower East Side, and the Village in fifteen minutes. You can even get to all area airports by public transportation! There is a cross town bus on 66th street. The Bristol Plaza is within walking distance to world renown medical centers, including Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital and Medical facilities.
The immediate neighborhood is fantastic, less crowded, friendly and convenient to all needs, with delis, bagel stores, outstanding organic and supermarket options with prepared foods, and more excellent restaurants in every price range than you can visit in a month’s stay within a block of two or short walking distance. Starbucks, Lululemon, Nike, and Vineyard Vines and local shopping is a block away. The avenues going west are shorter in this area and it is .4 miles to Fifth Avenue and Central Park. The Frick, the Met Breuer, the Met, and much more are within walking distance, passing the most beautiful architecture in townhouses and buildings along the way. Shopping on Madison Avenue is so close. Bloomingdales and the Midtown New York design district are five short blocks away.
The Bristol Plaza staff, from managers and their assistants, concierge, doormen, to lifeguard at the pool, are warm and welcoming, providing outstanding service at this seven star resort within the city of New York. You will want to return to this oasis. We have already booked our next stay. With the Bristol Plaza, you do not need to buy a home in New York, you have one whenever you want one, and one that meets your every need and desire. For further information and availability, look online or contact the Bristol Plaza Office: 212-446-1009. You can tell them you found them on this blog post.
Yes, this is a luxury vacation in the number one city in the world. You will be surprised at how affordable it is to live in New York for a month. I think you too will be hooked to return year after year, and without the cost, work and maintenance of a second home.
This is the first of a series of New York City articles that Melinda Easley, the outstanding reservation manager at the Bristol Plaza, suggested I write about how to get the most out of temporary living in New York City.
Joy,
Mema
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