What to Expect From Our First Hotel Stay after COVID at the Costa d’Este in Vero Beach, along the Treasure Coast of Florida.

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted ALL OF US,  but few more than the travel and hospitality industry. As the world slowly opens up again in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, hotel stays are set to be different. Some favorites have to be changed or stopped - goodbye buffet breakfasts - and hello to new protocols introduced to ensure that travelers and staff feel safe and protected. Here are some of the ways in which  we expected our first stay in a hotel since shutdown of the world began, and what actually happened.  We will follow with a review of the hotel itself:  the Costa d'Este in Vero Beach, Florida. 

The sleepy seaside village of Vero Beach has a secret. This Florida beach town, known for its year-round cultural arts scene, is home to another hidden jewel, a place where summer romance sizzles to a Latin beat, surrounded by fantastic restaurants, museums and theaters.

This was an exciting trip for LTD! Not only were we able to visit a hidden gem near one of our favorite meaningful museums, the National Navy SEAL UDT museum, but it was our first trip out after the COVID-19 pandemic caused a worldwide shutdown of most travel.   

Generally it is accepted that hotel stays will change in several ways after the COVID-19 pandemic, and we expected the differences during this stay.  Here is what we expected and what happened during out stay.  

1. Cleanliness

We believe it will be key for accommodation providers to openly display this information to help set accurate expectations and bring travelers additional reassurance as they search, book and begin to experience the world once again. Larger chain hotels, such as Hilton, have published an extensive guide to their COVID-19 initiatives.  We expected a clear explanation of the enhanced cleaning procedures at check in but that was not provided.  When I asked later after our arrival what to expect for cleaning and housekeeping services, I was told that to limit entry into guest rooms, housekeeping would not be entering the rooms to make the bed, empty trash, replenish amenities, clean or change towels except every 4th day.  After two days I did receive the "Welcome Kit" that had more information about enhanced cleaning services and lack of daily room maintenance.  This kit also included a mask, hand sanitizer garbage bags and little else.  The hotel was very good at providing the items we needed replenished and taking our garbage that we placed outside the door, but we wish that we didn't have to ask to find these things out.  Here was the "Welcome Kit" we received, and if you look closely you will see items were missing.  We believe these kits could be very useful and we recommend all hotels provide them.  

Also we suggest that ALL hotels have an informational page on their website outlining enhanced cleaning and hygiene procedures - the Costa d'Este does not have this but it would be easy to implement.  Frequent locations for hand sanitizing stations should be present within the facility, and the Costa d'Este had some placed throughout the hotel, but we would like to see them at every elevator location on every floor which we wasn't the case.

2. Dining

You probably know that we love the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts program.  One of our favorite things to do while traveling is to have a luxurious European buffet breakfast to get our day going when traveling.  It will be a long time until you experience this again!  The breakfast buffet will likely become a thing of the past.  Most restaurants are offering "grab and go" options or a limited menu to be served.  We didn't expect to find self-service ice machines either, but the Costa d'Este had them...

3. Technology

Some hotels such as are implementing enhanced technology to allow for touchless operation of items in the hotel room such as check in, communication with front desk, door lock, lights, television, internet etc.  For example through the Marriott app, you can checkin or contact the front desk for extra towels, or other needs without having to touch the room phone.  Or Viceroy hotels are using Amazon Alexa in some properties to control the technology in guest rooms, and contactless or low-touch solutions around check-in and payment for goods and services is one of the recommendations of the US Travel Association. There were no such offerings at the Costa d'Este.

4. Fitness

With gyms being some of the last locations to reopen after the pandemic (for good reasons!) we expect that hotel gyms will be likely either not opened or drastically changed with things like time-slots or spaced machines and enhanced cleaning services. 

At the pool guests should expect at least six feet of distance between lounge chairs. According to the most experts, swimming pools should be safe against microbiological hazards as long as they’re chlorinated properly and operated according to standards. It is recommended to follow government advice on social distancing in the pool, and that enhanced disinfection procedures should pay particular attention to door handles and surfaces.  Unfortunately, we didn't see any of these procedures at the gym, the pool and even saw servers at the pool with masks around their chin rather than covering their faces. 

5. Check-in

Where they are not executed on a self-service basis, changes to check-in procedures may include the installation of social distancing floor decals, front desk sneeze guards and hand sanitizing stations. Some hotels may require guests to take temperature checks before entering the hotel or while staying there.  The Costa d'Este had sneeze guards, but the desk staff often bent over to speak though the openings if a guest couldn't hear well, weren't wearing masks and handled our id's and credit cards directly.  

6. Minimalism

While we love the luxury touches in hotel rooms and have blogged about it many times like our visit to Milan, it looks like minimalism will be the way forward in reducing the number of items that need to be disinfected. This means possibly waving goodbye to complimentary pens, paper, magazines, maps and guest directories, and other items that we love but are not crucial to the room.  The Costa d'Este was supposed to include this in their "Welcome Kits", but didn't have them in the kits we received. 

7.  Masks

It has become controversial whether individuals should be wearing masks.  It is our opinion that all hotel staff and servers should be wearing masks.  We also would like to see more enforcement of patrons wearing masks as well.  Masks should be provided by the establishments (we received one mask per room for our stay at Costa d'Este which arrived on the day we left), and patrons should be wearing them in common areas in our opinion, where social distancing is not possible. For example, the lobby of the Costa d'Este is so small that one cannot social distance and we repeatedly had to walk through this area.  There were only one or two guests wearing masks during our stay and maybe more would have if they were provided by the hotel! 

Now let's get on with our review! 

Check TripAdvisor Reviews for the Costa d'Este Hotel, rates, and book by clicking here!

1. Location

The Costa d’Este Beach Resort is conveniently located on a pretty, palm-lined boulevard in a lovely area of small town Vero Beach. The Vero Beach Museum of Art and Riverside Theatre are a 15-minute walk, and there are several restaurants within a few minutes' stroll, plus a Saturday farmers' market less than five minutes away on foot. There are five golf courses within 15 miles of the resort. Vero Beach Marina is just over a mile away, and the Vero Beach Country Club is three miles off. The Kennedy Space Center is within an hour-and-a-half drive, close enough for a phenomenal day trip. For military aficionados, the National Navy UDT museum is a twenty minute drive. Look for our in depth review of this museum, which is great to visit any time of year with adults and children, but for a real treat, look to attend the muster celebration every November for live demonstrations that will please everyone! The nearest airports are Melbourne, West Palm Beach and Orlando.

2. Check-in

We were greeted promptly and checked in without difficulty from a very accommodating employee behind a sneezegaurd, who was helpful to get us two rooms next to each other as we were traveling with an elderly family member. We checked in around 4 PM however one room was not ready due to the "enhanced cleaning" for COVID-19. Our bags were escorted to our available room by the bellman wearing a mask. The bellman doubles as the valet, so this was a little strange, making us wonder how long it would take to get our car from valet during our stay. The only other noticeable thing was that the bellman squeezed into the elevator with us, which in our opinion should not occur during the COVID-19 pandemic. The biggest frustration was that we were told to check back in an hour or two to get the key to our second room, which we did, only to find our another guest was put into our second room. There was no choice except to move us all to a lower floor or move one room to a lower floor. Since this was a downgrade, we decided to move only one room. However this was little disappointing and inconvenient. The front desk seemed a bit frazzled that Sunday on many fronts as we stood in line we could overhear the numerous customer concerns. Furthermore, as we moved luggage to the second room, a staff member greeted us with food and champagne, only to find out it wasn't ours....It would have been nice to receive an orientation to the changes with COVID-19, which was posted in general terms on a placard at the front desk.

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A Review of the New York City Marriott Marquis in Times Square Where the City Never Sleeps

The Marriott Marquis in Times Square is one of the largest hotels in New York City, in one of the most high-profile and central locations and for many it has a lot to offer, like location, large rooms, spectacular views, and an awesome gym. But the building is showing its age with everything appearing tired and impersonal, and the flashing lights of Times Square quickly become annoying.

The Marriott Marquis is almost 50 years old and sometimes feels like you are back in the 1980's when it was built. You may be able to find a more luxurious hotel for the price but you will not be able to beat the location if you love the buzz of Times Square or plan to visit the theatre on your next trip to Manhattan in New York City.

1. History

The hotel's construction was first announce in 1972, as a $75-million, 2,000-room project. Five historic theaters—the original Helen Hayes, Morosco, Bijou, and the remnants of the Astor and Gaiety—needed to be demolished to clear the site. Protesters (including actor Christopher Reeve) tried to stop the destruction, even forcing a Supreme Court challenge. By the time construction began, many years had passed and the hotel opened in 1985.

As a partial replacement for the demolished theaters, the Marquis Theatre was built as part of the approval for the building of the hotel and is located within the hotel on the third floor. The Marriott was the first major project in the Times Square revitalization, and has been credited as the starting point for the regeneration of Times Square.

2. Location

Located along the Broadway district in Times Square, the hotel is located overlooking the spectacular lights and Jumbotrons you probably associate with Manhattan. It is situated at the corner of 46th Street and Broadway and is among the most energetic of city locations.

Here are the positives about the location:

• Located in the center of Times Square
• Less than 5min walk to the subway
• Near all major Broadway theaters
• 10-15min walk to Central Park
• Restaurants, bars and shopping in the area or nearby
• Lots of action (If you've never been to NYC, this may be appealing but if you like a quieter stay, we recommend staying in the upper east side like the Loews)

For snapping great photos in NYC with your phone, we recommend the Photogrip Qi.  Grip your phone like a camera. Shoot with the Bluetooth shutter remote. The wireless charger keeps your phone’s battery fully charged.

2. Check-in

The staff is great at directing you to the lobby which is actually located on the 8th floor. The high-tech elevator system is famous for being one of the earliest installations of destination dispatch, which saves time and improves efficiency by assigning passengers to elevator cars according to their destination floors. Unfortunately the elevator system doesn't know how many persons could be getting on and elevator and if it may be full with passengers and luggage but generally this is not an issue. We arrived in the midst of the coronavirus scare and the hotel had hand sanitizer stations everywhere especially near the elevators where buttons and kiosks can quickly become contaminated. Unfortunately universal use of the sanitizing stations by guests was not the case...disappointing. We suggested to the front desk that they consider an enforcer at the elevators in the lobby and ground floor but that didn't happen during our stay.

There was no wait at the front desk as we have encountered on previous stays. This could be related to the corona virus but regardless check in was speedy. There are dedicated lines for elite Bonvoy members and we were recognized as elite members. Early check-in was provided.

3. Rooms

The room was large by New York standards and decorated in a contemporary style to reflect the New York but similarly to other recently revised Marriotts. This certainly is not a luxury hotel like the Langham where we stayed the month before in London, but is comfortable and spacious and adequately equipped. We were upgraded to a larger king room providing us We had more than ample space for our luggage and belongings.

Sufficient amenities in the room are provided including:

• Coffee and tea
• Large safe
• Blackout curtains (necessary with all the lights of Times Square!)
• Sofa
• Many charging ports
• TV with Netflix connection available

4. Bathroom

The bathroom was partially renovated with new tiles but no shower doors. As we've mentioned before, we feel shower curtains are dirty and outdated, and when you're paying around $300 per night like at the Marriott Marquis, shower doors would be nice. There was more than enough vanity space for all of our toiletries but not in the bathroom for both of us to get ready at the same time. A large sink with the usual Thann amenities have been replaced with thisworks, an international company that utilizes a powerful trio of natural actives, botanical oils and essential oils, each selected for their specific benefits and expertly blended without unnecessary chemicals to create, clean and targeted skincare that delivers with integrity. 

With the steep price of this hotel, you are clearly paying for location. Steps from Central Park, Rockefeller Center, MoMA, and the Theater District the definitely offers a convenient location, but if you desire a quieter location, there are other options nearby, such as the Conrad Midtown. 

5. Fitness

This is undoubtedly where the Marriott Marquis shines. There is a large fitness room on site with sufficient machines and weights to meet the needs of most travelers, such as treadmills, bikes ellipticals, Peleton bikes, kettle bells, weights, etc.  Cool towels, fruit, headphones, a water cooler and dry towels are provided.  Some drinks are available for purchase.  It does get crowded however, 

For the runners like us, many long runs can be done nearby in Central Park.  Even better, look for a race to support causes as there is always something going on in NYC!

6. Dining

Another of the weak spots during out stay at the Marriott Marquis is dining. While there are options for dining within the hotel, or meet for a drink, snack or meal the prices are high and offerings are few. There are two lounges and two restaurants on site if you need.  The view from the more formal restaurant and lounge are incredible, but restaurants like this exist all over NYC.  We had lunch in the lobby, and enjoyed a sandwich which was delicious and the service was great.  Scroll down to see some other dining options in NYC that we recommend!

RxTIP: 

There is a nice wine and liquor store located on seventh avenue and 54th street nearby. They have an excellent selection of wine and spirits. Their prices are high compared to most areas, but you can find yourself a nice bottle of something to enjoy with your family or friends. 

Steps from Central Park, Rockefeller Center, MoMA, and the Theater District the Conrad Midtown offers Tremendous Value for and Boutique Suite New York City Experience.

7.  Our list of recommended restaurants while you stay that are located outside of the hotel

• La Goulue French cuisine in a lively and welcoming bistro chic setting
• Bolivian Llama Party for authentic Bolivian food for a great lunch on the run near Columbus Circle
• Cafe Boulud for a fabulous meal by French chef Daniel Boulud which is not as expensive as his flagship restaurant:
• Daniel - over the top meal for very special occasions. 
• Victor's Cafe - Great Cuban food and music.  It is perfect for a pre-theatre meal!
• Charlie Palmer at the Knick - great prix fixe theatre menu
• Wo Hop Chinese in Chinatown - get there early so you won't have to wait for a table.  It is small and they accept cash only!
• Junior's Cheesecake - Across the street from the hotel is an old NYC establishment with large portion sizes and typical deli offers.  Oh, and they have cheesecake!!!!

Bottom Line:

Check the reviews of the Marriott Marquis, prices and make a reservation at TripAdvisor by clicking here!

This is one of the largest hotels in New York in one of the most high-profile and central locations and for many it has a lot to offer, like location, large rooms, spectacular views, and an awesome gym. But the building is showing its age with everything appearing tired and impersonal, and the flashing lights of Times Square quickly become annoying.

We needed to stay at the Marriott Marquis in New York for an event and probably not stay here otherwise, even if the price were right.  The location is just a bit too busy for our tastes.  The hotel is overly crowded and the service is sometimes good and sometimes bad.  Our stay this time, demonstrated better service than we have seen in the past (during our last stay, the room was not made up until we called three times and checkin was not pleasant).

The location is perfect to see just about everything in Manhattan either on foot of by train, especially if you plan to spend time taking in a show.

Fitness in New York isn't difficult when staying at The Marriott Marquis, the gym is awesome by our standards, and if you don't find enough healthy opportunities at the hotel or nearby Central Park, the concierge may be able to your needs through the relationships they have with local facilities.

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Delightful and Meaningful Mothers Day Gifts For Moms Who Love to Travel in 2020

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to splurge on your mom, or any loved one who is a mom, and give her something extra special!

❤️❤️There is still time to order for Mother's Day. Remember, all proceeds from our links go to charity like the Navy SEAL Foundation that helps GOLD STAR MOTHERS who have lost their Military Sons and Daughters and for whom Mother's Day is not the same. Please SHARE this post to help...❤️❤️

Let's face it - she may not have the time or knowledge to look for great traveling items herself.  Fortunately, LTD can give you some outstanding selections for all budgets that will certainly put a smile on her face!!  Our guide includes items that are fashionable, healthy, useful and practical for the traveling female.  Click on the product photo if you wish to learn more!

1.  One of Our Favorite Travel Pants are Unitop Women's Quick Dry Cargo Hiking Pants with Drawstring  

With a high level of breathability and flexibility, unitop’s Quick Dry Hiking Collection are designed for daily cragged adventures. They are always actively seeking soft fabric that is both lightweight and suitable, but with durable elements to adapt to a range of terrain, so the key element of these pant’s versatility is functional motion which results in a relaxed aesthetic and dynamic movement. They can be worn everyday too, providing a balance of outdoor activities and casual life when she needs versatility.

2. The MIZOO 140db Emergency Personal Alarm Keychain is perfect for Self Defense.  

While some may use their car key alarm as a safety when walking to your car, what do you do when you're traveling or away from your car?  This compact alarm has a flashlight and a loud Alarm.  Test it outside because it is LOUD.  

3. Wide Brim Paper Straw Fedora 

With an adjustable drawstring, this positively pink hat won't fly off when the beach breeze hits. Multiple colors are available.

4. MORE MEANINGFUL THAN A CARD! I Love You Mom: And Here's Why

After all she's done, your mom deserves an entire book spelling out all of the ways she shown her love to you over the years. Take a night to fill this book with all of the memories, inside jokes, and characteristics that the two of you share. Put photos of your travels together or places you want to see with her!

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We Can't Stop Talking About Beating Jet Lag and Mood with SAD Light Therapy! Update 2020

Every day, millions of travelers struggle against one of the most common sleep disorders — jet lag.  Those who are working from home may be feeling the same effects.  LTD started using our light therapy product during the stay-at-home order by the Governor of our state!

Whether you're a "Road Warrior" who has piled up thousands of Frequent Flier Miles, or someone who is planning a vacation to a distant location, you are likely to experience jet lag, which can have a profound effect on your sleep and alertness.   During the COVID-19 pandemic many are saying the same feeling is happening to them from so much time at home and not being able to go outside. 

Remember, if you have questions related to your health, always consult your doctor or medical professional. The information presented here is informative only and is not medical advice.

Update 2020: 

The shift in routine and sleep schedules during the COVID-19 pandemic, like working from home, may be taking a toll on your mood, and you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. If your happiness levels seem to be taking a nosedive, try boosting your mood with light therapy. Fortunately, daylight hours are increasing—especially good news for those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—but a light therapy device may give you the boost you need to keep your spirits high.

Why?

Serotonin is a mood-boosting hormone, and a lack of it is associated with mood disorders. This is one possible reason many people get depressed in winter or even experience major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern. Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain's release of a hormone called serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of depression.

Many have been in awful depressive slumps not only from being indoors but also from the fear many feel from the current pandemic. Something as simple as standing in the sun for 5 minutes may be for some, seemingly impossible.  Light therapy may be a solution for this not just for light exposure but also for helping our circadian rhythms...

Lack of sleep makes all of this even worse and many find their mood and sleep spiraling out of control. Since so many of us are working indoors all day and look at stimulating blue screens day and night, it’s no wonder many people have circadian rhythm disorders much like what happens with jet lag.

What is Jet Lag?

Circadian rhythms are biological rhythms that drive changes within humans. For example, we have circadian rhythms of alertness and body temperature. Usually these rhythms align with the environment’s natural light and dark cycle: peak drowsiness occurs around 5:00 AM, when it is often dark out. Jet lag occurs when our rhythms no longer align with the environment. Flying from Vancouver to Moscow — 12 hours ahead — means that peak drowsiness occurs at 5:00 PM, when one would usually want to be alert.

Our internal clocks are regulated by "Zeitgebers" which are rhythmic cues in the environment that synchronize the internal body clock to the earth’s 24-hour light–dark cycle. Light is the strongest Zeitgeber; other non-photic Zeitgebers include temperature, social interaction, pharmacological manipulation, exercise, and meal timing.

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13 Things To Do to Beat Cabin Fever during Social Distancing, Keep Your Life Meaningful and Mind and Body Healthy

From the familiar creaks in the floorboards to your favorite easy chair, there's no place like a  cozy home when you are engaging in social distancing.  But let's face it: Too much time inside doing nothing can make you stir-crazy.

WHAT IS CABIN FEVER?

Cabin fever can dampen your mood, energy level and motivation traditionally during the brutally cold winter months or when required to spend time at home more than you are used to. Not sure if it's happening to you? Here are some signs:

• You feel cooped up and restless.
• You have difficulty concentrating on what’s in front of you.
• You feel lethargic or simply unmotivated to do anything.
• You feel irritated and on edge for no apparent reason.

If you can relate to any of those signs... you’re probably dealing with cabin fever. But before you take up permanent residence on your couch or start to sleep out of sheer boredom, we have good news. Check out this list of fresh ideas to help you (and the whole family) beat cabin fever, once and for all.

1. Read a Book  

There are many free options using your public library or Amazon prime, but many don't want to wait for a title of need a larger number of options.  For those persons we recommend Kindle Unlimited Plan that you can read on any tablet or phone.  The free trial may get you through this period of social distancing.

2. Exercise

We talk all the time about figuring out exercise routines for healthy travel!  Use our guides to exercise at home!  You do not need equipment or you may want to get some small things to use at home that store easily like they would in your suitcase!  And remember, exercise is for your mind and body our guides below also include meditation.

Our guide to some general and different workouts on the road or at home!

Our guide to one of our favorite YouTube Channels BodyFit by Amy with links to specific workouts and gear you can use at home!

3. Declutter

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The Best Resources for Your CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Questions in the United States

The US Department of State and CDC have no greater responsibility than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas, including providing information to help U.S. citizens make informed decisions about traveling abroad.

Bookmark this page to return to your best resources for questions about coronavirus during these uncertain times. 

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad at this time due to the global impact of COVID-19. Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.

For the latest information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.  Click the photo below to take you directly to the CDC page.

More Resources:

Look for specific travel warnings at the Department of State website, or use the STEP app or CDC Safe Traveler app for quick access.

We put together a post about cleanliness of hotel rooms.  Check it out here!

What about germs at the airport?  Studies may surprise you!

The Bing COVID-19 tracker is a compilation of websites to give you the latest worldwide statistics on the pandemic.

VacationsToGo has a comprehensive list of cruise lines with links to their respective COVID-19 cancellation policies.

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Is Your Hotel Room Really as Clean as They Say? Use Our Quick Steps to Check and Clean It!

Your hotel room is your home away from home, with a few exceptions: the hundreds or even thousands of strangers from every corner of the world who have slept there.  It can be hard to relax on vacation when you imagine that your hotel room is a petri dish of previous guests’ germs, even if there aren’t the usual telltale signs of uncleanliness.

Studies have shown that germs frequently lurk on places like light switches, television remotes, and telephone keypads, even in hotel rooms that otherwise appear clean—disturbing evidence of what might be waiting when you wheel your suitcase into a suite. 

Remember, if you have questions related to your health, always consult your doctor or medical professional. The information presented here is informative only and is not medical advice.

As physicians, we can stomach a lot when it comes to grossness, but even we get a little queasy when we think of the germs that we may be exposed to when traveling. A recent article that was published by the New York Post asked scientists about the issues that hotels and their small rooms can cause to occupant’s health, especially when it comes to bacteria and germs that are present within this space even after its routine cleanings. The article found that the average hotel room contains more harmful bacteria than what is typically found in a home, school, or even airplane.  And maybe you heard about the hidden camera investigation done in Atlanta.  Improper cleaning practices included not cleaning glass cups, using same gloves to clean bathroom and other areas of the room, and even using used guest towels to clean down areas in the room. And although not all viruses and bacteria will live in an environment for a long period of time it can still be a risk to humans that are exposed to airborne germs. Some of the most common infections that can be spread in indoor spaces like a hotel include cold viruses, flu, rotavirus, norovirus, staph infection, and e. coli and fungal pathogens found on surfaces like soft furniture, floors, door handles, remote controls, light switches, carpets, and bedding just to name a few.

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Steps from Central Park, Rockefeller Center, MoMA, and the Theater District the Conrad Midtown offers Tremendous Value for and Boutique Suite New York City Experience.

The Conrad NewYork Midtown is a new offering from Hilton's boutique luxury line. It reopened in late 2019 after a full renovation and rebrand of the property formerly known as The London NYC.

Known as the "tall skinny building" on West 54th Street, it has stood since 1990 and changed management several times. The Conrad renovation was announced in 2017 and doesn't disappoint. Space is a luxury in Manhattan. How many times have you opened the door of a Manhattan hotel room to find a tight, viewless square? It is refreshing to enjoy space and small luxuries in a busy noisy city all while being steps from the heart of the action.

Check the reviews, prices and make a reservation at TripAdvisor by clicking here!

1. Location

For visiting the Manhattan, we love to be close to Central Park. Generally, it is quieter and depending on which side of Central Park you pick, you will be able to get to most destinations with ease on foot or subway. The Conrad offers a perfect location, within a 10 minute walk to either Times Square or Central Park in the north or south direction and 5 minutes to Fifth Avenue for the best shopping if you head east. A subway stop for most trains is located within a five minute walk allowing easy access to lower Manhattan. For most, there can't be a better location. Of course getting to Manhattan from New York area airports is one of the easier destinations to navigate, and you have many options depending on what is important to you:  comfort, ease, security, price or peace of mind. We chose Uber which was easy and economical.  

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Review of The New American Express Centurion Lounge In Charlotte, North Carolina, CLT

American Airlines Admirals Club in Charlotte finally has some well-needed competition!  We welcome the Brand New American Airlines Centurion Lounge with open arms to relax, wash up and get a good cocktail and meal before our flight. 

When Traveling through CLT use your American Express Platinum Card to gain Access to the Centurion Lounge between gates D and E on the mezzanine level for a few minutes to freshen up.  But give yourself a few minutes to find it for the first time!  It is not easy and their are no overhead signs directing you to the entry elevator.   To get there head toward E concourse and before you descend the escalators to go down to E you will see the elevator for the lounge on the right.  If you are coming from E look for the elevator to the left of the escalator before you head up the escalator.  If you mistakenly go up the escalator an elevator will be on your left at the top.  

The American Express card comes with a hefty fee, but the luxury provided can be offset with using their offers. The luxury you gain can be oh so nice!

It is worth taking the people movers from your security checkpoint or gate to this location if you have time.  The closest checkpoint is E (the lounge will be straight in front of you after security) but the closest TSA Precheck checkpoint is D (take a left after security and head toward E concourse).  Allow 10 minutes walk and time for to get from the farthest points on A, B C or E.   If you are on D, allow only 5 minutes to get to the Centurion Lounge.

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DEAL ALERT! Clear Airport Security Free Trial Promotion: 3 Months Free

Save precious time and dollars with this deal!

If you Travel all the time and you hate long airport security lines, you might want to sign up for Clear. Clear is a service that helps you “Speed through security in 5 minutes or less,” by being pre-screened before you even get to the airport. (See how it works here.)

Normally, Clear is $179 per year with an additional $50 per family member, but with promo code LEAPDAY3, you can try three months for free!

Clear is not available in all airports yet, but it is available in quite a few. If you don’t wish to continue the service, you will need to cancel before the trial is up to avoid being charged. This deal expires on February 29, 2020!

When breezing through security and that doesn’t have clear available, consider using solid toiletries like this solid shampoo and conditioner that is safe for color-treated hair. This works for men and women alike and smells great!  Click the photo below to buy at Amazon and support our blog!  Thank you so much!!!

If you like our content and to be the first to see our upcoming content, please click here to find us and follow us on Facebook!  

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