Having had a blast in Orlando, we headed on our Jet Blue flight to JFK to enjoy three nights in one of our favourite places on earth Manhattan.

Our first stop here was new spot, the Marmara Hotel Park Avenue.

"Evoking the feeling, spirit, and spontaneity of the world’s most storied metropolis, The Marmara Park Avenue is New York City, inside and out." This hotel is certainly very polished, and in an excellent Manhattan location.
"Being at home in New York City means having a place you can call your own. Tranquil, tailored, and polished, The Marmara Park Avenue provides you a refuge from the noise, pace, and pressures of the city that never sleeps."

Our magnificent room came complete with a full sized fridge, and basically a mini-kitchen for those who like to have that facility away from home. ‘Each of the 128 suites and guestrooms, including three penthouses, boast vast, spacious ceilings that capitalize on the location’s natural light, providing unparalleled views of the New York skyline.’ This hotel is very visually beautiful and really in such a great location to explore New York City. 

https://park.marmaranyc.com/

Next, we went to visit the ‘Saturday Night Live’ exhibition on Fifth Avenue. A must for anyone with even a passing interest in broadcasting or comedy. The official bio reads ‘Become immersed in the fast-paced creative processes and see how ideas become reality in just days. Interact with sets, original props, and costumes – take selfies on the Jeopardy set, rock out on the Wayne’s World couch, and deliver the "news" from behind the Weekend Update desk.' 

This exhibition shows you exactly how, day by day, the Saturday Night Show comes together from start to finish in (a crazy) six days. You start with the ‘Monday’ room where initial ideas and scripts are being discussed, through the rest of the days of the week where the sets, props, costumes and make up are developed, and scripts are finalised. The exhibition is very well laid out and easy to follow, with famous names and costumes from the best episodes there to see – you really get a feel for the excitement of the live Saturday night show looming.

You eventually end up in the television ‘control room’ where you see how the director and producers work during a live show, and then you enter the ‘studio’ where you are part of the audience for a 'live show.'
Find all the info you need. You can find more info on the official site, we really dug it.

Once again, we had to visit one of our favourite places in NYC – The Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village. This is one of our personal favourite places to visit in New York as there's always a great mix of comedians, a lot of them very famous, keen to try out new material. Tickets can be tough to get a hold of, so make sure to book early. The night we went, Michael Che, a big name on Saturday Night Live, was headlining and hilarious.

Afterwards we headed to the nearby ‘JG Melon’ Bar and Grill, which was complete with desserts from the famous New York ‘Magnolia Bakery’.
For our final night in NYC we headed to the last, but definitely not least hotel on our trip – Archer Hotel. This was a trip highlight as the hotel is both effortlessly stylish and practically located near all the top tourist spots. ‘Archer’ is the hotels’ name and persona. You can tell straight away from the stylish New Yorkers heading to the rooftop bar in the hotel lift that this is one new hot spot for the fashionable in the city.
It is situated right beside the Empire State building, and the hotel itself is in off the street with an elegant area right outside to sit, drink and eat. The fabulous restaurant by David Burke called 'Fabrick' American plates has food and cocktails to die for.
The Rooftop Bar ‘Spyglass’ which has an indoor and outdoor area and one of the closest, most magnificient views of the Empire State building in the city.

It's tough to argue with the official bio: ‘A hotel should be more than just a place to stay. Your comfort, your curiosity, and your love of the details large and small make the experience. So, with you in mind – we have designed Archer Hotel New York, a new Midtown Manhattan boutique hotel filled with curated luxuries and a sincere staff dedicated to your service. Your room is ready.Watch for news of Archer Austin and Archer Napa, two exciting locations that are in the works. Fondly, Archer’
As we had no access to a gym early on in our trip, the Archer very kindly let us use their relationship with the ‘New York Sports Club’ that are scattered throughout the city and fully stocked with the latest fitness equipment. The Archer were extremely welcoming and accomodating and we can’t wait to stay there again soon. If not in NYC then at one of the Archer hotels in Napa and Austin.

Superb hotel. Have a butchers yourself

Lastly, before we headed back to Ireland we stopped off at the Waldorf Astoria New York for their world-famous brunch.

"For over a century, the chefs of The Waldorf Astoria New York have been renowned for their culinary excellence. The heritage is celebrated weekly at the hotel’s famed Sunday Brunch."
There is literally something for everyone here. With honey and vegetables from the hotel’s 20th floor rooftop garden.

The brunch pays homage to famed dishes invented by the iconic hotel, such eggs Benedict, Waldorf Salad and Red Velvet Cake. It has a ‘raw bar’ with caviar, clams, oysters, lobster and shrimp. Smoked fish and meat carving stations and over 100 gourmet desserts displayed around a majestic chocolate fondue fountain.
It really was one of the most impressive and comprehensive food buffets we’ve ever seen and is a New York experience that any foodie visiting the city must, must do.

"The Extravagant Brunch is served every Sunday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm (final seating). Guests are seated in Peacock Alley Restaurant and Private Dining Room." You can see more of that sort of thing here.
 

Words by Carol Beecher