Hidden Gem: The Hotel Mulberry

Located in a recently converted parking garage in the heart of New York City's Chinatown and just blocks away from Little Italy, the Hotel Mulberry offers a luxury experience at a modest price (at least by New York standards, that is). On a recent visit to New York, we stayed at the Mulberry for two nights. Our room, located on the penthouse floor, was spectacular. The room was exceptionally large for a New York hotel and like the rest of the hotel, immaculately clean. Our room boasted a king bed, lounge chair, desk, television stand (with a large smart television on top with DirecTV) that doubled as a chest of drawers and a relatively large bathroom.

But by far, the most spectacular part of the room was the bank of floor to ceiling windows that lined one side of the room. The windows offered a truly unparalled view of the new World Trade Center and the lower Manhattan skyline. Overlooking Columbus Park, we were also  able to see the Tai Chi practioners performing their exercises every morning and the soccer players playing every evening in the well-used park.

The hotel does not have a restaurant, but offers free vouchers for breakfast for two guests at a nearby restaurant. In addition, when we asked on of the desk clerks (all of whom were extremely courteous and helpful)  for a recommendation for lunch,  she suggested the Amazing66 at 66 Mott Street, two blocks from the hotel.  We lunched there on authentic Chinese food for a very modest price. Most entrees were $5.95 and included your choice of white or brown rice and soup. I opted for the walnut chicken and sweet and sour soup and was not disappointed. I should also mention that the restaurant is Zagat rated.

For those of you (like us) crazy enough to drive into New York City, two doors down from the hotel is a parking garage, offering indoor, secure parking for $35 a day. It location also offers easy access to the Holland Tunnel when entering or leaving the city.

The Hotel Mulberry is located at 52 Mulberry Street, two blocks from Canal Street, in New York City's Chinatown. www.hotelmulberry.com. We will go back the next time we are in New York and we hope you will make it your choice for lodging on your next visit as well. You will not be disappointed.

Hidden Gems: Hotel Chandler, NYC

We were recently in New York City for a long weekend visit. I was looking for a reasonably-priced hotel on the Lower East Side. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a wonderful boutique hotel, the Hotel Chandler.
Located at 12 East 31st street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues, at the intersection of the Flatiron District and Murray Hill, it offers a quiet haven from Manhattan's hustle and bustle. Yet, despite that it is close by a number of major attractions, including the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden any Herald Square, where Macy's is located.
Our room, a deluxe queen, with a recently renovated shower averaged around $230.00 per night for a 3 night stay, including Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The hotel boasts a fine restaurant, Juni, whose chef has been awarded two Michelin stars, and offers complimentary coffee and tea in the lobby.
I highly recommend this gem of a place.www.hotelchandler.com