ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: I had a dinner meeting in the city and decided to spend the night rather than rushing back after. I had driven to the city, and even though people are back in NYC, driving during non-rush hours seems manageable. I parked around the corner from the hotel and walked to The Draper. The lobby is basic, and there still seemed to be a lot of COVID barriers. I swiftly checked in and took the elevator to my floor. The Ascend Hotel Collection is the upscale boutique brand of Choice Hotels.
GUEST QUARTERS: I have to admit, I cheated: I told my friends at Ascend Hotel Collection I had booked a room for the night, and they reached out to the property. This secured me a wonderful upgrade to a suite, room 2301. This is a boutique property, which often means it won’t be that large and won’t have all the amenities you expect; this is half true here.
The room was large but by no means a suite. The big, square room included a comfortable king-sized bed, a work station with a desk and chair, and an open closet/ hanging area. The work station offered many outlets, as did the bedside area, helpful for working. The price was reasonable, and the property recently updated its rooms.
The bathroom, quite large by New York standards, featured a huge, glassed-in shower and an attractive shower nozzle. Unfortunately, in an effort to conserve water, the pressure is not sufficient to rinse your hair. Prija brand toiletries, with a calming ginseng scent, included pump- style shampoo and conditioner in the shower, which I have learned to live with. The shampoo pump did not operate, so I had to unscrew the bottle and detach it. The same brand of cleansing hand soap and lotion sat near the sink.
SERVICES/AMENITIES: The property has a relationship with a local eatery and offers a QR code to place orders; I used this for lunch and breakfast, as I was rushing each time. The service was fast and convenient; but when they brought my Caesar salad with grilled chicken, I noticed there were no utensils or napkins, and the delivery person was already gone. I could have called back or do what we do in post-COVID days and used my hands and a wash cloth. But the salad was tasty. It is a great story I shared with a colleague, who told me to always have a plastic fork in my carry-on.
What made this “suite” really sweet was the balcony — remark- able and large. I could have easily hosted a 10-person cocktail party out there, and the views were wonderful. Perhaps Don Draper of Mad Men would approve of the balcony. If it had just been a little warmer, I would have worked out there all afternoon — don’t forget your sunscreen. The balcony held two chaise longues and a chair plus three little tables. Spectacular!
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
- Great price and location
- Views to die for
- Easy in and out, worth the stay
THE DRAPER, ASCEND HOTEL COLLECTION
4-6 W. 37th St.
NewYork,NY 10018
tel 212 645 0080
choicehotels.com
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Oct 9, 202411 Hotels Offering Sleep-Enhancing Amenities
Recent studies indicate sleep is among the most important luxuries across all age groups when vacationing. As such, hotels take heed and offer a variety of sleep-enhancing amenities to help travelers get a good night’s sleep. Here's a few to check out on your next vacation.
eFlyer Reviews
Oct 9, 2024Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife Review
In the southwest corner of one of the Canary Islands’ most famous and beautiful draws, Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is a luxury stay among the dramatic landscapes and near-perfect year-round weather of the archipelago. Combining luxury with a vibrant energy the brand is best known for, the lifestyle-forward hotel isn’t just for lovers of music, but also lovers of life.
eFlyer News
Oct 9, 2024Hyatt Expands Inclusive Collection Portfolio in Europe with Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina
Hyatt officially opened its all-inclusive Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina in Portugal, marking Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection’s entry into the country. Located next to the quayside and marina, this resort offers easy access to local attractions and activities like scuba diving, luxury yacht charters, and whale and dolphin watching.
Sponsored Content
Pick Your Paradise: Experience Bali at 3 Incredible Hotels
Bali is a name synonymous with island bliss. But there is more than just one side to this incredible place. Get a sense for the variety of experiences Bali offers by learning about three hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with distinctive opportunities for adventure and relaxation. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card, earn points for free nights at each of these properties.
eFlyer News
Oct 9, 2024Kimpton to Open 3rd New York City Hotel
Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, is set to open its third New York City hotel in late 2025. Kimpton Midtown NYC will sit in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and offer 529 guestrooms, inspired social spaces and a fitness center. The property will include two full-service restaurants, a lobby lounge and a rooftop bar, too.
October 2024
Oct 8, 2024Plan a Perfect Getaway to Historic Downtown Parkville
With about 240 neighborhoods and larger districts, Kansas City, Missouri, offers plenty of diversions. Whether you visit for a day or a weekend, check out Parkville, a historic Missouri River community that loves visitors, annual parades and holiday festivals yet feels like a quiet little town where time stands still.
Sponsored Content
Colombia: A Different Kind of Beauty
Colombia’s beauty defies description — it’s that unique, that special, that different — and travelers are taking notice as 2023 marked the country’s best year for tourism, welcoming more than 6 million international travelers. The Country of Beauty looks to continue growing and enhancing its regions and communities in 2024 and beyond.
Daily
Oct 8, 2024Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Reopens March 2025 After Major Restoration
In the heart of a vast private estate with carefully restored gardens, seaside woodlands, rugged cliffs and secret beaches, a former Spanish island hideout for European celebrities reemerged as a sustainable and luxurious holiday destination.
ShareThis