On the Road: New York City
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We know there are a million travel guidebooks out there, but we’ve created a handful of destination mini-guides designed specifically for working girls-on-the-go. So, whether it’s a quick stopover for a meeting, or a week-long conference, here’s everything you need to know about…
NEW YORK CITY
Where to Stay
Expense Account: The Mercer Hotel
Whether you admit it or not we all enjoy a little celeb-spotting now and then. I’ve personally never gone ten minutes without seeing someone A-list in the lobby of The Mercer. The rooms are small but luxurious, with oversized marble baths (some enclosed by shutters) and sitting areas compete with wireless internet.
147 Mercer St. Ph: 212.966.6060.
Rooms start at $495. Suites start at $1,350.
Romantic Weekend: The Library Hotel
Located just steps from the New York Public Library and Grand Central Station, The Library Hotel features a lovely wood-paneled room with a working fireplace, aptly called the Writers Den – perfect for the passionate intelligentsia! Perks include literary themed rooms and access to a lush rooftop greenhouse.
299 Madison Ave at 41st St. Ph: 212.983.4500.
Petite Double rooms start at $249. Junior Suites start at $429.
On the Cheap: The Cosmopolitan Hotel
Finding a decent, affordable hotel in Manhattan can seem impossible, but The Cosmopolitan Hotel fits the bill (literally). Rooms are small and basic, and the décor isn’t much to write home about, but the Tribeca location is fantastic.
95 West Broadway. Ph: 212.566.1900.
Rooms with double beds start at $129.
Where to Eat
Business Dinner: Gramercy Tavern
The glow of candles in copper sconces creates a warm, inviting vibe that has helped make Gramercy Tavern NYC’s most popular restaurant for the past three years. A commitment to local, greenmarket ingredients means that the menu changes seasonally, so there’s always something fresh and new to enjoy.
42 East 20th Street. Ph:212.477.0777.
Prix-fixe dinner $78; tasting menu $98.
Hot Spot: STK
Plenty of high-concept restaurants packed with hipsters vie for the title of “New York hot spot.” But STK (short for steak) won us over with its trendy but elegant décor, and prime location, down the street from Pastis and across from Buddha Bar in the Meatpacking District. Rumor has it that McDreamy loves the shrimp rice krispies.
26 Little West 12th Street. Ph: 646.624.2444.
Starters average $16. Steaks from $18-78.
Eating Alone: Tia Pol
Wannabe diners often wait hours for a two top at Tia Pol, where dining solo offers a distinct advantage. You can often slide right into a spot at the bar and sample the best Tapas the city has to offer (along with an incredible Spanish wine list). Try safe bets like patatas bravas (potatoes with spicy aoli) or something more sophisticated like pulpo la ideal (octopus terrine). The close quarters virtually guarantee you’ll be drawn into conversation with fellow foodies.
205 10th Avenue. Ph: 212.675.8805.
Plates from $3-15.
Coffee: Mud
In New York, a city that never sleeps, coffee isn’t hard to find. But for our money the best brew comes from Mud. Head to either of the two brick and mortar locations: 307 East 9th Street Ph:212- 228-907109 or 109 Third Avenue (inside Keils). Ph: 212.253.9880. Or track down one of the legendary, orange MUDtrucks parked at: Sheridan Square, 7th Ave & W. 4th Street. Mon-Fri 7-6. Sat 10-6. Or Astor Place, 4th Ave & 8th Street, Mon-Fri 7- 6, Sat 10-6.
Where to Shop
Business Critical: Theory
With three Manhattan boutiques, Theory offers chic women’s suiting, clothes, and accessories. Simple, elegant design with ingeniously stretchy fabrics, makes every piece ideal for zipping around town or sitting through endless meetings.
151 Spring Street (Soho) Ph: 212.226.3891 or 230 Columbus Avenue (Upper West Side) Ph:212.362.3676 or 40 Gainsevoort (Meatpacking District) Ph: 212.524.6590.
Date Night: Bleeker Street
On Bleecker Street between Perry and Bank you’ll find a cluster of flagship boutiques. Hit Cynthia Rowley for the perfect party frock or head to Marc Jacobs to get outfitted for a groovy gallery opening. You can end the night here too! Pop into Magnolia Bakery for a late-night cupcake with your sweetie.
Cynthia Rowley: 376 Bleecker St. Ph:212-242-3803.
Marc Jacobs: 403-405 Bleecker St. Ph: 212.924.0026.
Magnolia Bakery: 401 Bleecker St. Ph: 212.462.2572.
For Fun: Olives & Bettes
With four locations in the city, one of these cute boutiques is bound to be nearby to fulfill your need for tastefully trendy styles. They carry everything from the basics to swimwear to leggings to rain essentials.
252 Columbus Ave. Ph: 212.579.2178 (Upper West Side) or 1070 Madison Ave. Ph: 212.717.9655 (Upper East Side) or 158 Spring St. Ph: 646.613.8772 (Soho) or 384 Bleecker St. Ph: 212.206.0036 (West Village).
Vintage: Flying A
To try something unique, check out SoHo’s Flying A boutique that mixes new pieces with an abundance of vintage clothing, including some of the cutest (and daring) dresses out there. The prices are a little steep, but you’ll be paying for something rare or one-of-a-kind.
169 Spring St., Soho; Ph: 212.965.9090
Tech: B&H Photo
Why not take a break from national chains and check out the unreal experience that is B & H Photo. Don’t let the name fool you, The superstore sells everything from iPods, to cell phones and probably has that missing cord you need. Overhead cables deliver the products you want to cashiers who are known for their expert service. Note: because it’s owned and operated by Hassidic Jews the store is closed on Saturdays.
420 9th Ave. Ph: 800.413.5653.
Weekend & Play Time Activities
Running Routes: Central Park
The site of the New York Marathon’s final 3.2 miles, Central Park is a runner’s paradise, with trails and paths for any level jogger. If you’d rather not compete with yellow cabs on the main roads, the Park is closed to traffic Monday-Friday, 10AM-3PM, 7-10PM, and on weekends. Central Park.
Great Yoga Studio: Jivamukti Yoga Studio
This studio attracts some of the best instructors in the city – it’s where they attend class! Try the West Village studio, instead of the packed Noho location, or wait for the expansive Union Square space, which will open in May.
707 Washington St. Ph: 212-675-9642.
Day Spa: Metamorphosis Day Spa
Located in the heart of corporate Manhattan, Metamorphosis is an urban oasis that caters to the busy lunchtime crowd. In a rush? You came to the right place – the staff will gladly combine treatments so you can unwind in half the time.
127 E. 56th St, 5th Floor. Ph: 212.751.6051.
Hair Help
Amazing Hair Experience: Bumble and Bumble
With two city locations, the New York City-based salon has been known for its trendy haircuts and hip service-though the downtown location offers a far funkier vibe. The salon and its signature products are often aligned with chic designers, and its stylists are credited for popularizing the razor-style cut.
415 West 13th St. Ph: 212.521.6500 (Downtown), 146 East 56th St. Ph: 212.521.6500 (Uptown).
For the Adventurous: Mudhoney Salons
Known to cater to rockstars and celebrities, the Mudhoney Salons in New York give great hair and stylings for under a hundred bucks. The three downtown locations all offer the basics, but each also has a specialty. The Sullivan Street location boasts a rock and roll vibe that can give you anything from punk to 80s to rockabilly cuts. The Bond Street specializes in Japanese thermal relaxers and the Nolita location specialize in extensions. All haircuts are $75-85.
148 Sullivan St. Ph: 212.533.1160, 7 Bond St. Ph: 212.228.8128, 25 Prince St. Ph: 212.473.7407.
Travel Details
Airport: Newark Liberty International Airport
Compared to the chaos of JFK or LaGuardia, Newark Airport is a traveler’s dream come true. The terminals are clean and (relatively) quiet. It’s only a 15-minute train ride from Penn Station, and trust us, it’s worth it.
How to get around: Taxi or Subway
Unless you’re in an outer borough, it’s a breeze to hail a cab in NYC. But if you need to get there FAST, consider the subway. It’s easy to navigate (and not at all scary) we swear! It’s also great opportunity to people-watch. Pick up a free map at most underground stations, or print one from the MTA’s website: www.mta.info
Business Critical
Where to Host a Meeting: The Modern
Give your clients some cultural perspective by hosting your meeting at The Modern-adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), it celebrates both contemporary Danish design and a fabulous French-American menu. Their private banquet room is sleek and elegant, with a view of the museum’s exquisite sculpture garden.
9 West 53rd St. Ph: 212.333.1220
Wireless Hotspots: New York Public Library branches
All 85 city-wide branches of the New York Public Library offer free Internet access, as does Bryant Park, which is adjacent to the library’s main building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd St. New York Public Library , Bryant Park