World Pride is less than three months away! New York City will be filled with millions of visitors who will no doubt be looking for a fabulous place to stay during the pandemonium that will be this epic weekend.
I’ve been a local in Manhattan and the surrounding areas most of my life and have been able to navigate the incredible hotel scene here for years. Some of the best places to lay your head at night are in The Big Apple and beyond, as the amenities that they provide will give you something to look forward to amid all the World Pride celebrating you’ll be doing.
What’s even better is that there are a couple of spots that aren’t directly in New York City but still provide a wonderful escape from the noise and chaos.
Check out 11, yes, 11 hotels that this writer thinks are worth staying at during World Pride.
Archer Hotel: 45 W. 38th Street
Archer Hotel is conveniently located within minutes of several Manhattan landmarks like Grand Central and Madison Square Garden. They offer a chic and sophisticated experience that any World Pride visitor can enjoy as you wind and relax with the beautiful backdrop of NYC glistening outside your window. They also have a wonderful restaurant on premise, Charlie Palmer Steak, that offers a variety of top-notched surf and turf options to devour.
For the month of June, Archer Hotel will be offering the Kaleidoscope Martini at their fabulous Spyglass Rooftop Bar atop their location. A donation of $2 per drink will be made to The Center… so drink up. If you book the pride rate there, you’ll be able to enjoy everything including 18% off their standard rate, $20 amenity credit, access to New York Sports Club, and more. Check out the Archer Hotel’s Pride options on their homepage.
Library Hotel: 299 Madison Avenue
Hotel Elysee: 60 E. 54th Street
Hotel Giraffe: 365 Park Avenue South
Casablanca Hotel: 147 W. 43rd Street
The Library Hotel Collection consists of four fabulous hotels (4 in New York City, 7 overall) that each provide something unique and different. The Library Hotel is located steps from Grand Central, where guests can stay in themed rooms based off the ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal System (one floor is Social Sciences, another is Literature, etc). Hotel Elysee takes you out of the modern world and into something much more classic in terms of its structure and ambiance.
Hotel Giraffe is the most modern version of the four in an area that is nothing short of fabulous with its food and shopping options. Casablanca Hotel is one you’ll want to stay in as it’s in the middle of the busiest area of the world: Times Square. All these options are close enough to the World Pride festivities yet will provide you with a wonderful night or two of delicious sleep and so much more. Find more information on the Library Hotel Collection’s homepage.
Row NYC: 700 8th Avenue
Row NYC is the epitome of glitz and glam in The Big Apple. IF you are jonesing to see a Broadway show while experiencing all World Pride has to offer then this is the place to be as you are only a block away from some of the most iconic theaters in the world. The space itself is colorful and massive, with chic eateries located inside like City Kitchen (fantastic food hall) and District M (sprawling bar type setting).
The rooms are varied in terms of what you are desiring but all offer a wonderful view of the city and a great place to stay. The suite options are decadent and divine, where you feel A-list the instant you walk in. Overall, a fab place to check out. Take a peek at Row NYC’s Facebook page.
AC Hotel New York Downtown: 151 Maiden Lane
AC Hotel New York Downtown is located by the bustling financial district of New York City. The surrounding areas feature a ton of trendy and hip things to do like visiting the chic South Street Seaport that comes equipped with some fancy shopping and dining experiences for you to enjoy.
The hotel itself has only been open for a couple of months but is already cementing itself as one of the places to stay in NYC. For the month of June, AC Hotel is offering a delicious cocktail called the Love Potion. It’s made of 2 oz of Bombay Sapphire Gin, 1 oz lemon juice and 1 oz Rosemary Simple Syrup. Shake that together and strain into a cocktail glass and top with Prosecco. Delicious. Visit the AC Hotel’s homepage for more information.
The Kimberly Hotel: 145 E. 50th Street
The Kimberly Hotel is one of Midtown East’s finest spots in the city. It’s regal exterior and interior are certainly inviting, as are their sister restaurants Bistango (delicious Italian cuisine) and Empire Steak House.
It’s one of the quietest atmospheres you’ll experience in Manhattan. Not only that, but the rooms itself are of the highest quality in terms of design, look and overall spaciousness. They also have a fabulous rooftop bar called Upstairs at the Kimberly where you can enjoy a couple of cocktails with friends prior to heading out for the big weekend. They are also a quick subway ride away from the beginning of the parade route on 26th and 5th. Learn more about the Kimberly Hotel over at kimberlyhotel.com.
Loews Regency New York Hotel: 540 Park Avenue
The Loews Regency is fanciness without any of the pretentiousness. It’s lobby alone is a sight to be seen as you find yourself among some amazing world travelers while checking into what will be an amazing hotel experience.
They are also offering a one of a kind experience with their Park Avenue Pride Package. This includes a themed amenity specific for World Pride and two drinks at The Regency Bar & Grill, located right inside the hotel. Regency is one of the best restaurants I’ve ever reviewed in Manhattan. Their elevated American plates are nothing short of scrumptious amid a beautiful environment. For more information, head over here the hotel’s homepage.
The Roslyn Hotel: 1221 Old Northern Blvd, Roslyn
I must show some love to an amazing Long Island hotel given that this is where I grew up. Roslyn is a quick 30-minute trip outside of New York City and an area worth visiting given its stunning views and great places to eat like Kyma (Greek food done right) and so much more.
The Roslyn Hotel has a lush history as being one of the best hotels to stay at in Long Island. The rooms are comfortable and beautiful to look at with a 24-hour refreshment bar, business center and many other amenities available at your disposal. They also have a fab restaurant on premise called 1221 at MFP, which features a contemporary take on American cuisine. More can be found on the Roslyn here.
Castle Hotel and Spa: 400 Benedict Avenue, Tarrytown
Castle Hotel and Spa is truly a unique location and one that you should check out regardless if you are coming here for World Pride. The hotel is literally a castle, something that I’ve never seen before when it comes to all the hotel experiences I have done and the exterior and interiors are truly remarkable. I’m still in shock over everything I did while there, including a fabulous wine tasting and dining at their on-location restaurant Equus (seasonal French cuisine done right).
They also have some of the best customer service in the world, as the staff go out of their way to ensure you have a wonderful time while there. It’s an incredibly LGBTQ-friendly place in an area that is a very quick trip to Grand Central via the Metro North train. Their Sankara Spa is the perfect place to escape the craziness that will be World Pride with their variety of services that will put your mind at ease. More here.
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