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The iconic Manhattan skyline. Picture by James Swinnerton. Right: Views of the Hudson from a Superior Riverview suite at the Conrad
This family-owned hotel has been around for 80 years and it really does feel like a home from home with individually designed rooms, comfy sofas and quirky furniture.
Our suite was large and comfortable with a TV, fridge, microwave and espresso machine. Our huge bathroom had funky Picasso-like style design on the walls and the hotel likes to showcase public art in its lobby and bar. It also has a small roof top bar, a great spot for a drink on a hot New York night. There is no restaurant but the hotel will order take out for you. Not that you need to with a multitude of restaurants and cuisines on your doorstep.
New York isn’t cheap with the pound weak against the dollar, but you can pick up breakfast from a deli for a few dollars and Nina, who can be a fussy eater abroad, loved digging into authentic NY bagels, pizza, burgers and hanger steaks.
We were in New York for five and a half days and wanted to make the most of them, without wasting time in queues.
New York CityPASSes are a great option and include tickets to all the main tourist spots so you don’t have to buy the tickets when you get to busy attractions like the Empire State Building, although there is still an entrance queue.
Our CityPasses included a return bonus visit the same day after 10pm to see the iconic landmark illuminated at night, but I preferred the wonderful views from the less crowded Top of the Rock observation deck at the Rockefeller Center. I even saw someone being proposed to – and she did say yes. Our CityPASSes also offered a river cruise and we went for the thrill ride option. Bouncing along the Hudson River towards the Statue of Liberty, at speeds of up to 45mph to a thumping pop soundtrack on the Beast speedboat, with spray on our faces was a real highlight. We packed a lot in strolling the sidewalks of this fantastic city and New York certainly stepped up to the mark as a top family destination.