Surrey Hotel

Spend Halloween at The Surrey Hotel in New York

This Halloween, travelers visiting New York City don't have to miss out on all the fun events surrounding the spooky holiday.

Families staying at The Surrey Hotel, the gorgeous boutique hotel on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, on Halloween will get to experience all the usual tricks and treats, with fun and festive offerings for both children and parents alike.

Upon checking in to The Surrey, guests will be greeted with a decadent treat of gourmet salted caramels. As the children get ready for a night of spooks and sweets, Moms are invited to escape to The Spa at The Surrey, the luxurious day spa (see video below), where they will receive a special Halloween offer of 20% off any 60-minute spa treatment. Feeling relaxed and refreshed, they will be ready to join their children for some good old-fashioned trick-or-treating, beginning in the hotel's lobby, where The Surrey's Bellmen and Front Desk staff will be giving out an array of delicious treats to guests and local trick-or-treaters throughout the evening. Pets are invited to join in on the fun too, where they can nosh on special doggie treats and mingle with Bentley, the hotel's adorably irresistible Havanese puppy.

Gallery: The Surrey Hotel

Tags: awards-main, boutique hotel, Halloween, hotel, luxist-awards, Surrey Hotel, The Surrey Hotel

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What Does a Hotel Concierge Do?

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

One of the most valuable assets a luxury hotel has, the concierge is there to help make a guest's stay a happy and memorable one. Indeed, concierges are trained professionals who services run the gamut from the mundane (message handling) to the extraordinary (such as getting hard-to-find tickets to the latest Broadway show).

To learn more about the importance of a concierge, we sat down with Spencer H. Wadama, who is the General Manager of The Surrey Hotel, the tony and newly renovated boutique hotel located on Manhattan's upper east side. Spencer previously served as the general manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt).

According to Wadama, The Surrey Hotel's staff of concierges, for example, regularly make special arrangements for their guests, often before the guest has even arrived at the hotel. "They give you an opportunity to experience a destination in a better, more authentic way," says Wadama. "They are a priceless amenity."

Ever wondered how much to tip a concierge for his or her services? Here what Wadama has to say about this subject in this Luxist Awards video.

Tags: awards-main, concierge, hotel, importance of a concierge, luxist-awards, Spencer Wadama, summer-travel-pedia, surrey hotel, tipping, winter-travel-pedia

The Surrey Hotel Debuts a Rooftop English Garden

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Surrey Hotel, the boutique hotel on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, has opened a spectacular private roof garden complete with expansive views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park. The roof garden features lounge seating amidst seasonal florals, ranging from brilliant purple Salvia East Frieslands to pink, yellow and orange Lantana. There are lovely box trees that are framed by rows of English dwarf lavenders. Located on the Penthouse level of the hotel, the rooftop garden is available seasonally and exclusively to hotel guests.

The 2,200 square foot terrace is a serene escape and can only be compared to a penthouse terrace found on the top of some of the most exclusive apartment buildings in Manhattan. The roof was completely resurfaced, and features Ipe Brazilian decking and trellises, with ivy and box trees growing throughout the garden. It was designed by Lauren Rottet, the renowned interior and architectural designer who spearheaded The Surrey's recent renovation.

Gallery: The Surrey Hotel's Private Roof Garden Now Open

The Surrey Hotel's Private Rooftop Garden

Cocktails at the Surrey Hotel's Private Rooftop Garden

Tags: awards-main, Bar Pleiades, Cafe Boulud, Daniel Boulud, Lauren Rottet, luxist-awards, Spa at the Surrey, Surrey Hotel, Surrey Hotel Terrace, Terrace at the Surrey Hotel, The Spa at the Surrey

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Surrey Hotel Rolls Out Bar Cart Service

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services, Spirits

In an ingenious twist on the classic cocktail craze, the recently reopened Surrey hotel in Manhattan is now offering in-room bar cart service for its guests.

While missing the modern Art Deco splendor of the hotel's Bar Pleiades is not recommended, neither is spending too much time away from the rooms' Duxiana beds. The logical compromise is the Surrey's cocktail program. "The inspiration came when I was at Dukes in London," says Director of Restaurants and Bars, Sims Foster. "They go through this very simple, but classic, way that they pour their martinis."

Here's how it works: guests first order whichever base spirit is to their liking, whether it's Hudson Baby Bourbon, Bombay Sapphire gin, Grey Goose vodka, Patrón Silver tequila or Gosling's Dark Rum. Then, your personal Surrey bartender will arrive accompanied by a fully stocked bar cart-modeled after an Italian mid-century original-and its attendant supplies, among them bitters, fresh fruit, ice and the implements of the trade. He'll demonstrate for you the proper way to make classic cocktails with your chosen spirit, say a Moscow Mule (vodka) or a Vanilla Old Fashioned (bourbon). And then, he'll leave.

From there you can pretend you're Nick and Nora, using the vintage Boston shaker glasses to mix, muddle and strain your day away. With several rounds of ammunition in you it's only a brief sway to the Whitney Museum of American Art, Central Park or Daniel Boulud's Café Boulud (the chef also operates Bar Pleiades). But now that you're so close to figuring out the elusive tequila-bourbon cocktail combination, there isn't much of a reason to decamp. Especially when a fresh cart rolls in so easily.

Tags: bar cart, bar ware, BarCart, BarWare, classic cocktails, ClassicCocktails, hotel, hotels, new york city, NewYorkCity, shakers, spirits, surrey hotel, SurreyHotel

Should You Tip a Concierge? (with video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Part Merlin, part Houdini, how is possible for the concierge at your hotel to get you tickets to a sold-out show or a reservation at a restaurant that would have been utterly impossible for you to do so on your own?

One of the most valuable assets a fine hotel has, the concierge is there to help make a guest's stay a happy and memorable one. But have you ever been baffled by whether or not you are supposed to tip the concierge if he or she has done something special for you?

To find out these answers, we sat down with Spencer H. Wadama, who is the General Manager of The Surrey Hotel, the tony and newly renovated boutique hotel located on Manhattan's upper east side. Spencer previously served as the general manager of the Ritz-Carlton in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt). The Surrey Hotel's staff of concierges, for example, regularly make special arrangements for their guests, often before the guest has even arrived at the hotel.

According to Spencer, "The amount is really to your discretion, and what is the appropriate amount really depends on the service that was provided," he says. "It is very appropriate to tip a concierge if you had a special request that you knew was difficult to get access to."

In America, tipping is a way of saying "thank you", but tipping is not expected in all countries, such as in Japan, where tipping is not part of the culture.

The amount you tip should take into account the city where the hotel is located; for example a tip in New York should be higher than a tip in Cleveland, for example, to compensate for the difference in the cost of living.

When you approach a concierge, take a look at the lapel of his or her uniform. If you notice a pin that resembles a small set of gold keys, he or she is a member of an elite organization called Les Clefs d'Or, a French term that translates into "keys of gold". If that is the case, you can be assured that you are dealing with a seasoned professional. Curious about whether you should tip the housekeeping staff? Find out how to do so here.

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How to Create a Home Sanctuary

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

Luxist visited the recently renovated Surrey Hotel and its beautiful new day spa, Spa at the Surrey, on Manhattan's Upper East Side.

We sat down with Cheryl Jacobs, its Spa Director, who is a nationally acclaimed spa consultant, and discussed how people can create a spa-like sanctuary in their own home.

Jacobs told us how to create a relaxing and therapeutic bath. "The first thing people should buy are Epsom salts, which offer a variety of health benefits," she says. Epsom salts (also known as magnesium sulfate) can help to relieve aching muscles and flush toxins out of the body.

Another item worth investing in are therapeutic level essential oils, which can be used in conjunction with Epsom salts. The best oils are those that are purest in form and have not had fragrances or other chemicals added.

"The trick about doing a bath at home is that the Epsom salts should be placed under the water as it is running," says Jacobs. "But wait until the tub is filled and the water is no longer running before adding the therapeutic oils. The oils should then be smoothed out to get the real essence."

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Luxury Spa Opens in New York's Surrey Hotel

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

Are you in search of an escape from a bustling life in Manhattan? Or will you be traveling to New York and looking for a luxurious boutique European-style hotel with a spa? Look no further than the recently renovated Surrey Hotel and its beautiful new day spa on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Luxist visited this delightful gem and found it to be the consummate place to rejuvenate the skin and soul.

Spa at the Surrey is a perfect getaway for mothers and daughters looking for a little bonding time, as well as for couples or best friends wanting to relax in a tranquil environment. For New Yorkers, a few hours spent in this spa will have you feeling like you've left the city.

Consider booking a "Half-Day Escape," which is three hours of personalized treatments including a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure. Those seeking a little more "me" time, might consider a "Full Day Escape" which includes five and a half hours of personalized treatments. Guests can order a gourmet lunch from the Café Boulud, which is located on the ground floor of the Surrey.