By Jessica David
In a nutshell...
The season to be jolly has arrived, and there's no better nor more festive place to indulge in this year's Christmas shop than the Big Apple herself. With the frosty weather, fairy-lit skyline and merry tourist spots like The Rockefeller and Central Park, NYC was made for Christmas! Not to mention the expansive shopping district dotted with such American gems as Bloomingdales and Macy's. It's a hell of a town!
Where to stay
Although you'll certainly find yourself spoilt for choice when it comes to lavish hotels - if you're looking for a spot of affordable luxury in a great location for exploring the city, you'd be hard pushed to find a better place to call home for a weekend than The Alex. Located on East 45th and Third, this sky-high gem is a short walk from Grand Central Station and smack-bang in the heart of midtown Manhattan, with Central Park and Bloomingdales providing welcome neighbouring tourist spots and the Chrysler Building creating some fantastic views from your room. And speaking of rooms! Contemporary interiors with LCD TVs and plush marble bathrooms all contribute to The Alex's charm, whilst the 24 hour fitness centre and addition of Riingo - the on-site award-winning restaurant offering American/Japanese fusion (try the duck dumplings for a swoon-worthy starter!) make this hotel a must-have stopover for chic Manhattanites and tourists alike.
What to do
New York is a big, big city - and there's so much to see or do, weekend visitors need to plan their trip wisely. Expect sore feet and midnight exhaustion! If you're planning a Christmas soiree to NYC, then a great way to guarantee you get all your sites spotted with minimum of time or trauma is with CityPass. A New York City Pass will set you back just $74 (£49 based on the current exchange rate) - and gives you access to 6 infamous NY attractions, including a boat trip around Liberty Island (where you'll cruise close enough to blow the lady herself a kiss!), the Empire State Building Observatory (where the views and audio tour are breath-taking) and the Guggenheim Museum (worth seeing for its wow-inducing architecture alone). What's more, it's valid for nine leisurely days and you can take the said trips at your own pace and visit as and when you wish! This booklet is also packed with oodles of insider tips and visitor offers and discounts, including a 15% discount for tourists at Bloomingdales (that should help with the Christmas shop, eh? Basically it's the bible for NY tourists, so don't miss out!
