Hendricks, Just the Tonic

New York, like London, never disappoints and to journey there courtesy of Virgin’s Heathrow Lounge was a great start, thank you my friends.

It was that annual pilgrimage to #VirtuosoTravelWeek2019 in Las Vegas via our new partner, Hotel Hendricks NY. www.hotelhendricksny.com

Now I’m familiar with Midtown NY where Fortuna real estates latest venture is now open for business!  Quite a transformation from my initial visit with Pablo Migoya, GM of their sister hotel Hotel Hugo back in Nov 2018 where there was snow on the roof!

I arrived curb-side 38th W, between 5th & 6th and checked in to what I was to learn was the lobby bars first day of operation. Despite the small footprint in the lobby the bar stretched outside with great seating so it didn’t make it feel restrictive and gave a nice buzz on check-in.

Upon check-in I was greeted for my first meeting by De’Anne Nunziato, of Connections who is assisting us launchwww.thelimingbequai.com and a great opportunity to see Chef PJ Colapa’s new Paloma restaurant, albeit for some caffeine to keep me going.

The origins of Paloma are from Central and South America he’s a noted NYC chef with openings such as The Spaniard and Scampi and at Hendricks he has drawn inspiration for his menus from childhood experiences in his grandmother’s kitchen in the Mexican border town of Brownsville, Texas. Clearly a more sophisticated Latin-influenced cuisine within the hotels stylish setting, classic dishes like Fluke Aguachile, Tuna Tostadas, and Peruvian Chicken and Rice prove this Texan has a rare gift for flavourful south-of-the-border cuisine. Whilst I was unable to take dinner, breakfast had a similar feel and I was quite envious of Kelsi Mexican styled feel. There is a great outdoor space as well and I like the Zebra print chairs in particular.

Then it was up high to one of the Deluxe rooms from the 176 count. Superior being the other category and then only denoted by the floor. 17 and over are Deluxe and with views so very simple. Only other difference is King, Queen and double doubles. From the Zebra based restaurant chairs the leopard skin headboards brings a very animalistic feel to the interior design. The interiors designed by Marchello Pozzi, floor-to-ceiling mahogany and Italian millwork, and bathrooms fitted with premium copper Waterworks fixtures and frosted glass. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed not dissimilar to Hotel Hugo.

I will sound like a broken record but the staff went out of their way to make me feel welcome, breakfast with the impressive Kelsi Williams, Groups Director who then showed both myself and a future friend from Schroders, Carolyn around the property. All I can say is you need to see the Hendricks rooftop bars to believe them, they were officially opening the following week 🙁 . I  was even greeted on arrival by the sister properties GM Pablo Migoya, impressive stuff!  Name recognition from the reception team was genuine and brought the best out of me as interaction has always been one of my pillars and the team here deliver.

The property is close to Bryant Park and I love walking in NY even if I had to navigate Time Square for a meeting and Central Park did not seem that far when walking up 5th Avenue.

Of course when you’re in NY you need to catch up with as many people as possible and some thank you’ s and images of course Pablo, Sekita, Yana, Selina, Kat & Marie-France of Tablet and Celia of SVGTB. Remember Travel is about experience and all these people made this short hop an absolute pleasure which will live long in the memory bank. At the centre of this was the team at Hendricks and to the owners Fortuna, congratulations on the latest addition