First Class has put together a guide for a range of distinct tastes. For those of us who have to hold back, New York will be there for us to so we can do our research and savour the wait.
The Mark Hotel Sailboat. Image Credit The Mark Hotel
Those cool enough to stay the Mark Hotel are eligible to reserve a private charter of the seventy foot Herreshoff Sail boat. Some may call it a yacht but the Mark calls it a Sailboat. These billowing sails will catch the wind to propel you along New York’s harbour taking in the famed Manhattan skyline, views of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Imagine a sunset sail along the Hudson River, a glass of Cristal touching your lips as the Brooklyn Bridge lights up.
The Herreshoff is an extension of the Mark hotel conceived by French designer Jacques Grange, whose signature black and white stripes are synonymous with the hotel’s lobby and also adorn the deck. The hotel’s chef Jean Georges Vongerichten prepares seasonal menus for when you are on board.
The Empire State Building. Image Credit Roberto Orgiu/Shutterstock.com
After 160 million refurbish the Empire State Building is back offering the best view in New York with floor to ceiling windows and a 360 degree view from 1,250 above the city. The Observatory is on the 102nd floor of this 103 floor building. And what is on the 103rd floor? The celebrity viewing area of course for the likes of the Taylor Swifts of the world who can fit onto the tiny balcony which is reached by a series of elevators.
So while only a few can go right to the top, there is an All Access VIP ticket limited to parties up to six people. This enables you to step through the building’s private entrance into the celeb green room where hor d’euve snacks and a drink will be awaiting you. There are photos and memorabilia on show from former celebrity visitors. Once you’ve guzzled your champers and are ready for the magic of the Empire State at its best, a private guided tour awaits including skipping the queues to arrive at the 102nd floor.
There is also a Premium experience available which includes a ninety minute guided tour beginning at the restored Art Deco lobby on Fifth Avenue. Priority access is all yours including skip-the-line privileges up to the 86th floor observatory, before you’re whisked up to the Top Deck to take in the unbeatable views from the 102nd floor.
This exclusive tour is limited to parties of up to seven.
If you are in the know and have the right connections, you may just be lucky enough to score a table at Rao’s. This restaurant has been dishing up Italian food in Harlem since 1896. This is one of the world’s truly elite places. In order to eat here you must either “own” a table, be a famed regular (think Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, Danny Aiello) or be invited by a VIP. There are just ten tables in the most sought after restaurant in the country. The former guest list includes Bill and Hillary Clinton, Martin Scorcese, Tony Bennett, and Leonardo Dicaprio.
You may have more luck at Lucali in Brookyln’s Carroll Gardens where you can wait for hours and perhaps catch a glimpse of former patrons such as Jay-Z and Beyonce, David Beckham, Liv Tyler and John Legend.
Then there’s Polo Bar. A place at the bar can only be obtained for those who have reserved a table in this Ralp Lauren owned Midtown eatery. Rules include only photographing your own table. Stars who have dined here include Meghan Markle, Hillary Clinton, Andy Cohen, Gwenyth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, and Julie Andrews.
Embrace your inner Carrie Bradshaw on a private shopping excursion to the best stores in the world. There are a number of VIP fashion experiences including one by Indagare who can arrange private shopping excursion to the best stores in SoHo access to a designer trunk show, a curator-led tour of The Met’s Costume Institute and a full “glam squad” to style your hair, nails and makeup right in your hotel room before a night on the town.
This company can also arrange VIP tours including Broadway backstage access and VIP meet and greets, tickets to filming of shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show and for the budding artist you could also enjoy a sleepover at the Museum of Natural History.
With compliments of First Class: visit them online or at Instagram.
We at Travel Managers Australia recognise the traditional owners of the country where we live and work. We recognise and celebrate the diversity of Indigenous people and their enduring cultures and connections to the land and waters of New South Wales.
