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    Aman New York is the perfect mix of peace and fast-paced

    Life

    by Amy Sessions
    2 hours ago

    East meets West and old meets new. Manhattan’s iconic Crown Building is reimagined as Aman New York, where the city’s original architectural splendour and Aman’s harmonious design language collide, projecting the inimitable tranquillity of Aman in the heart of Manhattan’s midtown. It boasts a year-round Garden Terrace, flagship Aman Spa and spacious suites that are among the largest in the city.
    The Stay
    Among the most spacious in the city, Aman New York’s Suites and Signature Suites are inspired by the airy architecture of Aman’s properties in Southeast Asia. Ideal for business or leisure guests alike, they offer never-before experienced sense of sanctuary in the very heart of Manhattan’s midtown – an invitation to switch off from the outside world. From the Junior Suite on Fifth Avenue to the Aman Suite, each offers a functioning fireplace, a first in New York City, while bathrooms (the dividing doors alone took two years to design) are opulent and oversized with oval soaking bathtubs designed to deliver peace at the end of a busy day.

    The Dining
    Bringing Aman’s eastern roots to one of the West’s greatest cities, Nama celebrates the Japanese washoku dining tradition with authentic, uncomplicated and elegant dishes that champion the world’s finest produce. The restaurant also features a Japanese Hinoki wood counter for hosting omakase fine dining experiences.
    The Wellness
    In the heart of Manhattan, Aman Spa New York reaches new, uncharted heights in the city, epitomising the phrase urban sanctuary with over 2,300 square metres (25,000 square feet) of space dedicated to wellbeing. Bringing to life the fullest expression of Aman’s health and wellness concept yet, it offers unmatched facilities including two luxurious private Spa Houses, along with transformative experiences and cutting-edge wellness and performance science, acting as a wellspring for enhanced wellbeing beyond its physical boundaries. Occupying the 9th, 10th, and 11th floors, Aman Spa New York is imbued with a deeply contemplative ambience designed using natural materials to create a grounding environment. Every detail has been carefully considered to ease guests along their wellness journey, whether consulting with a functional and integrative medical doctor, Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner or experienced Physiotherapist.

    The Hero Experience
    A quintessential New York concept reimagined by Aman, the Jazz Club brings a sense of occasion back to Midtown Manhattan in speakeasy style. Nightly live performancesinclude jazz, alongside a range of other genres that stem from this great class of music, while an array of New York DJs invoke the energy of celebration and the nostalgia of years-goneby. Whether you’re usually in bed at 9pm or not, this is a must visit while you’re in the city that never sleeps. You won’t regret it.
    May’s – The Horology Issue – Download Now– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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    Why a stay at Mandarin Oriental, New York should be added to your bucket list

    Lifestyle

    by David Roberts
    1 hour ago

    Background
    The property has been a part of New York City’s luxury hospitality setting since 2003. Two decades on, it shows no signs of having aged and instead manages to hold its own while several newer brands have flooded the market over the last few years.
    Where is it?
    It is located at one of the most coveted addresses in the city – more specifically on Manhattan’s Westside at Columbus Circle and at the southern entrance to the sprawling Central Park. The hotel is a part of the Deutsche Bank Centre – in fact, the third-floor lobby has an exclusive entrance to the retail floors of the centre.

    What’s it like?
    You’d be hard-pressed to find a better location than this. There may be only one dining option in the hotel itself, but there are plenty more among the wide selection of shops on the expansive retail floors. The lower lobby houses one of the largest Whole Foods shop that I’ve come across in New York and you are a hop, skip and a jump from Central Park. The staff are extremely welcoming and the MO Lounge offers breakfast, all-day dining and dinner with spectacular views.
    Rooms
    There are 244 rooms and suites in the hotel. We stayed in the spacious 75 sqm Hudson River View suite, whose shades of teal are a nod to the river. It features floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the room with light and there is a large desk to work, a sofa and a dining area for four, while the master bedroom has a king-size bed. If you’re looking for an ultra-luxurious experience at this hotel, there’s the 207 sqm Presidential suite that also features stunning 250-year-old parchment calligraphy.
    Food and Drink
    On the 35th floor is the MO Lounge whose contemporary furnishings and décor give it the feel of a by-invitation-only members club. However, all are welcome to this space which is open throughout the day. Its lunch and dinner menu is restricted to a page – but each item has been crafted to perfection. Hands down, the soup we ordered was the best soup we’ve tasted in all of NYC. The burrata, risotto, and salmon croque monsieur – with the option to add Golden Ossetra caviar – are all highly recommended.
    Meetings
    There are stunning events and meeting spaces on the property – perhaps the most impressive of them is the pillarless 550 sqm ballroom with commanding views over Central Park. There are three smaller rooms for board meetings, as well as The Gallery space where events are held amidst unique art pieces.
    Leisure
    A 1,350 sqm spa spans both the 34th and 35th floors. Rather than choosing a treatment type, you can opt for the Time Ritual wherein you specify a length of time and the therapist will offer a bespoke treatment to fit within that time slot. You can drop by the Technogym-fitted gym on the 36th floor, and you can also request a personal session with an on-call trainer. On the same floor is a 75ft lap pool with great views of the Hudson River.

    Verdict
    We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and whatever requests we had including transportation, etc. were dealt with very efficiently. It may be a hangover from the bad old days of Covid, but when we checked in there were no coffee and tea amenities in our room which we discovered needed to be requested – and were promptly provided by room service. The same applied to our mini bar which, although fully stocked, was not unlocked until we contacted reception. Probably a good idea to organise that at check-in.
    Best for
    Sweeping views of Central Park, NYC’s skyline and the Hudson River
    Don’t miss
    A meal at MO Lounge
    Price
    Internet rates for a weeknight in December for a Hudson RiverView suite start at US$3,075 (Dhs1,124)
    Contact
    80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street, New York, New York 100023; +1 212-805-8800; mandarinoriental.com
    This article was originally published on Business Traveller Middle East and has been repurposed here with permission.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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    Travel to NYC in true luxury with Etihad’s new business class offering

    Lifestyle

    by Olivia Morris
    4 hours ago

    On June 30, 2022, UAE airline Etihad Airways celebrated the inaugural flight of its new A350-1000 flying from Abu Dhabi International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International airport (JFK). The 14-hour business class flight offers a seamless experience from the moment you step into the airport to the moment you touch down at JFK. The newly-launched flight accommodates 371 passengers and is one of five new Airbus A350s. Forty-four of the seats are in the business cabin and “provides a luxurious experience comparable to first class on other international airlines,” according to Martin Drew, senior vice-president of Global Sales and Cargo, Etihad Airways.
    Not only does the business cabin provide a plush in-flight experience, but the aircraft itself is also highly efficient, enhancing the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s sustainability goals. “This is an incredible aircraft with highly-efficient fuel consumption and CO2 savings, which enables us to support our goals to reduce carbon emissions and deliver an unmatched flight experience for our guests,” Drew explains.
    First Impressions
    With a departure time of 1015, I was picked up from my home in Downtown Dubai by Etihad’s complimentary business class chauffeur service at 0600. It was a smooth and quick journey to the UAE’s capital, with ample time for check-in.
    I arrived at the airport at around 0715 and was welcomed by the friendly Etihad staff at the business class check-in area. An attendant assisted with my bags and led me to the check-in desk where I was shown to a seat while I waited for my bags to be checked and to receive my boarding pass. I presented my passport, along with my ESTA (the visa required to enter the US) and vaccine certificate which I had obtained via the Alhosn app. At the Etihad business class and first class check-in, there is a separate immigration and security section which ensured I got through with plenty of time to spare.

    The Lounge
    I then headed to the Etihad Business Class lounge where I enjoyed some downtime before the long-haul flight. The lounge is expansive with sofa areas, individual seating and dining tables – plenty of options for whatever you need. It was relatively quiet when I entered and the staff were welcoming and friendly, ready to help with anything I needed.
    For F&B offerings, there were a plethora of options at the buffet – everything you could want for a hearty breakfast and a coffee to kickstart your travel day. There were also fully-stocked fridges with soft drinks and other snacks for passengers to help themselves to. The bar was quiet in the early hours of the morning, but it was a welcoming space to relax before a flight.
    Overall, the lounge is a great space for guests to recharge before their flights, get last-minute emails done prior to take-off and enjoy a bite to eat.
    Boarding
    Those travelling to the US from Abu Dhabi need to be mindful of the time when heading to the gate because you’re able to go through US customs whilst physically still in the UAE. This is all done through Etihad’s US pre-clearance, the only United States Customs and Border Protection facility in the Middle East. While it means you need to leave slightly earlier when heading to the gate at Abu Dhabi airport, it saves a huge amount of time and effort when arriving in the US, avoiding immigration and queues. The whole US immigration process went smoothly and I then headed to the gate where I arrived just as business class passengers were being called to board. My ticket was scanned at the gate, and I then headed down the walkway to board the new A350 to New York City.
    The Seat
    Business class is the highest cabin class on the A350 and is complete with 44 seats, all with a generous amount of space. The layout is a standard 1-2-1 layout with cream, brown and gold interiors which gives the cabin a relaxing ambience. It also felt extra spacious as there were no overhead bins in the centre of the cabin – not to worry though, there was no shortage of hand luggage space.
    Business class on Etihad’s new A350
    The seat pods were designed with technology and style in mind with faux marble finishes and the colour hues of the rest of the cabin echoed in the seats. The fold-out table expands out to be approximately 42cm long and 46cm wide, perfect for those who want to work during their flight. There are also several charging spots including a standard power outlet, a USB-A and USB-C charging ports. The seat itself was incredibly comfortable with huge amounts of space and privacy afforded by the double-closing doors of each pod. When fully reclined, the seat turns into a 200cm bed.
    The Flight
    I was welcomed by the friendly Etihad flight attendants who were attentive from the moment I boarded. After making myself comfortable, and ready for take-off, I was given a welcome drink and asked to look at the menu to let them know my meal of choice. We took off in great time, with an effortless transition from the runway and into the air.
    As for entertainment, there were plenty of in-flight movies from all genres to enjoy, as well as television shows and even a few live TV options, all of which could be watched on the 18.5-inch touchscreen TV.
    There was also onboard WiFi. However, business class guests only receive a 350MB complimentary voucher. Thereafter, it’s chargeable with a 24-hour session for 350MB priced at US$29.99.

    Food and drink
    I ordered from the a la carte menu prior to departure and I could choose the time that I wanted to eat my meal. I opted for the Arabic mezze starter which was a great option – filling but not too heavy on a long-haul flight. I then had the truffle pasta which was superb. However, I was sufficiently full, so didn’t opt for dessert.
    Arrival
    The landing was smooth as we touched down at JFK and we made it to the arrival gate ahead of schedule. The whole immigration process was already completed in Abu Dhabi and so we arrived as if we were domestic passengers, heading out through the domestic exit. The whole process was easy and faultless as I headed to get my bags and enjoy a cool 48 hours in New York City.

    Verdict
    From start to finish, the service of the whole Etihad Airways A350-1000 business class was seamless. If you’re due to travel from the UAE to New York City, I couldn’t recommend flying from Abu Dhabi enough, even if you are based in Dubai.
    Price
    Internet rates for return business class flights from AUH to JFK start at Dhs10,740
    For more information visit etihad.com
    This article was originally published on Business Traveller Middle East and has been repurposed here with permission.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied  More