WPCNR'S THE REAL DEAL By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik of Cap and Gown Weddings, New York, June 14, 2008: When inviting friends and family to share in a special celebration or occasion, should it involve travel on the guests’ part, even in the age of priceline.com and thousands of miles and points, there are a few rules that every host should follow. This column explores how to arrange travel to an event for out of town guests, and provides two suggested itineraries of things to do between when they arrive and "the event!"
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No matter how lavish or how small the event, if you have more than 10 people coming in from out of town, it’s important to make sure that there is space for them to stay. Take the time to check out hotels (and the actual rooms) in close proximity to the location of the party. Set up an official block or group rate with the group sales team and notify guests about the rate.
Most importantly, boldly point out if there is an expiration of that rate (this is crucial because the majority of rates expire the month before the check in date and most guests call in the month before an event). Ideally, it’s always prudent to arrange two levels of hotels should the number of guest coming warrant it. Ideally, the differential between the two hotels should be $80-100 per night per room to allow for a wide range of guests to feel that their needs have been met.
If you have the means, arrange for a lovely welcome basket or at the very least, a check in letter. You can get as creative as you would like with the welcome letter and it’s a wonderful opportunity to help guests find their way around or give them a breakdown of the weekend’s festivities. Here are two examples of New York City welcome letters that used completely different styles.
Three proposed itineraries to enjoy your time in the city.
1) History and Home Cooking in Harlem
Harlem’s re-renaissance is in full swing and just waiting to be explored. Head up to 125th Street and explore Harlem past and present. Stop in at the Studio Museum (144 W 125th Street), see the historic Apollo Theater or support local designers by stopping by the Brownstone at 2032 Fifth Avenue (at 125th Street). If you’re an architecture buff, don’t miss the beautifully restored row houses of Strivers Row (138th – 139th Street at Frederick Douglass Boulevard). Be sure to work-up an appetite before heading over to Amy Ruth’s for some authentic down-home cooking – try the deep fried okra and the Red Velvet cake! If you’re looking to stock your wine cellar, then be sure to visit Harlem Vintage at 2235 Frederick Douglass Boulevard (at 121st St.) say hello to owners Eric and Jai Jai while you’re there and enjoy a free tasting.
For more information, check-out:
Studio Museum: www.studiomuseum.org
Amy Ruth’s: www.amyruthsrestaurant.com
Harlem Vintage: www.harlemvintage.com
2) Boats, Bridges and the City’s Best Pizza in Brooklyn
Manhattan’s true beauty is best enjoyed from the water, so hop on the New York Water Taxi and enjoy the view (check web-site for times and locations). While you’re at it, take the taxi to the Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn and head a short distance up Fulton Street to number 19 and visit Grimaldi’s Pizza. For six years running, Grimaldi’s has been voted the best pizza in New York City. There’s usually a line, but don’t worry it moves quickly and we can attest that it is worth the wait! If you have room for dessert head back to the water to the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory and enjoy award winning ice creams. Wear-off your lunch and enjoy Manhattan from above the water – walk back over the Brooklyn Bridge. Follow the signs to the footpath and your efforts will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the best city in the world.
For more information, check-out:
New York Water Taxi: www.nywatertaxi.com
Grimaldi’s Pizza: www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm
3) Brunch, Biking and Boating in Central Park
It’s no secret that Central Park is the jewel of New York City. The 843 acre park provides endless opportunities to enjoy a perfect day. We suggest starting your day with a hearty brunch at the brasserie Rue 57 (6th Avenue and 57th Street) and then head three blocks up 6th Avenue to Central Park. While in the Park, stop by the Loeb Boat House where you can rent a boat and have a casual ride around the lake, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, sign-up for one of their 3 hour bike tours of the park. If you just want to relax, then hail a horse and carriage on Central Park South and enjoy a leisurely ride through the park.
For more information, check out:
Rue 57: www.rue57.com
Central Park: www.centralparknyc.org
The second letter is an example of how you can fill your guest’s days with multiple activities.
Welcome to New York City! We are honored that you have come from near and far to help us celebrate our very special day, and we have provided some goodies to make your trip away from home more enjoyable (including freshly- picked Empire apples from Dr. Davies’ Farm in the great State of New York!).
In addition, here are some of our favorite places to eat, see and explore while in NYC:
PLACES TO EAT:
Sarge’s Deli – Traditional NYC Deli
548 Third Avenue, between 36th Street and 37th Street. (212) 679-0442.
Wu Liang Ye – Chinese
36 West 48th Street, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue. (212) 534-8899
Yama 49 – Japanese/Sushi
308 East 49th Street at 2nd Avenue. (212) 475-0969
Piccolo Angolo – Italian
621 Hudson Street at Jane Street. (212) 229-9177
Sarabeth’s – The “ladies who lunch” crowd
40 Central Park South, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue. (212) 826-5959
Serendipity 3 – The famous frozen hot chocolate place
225 East 60th Street, between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue. (212) 838-3531
Dylan’s Candy Bar – A sweet-lovers dream!
1011 3rd Avenue, at 60th Street. (646) 735-0078
PLACES TO SEE:
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA)
11 West 53rd Street, between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue
The Frick Collection
1 East 70th Street at 5th Avenue
Whitney Museum of American Art
945 Madison Avenue at 75th Street
New York Botanical Garden
Take Metro North railroad from Grand Central to the Botanical Gardens stop, about a 20 minute ride. The gardens are beautiful, and the Chihuly exhibit (closes October 29th) is lovely.
SHOPPING!
Fancy Schmancy
Walk west from the hotel to Madison Avenue or 5th Avenue and head uptown. Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Barney’s New York, Cartier, Tiffany, Hermes, Jimmy Choo and any other high-end shop you can imagine are all along this route.
Downtown Chic
Head downtown to Soho or Nolita for great boutiques and fun cafes. Good places to eat in the area include Balthazar, Café Habana, Blue Ribbon, Ideya and Café Colonial.
West Village Cool
The West Village is filled with cute boutiques and charming, tree-lined streets. Stop in at the Marc Jacobs store on Bleecker to view some of Monica’s favorite handbags, and don’t forget to pop into Magnolia Bakery for one of their famous cupcakes! The wine bar at Paris Commune (Bank Street at Greenwich Street) is a nice place to rest after a busy shopping day or, if you’re feeling like you need something stronger on a brisk fall day, try a steaming cup of hot chocolate from Chocolate Bar, located at 48 Eighth Avenue between Horatio and Jane Streets.
CLASSIC NYC SIGHTS:
Broadway/Times Square
For same-day discounted theater tickets, visit the TKTS booth, located in the Marriott Marquis.
Central Park
Walk uptown to 59th Street and take a left. Wear comfortable shoes, as the park is enormous!
Empire State Building
Fifth Avenue at 34th Street. Ride the elevator to the top for a great view of NYC.
GETTING AROUND:
Subway – You are right near the 51st Street entrance to the Lexington Avenue (green) line.
