The instructions for the hot chocolate left for Issy & me. Such a sweet gesture. For my 16th New Year stay with Four Seasons in New York, I booked the Four Seasons New York Downtown again.
This was my third stay at this hotel and I was so pleased I did. They gave me a beautiful suite with train set, Veuve Clicquot champagne on ice, a cashmere Four Seasons hat to keep me warm and even left hot chocolate for Issy.
When I arrived Steven (Director of Rooms) greeted me before I even said my name and I immediately knew this was going to be an epic New Year stay.
This was my third stay at this hotel and I was so pleased I did. They gave me a beautiful suite with train set, Veuve Clicquot champagne on ice, a cashmere Four Seasons hat to keep me warm and even left hot chocolate for Issy.
When I arrived Steven (Director of Rooms) greeted me before I even said my name and I immediately knew this was going to be an epic New Year stay.
| The Welcome I arrived before lunch, having purchased my new iPhone X that morning, and Steven could not have been more welcoming. He explained they had left several jackets in my suite for me to try on for dinner that night, I could not find one in my packing boxes in Cayman Islands two nights before. He added they were still preparing my suite and I said this was no problem, as I needed a coffee. Coffee at My 'Usual Table' in CUT by Wolfgang Puck In CUT by Wolfgang Puck I sat at the same table as I had with the mother of my godson a few months before. I had a coffee and got talking to some charming people from San Fransisco, who were telling me they did not like the Ferragamo bath products in the hotel. My Beautiful Executive Suite Steven then, personally, took me up to my suite, where he helped me try on jackets. Once he left I was blow away by the suite and how it had been personalized for me. Veuve Clicquot champagne on ice, a train set like the one in the lobby, a cashmere Four Seasons hat and hot chocolate for Issy and me. In the bathroom Bvlgari bath salts and the the bedroom had a Christmas stocking in the wardrobe full of sweets/candy and gifts. I spent the afternoon lazying around in the suite drinking the rich hot chocolate and sorting out my new iPhone X. Back in CUT by Wolfgang Puck Talking About Ian Schrager Before dinner that evening I went down to CUT by Wolfgang Puck again for a martini. The unexpected bonus there was being able to swap stories about Ian Schrager with the bar staff. The Second to Last Night for Le Cirque Next it was dinner at Le Cirque with my Real Estate friend. We had not realized Le Cirque was moving for a 4th time and did not yet know where it was going this time. I had a stingrays in the Caribbean Sea 'snow globe' for my friend and it was so good to see him again. New Year would not be the same without that special guy. I ordered the deluxe appetizer with caviar, smoked salmon etc with a very dry Grey Goose stirred martini, with a twist of lime. The latter was a problem at first but we soon got it right. The appetizer was perfect and a fun thing to 'graze on' while we caught up. My lobster ravioli main was less successful, we were also surprised Le Cirque was not more busy (given its imminent closure & it being the Saturday before New Year) and lots of guys there were not wearing jackets. I guess Le Cirque had had its day in the Bloomberg Centre. Four Seasons Perfection Over Diet Pepsi Back at the Four Seasons I smiled to find diet Pepsi had been left with ice. Earlier in the day I had been Tweeting complaints about the mini bar not being stocked in my room at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park the night before, when I like to get diet Pepsi in the middle of the night. A Perfect Four Seasons New Year's Eve After a perfect night's sleep I woke to order truffled scrabbled eggs on the suite's iPad. When it arrived the smell of truffles was intoxicating. What a way to start your day. The Four Seasons New York Downtown Spa I then went to the 3rd floor pool with my Weekend Financial Times. The "welcome back Mr Frews" from the spa reception staff were incredible and I had a blissful time swimming. It was too cold to venture outside. The #travelblog www.sifrew.com Brand Back at my suite my www.sifrew.com polo shirt had been returned perfectly laundered. Getting Ready For New Year I went to reception for a chat and to get them to copy my Will for me. I told them I was going to CUT by Wolfgang Puck for a drink, while bed turndown was done. I hoped then to return to the suite to take photos before going out. CUT by Wolfgang Puck on New Year's Eve In CUT I got talking to Manager Louis. I was fascinated to hear the hotel is now owned by Middle Eastern investors. He then sent me over some 'free' appetizers that blew my mind. Wolfgang Puck food is incredible. "Curiouser & Curiouser" I went back to my suite to find the sofa partly converted to a bed and no one around to ask what was going on. I sent some frantic emails, alerted reception, and then headed out. BLT Steak Restaurant All this meant I was late meeting my Real Estate friend again. This time in BLT Steak. My Wolfgang Puck 'free' appetizers meant I was not not really interested in my appetizer but my steak with truffle mashed potatoes and creamed spinach was legendary. During the meal I spent too long chatting to the tables close to us and must apologize to my friend for this. Despite this, we had an incredible New Year's Eve together again. Veuve Clicquot & Balloons Back at my suite I found 1/2 bottles of Veuve Clicquot, balloons etc. Unfortunately I tried to drink the champagne back in Cayman Islands and both bottles were corked. New Year's Day This started finding my shoes had been so well polished my 'Rio Ferragamos' looked like new again and reading New Year greetings from friends around the world. Breakfast at Tiffany's I headed out to Tiffany & Co to get breakfast in their new cafe. I arrived to find notices that they do not open until 10am and you must now have reservations. I had checked before I left Cayman Islands, before Christmas, and they were then saying they did not take reservations. Four Seasons New York I decided to go to Four Seasons New York for a double espresso and wait until Tiffany & Co opened. The concierges there told me Tiffany & Co do not even answer the 'phones to them. The Blue Box Cafe At 10:10am I arrived at The Blue Box Cafe in Tiffany & Co. It was quiet but reception said they do not take any 'walk in' business. I complained about the change of policy and was told they had had problems with people queueing outside in the snow. You Can Rely on The Plaza I decided to go to The Plaza for breakfast instead. I was so glad I did. Wagyu steak with truffle hollandaise. Sublime although the hotel clearly needs another renovation. Bergdorf Goodman, Van Cleef & Arples etc I then took a walk down 5th Avenue. The 'Destination Extraordinary' Christmas windows at Bergdorf Goodman were incredible and the Van Cleef & Arples Christmas windows took my breath away but I was more surprised there are no longer any crowds etc by Trump Tower. Lighting Candles at St Patrick's Cathedral I am not Catholic but lighting candles for friends and family, who need help, was next on my agenda. I was so comforted by doing this. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is a New York 'must see" and I found it reassuring to see next. The 3rd Floor Pool I then returned to the warmth of the 3rd floor pool and the friendly spa staff. New Year's Night I got my 12 year old Four Seasons Doha polo shirt laundered and started by drinking Veuve Clicquot while sending my own New Year messages. Back in CUT by Wolfgang Puck One Last Time I have eaten Mr Puck's Japanese Wagyu in London (at 45 Park Lane), Bahrain (as the first customer of Four Seasons Bahrain) and New York and it never disappoints. I decided such a memorable stay must end with an incredible dinner and that is what I had. The buttery Wagyu melts in your mouth and the black truffle fries were sublime. I ended the meal reading the Ritz-Carlton magazine, with a new resort in Bermuda, eating a light chocolate soufflé. Saying Goodbye to Good Friends After more swimming, & saying goodbye to the marvelous spa staff, it was time to say my last goodbyes. Steven was at reception, as well as the Digital Manager who was dealing with my Tweets. It was very sad to be saying goodbye again to such a friendly hotel. 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(6 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - Steven; the cashmere Four Seasons hat; the beautiful suite; the Bvlgari; the Christmas stocking; the spa & reception staff; the hot chocolate for Issy; the train set; the Diet Pepsi and Louis & CUT by Wolfgang Puck all indicate a '7 teddy' stay. However, the issues on New Year's Eve Night, and with the 1/2 bottles of Veuve Clicquot, lost it a 'teddy'. My tips:- talk to the staff, use the spa and try the Wolfgang Puck Japanese Wagyu! |  In CUT by Wolfgang Puck I sat at the same table as I had with the mother of my godson a few months before.  The sitting room of my beautiful suite, with a train set, a cashmere Four Seasons hat to keep me warm and even hot chocolate for both Issy and me.  The elegant bathroom of my suite. Bvlgari bath salts had been left for me.  I love a large shower and this suite really delivered on this.  The bedroom with electric blinds, Bright White Four Seasons bed linen and even a Christmas stocking in the wardrobe full of sweets/candy and gifts.  My martini in CUT by Wolfgang, along with my new cashmere hat.  My perfect 'deluxe appetizer' at Le Cirque with caviar, smoked salmon etc  My divine very dry Grey Goose martini in Le Cirque, after some 'coaching' from www.sifrew.com!  The beautiful Christmas tree in the Bloomberg Center, right outside the door to Le Cirque.  The diet Pepsi and ice left in my suite that made me smile. A reference to my Ritz-Carlton Tweet earlier that day.  After a perfect night's sleep I woke to order truffled scrabbled eggs on the suite's iPad. When it arrived the smell of truffles was intoxicating. What a way to start your day.  I love the hotel's 3rd floor pool and spa staff. The Weekend Financial Times made it even better.  My perfectly laundered www.sifrew.com polo shirt.  My mind-blowing 'free' Wolfgang Puck appetizers in CUT.  The 'scene' in my suite, on New Year's Eve evening, that left me worried and confused.  My steak with truffle mashed potatoes and creamed spinach in BLT Steak on 57th Street was legendary.  Back at my suite I found 1/2 bottles of Veuve Clicquot, balloons etc Unfortunately I tried to drink the champagne back in Cayman Islands and both bottles were corked.  New Year's Day started finding my shoes had been so well polished my 'Rio Ferragamos' looked like new again.  I love reading my New Year greetings from friends around the world.  I decided to go to Four Seasons New York for a double espresso and wait until Tiffany & Co opened. The concierges there told me Tiffany & Co do not even answer the 'phones to them.  Seeing the Four Seasons New York Christmas tree always cheers me up.  The 'packed' Blue Box Cafe at Tiffany & Co.  Wagyu steak with truffle hollandaise at The Plaza. Sublime, life was still good!  The Plaza clearly needs another refurbishment but still has class.  The 'Destination Extraordinary' Christmas windows at Bergdorf Goodman were incredible,  The Van Cleef & Arples Christmas windows took my breath away.  I was surprised there are no longer any crowds etc by Trump Tower.  I am not Catholic but lighting candles for friends and family who need help, at St Patrick's Cathedral, was next on my agenda. I was so comforted by doing this.  The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is always reassuring to see.  I started New Year's Night drinking Veuve Clicquot sending my own New Year messages.  I wore my Four Seasons Doha polo shirt on New Year's Night. It is now 12 years old & going strong!  For dinner in CUT by Wolfgang Puck I took the whole of the 'New York based gang'.  I have eaten Mr Puck's Japanese Wagyu in London (at 45 Park Lane), Bahrain (as the first customer of Four Seasons Bahrain) and New York and it never disappoints.  I ended the meal reading the Ritz-Carlton magazine, with a new resort in Bermuda.  My light chocolate soufflé. |
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