Shelburne Hotel & Suites by Affinia
It was an all-new experience in New York City for us, staying in a different part of town than usual and in a hotel we’d never tried before – the Shelburne Hotel & Suites.
We arrived at night during the holiday season and from the front doors of the hotel were greeted with a splendid view of the Empire State Building lit up in red and green for the season. It was an auspicious start to our visit, which included a bucket list item of celebrating New Year’s Eve in Times Square.
There was a very efficient check-in process as we were shown to our room on the fifth floor, which was roomy yet cozy and quiet. It turned out to be a corner room with windows facing out on two sides, letting in a lot of natural light during the daytime.
The bed, pillows, sheets and blankets were supremely comfortable the first night after a long cross-country journey. We had requested foam-only pillows from the hotel’s pillow menu and extra hangers in the closet for all of the coats and jackets necessary during the winter season, as well as some sparkly outfits for holiday parties and New Year’s Eve.
The Shelburne is a boutique hotel with 325 rooms that during this season gave off a festive and upscale vibe. Many of the rooms feature kitchenettes and some offer of view of the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building.
There is a restaurant and bar right next door, Rare Bar & Grill, although technically not part of the hotel, it’s accessible from the lobby. The rooftop bar was not open during our visit but the views are guaranteed to be spectacular.
There are many other food and drink options along Lexington Avenue and in Grand Central Station, a few blocks away.
Since we are in and out multiple times a day we noticed the elevators were always pretty speedy. But most importantly the hotel staff was extremely knowledgeable and helpful regarding the many logistical questions we had.
The hotel’s location is perfect for those who want to be right in the center of everything yet in a quieter and more peaceful neighborhood of Murray Hill. The property could definitely become a home away from home in Gotham.
