One-Stop Security. The U.S. is unveiling a new program starting with American Airlines for passengers from London Heathrow to Dallas-Fort Worth, which will allow them to clear customs at the arrival gate and go straight to their connecting flight without having to collect and recheck their bags. If all goes well, this will hopefully be rolled out in other airports, airlines, and routes.
Family screening lane. TSA in the U.S. will launch a new family screening lane in Charlotte and Orlando airports, later to roll out at more airports. TSA will also offer a discounted PreCheck rate for families.
Six Flags closures. Six Flags America in Bowie, Maryland will close later this year, and Six Flags Great America in Santa Clara, California will close sometime in 2027.
Fast train. Photo by StockSnap.
Amtrak Mardi Gras service. Amtrak has revived a previous train service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. It’s the first time this service has been available in 20 years post-Hurricane Katrina. It will launch on August 18th.
Waldorf Astoria reopening. After being closed for 8 years, New York City’s iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel reopened on July 15th. The original hotel contained more than 1,400 rooms. Now, it only has 375 hotel rooms and 372 residences, to make all rooms larger. No room is now smaller than 475 square feet.
$250 fee to visit the U.S.? Yep, that’s the plan. The “visa integrity fee” will be charged to visitors to the U.S. who need a nonimmigrant visa. With tourism to the country already down considerably, this will only hurt the travel industry more.
Los Angeles sues Airbnb. The city of Los Angeles filed a lawsuit this month against Airbnb, alleging that the company allowed price gouging after the recent catastrophic fires. The lawsuit claims that Airbnb’s rental prices rose more than 10% in January after the fires.
Mountain lion attack. A four-year-old child was attacked by a mountain lion on July 20th in Olympic National Park in Washington state near the Victoria overlook on Hurricane Ridge. The child survived the bite and was taken to a trauma center in Seattle.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NEWS
More ETIAS changes. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) that has been delayed by the European Union will go into effect in late 2026, but at triple the originally planned price. It will cost about $24 to travel to EU countries when the ETIAS fee starts.
UNESCO news. UNESCO has added 26 new sites to its list. Check them out here.
New Viking cruise in India. In 2007, Viking will launch its Brahmaputra river cruise in India with 40 cabins for 80 guests. The 15-day cruise will visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Kaziranga National Park.
A henna tattoo in India. Photo by Barbara Angelakis.
World’s tallest hotel. The Ciel Hotel in the Dubai Marina will open later this year and will be the tallest hotel in the world at 1,197 feet high. It will have 360-degree views of the Persian Gulf, 82 floors, and 1,004 rooms.
Women-only Uber drivers. In Saudi Arabia, women can now specifically request female Uber drivers. Women were only given the right to drive in Saudi Arabia in 2018, but I applaud this program and hope it expands to other countries.
Unified GCC Visa. Later this year or early next year, Gulf countries will start a visa that’s similar to the Schengen visa in Europe, allowing travelers to easily move between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates during short visits.
New rules in Malaga. To deal with bad tourist behavior, Malaga has instituted new rules, including to cover up and dress appropriately and to be quieter. Littering and public drunkenness could incur fines as high as 750 Euros.
Boat capsizes in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. This is really disturbing. A tourist boat capsized in Vietnam’s famed Ha Long Bay on July 19th, killing 34 people, including children. There were just 11 survivors. For some reason, the vessel was in the water during a storm.
Avoid the crowds this summer. Christopher Elliott suggests avoiding the most crowded destinations this summer, which include Thailand, Croatia, and Greece, as well as the major European cities. He suggests visiting “secondary” cities instead like Berlin, Helsinki, or Stockholm.
Tourist tax in Wales. The latest country to institute a new tourist tax will be Wales in 2027. It will be 1.50 pounds sterling per night, but some regions may not charge it. The money will be used to teach more people the Welsh language in the country.
Jotunheimen National Park in Norway. Photo courtesy of Jotunheimen Travel.
Cruise will take you to Norway’s smaller villages. Hurtigruten’s Signature Line voyages now offer an “Open Village” experience that takes passengers to three secluded villages in Norway. These are smaller cruises that take no more than 500 passengers. Hurtigruten will pay the villages an amount per traveler as an income generator for the people there.
American Express Centurion lounges. Amex is opening new Centurion lounges in several airports. A new one has already opened at Tokyo Haneda Airport and will open in 2026 at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Between now and 2027, they will open lounges in Salt Lake City, Newark, and Boston.
AIRLINE NEWS
Delta co-pilot arrested. On July 26th, a Delta co-pilot was arrested just after landing in San Francisco from Minneapolis. Passengers told press that about 10 federal agents boarded the plane upon arrival for the arrest for charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse material.
Delta jet barely avoids collision with Air Force B-52. On July 18th, SkyWest flight 3788 from Minneapolis to Minot, North Dakota was cleared to land when it had to go around an Air Force B-52 that suddenly appeared in its flight path. Luckily, the pilot’s quick maneuvering averted disaster. There is now an investigation as to how it happened.
Airplane. Stock photo.
Significant turbulence. Delta again! On July 30th, a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam had to divert to Minneapolis-St. Paul after bad turbulence caused a lot of people to hit the ceiling multiple times. Twenty-five people were transported to local hospitals. The food carts also hit the ceiling and went flying, injuring people. Those who weren’t wearing seatbelts were especially vulnerable, so keep those belts fastened!
Southwest flightdrops 500 feet. A flight headed to Las Vegas from Burbank on July 25th dropped 500 feet shortly after taking off because it received alerts of another plane nearby. Passengers hit their heads on the ceiling, and two flight attendants were injured.
American Airlines plane evacuated. An American Airlines plane at the airport in Denver (set to fly to Miami) started to smoke on July 26th. It was a Boeing 737 Max 8 plane carrying 173 passengers and 6 crew members. All were safely evacuated. The smoke was apparently caused by a “mechanical issue” involving a tire.
JetBlue partnerships. As of September 30th, JetBlue will end its partnership with TAP Air Portugal. After that, passengers will no longer be able to earn or redeem TrueBlue points on the Portugal airline. But it will soon enter into a new partnership with United Airlines.
Surrounded by mountains and dotted with patina domes and regal statues, Salzburg is, without question, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. A river snakes through the center, a fortress castle watches from above, and horse-drawn carriages trot through the historic streets.
A horse-drawn carriage rides through the streets of Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Pedestrian bridges cross over the narrow River Salzach, making the city perfect for walking. It’s a large enough town that you won’t get bored, but small enough that it’s nearly impossible to get lost. Just find your way back to the river, and you’ll know where you are.
Walking across a bridge in Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
As I strolled through the squares and narrow streets, I was struck by how clean everything looked and how civilized it felt. I’m sure Salzburg has crime just like any city, but everyone – both locals and tourists – appeared content and relaxed. I also noticed that Austrians take great pride in their heritage. You’ll not only see people walking around in lederhosen and dirndls, but you will see this traditional clothing in store windows.
A man in lederhosen on the streets of Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.Traditional dress in a store window in Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Salzburg is most famous, of course, for Mozart, the von Trapp family, and The Sound of Music film locations. There is a square devoted to Mozart with a statue of him at its center, and you can visit his birthplace, now a museum that contains, among other artifacts, the clavichord on which he composed The Magic Flute.
There is no way to forget about the composer as you stroll through the streets. Images of him are everywhere from bouncing Mozart dolls to Mozart chocolates to rubber duckies in his likeness wearing rubber “powdered” wigs.
Mozart rubber duckies in a store window. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
If you’re interested in Mozart history, be sure to also visit Salzburg Cathedral, which still contains the baptismal font where the man himself was baptized. He also played the organ there as a young man.
It’s a steep walk to where the fortress, also known as Hohensalzburg Castle (which literally means “High Salzburg Fortress”), sits high above the rest of the city. Luckily, there is a funicular/lift that can take you up and back down in a matter of minutes. Construction of the fortress building began in 1077, and there are different portions that were built over a 600-year period through the 1600s. During the 20th century, it was a prison.
Hohensalzburg Castle. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
I opted to walk up to the fortress and landed, by chance, at the Nonnberg Convent, which is one of the oldest nunneries in the world that still functions as such and also where Maria von Trapp was a novice. Maria married Captain von Trapp in the Gothic church there as well. A replica of the convent was built for The Sound of Music, however, so the actual building is not in the film.
A grave at Nonnberg Convent where Maria von Trapp was a novice. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
There are wonderful views of the city from the convent, and it was also my first glimpse of the interesting graves that I saw elsewhere in the city. A small rectangular garden of growing flowers sits in front of each gravestone.
Of course, if you’re a fan of The Sound of Music, you can take tours that will fill you in on the making of the iconic film and the inside story of the real von Trapp family, which is quite different from the movie.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens in Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Another site used in the film is the Mirabell Palace and Gardens located on the other side of the river from the Mozart birthplace and the fortress. Entrance is free to both. The sculpted garden filled with statues is a wonderful place to relax after you’ve been walking for a while. (In The Sound of Music, you’ll see it in the “Do-Re-Mi” scene.)
The Museum of Modern Art also sits at a high point above the city and offers great views and photo opportunities. There is a fine restaurant there as well that I recommend.
The Prince’s seat at Hellbrunn Palace. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
If you’re traveling with children – or even if you aren’t – don’t miss the Hellbrunn Palace. On the grounds is one of the oldest remaining water parks in the world. That’s right – a Baroque water park which was built 400 years ago in 1612. These early versions of what we enjoy today were very popular at one time.
This one contains trick fountains that can catch you off guard, so dress accordingly. It’s a favorite among school groups, but it’s also fascinating to see how much movement was accomplished through rather primitive but ingenious water power.
Created by the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg at the time, the park shows the Prince’s sense of humor. Water sprays from all sorts of surprising places, including the antlers of deer heads that are mounted on an outside wall. The funniest area is the Roman Theatre with a marble table surrounded by hidden fountains, except for the Prince’s seat, which is the only one that remains dry. Visitors have fun sitting in the Prince’s coveted position.
The minature mechanical city at Hellbrunn Palace. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The most impressive part of the park for me is a mechanical theatre that was built in 1749 depicting a Baroque town with 138 wooden miniature figures that move – all water-driven. Not only does it give us an idea of what life was like in the mid-18th century, but it must have been a miraculous thing for the people of that time to see.
The gazebo from “The Sound of Music.” Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The gazebo used in The Sound of Music for the “16 Going On 17” scene is also on the grounds of Hellbrunn Palace. It was moved there from its original location, but film enthusiasts visit it regularly. When we were there, a group stood by it and sang the song together.
Also great for both kids and adults is the Salzburg Marionette Theatre. A tradition in the city since 1913, the marionettes have performed abbreviated versions of a wide variety of operas over the years, especially Mozart’s, of course. The music is recorded, but the puppeteering is live. We saw The Magic Flute when I was in town, and it was delightful, lasting about 1-1/2 hours.
Hotel Sacher in Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
I stayed at the Hotel Sacher while in Salzburg, and it truly is the place to stay. It’s one of the grand buildings right on the river – a historical property that has 100% modern amenities after a comprehensive renovation, including iPod stations and television screens in the bathroom mirrors.
The entrance to the Hotel Sacher in Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
You can grab a famous Sacher Torte while you’re there, which is made from a 34-step recipe originated in 1832. You’ll find recipes online for this torte, but they are not authentic. The true recipe is carefully protected in a vault.
An assortment of special chocolates are produced for the Café Sacher for use in the exceedingly rich cake, which is cooked in a specific temperature and level of humidity. Apricot jam is part of the recipe, as apricots are grown in Austria and frequently used in a variety of delicious dishes.
Before your torte indulgence, have a meal at the hotel’s Salzachgrill, which has outdoor seating next to the river with excellent views of the fortress and the city’s domes. Don’t miss the Salzburger Nockerl, an egg white soufflé that is very sweet but light.
Salzburger Nokerl. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Order it in advance, however, as it takes some time to prepare. I’ve never had anything quite like it, and it was served with a type of berry ice cream. For an entrée, I suggest the Tafelspitz, a boiled beef dish traditionally served with root vegetables and horseradish.
Salzburg is a must for any traveler who enjoys European history and culture. It’s one of my favorite European cities.
Salzburg. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
While it can be slightly crowded in the busy summer months (as is the case in all well-known cities in Europe these days), it isn’t as congested with people or traffic as most of the larger cities on the continent. You can have delicious food and interesting experiences without the stress that you might feel in Paris, London, Venice, or Rome.
Olive oil has been produced and consumed in the Eastern Mediterranean since time immemorial. In the Cairo museum, a collection of papyridating more than 5,000 years ago from Pharaonic Egypt talks about the olive oil and preserved olives trade between Minoan Crete and the land of the Pharaohs.
Much of the best modern extra virgin oil produced in the region comes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon.
In my larder, I always keep fresh extra virgin olive oil produced within the last year to be used in salads. I keep olive oil produced within the past 2-1/2 years to be used for general cooking and frying.
Among those bottles, there’s a Greek Minerva (a light, slightly bitter extra virgin oil that I use to dress salads); the Turkish first cold-pressed, extra virgin Rosolini; and from Lebanon’s Quadisha valley and the Ehden Grove, Oleavanti, a couple of bottles of oil that are rich, pungent, and outstanding as finishing oils for salads or one of the Middle Eastern dips like hummus and oil-stewed vegetables.
Oleavanti olive oils. Photo by Manos Angelakis.
The most common use of fresh extra virgin olive oil in Greek cookery is for salad dressing. It’s called “ladolemono” and is a simple mixture of freshly squeezed lemon juice and olive oil in a 1:3 ratio, i.e. 1 part of lemon juice to 3 parts of oil, whisked until emulsified. I usually add some salt and pepper, and depending on what type of salad I’m dressing, dry oregano or dry mustard.
Through the years, many recipes have been developed that use abundant olive oil and local vegetables. They’re very popular in Greece and Turkey, and most are based on Byzantine cooking preferences. These dishes are eaten either cold or at room temperature, and they can stay without refrigeration for as long as a week, as the olive oil is a good preservative.
Artichokes a la Polita
A la polita means “in the cooking style of the Polis, i.e. Constantinople (Istanbul)” and is a traditional, vegan, lenten dish that is favored in both Greece and Turkey.
Ingredients (4 to 6 servings):
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 small red onions, quartered
4-6 fresh artichokes, medium size
1-2 lemons, sliced in half for rubbing the artichokes
2 garlic cloves, grated
8 scallions, thinly sliced
2 carrots, sliced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
6-8 small potatoes, peeled
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh dill
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (or less)
1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
Method:
Cook the quartered onions in the olive oil in a pot over low heat until soft and golden, or about 8 minutes.
While the onion is sautéing, cut the stems of the artichokes, leaving about 1/3-inch attached, peel the removed stem pieces, and add to the rest of the vegetables. Keep a large bowl halfway filled with ice water and 1-2 lemons cut in half. Remove the outer leaves of the artichokes and the hairy choke. Rub them with the lemon halves, and place them in the bowl of water. This will keep them from turning black.
Add the grated garlic to the cooking pot, and warm through. Add scallions, and cook over low heat until soft for about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, the peeled stems, and the all-purpose flour. Mix and cook for 1-2 minutes over high heat.
Add the artichokes, potatoes, and dill, and season with salt and pepper. Pour enough water in the cooking pot to almost cover the artichokes and vegetables. Bring to a boil, and then cover the pot with the lid. Reduce to medium-low heat, and cook about 45 minutes or until the vegetables are fully cooked and tender and most of the water has evaporated.
Add the green peas, and stir to combine.
Combine the lemon juice with the cornstarch in a small bowl, and mix to dissolve. Begin with a small quantity of lemon juice (1/4 cup) because sometimes lemons can be very strong. Add the mixture to the pot, and add more lemon, salt, and pepper to taste.
The Italian peninsula sends to the rest of the world far more than just great wines and cheeses, fast cars, sultry actresses, and temperamental tenors. It’s also the source of some of the most complex and sought-after liqueurs.
If you are partial to summer spritzes, I’m sure you have in your home-bar Aperol, Sambuca, Limoncello, Strega, Fernet Branca, Campari, Vermouth, or a number of other bottles. Every region in Italy makes its own liqueurs. Most are iconic and give distinctive taste and flavor to cocktails or are used as sipping spirits to either stimulate the appetite (aperitivo) or assist in the digestion (digestivo).
Photos courtesy of the bottle producers.
When I travel to Campania or anywhere around the Gulf of Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula, and the coast of Amalfi, every restaurant I visit has its own homemade Limoncello. The recipe for this fruity tipple is pretty straightforward: neutral distillate – most commonly grappa, macerated rinds of local lemons that have intense aromatics, and simple syrup. This tasty digestif finds itself on nearly every Southern Italian table.
Meletti Limonchelo is one of the best known. It strikes the perfect balance between fresh, tart, and sweet. Meletti exclusively uses lemon peels from the coastal groves of Sorrento to create this enjoyable liqueur. Flavors of fresh-squeezed lemons and a touch of sweetness dominate the palate. No coloring or additives are used.
Another Limoncello we really liked is Fabrizia Limoncello, a sample bottle of which was sent to us when Fabrizia Lemon Baking Company sent a package of outstanding baked goods – including great biscotti – all made with Limoncello. Fresh lemon flavor is derived from rinds of Femminello St. Teresa lemons, and a touch of sweetness dominates this elixir.
For a cocktail mixer that isn’t too expensive and always maintains quality, we have Pallini Limoncello in our bar. This liqueur was first crafted in 1875 by the Pallini family, who only uses Sfusato lemons sourced from the Amalfi Coast.
The fruit is hand-picked, and the rind is immediately infused to retain freshness and flavor.We like the Pallini brand because it doesn’t taste like a lemon lollipop (a fault found in some other brands). It tastes like sweet lemon pulp and zest with a kick, and it blends easily.
Photo courtesy of the bottle producer.
The most popular brand in Italy is the Milan-basedFernet Branca, invented in 1845 by Bernandino Branca. Italians prefer to enjoy it as a digestif or incorporate it into café correto.
Though most brands keep their recipes secret, Fernet Branca is typically made with a blend of various spices and botanicals such as saffron, juniper, rhubarb, aloe, chamomile, and mint, to name but a few of the known ingredients. Because of the extensive list of elements, Fernet is characterized by its complexity and a usually unique, bittersweet flavor.
Photo courtesy of the bottle producer.
Strega Liqueur is an herbal Italian liqueur with a unique flavor and a distinctive bright yellow color from saffron infused when the spirit is created. It hails from the town of Benevento in Campania, Italy and is known as the “witches liqueur.”
In ancient times, the town of Benevento was considered a refuge for witches, and according to local lore, the secret recipe was given toGiuseppe Alberti by a witch when he saved her after she was trapped by a fallen tree in the woods.
A very popular liqueur in Italy, it’s enjoyed on its own or in cocktails. All 70 spices and herbs that comprise the secret recipe, selected from all over the world (especially the fennel) make it an ideal digestif. And there are lots of cocktail recipes it can be used in. To this day, only two people in the company actually know the exact secret formula.
Strega is aged in ash barrels over a long period of time to ensure a perfect blending of the different aromas and flavors. The distillate is 40% proof, and after the aging process is complete, the liqueur is bottled and distributed.
Italian bitter aperitifs have seen a recent resurgence in the U.S., and Strega has a singular niche, primarily because it stands out in a category all its own: predominately savory but still sweeter than many of the other Italian aperitivi. Because of its complex flavor profile, it’s a favorite among American mixologists, but Italians also use it poured ever desserts, sometimes just drizzling it over chocolate cake or gelato, and, of course, when making espresso correto.
During a recent bar-hopping adventure, I had a very interesting cocktail called Witch Smash that blended Strega with tequila, lemon juice, fresh mint, smashed raspberries, and simple syrup.
Photo courtesy of the bottle producer.
Another aperitivo that came in the same package with the Strega was Luxardo’s Maraschino Originale. Bright and clear, the Marasca cherry liqueur has been made in Padua since 1821. It features an earthy nose and a sweet, creamy, berry flavor with spice and roasted nuts on the palate.
When Luxardo marasca cherries are harvested at the beginning of every summer, they are put in an alcoholic infusion in larch-wood vats, together with some leaves and branches of the same trees for up to three years. When ready, both the liquid and the solid parts are distilled in traditional copper pot alembics. Only the heart of the distillate is allowed to mature in ash-wood vats.
The final process consists of transforming the distillate to liqueur by adding simple syrup and lowering the ABV to 32%. Crystal clear in color, the aroma is typical of marasca cherries with strong alcohol spirit, and the taste is smooth with hints of dark chocolate, Tahitian vanilla, and cherry preserves.
Taste-wise, it reminds me a bit of my mother’s cherry liqueur that she would make every June or July when cherries were in season. We would all gather around the dining room table armed with long aprons and bobby pins. My mother would bring the ripe cherries in a bowl, and what we had to do was take the stones off with the bobby pins without mangling the ripe fruit too much.
She would boil the fruit-meat with sugar and break the pits, take out the kernel, put it in a bottle with sugar and tsipouro (the Greek version of grappa), and put it in the windowsill to macerate in the sun for three weeks. No secret recipe there!
Photo courtesy of the bottle producer.
Another iconic Italian liqueur, Sambuca Romana, is produced by the infusion of elderberries and licorice, sweetened with simple syrup and enhanced with a secret combination of other herbs and spices. It has a bold yet pleasingly anise flavor. It’s sweet and viscous with a distinctly oily note through the finish.
Like other anise-flavored liqueurs, the ouzo effect is observed when water is combined in the Sambuca. It’s usually consumed after coffee or added directly to coffee in place of sugar to produce caffè corretto.
Tucked just steps from Times Square and the bright lights of Broadway, Gallaghers Steakhouse stands as more than just a restaurant – it’s a living piece of Manhattan history. Having originally opened in 1927 as a Prohibition-era speakeasy, the iconic 52nd Street spot has transformed into a celebrated steakhouse without ever losing its edge … or soul.
Under the stewardship of current owner Dean Poll, Gallaghers has undergone a faithful restoration that reclaims its roaring 20s roots while doubling down on culinary craftsmanship. Today, it isn’t just one of New York’s top-rated dining destinations – it’s one of the last remaining steakhouses in the city that still does things the hard (and right) way.
Steak the Old-Fashioned Way—Over Fire and Time
In an era when many steakhouses prioritize margins over methods, Gallaghers stands firm in its commitment not only to in-house dry-aging and hand-cutting, but also hickory coal grilling. Hickory coals, not broilers, fuel the kitchen, demanding skilled chefs who know their fire and temperatures inside and out.
Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
The restaurant maintains a glass-encased meat locker on-site, where between 2,800 to 3,800 pounds of prime beef are aged to perfection for 28 to 30 days in a meticulously controlled, ideally dry meat locker environment below 36°F. This age-old practice develops that signature rich, nutty flavor that steak aficionados crave.
The meat rack at Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
Unlike restaurants that buy pre-aged and portioned beef, Gallaghers employs professional butchers in-house, tailoring cuts with precision and ensuring freshness from locker to plate. From there, steaks are grilled over real hickory coals, delivering that distinct charred aroma and flavor profile often lost in modern kitchens.
Hospitality with Heritage
From the moment you step into Gallaghers, the experience is transportive. You’re greeted not by gimmicks, but by silver place settings, pressed linens, and a professional service team trained to anticipate needs. There’s no rush or clamor – just the mellow crooning of Sinatra or Tony Bennett floating through the dining room, echoing the glamour of a bygone age.
Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
The walls are lined with photographs of the famous, the infamous, and the iconic from Broadway stars and boxers to politicians and sports legends, each telling a story of a night well spent. Ask for a seat adjacent to a photo wall, and savor stepping back in time over a perfectly charred porterhouse. You’re not just eating; you’re part of the story.
While it’s easy to get swept up in the nostalgic charm, Gallaghers is hardly stuck in the past. The team is highly trained to accommodate modern dietary preferences and restrictions, customizing dishes without compromising flavor or experience.
Recognized and Respected
In recent years, Gallaghers has earned a parade of honors, including OpenTable’s “America’s Top 100 Restaurants” (2022, 2024), and The Infatuation’s highest-ranked NYC steakhouse. It’s been featured in an array of top-tier F&B media, including Forbes, Eater, Tasting Table, Daily Meal, TimeOut, and more, praised not just for its cuisine, but for maintaining a steadfast standard in a world of culinary shortcuts.
The upstairs bar at Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
During my own recent lunch visit, the experience was exceptionally on par with the dynamism, quality, and care from the knowledgeable and professional service staff proffered with each dinner service.
The lunch kicked off with a truly soul-warming French Onion Soup with Three-Cheese Crouton. Arriving in a steamy crock, the broth – a deep amber – was intensely savory, having been slow-simmered with caramelized onions until it achieved a luxuriously sweet and complex flavor.
What truly elevates this starter is the generous, golden-brown crouton floating on top, absolutely drenched in a bubbling, decadent blend of Gruyère, Parmesan, and Swiss cheeses, melted to crisp-edged perfection. It’s a hearty dish that manages to be both rustic and refined, delivering a comforting balance of deep umami and creamy indulgence in every single spoonful.
Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
Next, I sampled the Gallaghers Crab Cake, and it proved to be a testament to the kitchen’s focus on purity and precision. This isn’t a filler-heavy crab cake; it’s crafted with generous, sweet, and incredibly succulent lumps of fresh crabmeat. The seasoning is just right, enhancing the ocean-fresh flavor without ever overwhelming it.
Pan-seared, it boasts a perfectly crisp, golden exterior, while the inside remains wonderfully tender and moist. It’s served with a delicate remoulade, and the dish found a lovely balance between subtle heat and bright acidity, easily making it a standout appetizer.
As an enduring steakhouse staple, Gallaghers’ Oysters Rockefeller certainly honors tradition, but with a distinctly luxurious spin. The fresh, briny oysters provided a delightful base for a velvety mixture of sautéed greens, rich butter, fragrant herbs, and light breadcrumbs.
Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
Broiled until the topping was beautifully browned and bubbling, each bite delivered a warm, savory experience. The delicate ocean essence of the oyster perfectly melded with the richness of the topping for a truly harmonious blend of sea and spice presented elegantly in its shell.
For the main event, the Gallaghers Lamb Chops were an absolute triumph. These thick-cut chops were expertly grilled and absolutely bursting with flavor. Sourced for their superior marbling and inherent tenderness, they were seasoned simply with salt and cracked pepper, allowing their natural richness to truly shine.
Charred just enough to impart a smoky depth, they arrived perfectly juicy and pink at the center, accompanied by roasted garlic and a side of housemade mint jelly, as I requested. A bold, incredibly satisfying dish.
To conclude this memorable feast, the Ice Cream Sundae was a pure joy and nostalgia served with a polished flair. Towering scoops of premium vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream came generously crowned with rich whipped cream, fudge, and berries, all flanked by caramelized banana halves. It was truly a sweet, celebratory and unforgettable finish to an exceptional meal.
From beginning to end, each dish felt like a perfected rendition of a beloved standard, leaving a lasting impression.
The wedge salad at Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
What’s Poll’s own personal favorite item on the menu? “The wedge salad chopped and rare sirloin steak, with a side of creamed spinach, brussels sprouts, and hashed browns … and, for dessert, a piece of cheesecake,” he listed.
It’s important to note that what happens behind the scenes also sets Gallaghers well apart. Beyond the locker, no meat goes to waste. The restaurant maintains a sustainable philosophy, turning every unused part and scrap of the butchered meat – bone, fat, and trimmings – into stock or renewable biofuel via a specialized partner. That commitment to full-circle responsibility is rare, especially in high-volume urban dining.
Cheesecake at Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
A Rare Slice of New York that Still Does It Right
Gallaghers has a fascinating origin as a speakeasy that morphed into a steakhouse frequented by bootleggers, Broadway legends, and politicians. When it was a speakeasy, it was owned by a chorus girl, actress, and model named Evelyn Nesbit. She had a love affair with renowned architect Stanford White, who was murdered by her ex-husband Harry Thaw.
Gallaghers Steakhouse. Photo courtesy of Gallaghers.
When Thaw was released from jail, he came to her speakeasy named Club Evelyn and made a huge scene, which is documented in a New York Timesstory, causing Nesbit to quit the business. Helen Gallagher and Jack Solomon had the food concession of that speakeasy, so once Nesbit left, they took it over and called it “Gallaghers Steakhouse,” continuing to serve illegal liquor, listing it on the menu as “the other soup.”
Today, in a modern world of shortcuts and pre-packaged convenience, Gallaghers remains a defiant ode to craftsmanship, hospitality, and authenticity. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned local, dining at Gallaghers isn’t just about the steak – it’s about honoring a legacy that continues to be seared into the soul of New York City.
The day began as many perfect days do – with the scent of sea salt in the air and the soft sound of waves lapping the shore. A refreshing sea breeze, just enough to ripple the surface of the water and stir the anchored catamarans offshore, wafted gently through the open windows of my room.
With a freshly brewed coffee in hand and a flaky, buttery croissant from the nearby French patisserie, I settled into my morning ritual on the terrace, watching as frigatebirds traced long arcs through the sky above. Every so often, one would dip with a practiced grace toward the sea, plucking a fish from the surface with a precision that never failed to amaze me.
Grand Case Beach Club. Photo by Sebastian Price.
Just a few paces from where I sat, the sand – soft and golden – invited me down for a morning swim. The beach at the 4-star Grand Case Beach Club on St. Martin stretches in a graceful crescent, hugged on both ends by steep, rounded mountains cloaked in green vegetation.. The Caribbean water shimmered, impossibly clear and calm, revealing the sandy bottom even from the shore.
My beachfront suite was equally welcoming. The interiors were modern yet understated, with thoughtful touches like a fully equipped kitchen, an oversized shower, and best of all, a sweeping view of the bay. From my private balcony, I could see the village of Grand Case tucked along the shoreline, sailboats rocking gently in the harbor, and hear the occasional burst of laughter or music drifting across the water. There’s a rhythm to life there that seems to invite you to slow down and breathe just a little deeper.
An ocean studio suite at Grand Case Beach Club. Photo courtesy of Grand Case Beach Club.
When I didn’t feel like preparing anything myself, I wandered over to the club’s restaurant, open most of the day and always ready with something fresh and flavorful. Whether I was enjoying a crisp Niçoise salad at lunch or a seafood dinner as the sun slipped behind the horizon, I was always treated to both impeccable cuisine and an uninterrupted view of that glowing turquoise sea.
But mornings, in particular, became my favorite. On days I felt like exploring, I’d take a short drive to the French supermarket just outside the village. Tucked beside it is a charming boulangerie and patisserie, where the pastries are buttery perfection and the coffee is strong enough to match the sun. I often lingered there longer than intended, watching the world drift by with that languid, timeless quality that only islands seem to achieve.
Grand Case Beach Club. Photo by Sebastian Price.
One of the things I loved most about Grand Case Beach Club was its quiet elegance – unpretentious but undeniably refined. There’s no rush, no fuss. Just calm. And color. The property is dotted with vivid bursts of bougainvillea, neatly tended gardens, and the stately sway of palm trees overhead. Every corner seems designed to put you at ease without even trying.
When the mood struck, I booked a dive through the on-site Crede Rock Watersports dive center. Just off the beach is a protected conservation area, and the underwater world there is as vibrant as the land above.
Gliding through the water with sea turtles and watching schools of big, bright fish move in mesmerizing unison near a lonely outcrop of rock, I discovered a secret, quiet realm that existed long before me and would continue long after. The visibility was astonishing, the water a soft embrace. Each dive left me feeling both weightless and full.
Evenings were their own kind of magic. A short drive brought me into the heart of Grand Case, a village that’s earned its reputation as one of the culinary capitals of the Caribbean. Each restaurant I visited offered something unique: exquisite French-Creole fusion dishes, thoughtful wine pairings, and always, the welcoming warmth of people who love what they do. Dining here didn’t just satisfy hunger – it elevated the entire experience of travel.
Grand Case Beach Club. Photo by Sebastian Price.
What struck me most about St. Martin, and Grand Case in particular, was how effortlessly it blends French elegance with Caribbean soul. It’s a place where time seems to loosen its grip. Mornings drift into afternoons, afternoons into sunsets, and before you know it, the stars are overhead and you’re still lingering at your table with a final glass of Chablis Premier Cru.
The staff at the resort deserves a special mention. They were always nearby when I needed something but never hovering. There was a quiet professionalism in the way they kept things running so smoothly. They will know your name, your preferences, and always greet you with a warm smile that feels genuine. It’s the kind of service that makes you feel at home, even as you’re surrounded by an extraordinary Caribbean environment.
In the end, my time at Grand Case Beach Club wasn’t defined by a single moment, but by a collection of gentle, soul-nourishing ones. Morning swims in water so clear it looked like glass. Lazy afternoons with a book under a shady beach canopy. Evenings spent savoring food, wine, and the easy companionship of fellow travelers who, like me, had found something rare.
I went there looking for rest. What I found was a rhythm of life that reminded me how beautiful it is to slow down, breathe, and really see. And as I packed my bag on the last morning, I knew I’d return – not just to the place, but to that feeling of being weightless, timeless, and deeply, quietly content.
Please also read my review of Le Pressoir restaurant in Grand case.
The author received a complimentary stay in order to write this article, but as always, we are dedicated to providing our readers with an unbiased assessment of our experiences.
Switzerland is one of the most diverse countries in the world with regions that borrow their languages and culture from Italy, Germany, and France. The southwestern region of Switzerland is the French-speaking area of the country, and it offers stunning vineyards, majestic lakes, and medieval architecture.
September was the perfect time for our visit because the weather was still temperate, but there were no crowds. Our first stop was the idyllic town of Yverdon-les-Bains, a spa city for more than 15 centuries with ruins of Roman baths. The small town has a 6,000-year history and its very own 13th-century castle.
The castle’s tower in Yverdons-les-Bains. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
There is a beautiful theatre building that was modeled after the casino in Monte Carlo, and the town is home to Europe’s first science fiction museum, which we, alas, didn’t get a chance to visit. The narrow streets and small shops are just what you want in a small town in Europe, and you can stroll to your heart’s content. One of the shops we visited sells nothing but local products from beautiful produce and meats to freshly packaged condiments.
The charms of Yverdons-les-Bains. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Yverdon-les-Bains is built on Lake Neuchâtel, so one of the first things we did was take a solar boat operated by Sol-á-Floats. It runs on primarily solar energy, and we were treated to wine and scrumptious crispy cheese twists during our slow and relaxing ride on the lake.
We also visited the small Vignoble Cousin winery in the nearby village of Concise to sample some of Guy Cousin’s wines.
The beautiful Grand Hotel des Bains in Yverdons-les-Bains. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
We stayed at a nearly palatial 4-star hotel called the Grand Hotel des Bains, which has a spa and thermal baths on the premises that are rich with sulphur and magnesium. When the hotel expanded the spa below the property, they had to have archaeologists check for Roman ruins before they could continue.
The hotel has two buildings, one of which is a historical villa that houses the meeting rooms. We had a gourmet dinner in the hotel’s restaurant starting with a poached quail egg in ice potato soup and summer truffles followed by a meat entrée and a poached pear with chocolate and lavender foam for dessert.
My room contained a desk, leather chairs, a coffee table, an LCD television with a radio, a safe, minibar, bathrobe, and very cushiony slippers. WiFi was complimentary.
From Yverdon-les-Bains, we took a short train ride to Chexbres in the Lavaux region. We walked down the hilly streets that wind down along the vineyards toward Lake Geneva (also sometimes called Lake Léman.) The vineyards rise up diagonally on the hills in terraces, creating one of most the beautiful landscapes I have seen, which is saying a lot considering that I have traveled extensively.
Grapes in Lavauz. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
This area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and even the Romans maintained vineyards here. We stopped at the Lavaux Vinorama for a wine tasting and a short film about the life of a Lavaux winegrowing family. Chasselas is the most common grape there, but you’ll find it difficult to buy a lot of Swiss wines in the United States, as few are still imported here.
A lovely home in Chexbres. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
In Chexbres, we stayed at the 4-star Hotel Préalpina, a small property with 50 rooms. My room was a bit Spartan with bare white walls, no carpet, no bathtub (only a shower), no bathrobe, and modern, simple Scandinavian-style furniture. But as soon as I opened the door to my private balcony, I didn’t care anymore.
Chexbres, Lavaux wine region. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
The view from this hotel of the terraced vineyards slanting down toward the lake with the Alps in the distance and the orange-brown roofed buildings dotting the deep green landscape, simply took my breath away.
Hotel Préalpina’s restaurant does not disappoint with exceptionally fine cuisine and a panoramic view of the area. There is a sauna and whirlpool on the premises, and room rates range from 130-280 Swiss francs.
It took us just a few minutes by train to arrive in Lausanne from Chexbres. Lausanne is a beautiful hilly city on Lake Geneva with a mixture of modern and medieval architecture. We walked through the streets and visited the Gothic cathedral dating back to 1175, stopping next at the chocolaterie, Le Barbare, which is #27 on the l’Escaliers Marché at the picturesque Market Steps. This was a special treat because the establishment, which has been around since the 1950s, serves hot chocolate as thick as pudding.
Durig Chocolatier in Lausanne. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
This was not the only chocolate we sampled, however. We were in Switzerland, after all. A visit to Dan Durig’s Durig Chocolatier shop at Avenue d’Ouchy 15 was an education. Mr. Durig, who grew up in Britain, learned the trade from his father and gave us a tour of his little factory so that we could watch the chocolates being made. He even allowed us to try our hands at decorating a chocolate Olympic medal with a small pastry bag.
Using primarily organic and fair trade chocolate from Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, Durig’s chocolates are made with unpasteurized milk and contain interesting ingredients/flavors like edible rose petals, pink peppercorns, mango, and molé. He even sells chocolate vinegar.
Because of the many hills in Lausanne, getting around on foot requires that you’re in good shape. Luckily, there is quite a lot of available public transportation. We took the metro at one point, and I was very impressed that each stop has its own sound. The poles for holding on also have three curved extensions, which allow many more people to stand. (I think this is an ingenious idea and wish New York City would adopt it.)
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Lausanne is 45 minutes from the mountains for skiing and 30 minutes from mountain biking areas. You can also, of course, enjoy boating and swimming in beautiful Lake Geneva. The Olympic Museum in Lausanne (Le Musée Olympique) is across the street from the lake and is surrounded by beautiful gardens adorned with sculptures.
Even if you aren’t interested in the Olympic memorabilia in the hotel, I recommend having lunch in the restaurant. In the U.S., museum restaurants are rarely memorable, but this is a fine establishment. I had a delicious perch entrée, and everything was cooked to perfection.
A pre-dinner visit one evening to Café du Grütli at Rue de la Mercerie 4 allowed us to sample the owner’s 25-year-old recipe for fondue. Afterwards, we had a lovely Mediterranean buffet dinner at Le Côté Jardin restaurant on the premises of the Lausanne Palace Hotel & Spa.
Lausanne. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
In Lausanne, we stayed at the Hotel Mirabeau, a 4-star Best Western property that doesn’t look like much from the front but which has lovely rooms. I wasn’t expecting a great deal, but I was pleasantly surprised by my spacious room, which was designed in an art deco style. It had a minibar, bathrobe, and free WiFi. The hotel is a matter of minutes from the train station on foot.
Using the very efficient Swiss Rail system, you could easily visit all of these towns while in the French region of Switzerland, giving you a variety of landscapes, traditions, architecture, cuisine, and wines. I can’t recommend it enough for all ages. You can have a leisurely vacation or take part in all sorts of physical activities, if you prefer. This part of Switzerland truly has something for everyone, and every town we visited is special in its own way.
The author received some complimentary accommodations and meals in order to write this article, but as always, we are dedicated to providing our readers with unbiased assessments of our experiences.
Fires in Grand Canyon. There are two wildfires that have caused some of Grand Canyon National Park to close temporarily. Sadly, the one at the North Rim has destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
Hiker dies in Grand Canyon. Meanwhile, a 67-year-old man from Texas died this month in Grand Canyon National Park, purportedly due to the high temperatures that can rise to 120 F in summer. He was on the South Kaibab Trail, attempting to reach the Colorado River. Be careful out there!
The Grand Canyon. Photo by Filio.
Denver Museum finds fossils in its parking lot. While drilling for another project, 67.5 million-year-old dinosaur fossils were discovered.
No more shoes off at the airport? The US TSA has announced that they’ll no longer require the removal of shoes from most passengers when they go through security, although some people may be singled out and required to take off their shoes.
New Airbnb cancellation policy. Now, if you want to cancel a booking on Airbnb, you can do so for full refund until 30 days before your check-in. If you cancel 7-30 days before, you get 50 percent back. This replaces the policy that required cancellation within 48 hours of booking in order to get a full refund.
More tourism crackdowns – this time, it’s Cannes, France. This city in the Riviera, famous for its star-studded film festival, has voted to limit its ports to ships that carry fewer than 1,000 passengers with no more than 6,000 total passengers entering the city each day. If a ship is larger, it will have to transfer passengers to a smaller vessel to enter the port. The new rule begins January 1, 2026.
Santorini, Greece. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Greek tourist taxes. The latest places to institute new tourist taxes are Santorini and Mykonos. The tax will be $23.45 during peak season, $14.07 in October, and $4.69 from November until April.
Delta jet loses part of its wing flap. On July 1st, a Delta 737-900ER lost part of its wing flap in flight. Luckily, it still landed safely in Raleigh, NC with no injuries.
Another Delta debacle. On July 6th, a Delta plane from Madrid to New York had engine issues and made an emergency landing on a remote volcanic island in the Azores. No one was hurt, and everyone was giving vouchers to stay the night on the island and fly to New York the next day.
Elephant. Photo by Melanie Votaw.
Tourists killed by elephant. During a walking safari earlier this month, three tourists were trampled by a charging nursing elephant at South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.
Connecticut beach closes all season. Pleasure Beach in Bridgeport, Connecticut has had to close for the entire summer season because of an infestation of multiple species of ticks.
Taxi scam. Christopher Elliott recently reported about a tourist in Panama who was scammed by a taxi driver. The driver acted as though the tourist’s credit card didn’t go through and asked to be paid in cash. But then, the charge did go through for $450 when the fare was only $10! The tourist’s credit card company didn’t want to reverse it as a fraudulent charge because his card was actually swiped. With Christopher Elliott’s help, he was finally able to get the charge reversed. But again, be careful out there!
Airplane by stock photographer.
Cyber attacks on airlines. Hawaiian Airlines, Westjet, and Qantas have all recently been victims of cyber attacks, compromising passenger information, although word is that credit card numbers weren’t compromised.
Allegiant Air incident. On July 6th, an Allegiant Air passenger claimed there was a bomb in his laptop, forcing the flight to make an emergency landing back at its originating airport in St. Pete-Clearwater, Florida.
In other bad passenger news. On July 8th, a TUI Airways flight from Cancun to London had to be diverted to Bangor, Maine after two passengers were caught smoking in the bathroom. This left all passengers stranded in Maine for 17 hours. Honestly, what’s wrong with people?
Spirit Airlines planes taken out of service. On July 4th, three Spirit planes were taken out of service in Detroit when the fire suppression system was activated by mistake with foam deploying on the planes. There was no fire and no injuries.
Bali and Indonesia volcanic eruptions. Some flights had to be cancelled this month due to volcanic eruptions in Indonesia, so if you plan to travel to the area, double check that all is well.
Here are our favorite Groupon deals in Paris and London that will save you money while still allowing you a luxury experience! (Full disclosure: these are affiliate links.)
London
The Dilly, London. Photo courtesy of Groupon.
The Dilly in London – $354.20: Near Piccadilly, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square, this luxury property is in the middle of the action. It has 283 rooms with minibars, bathrobes, and tubs. Click here for the deal.
Flemings Mayfair in London. Photo courtesy of Groupon.
Flemings Mayfair – Small Luxury Hotel of the World – $432.82: This gorgeous hotel is near Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and Parliament/Big Ben. It has 129 rooms with minibars, tubs, and rainfall showerheads. There’s also a fine dining restaurant on property. Click here for the deal.
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences in London. Photo courtesy of Groupon.
The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – $484.75: This Mayfair hotel is near Hyde Park, Green Park, and Piccadilly Circus. It has 162 rooms with minibars and Egyptian cotton sheets. There’s a spa and fine dining restaurant as well. Click here for the deal.
Paris
Hotel Napoleon in Paris. Photo courtesy of Groupon.
Hotel Napoleon – $488.98: This luxury property is in the 8th Arrondissement close to the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, as well as near Place Charles de Gaulle. It’s small with just 96 rooms that have minibars, bathrobes, and tablet computers. Click here for the deal.
Maison Astor in Paris. Photo courtesy of Groupon.
Maison Astor Paris, Curio Collection by Hilton – $371.11: This lovely hotel is a short walk from the Palais Garnier. The 131 rooms contain minibars, espresso makers, and tubs. There’s also a terrace and a fireplace in the lobby. Click here for the deal.
Maison Albar – Le Diamond in Paris. Photo courtesy of Groupon.
Maison Albar – Le Diamond – $303.95: This stunning property is within walking distance of the Palais Garnier and Galeries Lafayette. It’s small with 72 rooms with minibars, and the hotel has a terrace and garden. There is no fine dining restaurant, but it serves breakfast and has room service. Click here for the deal.
Sleep may be one of the most important things we need in life, but it’s often in short supply. Good quality sleep is considered a factor in longevity. And when you’re putting in long days traveling, a good night’s sleep is a must. But how to get it? Hyatt Hotels have come to the rescue at many of their brands.
The living area in the wellness suite at the Andaz, NYC. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
I had a chance to tour what they call a Wellness Suite at Hyatt’s 4-star Andaz Hotel in New York City. Walk in, and you may not want to leave. (Room service is available.) When I entered, I walked into a living room area equipped with a large mirror, designed by Lululemon.
On the floor next to the mirror were adjustable weights. I could choose from sets of five-pounders up to 25 pounds each. There was also a yoga mat, a foam roller, and resistance bands. The mirrored walls, of course, would make it easy to check your form as you exercise. And that’s just the Entry Room!
Working out in Andaz’s wellness suite. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
After a workout, feel like a relaxing bath? The next room stars an oversized soaking tub. (The better to prepare you for sleep, my dear.)
The wellness suite bathroom at the Andaz in NYC. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
The third room IS for sleep. It features an inviting king-size bed with an Airweave Mattress near the window. This kind of mattress provides support so that your spine stays in alignment, which enhances quality sleep.
Andaz seems to have thought of everything – blackout curtains, sleep-inducing emollients to sniff, and even a white noise machine – all conducive to catching an excellent 40 (or more) winks.
The bedroom in the Andaz wellness suite. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
And when you awaken: this is a corner room with a view. The Wellness Suite looks out onto Fifth Avenue at 41st Street where I could see the Empire State Building and the stately and famed 42nd Street New York Public Library branch. Exhibits at the library are free (there are always a few), plus its renowned Reading Room is free to visit.
The Andaz NYC terrace. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
Bryant Park is also across the street behind the library. You can buy souvenirs there, join a fitness class, see a movie on a summer night, and savor everything from a snack to an elegant meal.
While I was at the Andaz, I got a delicious hand massage from an Andaz massage therapist. If you’re staying in the Sleep Suite or anywhere in the hotel for that matter, you can book a full body massage with just two hours’ notice, even on the same day. Normal business hours tend to be easiest to book, but earlier/later slots are possible. It’s all, dare I say – dreamy!
The lobby of the Andaz in NYC. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
The Hyatt folks say there are Wellness Suites at other Andaz properties, including one that is “desert-inspired” – the 5-star Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows.
The Andaz in Scottsdale, Arizona looks stunning. Photo courtesy of Hyatt.
That suite boasts an in-room Tonal smart-gym system and cruiser bikes, plus an outdoor patio. Wow! Maybe I should consider a trip to Arizona? Hmm… think I will sleep on that.
