Puttin' On the Ritz at The Hilton New York Hotel

As fantastic as it has been interning here at Family Travel Forum, I'm ready to dive headfirst into the travel industry and I'm hoping for a snag or two on some lines I cast out to various PR contacts in the travel world. The fun has all but stopped, however, as I was recently invited to the New York Hilton's exclusive Always In Vogue event, featuring two newly renovated spaces, the Grand Trianon and Mercury ballrooms.

The entertainment itself was the highlight of the night - a man dressed in a silver sequined suit slowly revolved cat-like in the center of the room, as handsome waiters performed acrobatic tricks on pogo-legs (I call them "Gazelle Legs") and a Geisha-faced waitress under an ostentatious powdered wig and surrounded by a table waded slowly into the crowd offering delectable hors d'oeuvres. Four distinct food tables offered everything from excellent sushi to my personal favorite, pulled pork barbeque, while the former even displayed a large pagoda-shaped ice sculpture. Along with the massive chandeliers dangling overhead and the spectacular light show that danced every which way over the high Victorian-style ceilings, I thought my visit to the Hilton couldn't get any better - until I saw my room.

From the 31st floor, I could peer out into the city streets far below, which were prettily decorated here and there with twinkling Christmas lights and trees. Just down the street, the neon Radio City Hall marquee cast off an electric pink glow, while buildings across the way were simply pretty just for their architectural elegance and Lite-Brite patchwork of the few offices still working through the night. After enjoying a complimentary bottle of Champagne in the room and exploring the massive business meeting spaces throughout the hotel's lower levels, I sank into the almost sinfully comfortable bed and fell asleep the minute my head hit the pillow. And as for the noise? From my lofty penthouse (or at least that's what I pretended it was), the clamor from the streets below was faint and could barely be heard over the hotel's air system, making for a very peaceful sleep. In the morning, I enjoyed a complimentary pot of coffee and Egyptian Chamomile tea as I watched a couple of goldbricking window washers opposite my hotel window.

My stay at the Hilton was quite an affair to remember - On my scale of event and accommodation quality, I gave this one the top rating of "ritzy." Perhaps if I had been in a picky mood, I might have minded the fees for gym and wireless Internet access, as well as the high prices at the bar and restaurant, Etrusca. (Though they do have a children’s menu!)

Still, you can go to the Hilton New York website to see if you can snag a room for rates as low as $459/N for a family of four or add on 20 more bucks for the Bed & Breakfast Buffet special for two, while children five and under eat without charge. There are plenty of other places to dine outside the hotel, including Thai restaurants, sports bars and more. I recommend Rumours Bar Lounge & Grill one block west of the hotel on 8^th Avenue. Though a popular drinking hangout during the later hours for younger crowds, the burgers there are not only large and tummy-filling, but surprisingly cheap for a mid-Manhattan dinner. I was especially charmed by our motherly waitress, who not only was quick to take and deliver our orders, but spoke in the most delightful Irish accent.

If you want to be central to all the best eateries and attractions in New York and you don’t mind dropping a pretty penny on more luxurious accommodations, the Hilton is - for lack of a better word - heaven.