VALENTINE'S DAY IN NYC

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and NYC offers everything you need, and much more, for the perfect Valentine's Day Weekend. There are tours, tens of romantic restaurants to choose from and all the chocolate and candy you can eat. Here's few of our picks for the best times.

Romantic Movie Moments Tour

For a perfect date idea or a girl’s day out, join the ride through the city’s romantic side. On the Romantic Movie Moments Tour (approximately 2,5 hrs), a local New York City actor will bring to life some of the most alluring movie locations featured on the big screen. Movie lovers will become enchanted seeing locations from films including When Harry Met Sally, Serendipity 3, You’ve Got Mail (including a stop at Cafe Lalo, pictured below), Love Affair, Sleepless in Seattle, Sweet Home Alabama and Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Purchase tickets directly here with On Location Tours or ask our front desk to arrange. 

One if by Land, Two if by Sea

Fine dining in a landmark Greenwich Village carriage house surrounded by flowers, warmed by dual fireplaces and smooth live piano music. This fixed-price-only American restaurant is known to be one of the city's most romantic. 

17 Barrow Street (near Seventh Ave South.)

The House

The House is a magnificently restored 1854 carriage house located in the historic Gramercy Park. It feels like you've stepped back in time in the fireplace-warmed parlor and an intimate, second-story dining room marked by skylights, portholes, and a gorgeous crescent window. 

121 E. 17th St.

Ms. Myzel's Chocolate

Get sweets for your Valentine at this old-style candy store, Ms. Myzel's. Great variety of handmade, European-style chocolate. They also specialize in licorice, featuring 100 flavors directly from Europe. Located just two blocks south from the Salisbury Hotel at 140 W. 55th Street (between 6th-7th Ave).

Other good candy stores worth checking out in NYC include Economy Candy Market, Dylan’s Candy Bar, Sockerbit Sweet & Swedish and Papabubble.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND MOVIE SITES

 We had the opportunity to test drive the ever so popular and timely Holiday Lights and Movie Sites tour organized by On Location Tours that offers film and movie tours around NYC. The tour runs from November 28 to January 1 on Thursday, Friday & Sunday at 5:30pm and Saturday at 5:30pm & 7pm. If you're interested in taking one of their tours, see our concierge and he can set it up for you. 

We met our tour guide at the Shops at Columbus Circle where we were give a VIP shopping passes to use at the stores and restaurants at Time Warner Center. From there we hopped on the bus and drove through the Upper West Side to relive holiday scenes from Scrooged and New Year’s Eve making a stop at Lincoln Center for photos. Next we passed through Central Park while watching clips from countless holiday classics that were filmed in the park, such as Home Alone 2 and Elf. Once on the Upper East Side we saw Serendipity 3, the restaurant where Sara (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) share the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, The Plaza Hotel, FAO Schwartz and the Unicef Snowlake. Next stop was at Bloomingdales to take a peek at the department store’s holiday window displays. 

From there we continued the tour through midtown to view more of the city’s most renowned displays of the season, like Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel, Harry Winston, familiar from Eloise at Christmastime and The Family Man. Continuing the journey down Fifth Avenue we passed Rockefeller Center for a view of the most famous Christmas tree in New York seen in Home Alone 2, Noel and Elf. We also stopped at Barneys windows as well as at Lord & Taylor to see their interesting "Journey Through Imagination" window displays.

The tour ended at the world famous Macy’s in Herald Square, home to the real Santa in Miracle on 34th Street. Their windows are also quite fabulous. Happy Holidays from all of us at The Salisbury Hotel!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 Salisbury Hotel has a long-standing tradition to celebrate the holidays by serving a delicious luncheon for our entire staff just a few days before Christmas. We all get together on the 3rd floor Vanguard Room and enjoy magnificent treats cooked in house by our breakfast room manager Martha Perez and her staff.

Salisbury Hotel staff and management would like to wish everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Prosperous New Year 2014. We hope to see you soon!

NYC HOLIDAY MARKETS

 This holiday season shop wisely. Forget about the mass-produced merchandise and crowded stores, get the people you love unique gifts and support small businesses. New York City has a great variety of holiday markets where you can spend time browsing, admiring and talking to the friendly vendors. Here's five of our favorites:

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
November 14 - January 5 

This outdoor market boasts more than 125 artisans selling everything from clothing and accessories to food and hot drinks. Here you can also go ice-skating, take a ride on the carousel, have dinner under the heat lamps at Celsius restaurant or Southwest Porch and admire the beautiful 50 feet holiday tree (will be lit up December 3rd)in the middle of it all.


Bryant Park, 42nd St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves. From the Salisbury Hotel take the subway F to 42nd St.- Bryant Park.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
December 3 - December 24 

This annual holiday bazaar is within a short walk from the Salisbury Hotel and features handmade items from local artisans and snacks from vendors. Market is the perfect place to enjoy a hot meal or snack, shop for holiday gifts and spend time with friends and family. Hours of operation are Weekdays 10am - 8pm, Saturdays 10am - 8pm and Sundays 10am - 7pm.


  Central Park South, at Central Park West

Grand Central Holiday Fair
November 18 - December 24 

Featuring 76 micro-boutiques illuminated by golden chandeliers suspended from a 50-foot-high ceiling, this elegant market has everything from contemporary jewelry and art objects to African crafts and Christmas ornaments. And since it's situated inside the terminal itself, you won't have to worry about shivering while you're browsing the goods.


42nd St, between Vanderbilt and Lexington Aves

Union Square Holiday Market
November 21 - December 24

Purchase gifts from more than 150 vendors at this outdoor bazaar. Gorgeous handmade jewelry, ties, cuff links and other men's fashion items, luxurious truffle salts, olive oils and vinegars, chic bags, scarves, tights and shoes, holiday themed crafts and decorations, warm food, drinks and festive atmosphere. Hours of operation are Weekdays 11am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 8pm and Sunday 11am to 7pm. The market is closed on Thanksgiving Day.

 14th St to 17th St, between Broadway and Park Ave South 

Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market
November 14 - January 5 

Brooklyn purveyors set up shop across the river at Artists & Fleas’ seasonal pop-up bazaar, situated inside Chelsea Market. Expect to find trendy and noncommercial holiday-themed gifts. Every item is locally made and well crafted. 


75 Ninth Ave, at 16th St