What a fun NYC Pride that was! – Now that I sort of recovered from the festivities, it’s time to get back to work mode. First thing on the agenda will be telling you about my experience staying at Yotel hotel over the weekend.
The last time I came to the city I had the chance to spend a night at the Times Square hub thanks to the kindness of one of my lovers – No! He’s not my sugar daddy (you can read about that HERE). However, this time, I was able to sojourn a bit longer to enjoy more of the modern amenities.
As soon as you walk into Yotel you will notice the airport feeling: there are check-in kiosks, a robotic arm that can store your luggage – is this what the future looks like? Still, the friendly staff is always available to assist you with anything you might need. I had an incredible time lodging here, so I’ve rounded up five reasons why I think this is the best place to stay in New York during Pride weekend
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1. Just a few blocks away from the NYC Pride March
Apart from being right in the middle of Hell’s Kitchen – which for the past years has become the new gayborhood with around ten gay bars in the area. Yotel sits at the corner of 42nd St and 10 Ave, just a few blocks away from 36th St and 5th Ave where the March usually starts lining up. I was able to get to my float #KielhsPride on time without having to worry about train delays or traffic. For those visiting the city for the first time, Times Square is just down the street. Other New York landmarks like The High Line and Bryant Park aren’t far either.
2. Bright lights, big city, breathtaking room views
The premium cabin (or basic room) might be compact, but it’s white and bright. The convertible queen bed glides at the touch of a button, giving you some extra floor space. Fancy a bigger room? The executive view cabin (which I stayed in) offers a floor-to-ceiling view of the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River – hello, Instagram photos! Since I’m a blogger, I don’t travel light, for that reason, I appreciated the actual closet and desk. But I wish my cabin had the soft purple backlighting you can see in the picture below; instead, I got a regular bulb. Boo! Although all cabins come with Yotel’s signature “Get Up” body wash/shampoo and “Get Smooth” conditioner, there’s no body lotion? I mean no tea, no shade, but even the cheaper hotels provide that.
3. Swanky cocktails on the rooftop
The hidden and colorful oasis is the ideal retreat after a hard day of sightseeing. Sit back, relax and enjoy $10 pizza & beer combo during happy hour or indulge in one of their signature cocktails. They also serve some snacks; the falafel sandwich is tasty and filling. Don’t forget to snap a pic of the vibrant crocheted yarn art by artist London Kaye but don’t spend a lot of time on your phone and just relish the moment.
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4. Better than breakfast in bed
Yotel might lack room service but starting up the day at Green Fig with unlimited coffee is better than breakfast in bed. There are six packages available for less than $14 per person, and they are served with assorted pastries and pieces of bread, preserves and a small orange juice. I stopped by the restaurant right after my four-mile run, so I was starving. I ordered the Red, White, and Blue package and oh my! That’s just what I needed to rise and shine.
5. Helpful and bi-lingual staff
The staff goes above and beyond to help you. For example, Neshia at the front desk saw me struggling with the desktop computers while I was trying to print my waiver before heading out to the NYC Pride March. She suggested emailing it to her; that way she could print it out for me. How nice is that? The housekeeping manager David left a bottle of red wine and a lovely note in my cabin. To be fair, he’s someone I know, but he didn’t have to do that. – He even texted me to see how my stay was going. Isn’t that sweet? And for some strange reason, it seemed like everyone in the staff spoke Spanish, which made my time there even better. – #aquisehablaespanol
Accommodations were provided by Yotel hotel to write this story. However, rest assured all opinions are 100% my own.
Jorge Gallegos
Not just a pretty face
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