Most striking feature:

On my quest to discover the best spots New York has to offer I found a lot of cool surf shops. Like this legend called Saturdays Surf in Soho. You know I just wrote about their latest one in Tokyo (and news: they are gonna open a new one on the Lower East Side soon). Saturdays Surf is only for men, but the coolest species on earth. The one who drive to the shop in a vintage Volkswagen with a surfboard on top of it. They can buy their boards here – or all the stuff that makes surfing ever better, even when you’re not on the beach. Think of beautiful T-shirts, sneakers, bags, socks and even deodorant. Or, so another customer told me, the best coffee (La Colombe) in New York. Stumptown eat your heart out

Check out: www.saturdayssurf.com 

Most striking feature:

Take a detour to Orchard Street on the Lower East Side because you’ll find the Fat Radish in here. Inside you’ll forget the Chinese shops and restaurants (Chinatown is close by) outside immediately. You will notice the spacious interior, the natural light coming in from the roof, the beautiful flowers and rough brick walls. The staff looks good and is really friendly. The menu changes often and on the big mirror in the back they write about their daily specials. As an appetizer we got a radish salad and after that a kole caesar salad. Especially the radish were delicious, but it has to because otherwise the name wouldn’t fit the place. It’s not really a new address (opened at the end of 2010) but it’s definitely a recommendation.

Check out: www.thefatradish.com

Most striking feature:

The service at this hotel is the best. Before I went there I read on TripAdvisor that they brought a forgotten laptop to the owner who was already at a subway station on the other side of town – ready to leave New York. A few days before you arrive you receive a kind mail to welcome you in the hotel already and to make sure you get the best stay they can by arranging restaurant reservations, bike rentals and even a love package of Kiki de Montparnasse. I was a bit disappointed that this hotel wasn’t in the latest Travel + Leisure best service Awards List. I mean: it’s almost if you’re in Asia, they want to please you with everything. Hailing a cab, making a picture of you and your boyfriend in the lobby, calling you when the bikes or ready to use. A big A+.

That said: I love to show you the perfect room. On the 7th floor with views over Manhattan and the Empire State Building. You even got a balcony attached to it. And a shower with the same views. What I love about the Nolitan is the graphic design of all the items in the room (that’s why I made a picture of it). And the yoga mat you can roll out to do your Downward Dog in the morning.

One thing before starting the tour: the location is perfect. Nolita is filled with shops and restaurants ready to discover. From Le Labo to Tartinery Nolita and from McNally Books to the Fat Radish (although that’s technically the Lower East Side).

Our room at the Nolitan – with a small balcony.

Open bathroom but you can shut the curtain if you’re with your mother or friend.

Even perfect if you need to get some work done. Wifi is free – another sign of perfect service.

Bath amenities – red is the color of the hotel so it has to be of the organic brand called Red Flower.

Hello graphic designer, you did a wonderful job. Don’t you love it all?

Plug your iPhone in and you listen to your own music.

Yoga mat for your early morning practice.

View to the Williamsburg Bridge from the balcony

Is there a better way to start the day in New York than with a fresh jus d’orange on your own balcony?

Outside the Nolitan

Skateboards to rent

Check out: www.thenolitan.com

Most striking feature:

This restaurant opened in the beginning of May and is part of the Wythe Hotel. Not that it’s only for guests, you can easily go there for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you’re strolling down the area of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Wythe Avenue is becoming cooler by day – head there if you want to see new shops and restaurants instead of the touristy Bedford Avenue.
The owner of Reynards is also running the popular Marlow and Sons and Diner restaurants and at his newest project he’s also bringing fresh food to the old bistro tables. In Summer they also open a terrace next to the restaurant.

Check out the hotel website for more details: www.wythehotel.com

Most striking feature:

The newest it-hotel in Brooklyn. With a magnificent view over Manhattan on their rooftop terrace – and some of their rooms. The Wythe Hotel is a project from Andrew Tarlow (the man behind the popular Brooklyn joint Marlow & Sons) and Brooklyn developer Two Trees. We all know hotels in Manhattan are expensive, but here you can sleep from 179 dollar a night (around 140 euro). They have rooms with bunk beds, rooms with views over Manhattan and everything in between. I love to show you around:

Outside of the building. The hotel is housed in a former factory out of 1901. They’ve kept the industrial details, but added a modern Brooklyn flavour to it.

The lobby and entrance of the hotel. If you walk to the right, you’ll find Reynards, a cool restaurant I will write about later today.

Next to this you’ll find a library filled with books – but because the hotel opened for only a few weeks they had to store the bookshelves. Maybe an idea to buy that collection at Powerhouse Arena, a beautiful bookshop in Dumbo I will write about later.

The Manhattan View King Room with views over, you guessed it, Manhattan. Priceless.

View from the room if you look down.

Floor to ceiling windows. Check the view…

Goodies in the shower – with a view over Manhattan as well.

Bathroom

Don’t disturb sign – I love hotel typography. I will show you more the next couple of days.

View from the rooftop bar and terrace. I’ve been there and it’s absolutely a must to drink a cocktail at night. I wasn’t allowed to take any pictures there because that scoop is for the NY Times. Can’t argue that ofcourse. And I’m already priviliged to show you around like this.

Check out: www.wythehotel.com

I’m back from a 6 day trip to New York City (and enjoying a massive jetlag at the moment). Together with my boyfriend we celebrated my 30th birthday in the best hotels New York has to offer (The Nolitan, Americano Hotel and the Ace Hotel). I’ve been to all the spots on Petite Passport (and many more), to make sure you get the best advice before you go. Sometimes spots do seem beautiful on the pictures, but when you’re there it’s not that special. And other things you don’t know much about, can be fantastic. I will recommend you to skip the Meatpacking District (unless you love seeing tourists with cargo pants and out-dated guidebooks) and go to Brooklyn, Nolita and Dumbo instead. And don’t take any cabs or the subway, because biking through New York City is way better. The most hotels (where I stayed) rent bikes. Some for free (The Nolitan and the Ace Hotel), others for 20 bucks a day (still not that expensive compared to a taxi). I will guide you to all those places. Be inspired by the following posts and let me know what you think!

xoxo Pauline

My long awaited trip to New York is a fact. This Wednesday I will jump on the plane and fly to the capital of the world to show you the best of the best. For example: I will not stay at one hotel, but three. All to give you a personal sneak peek inside the coolest hotels of New York. Ofcourse I will find the best restaurants and shops as well.

Do you have any recommendations? Places I really have to check out? Let me know!

And follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram (username PetitePauline) if you want to follow me during the trip.

I’ll be back behind my computer at May 16th.

3 reasons to go there:

1. For coffee.
2. If you’re on your own. You can easily sit down, browse through some magazines and order a brownie.
3. If you’re in Glasgow you should check them out.

Check out: www.epicuresofhyndland.com

3 reasons to go there:

1. To buy one of their cool T-shirts (men only).
2. To buy a cup of coffee – and drink it on their terrace with a view.
3. To get yourself  into a wet suit – and buy a surfboard after that.

Check out: www.saturdaysnyc.com

(Images via EyeScream)

3 reasons to go there:

1. They sell amazing design pieces of Dries van Noten, Walter van Beirendonck and Christopher Kane among others.
2. Apart from fashion and jewelry they sell furniture from Piet Hein Eek.
3. And by walking through the shop you’ll notice beautiful artwork as well.

Check out: www.song.at