Latest news with #IMPei
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
How Oklahoma City turned its fortunes around with an infamous robbery
In 1993 the number of hotels in Oklahoma City had been reduced to one. It was a low ebb for a city that had, in its oil-gushing heyday, boasted architectural wonders such as the Biltmore and the Criterion, demolished along with many other gems during the 1970s grand plan to reimagine the historic downtown. The past was razed. The renowned modernist architect IM Pei was brought in to deliver a 21st-century city. The vision was extravagant. But the city money ran dry with the next oil slump, and most of what was planned was never built. By 1991, the city had become a finalist of an intense competition to win a $1 billion United Airlines maintenance plant, which would create 7,500 jobs and offer a welcome stable well of employment as opposed to the volatile, flash-flood riches of the oil industry. A successful bid would be a lifeline in a city that, according to the 1990 US census, had some 11,000 abandoned houses and a 14 per cent poverty rate. Ultimately, Oklahoma lost out to Indianapolis. The bittersweet feedback from United was, then mayor Ron Norick reported, that Oklahoma's proposal was 'by far the best prepared, well organised, the most courteous, the most responsive. But we didn't win the big enchilada.' READ MORE The main reason was that United didn't feel it could reasonably ask its people to live and work in somewhere as bereft of variety as OKC. Stung, Norick decided he would travel to Indianapolis to see for himself what it had that his beloved city did not. Everything, it turned out. 'So he got on a plane and flew to Indianapolis. There, he found a vibrant downtown and two major league professional sports teams,' David Holt, the current Oklahoma City mayor reported to readers of the Indianapolis Star in an opinion piece this week. 'Like OKC, Indianapolis lacked mountains or an ocean, but it had a central meeting place and reasons for people to rally there. Through its downtown and its sports teams, and all the things that come with those amenities, Indianapolis offered a quality of life appropriate to a city its size. OKC was also a pretty large city, but after being hollowed out by urban renewal, an oil bust and a banking crisis, it felt more like a place where a lot of people just happened to live. Indianapolis – previously our foil – was now our inspiration.' The reason behind the opinion piece is that the stars have aligned to thrust both Oklahoma and Indianapolis into a shared spotlight for the next fortnight. The cities' basketball teams, the Oklahoma Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, are again competing for the top prize, this time in the NBA finals. [ Thunder enlightens Oklahoma as basketball brings wind of change Opens in new window ] One of the first things Norick realised on that trip was that Oklahoma needed a sports team. It took almost two decades and a comprehensive downtown renaissance, which was interrupted and then spurred on by the federal building bombing in 1995, before they got their wish. The city custodians built a state-of-the-art sports arena but could find no willing tenant until it finally acquired, through infamous chicanery, a brand new franchise, the Thunder. But there is a uniquely American sting in the tail of Oklahoma's fairy story. Because it could not persuade a big sports team to move to its city, it went out and stole one. At least that is what any number of bereft Seattle basketball fans will tell you. In 2006, a consortium of Oklahoma business people bought shares in the Supersonics, the long-established Seattle team. When pressure to build a publicly funded upgraded arena was rejected by the Seattle city managers, the owners simply moved their club to Oklahoma, with the blessing of the NBA. The Supersonics vanished over a summer. The internet carries many grainy clips of the last Supersonics game, after 41 seasons, when the fans chanted 'Save Our Sonics' in unison through the closing minutes while the players raised their arms to encourage more decibels. But by the following September, many of the same players were wearing the uniform of the brand new Thunder. The loss of the team, the Seattle Times declared this weekend, 'leaves Seattle feeling like the victim of identity theft'. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket against Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers during Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals. Photograph: William Purnell/Getty If Oklahomans ever felt Seattle's pain, they have come to terms with it. Seattle is one of the great US city success stories, an enviable combination of tech-generated wealth and artistic creativity. They'd get over the Supersonics. Oklahoma was parched. Now the city is committed to spending $850 billion to a new publicly funded stadium. The Thunder, valued at $3.6 billion, will pitch in a mere $50 billion. But they don't want to make the same mistake as Seattle. So, for the next fortnight, the Supersonics will act as the ghost at the banquet throughout these finals. The Pacers, an august one-city team who joined the NBA in 1967 are still seeking their first championship. Their fans will feel slightly queasy about the fact that Oklahoma are standing between them and a maiden title. The Thunder are heavy favourites to win the finals. 'Thirty-four years after our United Airlines loss to Indianapolis, Oklahoma City is now in the NBA Finals, an achievement that feels like the capstone of an amazing American success story. It has been a journey inspired by you,' Holt writes in his salute to Indianapolis. 'Should another chapter be written in the weeks ahead, I regret to tell you that you'll have no one but yourselves to blame.'
The Age
6 days ago
- Business
- The Age
The best places to stay in New York
Four Seasons Hotel New York Perfect for: Supreme luxury, Four Seasons loyalists, central midtown location Four Seasons Hotel New York is an art deco masterpiece and midtown Manhattan landmark on the stretch of East 57th Street known as Billionaire's Row. Reopened at the end of 2024 after undergoing property-wide enhancements during an almost five-year closure, the ultra-luxury hotel is designed by celebrated architect IM Pei. Soaring 52 storeys, it's the second-tallest hotel in the city, and offers spectacular park and skyline views. Just steps from Central Park, Fifth Avenue shopping and Rockefeller Plaza, there are 219 accommodations, ranging in size from 500 square feet (46 square metres) to 4,300 square feet (400 square metres). The grand lobby, popular dining venues and see-and-be-seen TY Bar are worth visiting (cameras at the ready), even if you're not checking in. From $US1795 a night (excluding taxes). 57 East 57th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 758 5700. See Graduate by Hilton New York Perfect for: Affordable stays, curious explorers, extraordinary views A stay at Graduate by Hilton New York gives visitors a taste of locals' neighbourhood Roosevelt Island, located in the East River between Manhattan and mainland Queens. Part of a chain that offers affordable, cleverly designed accommodations in university towns (Cornell Tech is nearby), the hotel is within easy reach of Manhattan's Midtown East via the F subway, the Roosevelt Island Tramway and ferry services. There's also plenty to do on the island, with a range of dining options on Main Street and public parks that are home to beautiful cherry blossom trees. Don't miss Panorama Room, an elegant bar on the 18th floor with some of the most extraordinary sunset views in the city. The lobby-level restaurant, Anything At All, is an all-day venue serving tasty burgers, salads and breakfast classics. From $US261 a night (excluding taxes). 22 North Loop Road, Roosevelt Island, Queens. Phone: +1 929 447 4700. See The Plaza Perfect for: Bucket-list NYC stays, cinema set-seeing, history buffs Classic New York nostalgia, grand Beaux-Arts architecture and palatial digs await guests at The Plaza, a landmark hotel you might recognise from its star turn in many films. Located on the edge of Central Park, close to fashionable Fifth Avenue shopping, the hotel is as quintessentially New York City now as it was a hundred years ago when F Scott Fitzgerald made it a popular haunt of his characters in The Great Gatsby. If you're a fan of the book, ask about The Gatsby Suite Experience. Stunning floral displays in the grand lobby reflect the season, while gilded ceilings and oversized chandeliers recall a more genteel age. Spacious guestrooms are lavishly decorated with 24-carat gold-plated fixtures and premium bedding. Younger guests might like to stay in the Eloise Suite, a whimsical space dedicated to the fictional little girl who lived at The Plaza. From $US995 a night (excluding taxes). 768 Fifth Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 759 3000. See Baccarat Hotel New York Perfect for: Glamour and bling, sophisticated decor, upscale bar and spa Twinkle, shine and sparkle is the captivating design brief at Baccarat Hotel New York, a glamorous Midtown hotel conceptualised by the French crystal house Baccarat. From afternoon tea in the Grand Salon, blooming with red roses and crystal chandeliers, to the sexy bar and Parisian-esque accommodations, it's a dreamy homage to beauty and luxury. The signature Spa De La Mer is the first dedicated spa in the US by premium skincare brand La Mer. Treatments promise the fountain of youth, in an opulent setting. Ideally located on West 53rd Street, the hotel is mere steps from MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. Subway connections are plentiful, though you might prefer to stroll to nearby restaurants, shops and Central Park. From $US973 a night (excluding taxes).28 West 53rd Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 790 8800. See The William Vale Perfect for: Manhattan views, Brooklyn buzz, affordable stays In the heart of hip Williamsburg, The William Vale is a convenient base for exploring Brooklyn and beyond. Every room has a balcony with stellar Manhattan views, and the rooftop pool is one of the largest and most popular in the city (splash out on a summer day pass if you're not staying on-property). Decor and design is welcoming and unstuffy, creating an ambience more residential than standard hotel room. Locals, guests and tourists alike frequent the hotel's buzzy bars and restaurants, including Leuca, where James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini does wonderful things with Southern Italian dishes, and Westlight, an indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge that's perfect on a warm, spring afternoon. You won't miss the 22-storey building on approach; the concrete-and-glass structure makes a big statement in the primarily low-rise neighbourhood. From $US255 a night (excluding taxes). 111 North 12th Street, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 718 631 8400. See The Carlyle Perfect for: Celebrity spotting, luxury splurges, the spirit of old New York That a film has been made about this hotel — Always at The Carlyle — in which such luminaries such as George Clooney, Anthony Bourdain, Roger Federer and Fran Lebowitz share fond memories of martinis at Bemelmans Bar and spicy assignations, is a testament to its storied reputation. Opened in 1930, the Upper East Side landmark is a celebrity favourite, as beloved for the discretion of its staff as for the lavishness of its decor. The 35-story, 192-room hotel has glorious views of Central Park, and is within easy reach of The Met, The Frick and Guggenheim museums. At Café Carlyle, book ahead for shows by A-list singers and cabaret performers. From $US799 a night. 35 East 76th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 744 1600. See The Ritz-Carlton, NoMad Perfect for: Modern luxury and glamour, superior service, fab bar and restaurant With all the flawless details one would expect from The Ritz-Carlton brand – and in a newly built property – this hotel is a shining example of NYC's modern luxury class, with a nightly room rate to match. An enticing food and beverage collection so far includes Zaytinya, a Mediterranean restaurant by celebrated chef José Andrés, and Nubeluz, a cocktail bar on the 50th floor with spectacular views. At The Bazaar by José André, avant-garde dining celebrates Spanish and Japanese flavours and techniques. The skyscraper hotel's 250 rooms and suites have a soft and elegant palette, and the 632-square-metre spa and fitness centre offers treatments using luxe products from Augustinus Bader. From $US900 a night. 25 West 28th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 404 8400. See The Langham Perfect for: Couples, families, VIPs, corporate travellers With some of the most spacious suites in the city and a prime midtown location on Fifth Avenue, The Langham is a favoured address of visiting dignitaries, NBA teams (in town to play at nearby Madison Square Garden), and those who enjoy luxury paired with convenience. Many of the room configurations have features that will appeal to longer-stay guests, including furnished terraces, kitchenettes, washer/dryers and Empire State Building views. Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant features chef Michael White's French and Italian cuisine, with various prix fixe menus representing good value. Just one block away you'll find Macy's and many other shops in 34th Street-Herald Square area. Also within easy walking distance: Times Square, Bryant Park, the main New York Public Library branch and Grand Central Station. From $US600 a night (excluding taxes). 400 5th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 695 4005. See Park Lane Perfect for: Couples, Central Park views, nightlife Park Lane New York on Central Park South (aka Billionaires' Row) was completely reimagined during the pandemic pause, with a thoughtful renovation that respects and integrates the building's 1960s architectural heritage. Take the rooftop lounge and cocktail bar, Darling, with its 'pinch-me' views of Central Park: once the penthouse apartment of developers Harry and Leona Helmsley, it's now a luxe watering hole with weekend DJs and decor that hints at chic mid-century Miami. The 47-storey property, run by Highgate, has 610 rooms. It's across the street from Central Park and a short walk to Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center and Fifth Avenue stores. From $US450 a night (excluding taxes). 36 Central Park South, New York. Phone: +1 212 371 4000. See Moxy NYC Times Square Perfect for: Young and young at heart, mid-range budgets, central location If you're going to stay in the busy Times Square precinct, embrace the fun factor. Moxy Times Square is part of Marriott's millennial-friendly brand, with Instagram-ready neon signs, provocative sculptures and a very popular rooftop bar, Magic Hour. The 600-plus rooms are playful, colourful and cool, using clever design to maximise small spaces. Common areas include the lobby bar, co-working spaces and a brasserie, Legasea, which has good happy hour deals. Located at the southern end of Times Square, the hotel is close to Macy's on 34th Street and lots of subway connections. (There are five other Moxy hotels throughout the city.) From $US234 a night (excluding taxes). 485 7th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 967 6699. See Pod Brooklyn Perfect for: Bargain hunters, singles, social types In hotel parlance the rooms are 'compact', which is to say they're small, but who goes to New York to spend time in their room anyway? Ultramodern, functional and located in trendy Williamsburg, Pod Brooklyn is also very affordable, a rarity in the city. Surrounded by cafes, bars and shops, the hotel's 249 rooms are based on Japanese pod hotel design. We suspect there was also some IKEA inspo. The lobby is playful (note the giant Jenga sculpture), while the mezzanine lounge is a comfy space to work or wait for check-in time. If there's no availability at this property, try the Pod hotels in three other NYC locations. From $US135 a night. 247 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 844 763 7666. See The Rockaway Hotel Perfect for: Beach lovers, surfers, return visitors to NYC The rumours are true: New York City has some decent beaches and an emerging surf culture. The beaches like those found in the Rockaways, Queens, can't compete with Aussie sand and surf – and they're freezing for most of the year – but can be a fun getaway from the concrete jungle. If you go, stay somewhere nice: The Rockaway Hotel is the first upscale accommodation to be built in the Rockaways in over a century. It's quickly gained traction as a stylish retro clubhouse for the community's surf, art and music scene. There's a deluxe spa, a popular rooftop bar and seaside fare in Margie's, the signature restaurant. Rooms are bright and fresh, with windows that open to let in the sea breeze. From $US290 a night. 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens. Phone: +1 718 474 1216. See The Gansevoort Perfect for: LGBTQI travellers, art and design enthusiasts, party people The Gansevoort first opened in 2004, when Sex and the City was helping rebrand the formerly rough-and-tumble Meatpacking District into somewhere as cool as a Cosmopolitan, and it's recently had a multi-million-dollar renovation. The new-look 186 guestrooms are modern and stylish, with ombre wallpaper, subway tile in the bathrooms, Google Nest Hubs and Mirror gyms. Many overlook the Hudson River. The neighbourhood is now one of the most sophisticated in the city, home to drawcards like the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Little Island and Chelsea Market. Bars, restaurants and nightlife at the hotel and in the surrounding area reflect the energy of visitors and locals who know how to have fun. From $US465 a night (excluding taxes). 18 9th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 877 426 7386. See 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Perfect for: Eco-conscious travellers, trendsetters, Brooklyn base Sustainability meets chic design at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, where eco-conscious decor has been created by local artists with native greenery and reclaimed objects. There's not a plastic bottle in sight. Guests enjoy a prime DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge waterfront base, with spectacular views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. (A sister hotel is located near Central Park.) With so much of New York's action now taking place in Brooklyn, it's a smart choice to stay in the borough for at least part of your visit. Make the most of the hotel's cinema room, plunge pool, rooftop bar and all-natural Bamford Spa before venturing out. From $US375 a night (excluding taxes). 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 347 696 2500. See Hotel Indigo, Lower East Side Perfect for: Hipsters, nightlife, lower Manhattan access The Lower East Side is lit, as the kids say. One of the coolest and edgiest neighbourhoods in Manhattan, it's a bustling jumble of nightlife, boutiques, restaurants, bars and century-old tenement buildings. On Ludlow Street is Hotel Indigo, an IHG property with a focus on modern design, street art and local characters. In fact, the 14th-floor lobby is decorated with outsized snapshots of LES history. The aesthetic could be described as warm industrial. Yes, there's a lot of concrete and steel, but there's also exposed red brick, reclaimed wood and premium Frette sheets. The hotel's rooftop bar and restaurant, Mr Purple, is well worth a look. A sister property in Williamsburg boasts one of the city's best rooftop pools (day passes can be purchased), and excellent modern African cuisine at Continent Brooklyn. From $US 239 a night (excluding taxes). 171 Ludlow Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 237 1776. See Ace Hotel Perfect for: Young and young-at-heart, creative types, pet-friendly At this hip midtown hotel, housed in a turn-of-the-century landmark building, the lobby is the social gathering hub. A rotating roster of events for guests and visitors are held there in the evenings – art exhibitions, DJ nights, LGBTQI mixers – while during the day, it's a productive space for working or networking. Rooms range from small bunk accommodations to spacious lofts that feel more like apartments, all decked out in signature monochrome hues with retro accessories. Call it an upscale flea-market aesthetic, courtesy of the vintage record turntables, acoustic guitars and trunks-as-coffee-tables. Boro Hotel Perfect for: Urban explorers, mid-range budgets, Manhattan views If you're a repeat visitor to NYC and feel confident navigating the subway, you might want to consider accommodation beyond Manhattan. Long Island City in Queens is just two subway stops from midtown and has one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. It's where you'll find Boro Hotel, a stylish boutique property with 108 spacious loft-like rooms (thanks to 10-foot ceilings) featuring big bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Most rooms have balconies or terraces, with views that usually cost a lot more than the nightly rate you'll pay here. The on-site restaurant, Beebe's, serves satisfying pizza, pasta and small plates.
Sydney Morning Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
The best places to stay in New York
Four Seasons Hotel New York Perfect for: Supreme luxury, Four Seasons loyalists, central midtown location Four Seasons Hotel New York is an art deco masterpiece and midtown Manhattan landmark on the stretch of East 57th Street known as Billionaire's Row. Reopened at the end of 2024 after undergoing property-wide enhancements during an almost five-year closure, the ultra-luxury hotel is designed by celebrated architect IM Pei. Soaring 52 storeys, it's the second-tallest hotel in the city, and offers spectacular park and skyline views. Just steps from Central Park, Fifth Avenue shopping and Rockefeller Plaza, there are 219 accommodations, ranging in size from 500 square feet (46 square metres) to 4,300 square feet (400 square metres). The grand lobby, popular dining venues and see-and-be-seen TY Bar are worth visiting (cameras at the ready), even if you're not checking in. From $US1795 a night (excluding taxes). 57 East 57th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 758 5700. See Graduate by Hilton New York Perfect for: Affordable stays, curious explorers, extraordinary views A stay at Graduate New York gives visitors a taste of locals' neighbourhood Roosevelt Island, located in the East River between Manhattan and mainland Queens. Part of a chain that offers affordable, cleverly designed accommodations in university towns (Cornell Tech is nearby), the hotel is within easy reach of Manhattan's Midtown East via the F subway, the Roosevelt Island Tramway and ferry services. There's also plenty to do on the island, with a range of dining options on Main Street and public parks that are home to beautiful cherry blossom trees. Don't miss Panorama Room, an elegant bar on the 18th floor with some of the most extraordinary sunset views in the city. The lobby-level restaurant, Anything At All, is an all-day venue serving tasty burgers, salads and breakfast classics. From $US261 a night (excluding taxes). 22 North Loop Road, Roosevelt Island, Queens. Phone: +1 929 447 4700. See The Plaza Perfect for: Bucket-list NYC stays, cinema set-seeing, history buffs Classic New York nostalgia, grand Beaux-Arts architecture and palatial digs await guests at The Plaza, a landmark hotel you might recognise from its star turn in many films. Located on the edge of Central Park, close to fashionable Fifth Avenue shopping, the hotel is as quintessentially New York City now as it was a hundred years ago when F Scott Fitzgerald made it a popular haunt of his characters in The Great Gatsby. If you're a fan of the book, ask about The Gatsby Suite Experience. Stunning floral displays in the grand lobby reflect the season, while gilded ceilings and oversized chandeliers recall a more genteel age. Spacious guestrooms are lavishly decorated with 24-carat gold-plated fixtures and premium bedding. Younger guests might like to stay in the Eloise Suite, a whimsical space dedicated to the fictional little girl who lived at The Plaza. From $US995 a night (excluding taxes). 768 Fifth Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 759 3000. See Baccarat Hotel New York Perfect for: Glamour and bling, sophisticated decor, upscale bar and spa Twinkle, shine and sparkle is the captivating design brief at Baccarat Hotel New York, a glamorous Midtown hotel conceptualised by the French crystal house Baccarat. From afternoon tea in the Grand Salon, blooming with red roses and crystal chandeliers, to the sexy bar and Parisian-esque accommodations, it's a dreamy homage to beauty and luxury. The signature Spa De La Mer is the first dedicated spa in the US by premium skincare brand La Mer. Treatments promise the fountain of youth, in an opulent setting. Ideally located on West 53rd Street, the hotel is mere steps from MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. Subway connections are plentiful, though you might prefer to stroll to nearby restaurants, shops and Central Park. From $US973 a night (excluding taxes).28 West 53rd Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 790 8800. See The William Vale Perfect for: Manhattan views, Brooklyn buzz, affordable stays In the heart of hip Williamsburg, The William Vale is a convenient base for exploring Brooklyn and beyond. Every room has a balcony with stellar Manhattan views, and the rooftop pool is one of the largest and most popular in the city (splash out on a summer day pass if you're not staying on-property). Decor and design is welcoming and unstuffy, creating an ambience more residential than standard hotel room. Locals, guests and tourists alike frequent the hotel's buzzy bars and restaurants, including Leuca, where James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini does wonderful things with Southern Italian dishes, and Westlight, an indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge that's perfect on a warm, spring afternoon. You won't miss the 22-storey building on approach; the concrete-and-glass structure makes a big statement in the primarily low-rise neighbourhood. From $US255 a night (excluding taxes). 111 North 12th Street, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 718 631 8400. See The Carlyle Perfect for: Celebrity spotting, luxury splurges, the spirit of old New York That a film has been made about this hotel — Always at The Carlyle — in which such luminaries such as George Clooney, Anthony Bourdain, Roger Federer and Fran Lebowitz share fond memories of martinis at Bemelmans Bar and spicy assignations, is a testament to its storied reputation. Opened in 1930, the Upper East Side landmark is a celebrity favourite, as beloved for the discretion of its staff as for the lavishness of its decor. The 35-story, 192-room hotel has glorious views of Central Park, and is within easy reach of The Met, The Frick and Guggenheim museums. At Café Carlyle, book ahead for shows by A-list singers and cabaret performers. From $US799 a night. 35 East 76th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 744 1600. See The Ritz-Carlton, NoMad Perfect for: Modern luxury and glamour, superior service, fab bar and restaurant With all the flawless details one would expect from The Ritz-Carlton brand – and in a newly built property – this hotel is a shining example of NYC's modern luxury class, with a nightly room rate to match. An enticing food and beverage collection so far includes Zaytinya, a Mediterranean restaurant by celebrated chef José Andrés, and Nubeluz, a cocktail bar on the 50th floor with spectacular views. At The Bazaar by José André, avant-garde dining celebrates Spanish and Japanese flavours and techniques. The skyscraper hotel's 250 rooms and suites have a soft and elegant palette, and the 632-square-metre spa and fitness centre offers treatments using luxe products from Augustinus Bader. From $US900 a night. 25 West 28th Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 404 8400. See The Langham Perfect for: Couples, families, VIPs, corporate travellers With some of the most spacious suites in the city and a prime midtown location on Fifth Avenue, The Langham is a favoured address of visiting dignitaries, NBA teams (in town to play at nearby Madison Square Garden), and those who enjoy luxury paired with convenience. Many of the room configurations have features that will appeal to longer-stay guests, including furnished terraces, kitchenettes, washer/dryers and Empire State Building views. Michelin-starred Ai Fiori restaurant features chef Michael White's French and Italian cuisine, with various prix fixe menus representing good value. Just one block away you'll find Macy's and many other shops in 34th Street-Herald Square area. Also within easy walking distance: Times Square, Bryant Park, the main New York Public Library branch and Grand Central Station. From $US600 a night (excluding taxes). 400 5th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 695 4005. See Park Lane Perfect for: Couples, Central Park views, nightlife Park Lane New York on Central Park South (aka Billionaires' Row) was completely reimagined during the pandemic pause, with a thoughtful renovation that respects and integrates the building's 1960s architectural heritage. Take the rooftop lounge and cocktail bar, Darling, with its 'pinch-me' views of Central Park: once the penthouse apartment of developers Harry and Leona Helmsley, it's now a luxe watering hole with weekend DJs and decor that hints at chic mid-century Miami. The 47-storey property, run by Highgate, has 610 rooms. It's across the street from Central Park and a short walk to Columbus Circle, Lincoln Center and Fifth Avenue stores. From $US450 a night (excluding taxes). 36 Central Park South, New York. Phone: +1 212 371 4000. See Moxy NYC Times Square Perfect for: Young and young at heart, mid-range budgets, central location If you're going to stay in the busy Times Square precinct, embrace the fun factor. Moxy Times Square is part of Marriott's millennial-friendly brand, with Instagram-ready neon signs, provocative sculptures and a very popular rooftop bar, Magic Hour. The 600-plus rooms are playful, colourful and cool, using clever design to maximise small spaces. Common areas include the lobby bar, co-working spaces and a brasserie, Legasea, which has good happy hour deals. Located at the southern end of Times Square, the hotel is close to Macy's on 34th Street and lots of subway connections. (There are five other Moxy hotels throughout the city.) From $US234 a night (excluding taxes). 485 7th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 212 967 6699. See Pod Brooklyn Perfect for: Bargain hunters, singles, social types In hotel parlance the rooms are 'compact', which is to say they're small, but who goes to New York to spend time in their room anyway? Ultramodern, functional and located in trendy Williamsburg, Pod Brooklyn is also very affordable, a rarity in the city. Surrounded by cafes, bars and shops, the hotel's 249 rooms are based on Japanese pod hotel design. We suspect there was also some IKEA inspo. The lobby is playful (note the giant Jenga sculpture), while the mezzanine lounge is a comfy space to work or wait for check-in time. If there's no availability at this property, try the Pod hotels in three other NYC locations. From $US135 a night. 247 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 844 763 7666. See The Rockaway Hotel Perfect for: Beach lovers, surfers, return visitors to NYC The rumours are true: New York City has some decent beaches and an emerging surf culture. The beaches like those found in the Rockaways, Queens, can't compete with Aussie sand and surf – and they're freezing for most of the year – but can be a fun getaway from the concrete jungle. If you go, stay somewhere nice: The Rockaway Hotel is the first upscale accommodation to be built in the Rockaways in over a century. It's quickly gained traction as a stylish retro clubhouse for the community's surf, art and music scene. There's a deluxe spa, a popular rooftop bar and seaside fare in Margie's, the signature restaurant. Rooms are bright and fresh, with windows that open to let in the sea breeze. From $US290 a night. 108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Queens. Phone: +1 718 474 1216. See The Gansevoort Perfect for: LGBTQI travellers, art and design enthusiasts, party people The Gansevoort first opened in 2004, when Sex and the City was helping rebrand the formerly rough-and-tumble Meatpacking District into somewhere as cool as a Cosmopolitan, and it's recently had a multi-million-dollar renovation. The new-look 186 guestrooms are modern and stylish, with ombre wallpaper, subway tile in the bathrooms, Google Nest Hubs and Mirror gyms. Many overlook the Hudson River. The neighbourhood is now one of the most sophisticated in the city, home to drawcards like the High Line, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Little Island and Chelsea Market. Bars, restaurants and nightlife at the hotel and in the surrounding area reflect the energy of visitors and locals who know how to have fun. From $US465 a night (excluding taxes). 18 9th Avenue, New York. Phone: +1 877 426 7386. See 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Perfect for: Eco-conscious travellers, trendsetters, Brooklyn base Sustainability meets chic design at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, where eco-conscious decor has been created by local artists with native greenery and reclaimed objects. There's not a plastic bottle in sight. Guests enjoy a prime DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge waterfront base, with spectacular views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. (A sister hotel is located near Central Park.) With so much of New York's action now taking place in Brooklyn, it's a smart choice to stay in the borough for at least part of your visit. Make the most of the hotel's cinema room, plunge pool, rooftop bar and all-natural Bamford Spa before venturing out. From $US375 a night (excluding taxes). 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn. Phone: +1 347 696 2500. See Hotel Indigo, Lower East Side Perfect for: Hipsters, nightlife, lower Manhattan access The Lower East Side is lit, as the kids say. One of the coolest and edgiest neighbourhoods in Manhattan, it's a bustling jumble of nightlife, boutiques, restaurants, bars and century-old tenement buildings. On Ludlow Street is Hotel Indigo, an IHG property with a focus on modern design, street art and local characters. In fact, the 14th-floor lobby is decorated with outsized snapshots of LES history. The aesthetic could be described as warm industrial. Yes, there's a lot of concrete and steel, but there's also exposed red brick, reclaimed wood and premium Frette sheets. The hotel's rooftop bar and restaurant, Mr Purple, is well worth a look. A sister property in Williamsburg boasts one of the city's best rooftop pools (day passes can be purchased), and excellent modern African cuisine at Continent Brooklyn. From $US 239 a night (excluding taxes). 171 Ludlow Street, New York. Phone: +1 212 237 1776. See Ace Hotel Perfect for: Young and young-at-heart, creative types, pet-friendly At this hip midtown hotel, housed in a turn-of-the-century landmark building, the lobby is the social gathering hub. A rotating roster of events for guests and visitors are held there in the evenings – art exhibitions, DJ nights, LGBTQI mixers – while during the day, it's a productive space for working or networking. Rooms range from small bunk accommodations to spacious lofts that feel more like apartments, all decked out in signature monochrome hues with retro accessories. Call it an upscale flea-market aesthetic, courtesy of the vintage record turntables, acoustic guitars and trunks-as-coffee-tables. Boro Hotel Perfect for: Urban explorers, mid-range budgets, Manhattan views If you're a repeat visitor to NYC and feel confident navigating the subway, you might want to consider accommodation beyond Manhattan. Long Island City in Queens is just two subway stops from midtown and has one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline. It's where you'll find Boro Hotel, a stylish boutique property with 108 spacious loft-like rooms (thanks to 10-foot ceilings) featuring big bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. Most rooms have balconies or terraces, with views that usually cost a lot more than the nightly rate you'll pay here. The on-site restaurant, Beebe's, serves satisfying pizza, pasta and small plates.
News18
20-05-2025
- General
- News18
Why India Needs A Museum Of Hindu Art
Last Updated: Like the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Hinduism's influence also needs to be contextualised and presented to the world—and to Hindus too Qatar is even more in the spotlight because of the ongoing talks there on the Gaza issue, but with the World Museum Day just gone by, it is also worthwhile to see the implications of the spectacular Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. As an exposition of the apparent grandeur and breadth of Islamic endeavour in the arts, the museum offers a very eloquent counter to the impression that the religion and its adherents have scarce respect for or interest in this field. However, visitors cannot help but notice that many of the exhibits are not Islamic at all but pre-Islamic. Once upon a time that chronology would have been enough to deem them un-Islamic in the eyes of the faithful, but there are clearly cleverer minds at work nowadays than the preachers of doctrinaire Islam that led the Taliban to blow up the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan in 2001 and also loot and destroy around 2,750 antiquities at the Kabul Museum. That led many around the world to fear for the future of all antiquities in museums in Islamic countries as well the safety of pre-Islamic architectural and cultural heritage sites in territories in their control. Something had to be done to reassure the world that all those within the Islamic world were not inevitable 'iconoclasts' when it came to art that did not conform to its strict tenets. Setting up institutions that would help control the narrative became an imperative. Thanks to the deep coffers of the Qatari dynasty, smart money was invested in collecting not only 'Islamic art' but also 'art from the Islamic world' (past and present) for the Museum of Islamic Art—designed by the legendary IM Pei—in 2008. It now contains a magnificent, varied body of work, even from countries like India and Spain that are no longer ruled by Muslim dynasties, thereby making a very persuasive case for the beneficial impact of Islam. Laying claim to the aesthetics and artistic output of all regions that once had Muslim rulers as 'Islamic Art" is a bit of a stretch because it's nearly impossible to assess the influence of the religion specifically. But showing how much Islamic artists were inspired by the regions' pre-Islamic art forms—which necessitated buying up many rare examples of both genres—counters the belief that Islam swamped or suppressed many local traditions as it expanded. The Doha museum's stated aim is 'to celebrate Islamic art and civilisation, fostering cultural understanding and global dialogue" and it indeed offers a very alluring picture. Especially since the 'civilisational' angle has been a prickly issue with Christians propounding a similar narrative. The Hagia Sophia's journey from 6th century church to mosque to museum back to mosque in 2020 in Istanbul, for example, points to their tussle for civilisational superiority. Art's connection to religion, and their role in a civilisation has for long been very successfully expounded by the Christian world, with many of the landmarks of human advancement linked to it. Both the Renaissance and the Reformation—periods that saw great progress in the arts—challenged and renewed interest in the Christian faith and thus cannot be excised from its remarkable cultural legacy. Thus, positing Islam as a similar force is a bold initiative. There is no comparable single museum of Christian art, considering that religion reached all five permanently populated continents (Islam has not yet managed to establish control over the two Americas) and certainly altered and affected the cultures of all those places. Perhaps the current rules of political correctness make exhibiting honestly how Christianity impacted the regions where it holds sway a very tough call. Billionaire financiers would also be chary. A large part of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem is devoted to Jewish art and the Wolfson Museum of Jewish Art focuses on the Jewish Diasporic Heritage, Judaica, and the evolution of art from the Second Temple period to the present, including contemporary art. There is also the Jewish Museum in New York, Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme in Paris, and the Jewish Museum in Berlin. But none have the grand sweep of Doha's Islamic art museum. Buddhism, surprisingly, also does not have a mega museum devoted to how it has impacted art and aesthetics across the world, although such a project would not be constrained by political correctness apprehensions. China has approached it tangentially via its Silk Road initiatives but not an institution like the one in Doha. China, of course, is the only nation with the economic heft to build a Buddhist art museum on that scale—despite its Communist government. The benefit of conflating itself with the enormous reach of Buddhism in what it considers its special sphere of influence—South-East and East Asia—makes a Museum of Buddhist Art by and in China almost inevitable. Although, logically, India should be the venue, not only because Buddhism spread from here to the rest of the world but also because it has a sizable collection of Buddhist art already in museums around the country that can be tapped. But while all these other religions have many nations that can host museums on their impact on the arts, only one country can be the venue for an exposition of the artistic impact of Hinduism: India. As there is now a serious relook at the decades of academic work on the perceptions and earlier misconceptions about Hinduism, this is the perfect time to set up a grand Museum of Hindu Art, not hiding behind the broader word 'Indian" fearing criticism. Using the same principle as the museum in Doha, it would also include regions that were once under Hindu rule as part of its sweep. That would mean going beyond the boundaries of Akhand Bharat to include most of South-East Asia, parts of Central Asia—and even West Asia, including the definite effect of Hindu astronomy and mathematics on the cultures there. There is evidence of past Hindu influence on even Oman, Bahrain, Yemen including temples. Apart from what the world may learn from such a museum, it would also be of immense help to tell Hindus in India—and elsewhere too—about the actual ambit of their religion and the visible (and some now-invisible) impact it has had on the arts, and aesthetics of those areas and vice versa. Right now much of the academic and cultural discourse on art centres on the Buddhist and Islamic influence on 'Indian' aesthetics, thereby constricting the scope of Hindu art. A museum that not only traces its evolution but compares and contrasts the interactions of Hindu art with those of other regions and religions would be an eye-opener. Especially if it could be showcased in an iconic receptacle speaking an international idiom (not colonial or revivalist), encapsulating the links between Hinduism's vast and diverse past history in fine and decorative arts and its current status. India needs a modern temple to Hinduism's art heritage. The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 20, 2025, 11:08 IST News opinion Opinion | Why India Needs A Museum Of Hindu Art
Tatler Asia
13-05-2025
- Tatler Asia
The great Egyptian adventure: exploring Egypt's ancient grandeur
Above The upper deck of Set Nefru is where most meals are served, as you sail on the Nile Thus began the planning of the trip for my group of adventurous friends. My tip is to work with a reputable travel company such as Scott Dunn when crafting the itinerary. The Nile cruise being the keystone of the journey, I booked a three-night stay on the five-cabin yacht for our group of ten. Then I began planning the days before and after the cruise to complete the trip. Getting to Egypt is quite easy today. The Middle East carriers fly from Manila to their hubs and then onto Cairo. We chose to take Qatar Airways, even spending an entire day in Doha to do a pre-game visit. We went to the Museum of Islamic Art, the final project realised by IM Pei, and to the National Museum of Qatar by Jean Nouvel. After a day of museum culture and a lovely Lebanese lunch, we headed back to the airport to continue on our journey to Egypt. Cairo Inbound Above The view from the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan Cairo is the gateway for most visits to Egypt. It is a city of 22 million people, a vibrant metropolis with layers of history everywhere you look. We chose to stay at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza, recently renovated, which overlooks the Nile and is well situated close to downtown Cairo. On our first day, we headed out towards Giza to visit the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum. The museum's opening had been delayed for years, and we were fortunate to visit when it was finally open. The GEM is said to have a collection of 120,000 antiquities. Walking through the museum, the quality and quantity of ancient objects that are displayed are truly astounding. Our guide was an Egyptologist who spent years studying her people's history, and relayed to us facts and stories that helped navigate the sheer volume of artefacts around us. Photo 1 of 4 The Grand Pyramid of Giza extant for 4500 years Photo 2 of 4 The group with the spectacular temple of Abu Simbel built by Rameses II Photo 3 of 4 The author walking through the glorious ruins of Kom Ombo Photo 4 of 4 The group in the well preserved Temple of Esna After the museum, we proceeded to Khufu's, a nearby restaurant for lunch. I was expecting a tourist trap, but was pleasantly surprised to be proven wrong. The restaurant had a gorgeous outdoor terrace with the most magnificent view of the pyramids. We dined on Egyptian fare such as mezze and tagines, including a delectable dish of stuffed pigeon. Days later, we found out that Khufu's is ranked as one of the top five restaurants in the Middle East/North Africa. Energised by lunch, we then headed off to visit the pyramids. As expected, there were many tourists within the pyramid complex, creating a cacophony of sounds and scents. But the enormous size of the grand pyramid and its massive stone blocks were what struck me. The peak of the pyramid appeared to be as tall as a 40-storey building. As a builder myself, it boggled my mind to think how this gargantuan structure could have been built over 4,600 years ago. Our tour operator had arranged a private tour of the Great Sphinx. We were led through a metal gate and we walked down to the paws of the Sphinx. All other visitors were fenced off a considerable distance away. Our guide gave a talk about the Sphinx, with us standing right below the head, and for about an hour, we had it all to ourselves. It felt both surreal and exciting to be in such proximity to this ancient mythical icon. More from Tatler: Escape the heat: 9 cool-climate places in Southeast Asia Abu Simbel Above The distinctive hieroglyphs have lasted for millennia because of the dry climate of Egypt The next day, we took an early morning flight to Abu Simbel, close to the border with Sudan. It is a historic site composed of two massive rock cut temples on the bank of Lake Nasser. These temples were built by Ramesses II in the 13th century BC. Again, the scale and beauty of these monuments are simply astonishing. We wandered into the temple interiors and admired the hieroglyphs that have been there for thousands of years. As I walked through these monuments, I also noticed very old graffiti carved into the stone, such as Gordon 1804, Drovetti 1816, JW Amberg 1898 . Seeing these inscriptions made me realise that I am among a long line of travellers who have made pilgrimages to these sacred sites. Above The original pigments at Temple of Esna were preserved for thousands of years, possibly because they were covered in layers of soot Above Shera Tiu walks through ruins of Karnak What I did not know prior to visiting Abu Simbel was that the complex was relocated in 1968 to higher ground to avoid being submerged by the higher waters of Lake Nasser created by the Aswan High Dam. A multinational team of archaeologists and engineers under the Unesco banner worked together to cut, dismantle, lift and reassemble the stone monument in a new location 65 metres higher and 200 metres back from the lake, in one of the greatest archaeological engineering challenges in history. It cost the equivalent of US$400 million and took four years to build. From Abu Simbel we ventured towards Aswan, where we stayed at the Old Cataract Hotel. This historic property was built in 1899 by Thomas Cook to house European travellers to Aswan. The hallways are decorated with portraits of its illustrious visitors such as Tsar Nicholas II, Winston Churchill, Howard Carter, Princess Diana and Agatha Christie. Christie set portions of her novel Death on the Nile at the hotel and a large suite is named after her. Set Nefru Above The group exploring the artistic remnants of Ancient Egypt At Aswan we embarked on Set Nefru and began what would be the highlight of the trip. Most of our meals were served on the deck. Our journey began with a beautiful lunch served on a lovely table setting with locally crafted ceramics and embroidered linens. The cabins below deck were elegantly appointed with Egyptian cotton sheets and vintage pieces and featured en suite bathrooms. And so began our leisurely cruise on the Nile. Each day started with a lovely breakfast buffet served on deck. As we were travelling in winter, early mornings could be quite chilly, so we would be bundled up and warmed up with coffee as we had our morning meal. As we enjoyed breakfast, the yacht would proceed to sail to our next destination, and we would stop at a historic monument such as the Kom Ombo temple. We would then disembark, walk ten minutes to the temple, and our Egyptologist would proceed to guide us through the monument. Above The sun rises on the Nile After an hour or two, we would return to the boat, and a delectable lunch would be served, and we would cruise further along the Nile. In the afternoon, we would make another stop, perhaps at another temple or to visit a village. Then we would head back to the boat for an aperitivo or a nap if one desired. In the evening, dinner would be served in the cosy salon, and after dining, we'd be given the option to screen a classic film. It was certainly something to be watching Death on the Nile, as you were cruising on the Nile. Over the next few days and nights, we settled into this gentle rhythm of leisurely travel. This must have been close to what it was like to travel in Egypt a hundred years ago. It was this transportive nature of the cruise that was just so magical. No traffic, no obligations, no deadlines. We were simply gliding between the banks of the Nile, ensconced on a beautiful old boat with a wonderful group of friends, waiting to experience yet another magnificent monument. Al Moudira Above The lobby at the spectacular Al Moudira After three days on Set Nefru, it was time to end our cruise. We had such a delightful time on the yacht that it was difficult to leave the vessel. We could easily have spent another day or two on board, but the show had to go on, and so we ventured into Luxor. Our next home was a spectacular hotel called Al Moudira. This property was the creation of a Lebanese-Italian woman named Zeina Aboukheir. Her exquisite taste and hard work resulted in an oasis of tranquillity on the west bank of Luxor. The resort was designed in a mix of North African, Ottoman and Mediterranean styles and extensively landscaped with beautiful local plants and trees. We had booked a five-bedroom villa with expansive rooms, our pool and a butler at our service. The food at Al Moudira is superbly executed, using their farm to provide vegetables, dairy, poultry and more. There were three restaurants on site, and all of them were excellent. Every night, the restaurant manager would set up a special table for us each in the various restaurants. On one special night of my wife Kim's birthday, we dined at the Winter Garden. Entertainment was provided by Egyptian musicians and a Sufi dancer who surprised us with a spectacular spinning glow light costume. The kitchen even made a birthday cake for Kim in the form of the Great Pyramids. Above A private visit at Tut Ankh Hamun's tomb in Valley of the Kings With Al Moudira as our base, we explored Luxor. On our first morning, we set forth towards the Valley of the Kings. Again, our tour operator arranged for a special access, this time to King Tut Ankh Amun's tomb. As we drove into the complex at dusk, we saw many tourists leaving. Our group of ten were the only visitors remaining in the complex. We entered the tomb and walked down a narrow passageway. Suddenly, there we were, literally face to face with the mummy of Tutankhamun. I didn't know that his mummy would be there, feeling surreal to be so close to someone I had only read about in history books. Without hordes of tourists jostling around us, the experience was truly solemn and significant. We spent a few more days in Luxor, visiting other places such as Queen Hatshepsut's temple. Some of us went shopping at a local alabaster shop, others attended an Egyptian cooking class at a popular restaurant downtown. On the last day, however, we decided to just relax and enjoy Al Moudira. There was a small boutique hotel that members of our group would raid about twice a day. It carried the most beautiful locally made craft items such as ceramics, alabaster, Egyptian linens and the like. The poor shopkeeper was subject to all ten of us repeatedly visiting, messing up the store and asking if he had more stock of his goods. Cairo Outbound Above Handcrafted ceramics and linens at Malaika From Luxor, we boarded our flight to Cairo for our outbound journey. We decided to stay two more nights to cap the trip with some shopping. There is a boutique called Malaika in the Zemalek district that carries an extensive selection of locally made linens and ceramics, basically the main store of the hotel boutique that we ransacked. Malaika is part of a social enterprise that was founded by Ecuadorian émigré Margarita Andrade. She founded a school that teaches embroidery to female refugees, who would then work from home to produce goods for the shop. There were also several antique shops in Downtown Cairo that we were able to visit. Everything in Egypt is astonishingly affordable—meals at good restaurants, well-made crafts in well-curated boutiques. Even antiques are inexpensive if you visit the right shops. I had imagined that one visit to Egypt would be enough, but this first trip has left me wanting to return. Apart from the places we visited, I've learnt about more destinations that I have yet to see in this fascinating country. There is the mystical Adrere Amellal at Siwa Oasis and the resort town of El Gouna on the Red Sea. But most of all, I dream of sailing once again on Set Nefru. One day, I hope to return to this magical land. NOW READ Nature therapy: 5 protected parks in Luzon for your next inspiring weekend trip The cultural wanderer's guide to Batanes 7 distinctive mid-century modern hotels in Asia for design lovers Credits
