Latest news with #TheGreatGatsby
Geek Tyrant
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
George R.R. Martin Slams Hollywood Screenwriters For Changing Source Material and "Making it Their Own" — GeekTyrant
If there's one thing George R.R. Martin doesn't have time for, beside writing The WInds of Winter , it's screenwriters rewriting the very stories that made them want to adapt the work in the first place. During a recent event with fellow fantasy author Joe Abercrombie, Martin opened up about what really frustrates him about the adaptation process, saying: 'Television and film are ultimately collaborative. You always have the director and the actors and of course the studio will have executives, they will give notes and all that, and you have to deal with all that, which some people do better than others.' But then he cut to the core of his rant. 'The hard part about collaborating is not so much them, but, I find – speaking only for myself here, not for Joe – is dealing with the other writers. 'They're adapting your book or your story, and they hire someone else to do it, and there's a phrase that they empower this writer to – okay, take The Great Gatsby, but make it your own. And I don't want anyone to make The Great Gatsby their own.' This must've been weighing on Martin's mind for a while. He went on to say: 'I think I may be a minority in this case here that other people don't mind that and all, but I don't think in most of the cases where a Hollywood screenwriter makes something their own that they improve it. I think [in] the majority of cases it's the opposite.' Martin's comments aren't coming out of nowhere. He's previously voiced concerns about HBO's House of the Dragon deviating from his book Fire & Blood , at one point posting on his Blog: 'There are larger and more toxic butterflies to come, if House of the Dragon goes ahead with some of the changes being contemplated for seasons 3 and 4…' It's a familiar tension: writers who create intricate, layered worlds often see those worlds or stories reshaped and rewritten when they enter the Hollywood mashine. Adaptation is one thing, but turning someone else's work into a sandbox for your own ideas isn't collaboration? Martin isn't a fan. You can catch Martin's full remarks in the event video, starting at the 35:19 mark below.
The Age
16 hours 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
16 hours 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.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Touring the Gold Coast Mansions That Inspired ‘The Great Gatsby'
In the fall of 1922, a 26-year-old F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, moved into a Mediterranean-style house on Long Island, N.Y. Their stay lasted only 18 months; a move to France would follow. But Fitzgerald's temporary abode near the North Shore, which then was a summer outpost for high society, proved worthwhile, inspiring what became his classic novel, 'The Great Gatsby,' which was published 100 years ago. Two affluent villages there, Great Neck and Sands Point, formed the basis for Fitzgerald's fictional nouveau riche West Egg and blue-blooded East Egg. Whether a balmy day of poolside debauchery or a sweaty night spent dancing in the ballroom — more likely a combination of the two — it was in and around these estates that a revolving door of socialites, politicians, financiers, actors and artists (Fitzgerald included) rendezvoused. Among the residents of the Gold Coast — a North Shore moniker evoking the opulence that existed there during the Gilded Age and Roaring '20s, through the advent of Art Deco and the dawn of American consumerism — were names synonymous with generational wealth and power: Vanderbilt, Morgan, Whitney, Roosevelt, Woolworth, Guggenheim, Pratt, Rockefeller, Belmont, Astor and Pulitzer. 'The world was based on the East Coast,' said Gary Lawrance, an architect and historian of the Gold Coast era, who documents the histories of Gilded Age mansions for his 800,000 followers online. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The real Jay Gatsby wasn't a millionaire but a Pulitzer Prize-winning Oxford graduate
Mystique surrounds the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby, the eponymous hero of the quintessential American novel. Who exactly is he, where did he come from and how did he make his fortune? In F Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, Gatsby is coy – the subject of speculation and envy. He teases those drawn towards him by never quite telling the same story twice. As in literature, so in life, for literary sleuths have long speculated over the true origins of the titular character, linking him to a range of real people from editor Herbert Bayard Swope to Max von Gerlach, a bootlegger and Long Island neighbour of Fitzgerald's who is known to have used Gatsby's signature phrase: 'old sport'. But these individuals made up only fragments of a composite character, and the initial inspiration for Gatsby has remained a mystery. Until now, that is. New research on the 100th anniversary of the publication of Fitzgerald's literary masterpiece suggests he modelled Gatsby on a friend, Robert Coffin, a Rhodes Scholar who enrolled at Oxford's Trinity College in 1916. The discovery was made by Clare Hopkins, an archivist at Trinity College, and Roger Michel, an American national and a fellow of the college. After poring through historical records, they identified Coffin as 'almost certainly the model for young Gatsby'. Coffin came from a well-known Maine seafaring family and had studied at Princeton at the same time as Fitzgerald. Moreover, he matched the author's description of Gatsby, as provided in the novel by the character Tom Buchanan, who describes a man with 'tan skin, short hair, powerful build and vacant eyes'. Coffin dropped his studies at Oxford in order to join the US army when the United States entered the First World War. But he returned to Trinity after the conflict, completing a D Litt in 1922, and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1936, cementing his place as one of the US's most celebrated poets of the time. He died in 1955. Gatsby's own time at Oxford is mentioned briefly – three times – in the novel, and Trinity itself gets a single mention. In one passage, the character describes playing cricket and shows off a photograph of himself standing with other students beneath a gateway at Trinity with 'dreaming spires' in the background. The link between the two (Coffin himself was pictured playing cricket while studying at Trinity and posing with other students in front of university buildings) was established only when Michel asked Hopkins whether any American students who had passed through the college's doors matched the description of Gatsby. She subsequently dug out a letter from Coffin to the college president and found the photographs of him and other students. 'Students leave footprints in the college, and there's a letter from him to the college president after he's left Oxford when America entered the war, saying it had been the best year of his life,' Hopkins says. The Great Gatsby 's celebration of unashamed excess captured not only the spirit of jazz-age New York, the backdrop against which the book is set, but also a broader canvas which includes the aftermath of the First World War and the US government's wish to avoid flooding the labour market by providing educational opportunities for demobbed former officers. Among the beneficiaries was Coffin himself, one of a number of ex-US servicemen given generous funding to study at Trinity, among other places. As Hopkins and Michel dug into his personal history, they began to connect the dots between Coffin (who shared a dormitory at Princeton with Fitzgerald) and Gatsby. Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, visited Oxford in 1921. Michel says it's inconceivable that they would not have spent time with Coffin during the trip – indicating that the latter may have even helped Fitzgerald revise his novel, released in 1925. 'Until now, no one seems to have done the obvious thing: check to see if the person described in Fitzgerald's novel actually existed. That is to say, were there any Americans who had served in the American Expeditionary Force during World War I, as Gatsby did, who, like Gatsby, matriculated at Trinity after the Great War?' says Michel. 'This was an extraordinary omission. The simple fact is that Fitzgerald must have learnt about the American Expeditionary Force Oxford Study Programme from someone who was knowledgeable about it, because he revised the manuscript [of The Great Gatsby ] to correct the details. We now know the person who likely provided those details and who almost certainly provided the model for young Gatsby.' Michel says Fitzgerald and Coffin's links via their alma mater bolster the argument that the former drew on the latter when crafting his novel. 'Coffin presents an especially strong case [to be the inspiration for Gatsby], as he overlapped with Fitzgerald at Princeton for the three years from 1914 to 1916. Moreover, they had both lived in Blair Hall [a Princeton dormitory] and both been members of the exclusive Cottage dining club,' he says. Given the 'strength and depth of their prior connection', he adds, 'it is inconceivable that the two men would not have connected' when the Fitzgeralds visited Oxford in 1921. The findings come as Trinity celebrated its links to The Great Gatsby with a sell-out stage performance of a stage adaptation of the novel by undergraduates this week – nodding to the remarkable turnaround in fortunes a story that generated no great wealth for Fitzgerald during his lifetime has enjoyed in the decades since. Those ties now seem stronger than ever, thanks to Hopkins and Michel. 'It's totally Gatsbyesque,' he says.
