After our initial stop during our fall road-trip, I was excited to be heading back to NYC. There is just so much to discover and explore – it never gets old!

Here is a summary of the couple days we spent in Big Apple with new addresses – a bit more fashion oriented this time … I know you like that !

 

Room with a view

We stayed in the Midtown area of Manhattan : with its central location (35th avenue not far from Fashion avenue), the Renaissance New York Midtown hotel was perfect for a mix of both fashion and culture oriented visits.

Our room on the 33rd floor and its view of the Manhattan skyscrapers won us over at first glance (who wouldn’t be?).

The room was functional and confortable with its big soft bed. We took full advantage of it and opted for breakfast in our room one morning!

It was a gear choice because it was the most original room service breakfast I ever had !

The tray is made of recycled cardboard and the food is served in “take away” boxes with “Drink me” and “Eat me” written on them : it felt like Alice” had extended her Wonderland all the way to New York !

 

Rock & Reilly’s

The next day we had breakfast at “Rock and Reilly’s”, the hotel’s irish restaurant : i wasn’t expecting such generous portions! (It’s a different kitchen than for room service).

It was ll extremely yummy. Too bad the rain prevented us from enjoying this all outside! There is a lovely covered patio for the nicer days . You can’t always have it all!

 

Cocktail at the Thread bar lounge

Daniel, the hotel Navigator offered I take a little cocktail lesson at the Thread Bar Lounge, next to the lobby.

Since I drink very little, I observed (and admired the barmens’ handicraft) more than I tasted (and then ordered a non alcoholic cocktail with cucumber and kale : so healthy!) Amateurs should really enjoy this, especially since the drinks come with delicious little dishes.

 

Fashion tour

The hotel, along with the Navigator services, also has a virtual concierge “Minority Report” style – that allows you to find your way in the area and gives you all the good addresses for boutiques and restaurants.

Such a good idea, I had so much fun with it haha!

 

THE MUSEUM AT FIT ( 227 W 27th Street)

Patrick Kelly (F/W 1986) et Duro Olowu (Fall 2012) creations

Daniel recommended we visit the “Black Fashion designers” exhibition right next to the hotel in the museum at FIT. It was free access and allowed me to update my fashion culture and discover new talents that aren’t well known enough!

 

DOVER STREET MARKET NEW YORK (160 Lexington Avenue)

Rei Kawakubo‘s famous concept store that I had loved in Tokyo for its great selection of the Comme des Garçons brand.

Just like in Tokyo a great number of designers are exhibited – probably more as inspiration (prices are a bit steep) bit it’s a great way to see in 7 floors all the most original and creative things that fashion has to offer at the moment.

Sneakers Converse x Play Comme des Garçons

I did end up leaving with a pair of sneakers (as did my SO)!

 

…and more !

GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM (1071 5th Avenue)

I had skipped the cultural side of New York during my last visit, I finally caught up and visited the Guggenheim museum, with its perfect aethetics and architecture.

I loved the way the Kandinsky, Delaunay, Mondrian, Calder and other artists were presented on each spiraling floor. Quite the wow-effect on all levels.

“Circular forms” by Robert Delaunay

 

CENTRAL PARK at springtime

Central Park at this time of the year is pretty magical : cherry blossoms are everywhere, which gives the park a whole new poetic side !

 

MOMOFUKU MILK BAR (561 Columbus Avenue)

Not far from Central Park, I had to try this ice cream I’ve been seeing everywhere on Instagram : so creamy, topped with cornflakes and colorful sprinkles . A bit too sugary for my taste but it is still worth trying out (Taiyaki NYC is still my favorite !)

 

THE HIGHLINE and CHELSEA MARKET

A walk along the High Line (once again, right by the hotel) is a great way to burn off all those ice cream related calories.

it’s also a really pleasant walk along the train tracks – the whole area is pretty green (they are really trying to preserve the plants in the area).

After a 30mn walk, we arrive in the Meatpacking district and Chelsea Market.

Lots of little designers and vintage boutiques are exposing in the “Flea Market” and you’ll find plenty of food stalls.

 

FREEMANS ( Freeman Alley)

Another address recommended by Daniel the Navigator (who really should open a blog !) hidden away in a little alley, and that offers American food in a very simple form : thyme trout, lamb with kale and what must be an amazing brunch and pancakes with the number people who show up during the weekend.

Delicious “Artichoke dips” for starter

It was too dark inside for pictures, but at least that way it’ll be a surprise if you go ! You can make a reservation, but if you arrive early (and take a picture of the storefront while waiting) it should be fine.

So here it is! I’ve told you all about my stays in Montréal and New York ! I hope it’ll have inspired you for your next travels. In the meantime, I’m back in France, working on my computer … not quite as fun! (English translation by Marine)

 

(Follow @renhotels on Instagram and use #BusinessUnusual when you’re travelling)
This is a promoted post and was made in collaboration with Renaissance hotels.

A few weeks ago, against all appearances, I left for a working trip to Montréal and New York. Thanks to Renaissance Hotels, I was tasked with creating a photography feature for a magazine (I’ll say more about it when the issue comes out).

 

Business Unusual

The frontier between work and pleasure is often blurred when I take on this type of mission (especially since I got to go with my SO), and this state of mind is very much the one of Renaissance Hotels (which I discovered last winter in Hamburg).

It’s perfect for me since my illustration work is also along a similar line of project : it’s all about enjoying your work and maximising business travel.

 

See you later Navigator !

These hotels, thanks to their Navigators (you know, this concierge with millions of good tips), allow you to discover the city under a new and more personal angle. I had already been to Montréal 2 times, but had never stayed long enough to discover all its secrets.

This time it was a quick stay as well, but with a myriad of discoveries – both touristic, gastronomic and unusual. I’ll try and resume my stay in Montréal in this one post, with lots of great addresses. I hope it’ll inspire you!

 

Like at home

The Quebecers were, as usual, incredibly friendly. So it is without much surprise that I found the same friendliness at Renaissance Montréal Downtown Hotel.

To chill in the lobby…

 

Even just the lobby, with its big leather sofa, bookcases and unexpected swings makes you want to curl up and enjoy the place.

… or in our room?

 

In our room, a modern decoration, colourful and welcoming, with a minimalist fresco by Quibe above the bed, and a mirror that fashion experts would probably be very envious of.

Breakfast, be it served via room service or in the dining room, is delicious. I especially enjoyed the berry pancakes with the vanilla twist. Probably the best I’ve ever had so far.

East Egg Benedict (with salmon and croissant!)

The breakfast in East restaurant

On the roof-top, a swimming pool opens up as soon as the weather allows, and there is a bar with a view where ice-hockey fans like to gather.

 

The East Restaurant

The hotel’s restaurant is a hommage to Asia’s most popular dishes, with Yusheng salad (with 32 ingredients!), dim sum, sashimi and other yeast dumplings.

Yuzu bliss and taro cheesecake

We really enjoyed the food the first night we arrived. And the pastries are pretty awesome as well, like the taro cheesecake or the well-named Yuzu Bliss.

 

The Navigator’s recommendations

Following the Navigator’s advice, we discovered Montreal in different ways : vintage, colorful, friendly and welcoming : follow me!

 

THE MILE END AREA

We spent a good amount of time in this bohemian area, with it’s vintage boutiques, vinyl stores, and very Instagram-able libraries and cafés. Here are a couple of addresses if you want to have fun browsing in that part of town.

 

ARTS CAFÉ (201 Avenue Fairmount O):  perfect for a matcha latte while listening to “Smalltown boy” straight from the eighties.

 

CARDINAL TEAROOM (5326 Bvd St-Laurent) : English tearoom for those of you that enjoy pretty tableware, club sandwiches and warm scones.

 

LIBRAIRIE DRAWN & QUATERLY (211 Rue Bernard) : it used to be a Canadian comic-book publishing house. You’ll find quite the selection of comic-books, but also culinary/fashion/decoration magazines.

 

ANNEX VINTAGE (56 Rue Saint Viateur) : stationery, vintage accessories and clothes.

 

SUNRISE CAFE & COLLECTIONS (54 Rue Saint Viateur) : both a decoration and fashion shop and a café.

 

VERTUOSE (5409 Bvd St-Laurent) : a boutique with lots of green plants, cactus and very cute tiny pots. Too bad it’s not the sort of purchase that travels well.

 

PLATEAU MONT ROYAL’S COLOURFUL HOUSES

You can stroll in the streets of Plateau Mont-Royal and admire the architecture of these colourful houses. Note this surprising rainbow house in Bullion street – probably the most photographed of all.

After the stroll, stop at the BLUEBOY (1P1, 150 Mont-Royal Avenue E), a shop that specializes in homemade frozen yogurt, made with creative flavours, such as tomato-basil, coco-lime, mojito, but also more classical options – you can add fruity or chocolate-y toppings.

A Frozen yogurt stop

To make it even yummier, you can opt for a side of churros.

 

LITTLE BURGUNDY

ATWATER Market (138 avenue Atwater) : this art-deco building houses all the stalls where local farmers sell their treasures : maple syrup in all its forms (butter, candy, cake, flakes), flowers, meat and fish.

 

Le VIN PAPILLON (2519 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest) : to keep up with the local product vibe, here’s a great address for those who like good wine and good food.

I said it already : I’m no expert when it comes to alcohol – I only tolerate it in very small amounts.

Croque-Mackerel , Fried gnocchi with sturgeon cream and smoked carrots eclair

 

Here you’ll find tapas with regional products, served with a glass of wine. I don’t know if it’s because of the quality of the wine (thanks to Alex who was with us that evening – a Quebecer who studied in Bourgogne and a wine expert), but I especially enjoyed the synergy between the food and the wine (all in moderation of course!).

Ham and cheddar

Smoked carrots eclair

 

Everything was absolutely delicious – these fried gnocchis with sturgeon cream and cheddar ham are still in my dreams.

 

SPA-SUR-L-EAU BOTA BOTA

To finish our stay in style, here’s a great address for an unusual relaxation option in Montréal. This boat houses a spa where you hop on for a couple hours or for the day : massage packs can be booked for a complete relaxation.

We didn’t have quite enough time for the whole experience, but I enjoyed the dip in the heated pool (37°C!). .

Tradition would require us to alternate between a cold pool (10°C, with a full immersion, head included) and the heated pool/sauna, in order to open the pores and invigorate the tissues, but I decided to just go for the “softening” of my tissues in the heated pool, knowing that outside, the temperature was only 10°C anyway!

Apparently the contrast is even better in the wintertime when there is snow!

 

So here’s a recap of my Montréal stay. I hope you enjoyed it! I really had fun, and hope to discover even more of the city during my next stay.

We’ll meet up again very soon for my re-discovery of New York, and new addresses and experiences! Enjoy the end of your week! (English translation by Marine)

 

(Follow @renhotels on Instagram and use #BusinessUnusual when you’re travelling)
This is a promoted post and was made in collaboration with Renaissance hotels.