That big smile on my face? It would be because I’ve found a new Happy Place (you know it: one of the spots your mind drifts to for a moment of happy frolicking when the world all gets a bit much). Though much of New York has this effect on me, this Happy Place in particular is the rooftop terrace of the Hudson Hotel. The Clever Boyfriend and I were hooked about 2.5 seconds after arriving (after first checking we were at an actual hotel – there was a velvet rope and a queue of people in lieu of boring old signage), and over the next week proceeded to drink our usual annual cocktail consumption all over the place: the private garden… the bar… the library… but usually were to be found happily plonked on the Sky Terrace day beds to watch the sun set over the roofs of Manhattan, steady stream of strawberry mojitos in hand.
L-R: The view of Manhattan from our room, the lobby, powder rooms
Designed by Philippe Starck, it is seriously hip, chic and beautiful rolled into one, and it’s where you’ll find all the cool kids hanging out, don’t you know (and I’m sure it must be a condition of employment that staff have a modeling contract – they’re just all so distractingly beautiful, swanning around in their white bikinis).
When I got home and embarked on a weekend marathon of TV shows about rich people in New York (what? I had jetlag, and I had it bad…), I realised it wasn’t all the watermelon martinis that made the Hudson look so familiar. It had in fact been in both Gossip Girl and Sex and the City. Not that this is why you should stay there, obviously.
Oh Hudson, why can’t I be on your rooftop every night?
Views from the Happy Place (aka the rooftop Sky Terrace)
Have you ever been somewhere you just want to take home with you?
Love, Miss B xx
Ritournelle says
Your hotel looks fabulous! Thanks for the recommendation. Last time I stayed in NYC it was in a place that didn’t have much character, so next time I’ll know where to look 😉
About the places you want to take home with you, I was actually thinking today how much I miss Japan (I lived there for a year). I miss the refinement, the cherry blossom and the people.
http://ritournelleblog.wordpress.com
agirlastyle says
I absolutely share your sentiments about Japan. The Clever Boyfriend lived there for almost 3 years and every time I would visit him, I would fall a little bit more in love with the place. I would love to live there myself for a year or so (but first have to learn to speak Japanese!) – there’s just no where like it.
B xx
Erin says
Looks absolutely wonderful. Reading this post, I felt like I was there. <3
agirlastyle says
Thank you so much! I personally love reading words that transport me straight to another place, so I’m thrilled to bits that others feel this when reading mine!
B xx
Cara-Mia says
Wow! This looks amazing! Hmm I wonder what GG & SATC episodes this was in?
agirlastyle says
If you’re interested, in GG it was the episode in season 2 where Blair through a ‘Welcome home from the Hamptons’ party (where she was dating the Prince and Nate was sleeping with the Prince’s mother) – the party was at the Hudson. In SATC it was the episode (in season 6 I believe) where Samantha’s ex Richard opens his own hotel, and she cheats on Smith to go upstairs with Richard. Again, the hotel is the Hudson.
Miss B xx
Cara-Mia says
Oh, I remember both of those episodes! Must rewatch. 🙂
J. says
Wow, this looks amazing!
sarahvercoe says
the staff wear bikinis?!!!!!!
Mary says
Wow! This is beautiful! I just found your blog and I’m so happy I did! What a wonderful read 🙂
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Gorgeous picture of you B and I love that ring! W What a view too! That is a memory to definitely treasure! 🙂
Adorngirl says
why can’t I be on the rooftop every night, you lucky biayatch, oh well my balcony in Peckham will just have to do. xx
FortyNotOut says
Wow! Looks amazing and I think those are two very good reasons for staying there… well not including the watermelon martini’s! Love your cure for jetlag – will try it some day! xxx