The London NYC :

I have history at 151 West 54th Street in New York City that includes a few great stories. The first time I walked into the hotel was in 1992. U2 was doing their Zoo Tour and was playing Yankee Stadium. The band was staying at the Regal Royal, which was meticulously transformed into The London in 2007. I was meeting U2’s Road Manager Ned O’Hanlon in the lounge, which is now home to the London Bar. Ned kept me nursing my Scotch on the Rocks for quite some time, but it was all worth the wait.  Suddenly there was quite a commotion going on in the lobby. Young women calling out, " Edge. The Edge!" He and Bono had just arrived. The band’s front man B-lined it straight to the bar and sat down kitty-corner to me. He ordered a Jack Daniels on the Rocks and we sat there next to each other for a few moments trying to escape all the mayhem.

Bono looked my way and without saying a word I smiled and raised my glass to acknowledge him and he lifted his glassed and nodded too.  It was a tiny offering of respect, which he appreciated. Ned finally showed up and introduced me. Bono said, “ Yes, I know Chuck he’s a great guy.”  This kind gesture made me feel right at home.  Bono loved the old Regal Royal and mentioned that he also felt at home here. The walls in this place have good energy! Sometimes he’d sneak downstairs and play the grand piano after hours in the lounge.  He was asked to leave by someone who didn’t recognize him because he wasn’t a member of the Musicians Union.  Now that’s entertaining!

Fast-forward a few years to 2007 and 151 West 54th has been sold to the Blackstone Group and is now going through a major renovation to become The London NYC. David Collins did a spot on job transforming the space into a modern English design that will make you feel like you’re at the present Duke of Grosvenor’s private residence. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to own a state-of-the-art flat in NYC then try booking a room at the London. You will not be let down in the least.

Our London Suite: Rates from: $299/night
All the rooms at The London NYC are suites. The hotel has 54 floors and the upper stories offer the best peeking views of Central park. The 500 square foot residence-style corner suites facing south offer the best privacy. This is because they were built as stacked stand-alone accommodations that deliver full-length front to back views with only one shared wall in the guest bedroom.

Bar and Living Room:

My room had a long hallway with windows facing 54th Street and a chic full-service bar. This setup was perfect for entertaining. As you entered the living room at the end of the hallway you couldn’t help being delighted. It was elegantly furnished with a modern chic curved sofa, coffee table and a modern desk equipped to conduct business from. You can even make all the complimentary phone calls to London, England you want from the in-room phones. The southern facade had spectacular views facing downtown and the northeast exposure had peeking views of Central Park through electronically controlled drapes. The room is spectacular!

Master Bedroom:

The bedroom is accessed through a set of high quality 2 ¼” thick double doors that dampen sound. Upon entering the space you’ll appreciate all the high quality appointments. I especially liked the electronic shades that blocked out all the ambient light and the luxurious king sized bed, which offered the best night sleep. The air-conditioning ventilation was quite and didn't interfere with the flat screen TV at low volume.

Closets:
The closets were a little funky because they didn't have traditional doors. Your garments and shoes are visible from any vantage point in the room. For those of you who love to shop this setup might be just the ticket you are looking for. After all, what could be better than waking up in the morning to a closet full of Chanel and Gucci. You wouldn't have to carry those shopping bags very far. The London NYC is only a stone’s throw from some of the best shopping on the planet!

My Bathroom:
The bathroom was luxurious. The layout is similar to what you'd expect on a  luxury mega yacht. It's designed to be efficient and not take up any unnecessary space.  Enjoying a fully equipped Waterworks® bathroom, which included an oversized shower with dual rain showers could have been a giant let down, but it wasn't. The water pressure was amazing ....