It is 40 years since graphic designer Milton Glaser scribbled an ‘I heart NY' logo on a napkin in the back of a yellow taxi.

At the time Manhattan and her fellow boroughs were not in a pretty place: debt, crime and grime meant a serious image problem and visitors were thin on the ground.

But this simple logo heralded an about turn in the city's fortunes and façade, and over the next four decades the ‘Big Apple' went on to become the most popular destination on the planet.

The Brits, especially, ‘heart' NY: with more than one million of us crossing the pond to visit every year.

And British Airways loves the city enough to add another NY-LON route, launching a daily afternoon flight from London Gatwick to JFK this month. Which seems like a brilliant excuse to explore the city that never sleeps, and find some new NY spots to ‘heart'.

MailOnline writer and founder of the Detox|Retox blog Toni Jones, has been in love with New York for almost 20 years, shopping, spa'ing, drinking, dancing and eating her way around Manhattan and beyond for work and play. Here she reports on two new destinations to discover in NYC this summer.




It is 40 years since graphic designer Milton Glaser scribbled an 'I heart NY' logo on a napkin in the back of a yellow taxi

Midtown

Previously, the area of Manhattan from 14th Street to 59th Street had a reputation as an after-hours no-man's-land for anyone remotely hip. But things change fast in NY and uptown isn't as uptight as it used to be.




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For first timers the skyscrapers, suits, fast food and flashing neon are a quintessential Manhattan experience, and having Broadway, MoMa, Times Square, the Rockerfeller Centre, Carnegie Hall and some of the city's best shopping within blocks of each other makes it a brilliant base to explore the city.

And new arrivals on the block, including the Ace and Viceroy hotels, are making Midtown a destination worth exploring for the more experienced Manhattanite too, adding spice and style, and some might even say (whisper it) fun.

Midtown - sleep




Swanky: The Viceroy hotel in New York combines Mad Men interiors (dark wood, lots of leather, scented candles for JetBlack sexy time and low, lovely lighting) with Manhattan mod cons





In the mix: The Viceroy's top-floor bar is an eye-catching place to sip a cocktail, but make sure you step out onto the terrace for the view





Clean lines: The best rooms at the Viceroy have bathrooms with magnificent views and huge walk-in showers





Grill seeking: The Viceroy's Kingside restaurant does jet-lag-beating fodder and juices - and doesn't look too shabby, either





Tall order: The Viceroy is a minnow by New York standards - but still affords amazing views of Central Park, especially from the rooftop bar







Only in New York would a 29-storey hotel be referred to as ‘boutique', but compared to her traditional, towering neighbours, Viceroy has the style and vibe of a cool little sister, featuring loft-inspired design you might see in Tribeca, and cocktails that all the bearded boys on the Lower East Side are mixing.

The rooms combine Mad Men interiors (dark wood, lots of leather, scented candles for sexy time and low, lovely lighting) with Manhattan mod cons (rain showers, posh products, whizzy Wi-Fi and full-length mirrors for those all important selfies).

Downstairs a 24-hour gym, breakfast crumpets at the Kingside restaurant and Liqueteria cold-press juices are on hand to help with any early morning jet lag while upstairs The Roof, with DJs and views towards the park, takes care of late night party plans.

Midtown - eat











Norma's only ever serves breakfast and brunch (open from 7am to 3pm) and this it does brilliantly, enthuses Toni





Waffling on: Toni and her group had a Waz-Za brulee-covered waffle and a wedge of Very Berry Brioche French Toast

The great thing about jet lag going from the UK to the US is that you'll be up early enough (and hungry enough) to consider a minimum of two breakfasts. And the great GREAT thing about the Viceroy is that it is right next door to the best breakfast spot in NYC: Norma's (I can say this with absolute authority because I have eaten many breakfasts in NYC, and make sure I eat here every time I visit the city: 15 trips and counting).

Norma's only ever serves breakfast and brunch (open from 7am to 3pm) and this it does brilliantly, flagrantly ignoring calorie counts and instead delighting foodies with sugar and butter-soaked concoctions like Irresistible Banana-Macadamia Nut Flapjacks, Breakfast Pizza, The Zillion-Dollar Lobster Frittata and Foie Gras Brioche.

On this occasion we shared a Waz-Za brulee-covered waffle to start (one portion between six!) before I took down a wedge of Very Berry Brioche French Toast as big as my head. I'm still smiling about it now. 

Midtown - detox

1. A visit to Norma's requires some serious post-breakfast detoxing, and just two blocks away Central Park offers an incredible slice of Big Apple life as you waddle off your Waz-Za Waffles surrounded by runners, skaters, lovers, workers, bikers and yogis (there's even ‘Bikenyoga', efficiently combining the two for time-poor New Yorkers). Central Park is a glorious must-see at any time of year and, unlike most things in New York, is totally free.

2. Not free (but totally fabulous) is the Le Parker Meridien underground wellness hall, featuring everything you need to get NY-ready including laser facials, a barbers and blow dry bar, manis and pedis, a make-up studio, wheatgrass smoothies, a super gym and the Moonshine Spa, where treatments naughtily kick off with an actual glass of moonshine (clear Canadian whisky, in case you were wondering).

3. Embracing the lag means you can start your day with an empowering and fat-burning spinning session at the famous Flywheel studio (it's actually on 60th Street, but what's one block between fitness friends?). Expect peppy, energetic American-types whooping and cheering even in the 6am class (nb it's dark and the music is loud so at least they can't see or hear you swear back).

Midtown - retox




Tribeca steak place American Cut has opened a new post uptown (pictured) offering 'serious booze' and 'insane cuts of cow'





Toni was impressed by how stylish the bar and the staff were at American Cut. She chose a Hendrick's-based 'Retox' cocktail from the drinks list 

1. Tribeca steak place American Cut has opened a new post uptown offering serious booze (including a ‘Retox' cocktail featuring Hendrick's, cucumber and basil) and INSANE cuts of cow in a classic NY setting. Our group of girls was impressed by the stylish bar and smart staff, and (almost) defeated by an epic porterhouse complete with cream-drenched sides.

2. Party people in this neck of the woods head to Lavo, part of the wildly glamorous TAO group. Upstairs = upscale Italian dining, downstairs = glow in the dark Dom Perignon bottles and DJs. Throughout = gorgeous young things with great boobs (not real) and rich old things with great teeth (also not real) sharing magnums of tequila.

3. A more refined way of getting a Midtown rush is afternoon tea in the lobby at the Mandarin Oriental, 50 floors above buzzing Columbus Circle. Gaze down at the city and across the park while you nibble scones and try not to get busted eyeing the impossibly glamorous hotel guests toting designer bags, dogs and diamonds.

Montauk

Far, far away from the metropolis lies a little haven in the Hamptons called Montauk. In fact, it is only about two and a half hours by car or the Jitney coach (therefore easy to squeeze into a long weekend stateside), but travelling to the seaside through the adorable Main Streets, stretches of empty beach and acres of Long Island house porn make it seem light years away from the hectic city.

As seen on your screen in shows like Revenge or The Affair, ‘sleepy' Montauk is actually (weekend) home to some of New York City's most fabulous creatures, who come here to yes sleep, but also surf, spa, show off their bikini bodies and eat great seafood.

Montauk - sleep




Gurney's (pictured) has had a facelift, revealing a fresh, clean look that belies its heritage as one of this coastline's most sought-after spots for over 90 years, said Toni





Toni said: 'The Seawater Spa at Gurney's can boast North America's only ocean-fed seawater swimming pool, as well as - brilliantly - dressing gowns with shoulder pads'





At Gurney's, said Toni, you are surrounded by the sounds and smells of the crashing waves, beautiful people and serious money





Design in the whimsical new rooms nods to seaside chic, featuring navy leather accessories, smart tiled bathrooms, reclaimed wood and 'porthole' lamps





Scarpetta restaurant (pictured) is 'a homage to all that is great about upscale Italian food'





MailOnline writer Toni Jones (pictured), said she has been in love with New York for almost 20 years, shopping, spa'ing, drinking, dancing and eating her way around Manhattan

The delightful Gurney's has, like many of it guests, undergone a facelift recently, revealing a fresh, clean look that belies its heritage as one of this coastline's most sought-after spots for over 90 years.

Design in the whimsical new rooms nods to seaside chic, featuring navy leather accessories, smart tiled bathrooms, reclaimed wood and ‘porthole' lamps. The best parts though are the private terraces overlooking the hotel's own beach and towards the roaring Atlantic Ocean

At night fire pits and strings of bulbs light the various decks as you make your way to the romantic restaurants surrounded by the sounds and smells of the crashing waves, beautiful people and serious money. 

Montauk - eat

The Italian influence in New York, and particularly Long Island, is HUGE, and Scarpetta restaurant is a homage to all that is great about upscale Italian food.

After being greeted by waiters with Sicilian accents, excellent eyebrows and an in-depth knowledge of polenta we were treated to a feast of homemade pasta, seriously fresh lobster and really rather incredible polenta (*things I never thought I would write).

Desserts, including the legendary Espresso Budini (made of coffee, caramel, biscotti and gelato) are worth saving space for. And the pre-dinner cocktails here are a thing of beauty and serious amounts of booze (god bless the seriously kind Scarpetta lighting). 

Montauk - detox

The Seawater Spa at Gurney's can boast North America's only ocean-fed seawater swimming pool, as well as - brilliantly - dressing gowns with shoulder pads. Well, who wants to feel underdressed heading to the steam room?

Treatments here tend towards the healing and relaxing kind, and euro travellers will be impressed by the Roman bath, Finnish rock sauna, Russian steam room and Swiss shower.

Guests are also able to take advantage of a well curated fitness schedule including barre, pilates and yoga classes. And, of course, the supersized sea water pool.

Montauk - retox

Immediately in front of the tranquil Seawater Spa is the not so tranquil Beach Club Montauk, where at weekends the party starts with breakfast mimosas around 9am and carries on until 6pm, (when the fun moves to the Gurney's fire pits) fuelled by lobster rolls, fresh coconuts and - of course - magnums of rose wine.


TRAVEL FACTS 

The new British Airways daily flight between London Gatwick and JFK departs LGW 16.40 (arr JFK 19.30) and departs JFK 21.55 (arr LGW 10am).

Prices start at £434 for a return economy flight. Club fares are on sale at the moment for £1,467.62. For more info visit ClubWorld.


Rooms at the Viceroy start from $381/£249 (with tax excluding breakfast) or $415/£271 (with tax and breakfast). Rooms at Gurney's Montauk start from $390.


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