Let's start at the beginning. Parker had been in San Diego for a conference, so we met in the middle and stayed at the Custom Hotel near LAX on Thursday night. I had booked the Park and Fly package so we could leave our car, but somehow the reservation got mixed up and there was an issue with parking- the main reason we booked the room there! Everything worked out fine, though, because the customer service team there was super helpful in making sure that we not only got a spot for our car but also were upgraded to a huge suite. Parker arrived at the hotel first and called to let me know just how great our room was (actually, it was more like, "What did you say to make them upgrade us to a room like this?" and I can tell you that honestly they were just great about making sure we were happy after the mix-up. I used to be on the receiving end of customer service phone calls so I always try to keep that in mind when things don't go according to plan). Anyway, the room was wonderful and was the size of a small apartment- two full bathrooms, a bedroom, and a living room! At night we could see the airplanes making their returns to LAX and enjoyed watching the line of other planes in the sky waiting for their turn to land.
We woke up Friday ready to go. We didn't really have anything else to do but just head to the airport and wait for our flight, so we hopped on the hotel shuttle and arrived at LAX with hours to spare. Our flight was actually delayed, so we decided to buy day passes to the Virgin America lounge. I am so glad we did that! WiFi, comfortable chairs, TV, air conditioning, snacks, and an open bar were all included in the price of the pass. (Side note: I highly recommend the Virgintini if you want to try a drink before you fly!)
Fast forward a few hours and we were finally on the plane. Parker isn't a fan of flying (I don't mind it at all), but thankfully Virgin America has live TV available to watch and WiFi (for a high price). I was pleasantly occupied by reading a new issue of The New Yorker and keeping my TV on Bravo.
The driver pulled up to Morgans Hotel New York, where we were going to be staying for the next four nights. The staff was so courteous and welcoming- even at two in the morning- and gave us our keys. We took the elevator up to the ninth floor and walked into our suite. It was love at first sight! I have to tell you, I had high expectations for this hotel and Morgans exceeded every one. We had a huge window that looked down onto Madison Avenue and looked up to the Empire State building. As I looked out the window, it really hit me that I was in New York! Both Parker and I slept so well (you never know what to expect with hotel beds) and in the morning it was nice to sit at the window and plan what we were going to do that day. I never went up to the Penthouse for breakfast until the morning we were leaving, and I regret that because it was delicious! My only criticism (and it's really more of a suggestion than a criticism), is that the mirrors in the bathroom are really high! I had to stand in front of the full-length mirror in the closet to do my makeup and the lighting wasn't as good. All vanity aside, it was one of my favorite places we've ever stayed and I would definitely stay at another Morgans hotel.
Stay tuned for part two!
1 comment:
Wow! Sounds like fun!
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