NYC

We arrived at Jamaica Station, crossed the platform and took the train to Penn Station. As we exited the station the Hotel was a street away. 

The Radisson Martinique is one of the Historic hotels of America. 

It was built in the Beaux Arts tradition; the interior and exterior were designed by noted architect Hardenberg in the French Renaissance style. 

                  The Lobby

                 The vestibule

             The original staircase 

It was constructed in 1897 as Broadway became the centre of entertainment. It flourished in the Jazz age. Golfers take note that the PGA's charter was signed in this hotel in 1916. In the Roaring 20s, as the economy boomed,  the hotel prospered. It had two theatres and an opera houses until they were closed in the 60s.  Sylvester Stallone was among the many notables, who acted there. The cost was reasonable as NY hotels go €300 per night. The rooms are great - the only fault was a 15 minute queue to check in and out! 

It was now 10.30 am. We were unable to check in until 4pm so we left our luggage and took the nearby 'N' train to 59th and Lexington to visit Bloomingdales. It is a beautiful store but as we have so much luggage, as a result of crossing on the QM2, we had to be disciplined. 

We then adjourned to Saks off 5th but there was nothing of interest there. We continued on to 5th Ave and arrived at Central Park. 

It was a lovely sunny morning and there was great activity around the Park. We continued down 5th Ave taking in the vibrancy that is NYC. We passed Tiffany's,

The  Trump Tower (Clinton and Trump are neck and neck in the polls! Will it be another Brexit?). 

We visited Saks, 5th Ave - the shop appears to be stuck In a time warp,  when one compares it to Bloomingdales and Macys's but perhaps their clientele like it that way? On we walked passed St Patrick's cathedral and Rockefeller Centre. We diverted to Times Square 42nd and Broadway

with its multitudinous neon lights and from there continued back to the hotel to check in. 

Today is CCs birthday. He gets to celebrate his birthday in diverse locations as we are always on holidays at this time- Shanghai, Las Vegas and today NYC to name but a few!  We're off to celebrate tonight - more tomorrow!!