Triumph Hotels

Triumph Hotel Recognition

Exciting news for the Triumph hotel brand. With its top class amenities set in a luxurious environment, the Triumph hotels – and their contribution to New York – have now been recognized with their own Wiki page.

 

Featuring six unique hotels, the first of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph brand was built in the 19th century.  Originally known as The Cosmopolitan Hotel – Tribeca, today it is called The Frederick and is decorated in a combination of old and new, and a meeting place for both style and comfort.

 

Over the years, a number of famous people have stayed in one or two of the Triumph hotels.  This includes: Mark Twain and James Dean.  Of the latter – who stayed in The Iroquois – there is now a James Dean Suite. Hotel Edison was where, at its grand opening, the building’s namesake – Thomas Edison – turned on the lights.

 

Today, the Hotel Belleclaire offers both business travelers and vacationers a comfortable spot right by some of New York’s most popular attractions such as Lincoln Center, Central Park and the Beacon Theater.  Restaurants, boutiques and bars are in close proximity also to this Upper West Side delight.

 

Located at 7 East 27th Street, The Evelyn Hotel (built in 1903) is certainly keeping up with modern times.  Featuring a fantastic restaurant with offerings such as Cannolis filled to order with Foccacceria e Pasticceria thanks to LeonelliNYC, this makes for the perfect holiday indulgent spot.

 

With a wonderful breakfast package offered through Giorgio’s Restaurant, the Washington Jefferson Hotel offers guests valet parking, this NYC Theater District hotel offers a true respite from the hubbub of Times Square.

 

New York City is a central theme to many from all parts of the world who want a taste of the Big Apple.  The Triumph Hotel brand does not take this responsibility lightly.

 

 

Belleclaire Hotel

Central Park Tour

In this video, the NYC Traveler begins his tour in Central Park, Manhattan. Located close to Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Belleclaire, the NYC Traveler takes us inside one of the world’s largest museums – the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).

The museum features 28 interconnected buildings which have 45 permanent exhibition halls, a planetarium and a library. There are more than 33 million specimens[5] of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts; only a fraction of these are on show at any one time, occupying over 2,000,000 square feet.

Belleclaire Hotel

The Evolution of the Hotel Belleclaire

Last week, New York Times contributor Michael Milton described many of the changes the Hotel Belleclaire has endured since its humble beginnings in the early 20th century.   Personifying the hotel – a part of Shimmie Horn’s Triumph hotel network – he had admired it himself for so long that in 1982 he vowed “someday [to be] living in that building.”

The Hotel Belleclaire has seen many faces (including famous ones like Maxim Gorky, Babe Ruth and Mark Twain) and has also endured its share of dramatic action.  But in recent years it has undergone quite the renovation, becoming the quintessentially boutique hotel it is today. As Milton so eloquently describes:

But the lobby has since been recreated with an eye toward the hotel’s elegant past. It is now light-filled and wood paneled, with subtle dark stone insets in the walls near the elevators. After much work, the simple original mosaic — worthy of a prosperous Pompeian merchant’s home — has been unearthed. Hiding beyond a black dropped ceiling and lost to everyone’s memory was a vast expanse of glass which once covered the hotel’s fashionable Palm Court and has now been restored to its full glory.

In addition, the hotel is currently undergoing “a partial exterior restoration, an undertaking which will help bring back much of its original grandeur.”  All the changes themselves have an impact as they are happening, as Hotel Belleclaire Manager Robert Holmes said pointing out that where the limestone was from (Indiana) and how it “pulled up from a site close to one [architecture Emery] Roth used for the original limestone decorations.”

As Winston Churchill once said, “we shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”  With this statement he must have been referring to the Hotel Belleclaire.

Cosmopolitan Hotel – Tribeca

Taking a TriBeCan Trek

When staying at Shimmie Horn’s Cosmopolitan Hotel TriBeCa, why not make the most of some of the services offered there?  In conjunction with Streetwise New York Tours, Horn’s Triumph Hotel chain has put together a bunch of informative guided tours in various neighborhoods. As a hotel guest, you can enjoy these tours for free.

Scheduled every day except Monday, the tours all begin at one of the Triumph hotels.  Details are below:

Tuesday-10:00 a.m.
Hotel Edison – Times Square
Discover Art Deco New York, Times Square and Rockefeller Center.

Wednesday-11:00 a.m.
Hotel Bellaclaire – Upper West Side
Take a stroll through the best of the Upper West Side and Central Park, including Strawberry Fields and Bethesda Terrace.

Thursday-9:30 a.m.
Washington Jefferson Hotel – Hell’s Kitchen
Discover the hidden gems of Times Square, its Theater District and the neighboring Hell’s Kitchen

Friday-9:30 a.m.
Cosmopolitan Hotel – TriBeCa
Explore the art and fashion near the Financial District and new Freedom Tower.

Saturday-10:00 a.m.
The Evelyn – NoMad
Hotel Chandler – Flatiron
Shop the Italian market and outdoor Union Square Greenmarket in the Flatiron/NoMad District.

Sunday-10:30 a.m.
Iroquois New York – Midtown
Experience classic Midtown Manhattan at Bryant Park, Grand Central Station, and the New York Public Library.

Shimmie Horn

The Return of Rudd

Paul Rudd has missed Broadway. It’s been a while.  In recent times he’s been more known for his comic displays on shows such as “Parks and Recreation.”  But it’s just not been the same for the man who loved theater.  It’s been a long six years but now Rudd is finally returning.  The last time Rudd appeared on Broadway was back in 2006 when he starred alongside Julia Roberts in “Three Days of Rain.”  His first Broadway play was Alfred Uhry’s “The Last Night of Ballyhoo.”

Well, within the next few weeks, Rudd will be coming home.  With the Broadway play “Grace” that opens on October 4, Rudd will be playing an Evangelical Christian who unravels before his audience.  He says he was drawn to the character as it’s very different for him.  He sees it as “bold and fresh and something [he] hadn’t seen before.”

Playing alongside Rudd is Edward Asner, who has won 7 Emmy Awards.

Shimmie Horn

Be a Kid at the Museum of Natural History

If you happen to be vacationing in the Upper West Side, and are staying at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Belleclaire, the Lucerne, the Excelsior Hotel, or any other luxurious accommodation in the area, you might want to take a stroll down 81st Street to check out the Museum of Natural History.  This is a great visit for the whole family – kids will love it – and there is just so much to see and explore for all ages.  Some people have even compared it to NYC’s MET.

The museum boasts special exhibitions, an IMAX theatre; space shows; planetarium and more.  For any kid (or adult) who has just seen dinosaurs in books, this is the place to go; it’s simply outstanding.  And ultimately, for any adult who is tired of doing the grown-up thing, go to this museum – again and again – and let the child in you come out and say hi to the Journey of the Stars and the Butterfly Conservatory.

Belleclaire Hotel, Shimmie Horn

Central Park Walking Tours: The Best Way to See New York in the Spring

Northwoods of Central Park

As the long, cold winter dissipates and the gorgeous New York spring takes hold, why not treat yourself to one of the loveliest activities the city has to offer, at the best time of year to do it: that is walk the park.

Since 1873 New York’s Central Park has been a destination for millions of residents and tourists alike. And why not? Beautiful meadows, incredible wildflowers, sensational blossoming trees, and a host of other attractions to bring pleasure to all your senses just abound within the confines of this mother of all urban parks.

Since the park is so large and complex, with many hidden treasures and tucked-away delights, we recommend that an expert take you to explore the highlights of this wonderful location. Central Park Walking Tours is just the tour group to show you the best the park has to offer.

Next time you are staying in New York, especially if you are at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Belleclaire, be sure to explore the wonders of the historic and inspiring Central Park.

Belleclaire Hotel, Shimmie Horn

Verdi Square a Small Wonder of New York

Verdi Square Just Down the Street from Shimmie Horn's Belleclaire Hotel

Visit Verdi Square and experience a bit of New York City history at the intersection of Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue and West 73rd Street, just down the street from Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Belleclaire.

New York City Parks and Recreation acquired the spot in 1887, but did not designate a permanent name until 1921. The area was a favorite place to build villas during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and at the turn of the century the square was a meeting place for musicians. Enrico Caruso and Arturo Toscanini were known to frequent the square.

Verdi Square was bestowed with the status of Scenic Landmark in 1974 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Only eight other public parks have been so designated. In 1997 the monument was restored using monies from the Broadway/72nd Associates.

Stroll a few blocks downtown from the Belleclaire and visit one of the small wonders of New York City.

Belleclaire Hotel, Shimmie Horn

Shopping the Day Away at Barneys

Of course there are many reasons to visit the Big Apple; among them theater, great restaurants, business meetings, and of course some of the world’s best shopping. If you happen to be a guest at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Belleclaire, then you have easy access to one of New York’s most exclusive retailers, Barneys, New York.

Within the hallowed walls of Barneys classy shoppers will be rewarded for their efforts with some of the world’s most sought-after designer clothing, up-to-the-minute styles, and even some surprising bargains during the Barneys yearly warehouse sale, which happens to be taking place right now. From February 16 until February 26 lucky shoppers can save as much as 75% on much of the Barneys collection of designer clothing, shoes, housewares, and a lot more.
Barneys also sponsors events, such as workshops to learn better make-up application techniques or a free facial as a gift with every purchase.
Shopping at Barneys is not just a shopping trip, it is an experience. So if you are staying at the Hotel Belleclaire, it is only a short walk down to Barneys, located at 2151 Broadway between West 75th and 76th Streets. Shimmie Horn’s Belleclaire is only two blocks away, at 250 West 77th Street, right off of Broadway. Happy shopping!

Belleclaire Hotel, Shimmie Horn

Zabar’s: A New York Tradition

Staying at Shimmie Horn’s Hotel Belleclaire on West 77th Street between Broadway and West End Avenue? If so, and you are in the mood to visit one of New York’s most talked about food emporiums, then you should head on over to Zabar’s at West 80th Street and Broadway, only three short blocks from the Belleclaire.

A visit to Zabar’s is like a visit to New York, it can’t be described, only experienced.

Zabar's in 1945

Zabar’s was founded in 1934 by Louis and Lillian Zabar when they rented space in the Daitch Market to sell “appetizing,” (smoked fish, etc.) As the Zabar reputation grew, so did their customer base, until the Zabars took over the entire Daitch Market, and Zabar’s was born.

The store continued to expand, buying

Zabar's Today

shops adjacent as they became available, while always run as a family enterprise. Today the store encompasses over 20,000 square feet of retail space (almost an entire city block) and employs 250 people to run the exciting market called Zabar’s. The family is still active in the store; there is always at least one Zabar on the premises.

According to Zabar’s, they sell more than 8,000 pounds of coffee each week, and have over 35,000 customers visit, each and every week.

They are open 365 days a year 8am to 7:30pm during the week, 8am to 8pm on Saturday, and 9am to 6pm on Sunday. Call 212-787-2000 for more information.