Business Travel Focus: New York

I was very lucky to have lived in the big apple for 3 years and experience the melting pot of cultures and ideas first hand. New York is probably one of the most popular destinations for business travellers with the city being widely recognised as the global centre for a variety of industries. The city that never sleeps is constantly hosting a wide range of expos and conferences which attract business travellers from all across the globe.

Accommodation

Hotel prices in New York are some of the most expensive in the world with many travel policies making exceptions for trips to the Big Apple. A lot of my clients have inquired about Air BnB as these properties can help save a significant amount of money. Please be aware that it is illegal in most buildings for an apartment to be rented out for less than 30 days unless the permanent tenant is residing in the apartment at the same time.

I have always found the Martinique New York on Broadway to offer great rates with favourable reviews from my business clients. The hotel is located a short distance from Penn Station making travel to/from Newark Airport very easy.

Getting there

Due to the number of direct flights operated between London and New York, there are always good fares available in the Premium Cabins on mid-week travel. As British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are likely to be the favourable options it is worth noting that both airlines will offer a status match on gold executive status.

If you need to hit the ground running upon landing in New York then the in-direct service with Aer Lingus may be worth considering. There is a purpose-built facility that allows US bound passengers to undertake all US immigration and avoid the notorious queues at JFK.

Entertainment

The perfect place to get a feel for Manhattan after a busy day of meetings or to take a potential client out is a rooftop bar. My favourite is a place called PHD Terrace which is conveniently situated in Midtown. If you're up for the challenge then there is a Mega Mule available ($185 and includes 18 ounces of Belvedere Vodka!) Naturally you'll need a few mates to help you finish one of those. In terms of snacks, the stand out option is definitely the Wagyu beef sliders.

If you have time...

Head across into Brooklyn and grab a slice of the best pizza in New York from Grimaldis! Please be aware that this place is incredibly popular with queues stretching down the block are common. My tip is to get there early, grab a slice and then walk back into Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge.

If you have any tips yourself it would be great to read them in the comments section.