The St. Regis New York invites young guests and their families to explore the best of what the hotel and the city have to offer.
By Michelle Franzen Martin
It starts at check-in with a coloring book and a teddy bear, and ends with a lifetime of unforgettable memories. Along the way, family-friendly excursions, kid-conscious meals and thoughtful touches like child-sized bathrobes and in-room stepstools showcase the merits of this legendary city and its best address, creating an unforgettable experience for even the youngest members of the family. It’s all part of The St. Regis New York’s new Family Traditions program, which crafts customized getaways that appeal to discerning travelers of every age.
“The Family Traditions program is an experience beyond expectation for our families,” says Maria Wittorp-DeJonge, chef concierge at the hotel. “We pride ourselves on the bespoke service and amenities that we provide for every age.”
The Family Traditions program encourages guests of all ages to celebrate the art of play through captivating activities and tailored amenities. Along with the special treats, toys and slippers that are complimentary for children staying at The St. Regis New York, the family-focused program also includes nutritious and delicious dining options for the entire family, as well as a variety of recreational adventures and educational experiences that inspire exploration.
At Your Service
The bespoke experience begins at check-in, as young guests receive a warm welcome. Every child staying at the hotel receives The St. Regis New York Family Traditions bag filled with age-specific gifts: colorful cups and teddy bears for toddlers, coloring books and crayons for preschoolers, and headphones and water bottles for tweens and teenagers.
Upon stepping into their guest rooms, families are greeted with even more personalized accents, all of which are designed to help little ones feel more at home and “showcase the uniqueness of the hotel,” according to Wittorp-DeJonge. Child-sized bathrobes hang in closets alongside their adult counterparts, while assortments of gentle soaps and shampoos are laid out on bathroom countertops. Friendly notes from The St. Regis New York’s butlers, meanwhile, let families know that the signature butler service is available should guests have any needs or requests throughout their stays.
The hotel is equipped with nearly every baby and child necessity, from cribs and bottle warmers to diapers and wipes, and can also coordinate nanny services for parents who would like to take some time alone. In addition, the St. Regis butlers are available to shop for a particular pacifier or a baby’s favorite snack and deliver the coveted items directly to the room.
Such impeccable service is a hallmark of The St. Regis New York butler team and explains why these valued employees have been signature aspects of the St. Regis experience for more than a century. No request is too small for the butlers and, because they’re happy to assist with attending to any loose ends, families have the opportunity to enjoy quality time together rather than spend hours navigating the aisles of local stores for favorite snacks or forgotten toys.
Families also shouldn’t be surprised if a butler brings them something they didn’t request but could use. The staff wants guests to feel comfortable, which might mean leaving welcome and farewell cards for families on the first and last nights of their stays, or, for the little ones, delivering plates of freshly baked cookies and milk before bedtime.
Families who prefer larger spaces with greater flexibility are invited to take part in a special Family Traditions package that includes a suite with butler service, a guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout and a $100 credit toward a city-based Family Traditions experience.
“We acknowledge the children as much as we acknowledge their parents,” Wittorp-DeJonge explains. “Gifts are age-tailored so there’s something for every age to enjoy. We ensure that every detail is special and unique to make sure families experience luxury at its finest.”
Taking the Town
New York City in summer blooms with spectacular activities and rich traditions for families to enjoy together. “The cultural offerings for families in New York this season are simply outstanding,” Wittorp-DeJonge adds, and she’s armed with more than a few suggestions for those seeking recreational recommendations from an expert.
Family-friendly attractions that have stood the test of time include a visit to the Empire State Building, where high-speed elevators shuttle guests to two observation decks on the building’s 86th and 102nd floors. Another family favorite is the American Museum of Natural History, known for its astounding paleontological collections and colorful dioramas. Currently, the museum’s star exhibition is a showing of rare pterosaur fossils, designed to introduce children to these flying, reptilian cousins of dinosaurs. The museum is located in Central Park, which offers countless additional activities including a carousel, zoo, bike rentals, boating and fishing areas, playgrounds and castles.
To help families better explore the iconic park, The St. Regis New York offers a four-hour Central Park experience that begins with a gourmet picnic lunch prepared by the hotel’s private dining chefs. Afterward, families can discover the park’s hidden secrets with the aid of a knowledgeable guide.
The St. Regis New York also organizes ways for families to enjoy the city’s artistic offerings. Art exploration packages booked through the hotel include sedan transportation to area museums and private tours with a curator; the adventures conclude with an in-depth viewing of Maxfield Parrish’s world-famous mural inside The King Cole Bar & Salon.
For a more customized excursion, the hotel can coordinate memorable experiences at museums that feature exhibits geared toward children, such as the Museum of the Moving Image’s “What’s Up, Doc? The Animation Art of Chuck Jones.” The exhibition, which runs through January 2015, shines a spotlight on the man who created some of pop culture’s most beloved characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner.
In addition to arranging explorations of art and children’s museums, the St. Regis offers guests myriad opportunities to experience a variety of art lessons with professional instructors, ranging from a traditional painting class to a private weaving session using a Saori loom. For kids who enjoy using and learning about technology, The St. Regis New York can set up a children’s workshop on claymation or stop-motion animation. Other alternatives include voice-over sessions for kids who like to perform, as well as a variety of private acting and dance lessons with world-class professionals.
There are just as many options for those who prefer theater, and the St. Regis concierge can assist with procuring VIP tickets for some of the latest Broadway musicals including family classics like “Aladdin,” “Cinderella” and “The Lion King.”
The hotel places a priority on crafting bespoke experiences for older children as well, and New York is a playground for visiting tweens and teens. “Teens love shopping at quirky boutiques in NoLita and SoHo, and we have a list of unique stores for teens available at the concierge desk,” Wittorp-DeJonge says. “Teens and tweens can also take a tour of the museum at the Fashion Institute [of Technology] or a pregame tour of Yankee Stadium, among many other activities.”
And, of course, children of every age—and their parents—will enjoy a visit to perhaps the most celebrated toy store of all time, FAO Schwartz. The company’s flagship outpost on Fifth Avenue is a massive treasure chest complete with real-life toy soldiers who open the store’s doors and will gladly pose for photos. Inside, a candy shop, larger-than-life stuffed animals, dolls, Lego displays and more tempt both children and the young at heart.
A Taste of New York
After enjoying the city’s sights, families can savor a healthy and delicious dinner at The St. Regis New York, where children’s menus are available at The King Cole Bar & Salon and as a component of the hotel’s in-room private dining service. The St. Regis staff is mindful of any possibly allergies or restrictions children might have to specific foods and can customize any dish at a guest’s request.
Children especially appreciate the tried-and-true favorites created with special twists by The St. Regis New York chefs. “We offer a range of dishes for children, from mini chocolate chip pancakes to grilled cheese to mini pizzas,” says Baasim Zafar, executive chef at the hotel. “We also offer healthy options of grilled salmon or chicken served with steamed broccoli or rice.”
Zafar says he and his team of chefs take pride in concocting a variety of delicious and nutritious meals for children. “Our younger guests love our children’s menu because it offers many of their favorite dishes that they regularly enjoy at home,” he adds. “The pancakes are very popular for breakfast, as well as chicken fingers and our junior macaroni and cheese. Our staff loves seeing kids enjoying their meals in our restaurant.”
Should families elect to dine outside of the hotel, the concierge staff can suggest a number of family-friendly restaurants and even a handful of unique cafes, food trucks and street vendors. The hotel staff is also equipped to plan and design meal options for parties. With the help of The St. Regis New York, one family recently celebrated their child’s birthday at the hotel with a special superhero-themed cupcake display from a popular local bakery.
It’s all about enjoying the New York experience and wanting to come back—both to the city and to the hotel. “We see many families return often to The St. Regis New York,” Wittorp-DeJonge muses. “Our families allow us to plan their itineraries, mapping out visits to various neighborhoods, and we assist in showing families how to accomplish all they had hoped during their visit while leaving room for spontaneous explorations.”
And when families are ready to return to the city, The St. Regis New York is there to ensure that they make new memories—and new traditions—that will last a lifetime.
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The Curated Kid
With more than 2,000 paintings and drawings from over 50 countries around the world, the Children’s Museum of the Arts is a must-see stop for any family visiting New York City.
The kid-centric space is focused on engaging young artists and helping them explore the world of art through hands-on activities. Children can experiment with sculpture, painting and textile work in the museum’s on-site art studio or explore design, animation and clay in the media lab. The museum even features a designated space for children younger than 5 to create their own artwork.
After finishing their pieces, children and their parents can take in the museum’s permanent collection of art, which dates back to the 1930s.
The museum also offers private and group art lessons in mediums ranging from drawing and painting to printmaking and textiles. A variety of drop-in workshops offered throughout the week, meanwhile, changes frequently, touching on everything from designing shoes to framing insects. (cmany.org)
