Boutique Hotels in New York City - The Top 5

Any newspaper or hotel booking search will offer boutique hotels a-plenty in New York City, but if you fancy somewhere a little different, somewhere chic and off the beaten track for a romantic weekend break, where do you begin?

Inn at Irving Place
Gramercy Park is a private park tucked away between East 20th Street and East 21st Street in the Union Square district of the city. Tucked behind an unassuming front door is this boutique jewel offering great charm in each of the individually furnished rooms. The two 1834 townhouses perfectly capture a bygone era in the furnishings, service and genteel atmosphere of this secluded hideaway. Take afternoon tea in Lady Medl's Tearooms on the ground floor, where antiques and china set the scene beautifully.

The Library
The very name conjures up a log fire, big armchairs, a favorite over-sized sweater and a good book. Conveniently located between the Morgan Library and the New York Public Library, this boutique hotel is a great escape for bibliophiles. Devoted to a discerning clientele, each level of the Library Hotel has a different theme such as poetry, mystery or eroticism, giving a hint of what hand-picked delights are just waiting to be revealed. The furniture, pictures and accents all reflect the theme, along with a selection of well-chosen books in every room. The perfect choice for readers and writers alike.

Carlisle Hotel
Continuing to thrive on its reputation as the luxury hotel in New York where JF Kennedy had a tryst with Marilyn Monroe, this classy uptown hotel is still painfully discreet. With antique furnishings and Audubon prints it exudes the ambience of a luxury town home, belying the fact that it actually has 190 guest rooms offering the ultimate in comfort. Mini larders replace the usual minibar and together with its luxury spa, pet-friendly policy and in-house shops, it is hard to find a reason to leave.

Dylan Hotel
The best of the best is the Dylan's trademark. Located in Midtown Manhattan within walking distance of Grand Central Station, Times Square, Central Park and some of the best restaurants, one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in New York is set in a fabulous 1903 Beaux-Arts structure. Beneath the 11 foot ceilings, interior designer Jeffrey Beers has redefined opulence with his timeless décor. Carrara marble bathrooms and American walnut furnishings turn these understated rooms into something truly classy for the perfect romantic weekend break.

The Wales
Located at the better end of town, the Wales is a well-kept secret in the Upper East side of the city. Quiet walks in Central Park are just a block from this charming boutique hotel, while the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art are close by, on what has been dubbed 'Museum Mile'. Enjoy views of the city skyline from the delightful garden or relax in sumptuous comfort amidst goose down comforters, fresh flowers and rich mahogany furniture.

Alex Brey co-founded Luxique, and has had a passion for travel for more than 20 years. So much so, he convinced others to join him in his pursuit to create a travel documentary highlighting some of the globe's finest destinations. During an almost three year process, he got to stay in some outstanding luxury hotels, soak up some vibrant cultures and enjoy some of the world's finest cuisines. He realized that the decision-making process for planning the perfect trip - from choosing the destination to getting the right hotel room - was something that could be improved. And so came the birth of Luxique, the website that caters for the discerning traveler.

More information available at Luxique

How to Plan Your Cruise Vacation

Cruising offers so many different options. Here is how to plan your cruise for maximum fun with the least amount of stress. Vacationing by sea is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to travel, if you give it just a bit of forethought.

You must know the type of cruise that you want. For example is this a family vacation, a singles experience or a couples retreat? Are you looking for a lively crowd or something more deserved? Do you want to experience several shore excursions or do you just want to lay out by the pool? Do you want a cheap vacation or a top notch luxury one.

All of these things will factor into which cruise line to choose, which destination and which activities you will set up.

Here is a breakdown of a few cruise lines:

Disney - this is perfect for families, if you do not have any intention of gambling. There are a ton of activities for the kids and yet there is also an adult area. There are shows, different dining options, excursions and more. Primarily this is a great vacation option if you want your kids to stay occupied while you have some alone time to pamper yourself in a spa or just hang out by the pool.

Carnival cruise line - draws a younger crowd, think singles and young couples. This is a party atmosphere that travels to locations like the bahamas. If you like to party and don't mind loud music and lots of drinking this may be the cruise line for you. There are tons of activities, a spa, sure excursions and more plus shows and nightclubs. It is a twenty something paradise.

Royal Carribean is geared to those of us in our thirties and forties. It is less hectic than Carnival while still giving you nightly shows, first class food, a spa area, shore excursions, pool side movies, and the ability to just sit back and relax.

Princess cruise lines is for a slightly older crowd. It is very quiet and relaxing. There is a spa area plus an area where you can go if you want complete serenity. The food is out of this world, especially at Sabatinis. You can choose to eat in one of the regular dining areas or the buffet for all inclusive meals, except for the wine, or you can pay an extra $25 in one of the upscale dining restaurants like Sabatinis and get unlimited portions of everything from pasta to Lobster. Seriously do not eat during the day if you are going to dine in Sabatinis you will not believe the amount of amazing food that they will serve you. The shows are splashy, and there is an onboard casino, I prefer to sit in the cafe area and watch the amazing performances of their pianist and jazz singers. They are phenomenal.

Crystal Cruise lines - this is where you go if you have a bit more money to spend and you want to visit exotic locations while being thoroughly pampered. This luxury cruise line has a higher staff to passenger ratio and they are dedicated to making sure that your requests and preferences are taken care of posthaste. The food is prepared by award winning chefs, the spa has treatments from around the world and the excursions are over the top, like hot air ballooning and horse drawn carraiges. This is one of the cruise lines that you would take if being absolutely pampered is at the top of your list.

So which cruise line should you take when you plan your cruise? Look at the features of each of the above lines, to start, and choose one that meets your personal criteria for the perfect vacation.

Caterina Christakos is a published author and reviewer. Read some of her latest reviews of aquage hair products like aquage working spray.