Travel Rogue

June 21, 2005

I Love Lower Manhattan

Ah, a great hotel experience to relate this week! I have set up home base at Manhattan Seaport Suites in lower Manhattan, it's on Front Street between Maiden and Wall, and a five minute walk away from the South Street Market and Pier 17. My room is perhaps not hip or glamorous, but it is truly HUGE by New York standards. Wood floors, wireless internet access, a clean bathroom with organic toiletries...this is definitely a great Manhattan find. (And, unlike Paris Las Vegas, this room has a coffee maker). According to the front desk, they're renovating. That would explain the two husky guys who comandeered one of two elevators to load eleven flat-screen televisions. Previous trips to New York always followed a set itinerary. Business, with dim sum and shopping in Midtown squeezed in the middle. Maybe, if I was feeling funky, a quick walk around SoHo and TriBeCa to browse the boutiques. Rarely did I make it to the very southern tip of Manhattan. I had made the World Trade Center pilgrimage, and since then, haven't really had the desire to explore the neighborhood any more. In fact, I accidentally booked this hotel. I was trying to get a hotel close to Chelsea Piers, which is hosting the conference I'm attending, and ended up in Lower Manhattan rather than Chelsea. Which is alright by me, I love this area! I had never been to the South Street Seaport, a pedestrian only shopping-area with al fresco restaurants. Just past the market is Pier 17. This tiny mall with its unobstructed view of the East River is so small and charming, feels more San Francisco than it does New York. After doing some last minute shopping for appropriate business attaire (I have horribly second-guessed every single outfit I brought with me), I walked the two blocks back to the hotel and grabbed sushi at the tiny but charming Koodo Sushi, located in the same building as the hotel. Talk about luck, it was exactly what I was looking for. Unassuming, reasonably priced, and creative maki. I had the New York roll, which is a spicy tuna roll beautifully wrapped in eel, salmon, sliced avocado and caviar. Also, since I can never resist, an order of agedashi tofu. Entire bill? $15! I took my delightful dinner back up to the comfort of my air-conditioned room (true New York takeout style) and enjoyed the nummies while watching Sex in the City. Ah, what's not to love about this city?

Posted by carolyn at June 21, 2005 09:28 PM

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