Fitzpatrick Manhattan****, New York City, NY, USA

After viewing the brochure, this adorable Irish “boutique” hotel so appealed to my Irish soul, that when a visit to New York City was possible, we were delighted to try it and it did not disappoint. It is perfectly located on Lexington Ave, in the heart of Manhattan just a few blocks from Central Park, one block from Park Ave., walking distance from Museums and, of course, shopping!

The Fitzpatrick exudes a genuine, calm old country warmth combined with attentive and friendly service, weaving a little of the magic of Ireland in the heart of this glittering, high speed city. Our very charming suite was beautifully appointed with a cozy feel yet handsomely furnished. A few minor plumbing glitches occurred that we understand were addressed quickly that reminded us of some of our amusing hotel experiences from that emerald isle. At the Fitzpatrick Manhattan, you'll find 40 elegant Deluxe Rooms and 52 luxuriously appointed Executive Suites, six of which are Presidential Suites named after Irish presidents. Beamed ceilings, brass fixtures and rosewood furniture form a welcoming, relaxed ambience.

The Fitzpatrick Manhattan is about to undergo renovations to the street level public spaces in the fall of 2007, so check back with us for updates and make sure to check with the hotel reservations desk directly to ensure room availability and prices since renovations can tend to dictate their own completion dates.

Dinner, courtesy of Chef Patrick McCann, was simple and straightforward, filled with the recipes of Irish country cooking as well as popular American favorites. We started the meal with a marvelous broth soup “Killeney Castle Broth” to be precise which I followed with a delicious broiled wild salmon with grain mustard sauce and lovely fresh vegetables in a potato nest. Peter elected to have one of the house specials, the “Connemara Lamb Stew” which was pure Irish country heaped with tender lamb and vegetables and a hearty lamb stock; it could have fed a small village.

We wanted to enjoy Irish cooking in an Irish restaurant, but the menu has many familiar choices as well from Caesar Salad and Grilled Chicken Cobb through Rack of Lamb, Breast of Chicken, Spaghetti Bolognese through the house specials of Yorkshire Shepherd’s Pie, Traditional New York Corned Beef and Cabbage as well as sandwiches with a Turkey Club, Grilled Chicken, Fitzers Bacon and Cheddar Burger as well as a Salmon Burger. Quite eclectic with something for every taste and mood.

In its current configuration, diners are treated to a view of the Irish Bar which has its own street entrance and which is given authenticity not by the Irish ales and Guiness but by plenty of Irish accents who you just know are local regulars. As actor Liam Neeson states “the warmth and hospitality of the Emerald Isle can be found in the heart of the city”.

This Irish experience is continued in the morning with a huge Irish breakfast laced with a few extra calories. Delicious bacon, porridge, eggs and breads. Perfect on a cold, rainy day.

For a welcome change from the impersonal super charged city hotels, the Fitzpatrick Manhattan is an excellent choice, more inn than hotel. But the Fitzpatrick Manhattan is just one of a number of hotels in the Fitzpatrick Group with another hotel not far away, There is also the Fitzpatrick Grand Central on 44th Street in NYC. There is one in Chicago, then in Ireland, they can be found in Dublin, Bunratty and Killiney.

Taxi rides from JFK are usually set at a fixed rate. We paid $60 door to door with tip. Easy and fast.

Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel
687 Lexington Ave.
New York, NY 10022
Tel: 212-355-0100
Fax: 212-355-1371
Toll Free: U.S. 1-800-367-7701
Ireland toll-free 1-85-064-4464

Web site: www.fitzpatrickhotels.com
(You can book your room directly from their web site if you wish.)
email: reservations@fitzpatrickhotels.com

Map showing Fitzpatrick	Close up map of Fitzpatrick
Click on either map to see larger version.