Of course, guests staying at our boutique hotel The MAve in Midtown’s Flatiron District will be perfectly situated to explore the best the city has to offer, and the hotel’s luxury amenities are sure to impress any, ahem, shall we say house guests…

Just a few blocks from the hotel is the very unique SPiN New York, a venue that mixes chic nightlife with ping pong. The lights are dim and the patrons are well dressed, but the action, instead of being centered around a dance floor or bar, happens at one of the 17 ping pong tables. The ping pong tables are rented by the hour and each one has a couch and table for drinks and appetizers.

Brooklyn Bowl is another great venue for the boys. As its name suggests, this bowling alley is located in Brooklyn—Williamsburg to be exact—and while it’s a little far from the hotel, it’s more than worth the trek. After paying a small cover, patrons are greeted by a full bar, chic cocktail lounge vibe and hipster indie bands playing to full crowds, oh, and let’s not forget the 16 bowling lanes. Is it hard to focus on your bowling game with so many distractions? Sure. But bowling has never felt cooler!

After a wholesome early evening with the guys, let’s get a little more sinister for our late night NYC escapades. The trendy Meatpacking District is the place to go for pounding beats and giant nightclubs. Though face control can be a little strict, models pack the dance floors and there is a ton of fun to be had in the area.

Check out Darby Downstairs for a healthy dose of electro hip hop and funk. Or if you have money that’s begging to be spent, visit Le Bain on the roof of the newly opened Standard Hotel, which is a hot spot for celebrities and models.

The post Guys Night Out in NYC appeared first on The MAve Hotel.

High-end shops line the streets surrounding this large, green square and the area is packed every day of the week with leisurely shoppers. Some large brands on the square include Nordstrom, Forever 21 and Barnes and Noble, but there are many smaller shops as well, which sell anything from designer shoes to yoga apparel and gear.

Union Square also hosts Greenmarket, the city’s premier farmer’s market, four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Running from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., this event sees hundreds of tents selling everything from produce and food-related items to things like flowers and plants pack the square. There are prepared foods as well that give visitors a chance to try some tasty and unique local cuisine.

In November and January the square takes on the festive feel of the season with the Holiday Market. Like the farmer’s market, dozens of stalls set up shop in the square and sell assorted goodies like handcrafted jewelry and vintage clothing.

Nearby, on lower Fifth Avenue, shoppers will find big-name stores like Anthropologie, Zara and H&M.

Once the shopping has been taken care of, head further uptown on Fifth Ave, not far from The MAve boutique hotel, to Eataly for lunch. This 50,000-square-feet indoor market is dedicated to showcasing the best of Italy’s gastronomic delights, with fresh produce and especially prepared dishes. There are seven restaurants in the market where diners can try the truly delicious food and explore the culinary possibilities of the market.

The post Union Square Shopping appeared first on The MAve Hotel.

For those who want to experience a day in the life of real New Yorker (sans an apartment with five manual key locks or poor plumbing), staying at a boutique hotel is the closest thing to authenticity. Plus, you gain instant room service and a super hip, stylistic place to lay your hat and tired body down.

A boutique hotel is as unique as the city it represents, as independent as an artist, and friendly as a hometown neighbor. Intimate and often luxurious in unexpected ways–well, that’s a boutique hotel for you.

In fact–New York City is home to the whole boutique hotel craze, and it makes sense. Manhattan is a city that boasts one of the highest room rates ($238 on average in NYC according to Smith Travel). So traditionally in NYC, it used to be that you had to drop a ton of money or scrimp and wish for the best–don’t let the bed bugs bite!

But now there’s a middle ground. A boutique hotel offers a median rate between a luxury hotel and a 2-star low-grade vacancy. It takes the positive things from each of the extremes like superior service, fine amenities, yet with a smaller room count and more personal feel. Promising cool design and a nod to local flavor with reasonable rates–“budget boutiques” made traveling to metropolitan cities in style more of a reality.

At the MAve Hotel, our sharp staff works diligently around the clock to make you feel right at home. We try our best to remember your name and point you to all the cool spots in the city–or even right outside the door, like Pranna across the street, Nomad around the corner, and The Jazz Standard nearby.

Inside our sleek rooms you’re guaranteed free Wifi, deluxe bathrobes, ultra-plush pillow-top mattresses, the best boutique spa products, iHome for your gadgets, your own USA Today, videos on demand, breakfast on the go, lunch at your door, and someone there in a flash to clean up your entire mess. And with our location almost in the center of the island–the whole city is your calling card for adventure.

To extend your stay or book a visit with us, call us at: (212) 532.7373

We’d love to hear from you, and we promise to make it a stay you’ll never forget!

The post Why Boutique Hotels Are All the Rage … appeared first on The MAve Hotel.

Manhattan may be an island that’s only 13 miles long and 2.3 miles at its widest point but it’s still a pretty small world at every turn. Densely populated with old neighborhoods, epic landmarks, and multicultural splendor–it can feel like one tiny nation with an overwhelming amount to see and experience. To take in the highlights of this Empire City, here’s why staying in the Flatiron is a very smart move.

1) Location Location Location

Named after the Flatiron building at 23rd Street, this district is like the heartbeat to the body with veins, or streets, that branch out in every direction. From the north side of New York where you’ll find Spanish Harlem, Columbia University, the Upper West Side, and Central Park North, to the south end of the island (Wall Street, Battery Park, Statue of Liberty, etc)–there’s so much to see and do. The Flatiron District, home of the MAve Hotel, is centrally located between downtown (considered below 14th St) and Midtown where you’ll find 5th Ave shopping, Times Square, and Broadway. If you’re in town for work or even a publicity tour (lucky you), the MAve sits on Madison Ave. home to many ad agencies, PR, and publishing houses.

2) Rich Residential History

Somewhat corporate, yes, but the Flatiron is also a unique historical neighborhood filled with elegant townhomes, hotels, and buildings that were once home to greats like Edith Wharton, Thomas Edison, and John Steinbeck. The Flatiron is also the birthplace of Theodore Roosevelt, which is a national historic site.

The Gramercy neighborhood, on the east side of the Flatiron District is now the address for celebrities like Julia Roberts and Uma Thurman.

3) Shopping and Killer Eats

Between the Civil War and World War I, our neighborhood was home to some of New York’s most famous department stores: Lord & Taylor, B. Altman, W. & J. Sloane, Arnold Constable, and Bergdorf Goodman. Now preserved under the title “Ladies’ Mile District”, newer stores have popped up like Ann Taylor, Victoria’s Secret, Club Monaco and Origins, and big box retailers dominate Sixth Avenue.

For a quick carb or sugar fix, load up on adventure fuel from nearby bakeries like: The City Bakery, Hot Blondies, Crumbs, The Protein Bakery, Alice’s Tea Cup, and Cafe Prague.

Finish the evening at one of the Flatiron favorites like farm-to-table ABC Kitchen, Greek lovers “Barbounia”, or upmarket Indian food at Junoon.

The post 3 Major Perks to Staying in the Flatiron appeared first on The MAve Hotel.

The Bowery Ballroom is the spot to see raw, up-and-coming talent, as well as indie acts, and established yet under the radar musical geniuses’. Skip the inflated Ticketmaster price (it’s general admission), and let your eyes and ears be soothed by raw acoustic, inspired by climactic verse, or rocked with heavy bass lines. This is the local make-or-break venue where many hungry artists vie for a spot to be discovered, and many bands across the country dream of playing.

Booking acts that are solid yet diverse, this ballroom-style venue welcomes household names next month like Solange (playing on 12/11), Blue Scholars (12/13), and Nada Surf (12/14 and 12/15). Small but intimate, this venue has incredible acoustics and good sightlines from just about anywhere in the space.

Oozing with character–much of the 1929 construction still remains with brass rails, iron exterior metalwork, mahogany lined VIP rooms, and the coffer vaulted plaster ceiling over the mezzanine bar. An inside tip: start in the basement bar for pre-show drinks, then wind your way up to the main level for center stage, or steal spots on the third level balcony with yet another bar for easy access. (Bartenders are awesome and very knowledgeable).

If you’re planning to grab a bite prior to the show–the Bowery is located in the heart of the Lower East Side among the unintentionally hip bars, bistros, and lounges that flank a former desolate neighborhood, now breathing just the right mix of grit and glam.

Check out upcoming shows during your hotel stay here.

See you at center stage.

The post Real Music. Real Artists. A Real New York Gem: The Bowery Ballroom appeared first on The MAve Hotel.

For lovers of low prices–Black Friday is your holiday, and if you aren’t opposed to standing in lines or braving the gauntlet of other determined shoppers for a smokin’ hot deal, then New York is your city. You’ll snag the latest fashion trends before other cities catch wind of them, the hottest electronics gadgets, and the most coveted toys from stores like the flagship FAO–sure to light up the eyes of little ones on Christmas Day.

Plus, New York City may be the only city to celebrate this national holiday with cocktails. Ann Taylor in Rockefeller Center threw a midnight event with a live DJ and mimosas. eBay sponsored a Happy Holiday Hotspot with free snacks, free WiFi and free mobile shopping download apps. If you want first dibs this year, head to Macy’s at Herald Square which will open it’s door at midnight on Thanksgiving night. Most other stores keep their Black Friday sales under wraps until a few days before the event. Some of the biggest Black Friday deals are usually found on things like iPads, video game systems, TVs, and DVD players–and the best retail stores for those in NY are J&R, Circuit City, and Best Buy.

One thing to keep in mind this year, if you’re braving Black Friday in Manhattan–the latest report is freezing temperatures, so grab a piping hot latte, bundle up for chilling winds, and plan to thaw out under the store lights.

Also, be sure to check sales online ahead of time and map out where you’re going before you step foot out the hotel lobby door.

More tips: Macy’s in Herald Square is a 5-10 minute walk from the MAve Hotel. Fifth Ave and other Midtown department stores are a 5-10 minute cab ride from the Flatiron district where the MAve is located. Or for smaller boutiques that still offer discounts on Black Friday, head to SoHo where original designs and high fashion reign.

The post Black Friday or Bust–Shop New York Style at a Discount appeared first on The MAve Hotel.

1. Pete’s Tavern – 129 East 18th St.

A Civil War era survivor, this old staple draws in neighborhood types along with hotel guests in search of that old New York feel. Pete’s Tavern, the oldest operating restaurant and bar in New York, continues to serve Italian-American cuisine along with its famous 1864 House Ale.

The old creaky bar is traditionally decked out around the holidays with lots of festive garland, a twinkling bulb-lit ceiling and Christmas lights dripping around the old mirrors.

Belly up to the bar for standard suds that include 16 beers on tap in bubbling frosty mugs, and a special homemade eggnog around the holidays.

2. Old Town Bar – 45 East 18th St.

One of the oldest bars in New York, Old Town Bar is one of the last reminders of a thriving German community that faded in the 1960s with the old Union Square neighborhood. Old Town was frequented by greats such as Andy Warhol, Bill Murray, Keith Richards, and others. With close proximity to the Broadway rehearsal studios, many actors enjoyed gathering here along with legendary writers whom the owner built great relationships with.

A bit of Old New York is felt in every square inch of this den from the beveled lights and mirrors, to gaslight fixtures, to call buttons at the tables–all under its towering 17-foot ceilings.

You may recognize the interior of this bar from movies like The Devil’s Own, Bullets over Broadway, and Last Days of Disco.

3. Gramercy Park Hotel (Rose Bar, Jade Bar + Gramercy Terrace) - 2 Lexington Avenue

A landmark in NYC, the Gramercy Park Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel that first opened its doors in 1925.

With a retractable roof seventeen stories above the city, Gramercy Terrace Bar features a series of intimate and whimsical spaces that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor space, with a seasonal menu of favorite American dishes. The Terrace is open to the public daily until 3pm.

The Rose Bar and Jade Bar inside the Gramercy Hotel are two incredible candlelit spaces with an edgy sophistication. Hearkening back to the golden age of the cocktail hour–the small menu ranges from classic aperitifs to fanciful drinks to modern classics.

The ever-changing music from custom designed playlists features DJ’s from New York to London to Rome.

Reservations are required after 10pm for both the Rose Bar and Jade Bar. Reservation requests can be sent to Rosebar@gramercyparkhotel.com.

They will respond within 24 hours if there is availability.

The post 3 Historic Flatiron Spots for Beer + Cocktails appeared first on The MAve Hotel.