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Rule New York City, by Bike

Thursday September 2, 2010

You may want a gel seat for this one. The country's only all-urban 100-mile bike ride takes over NYC on September 12, 2010, giving you a rare opportunity to bike through Central Park, across bridges, through Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Harlem - surrounded not by cabbies and slow-moving tourists, but by other bicycle enthusiasts.

If you didn't get the Lance Armstrong gene, don't fret: The NYC Century Bike Tour has 15-, 35-, 55-, 75-, and 100-mile options, all of which feature stellar views, stocked rest stops, and safety marshals. The inaugural ride, in 1990, attracted 200 cyclists; today, some 6,000 show up. Proceeds benefit the biking advocacy of Transportation Alternatives, meaning that by riding in New York City, you're helping to make New York City ... safer for bikers the other 364 days a year. And because the ride is an effort to promote the idea that bikers can traverse NYC soundly on two wheels - and deserve to - there are no street closings: You'll ride along city streets and obey all traffic laws. You pick the location that's more convenient for you - either in Prospect Park or on the north side of Central Park, easily accessible from Le Parker Meridien New York, which skirts the park's south end. Don't want to lug a bike there? No worries: There are rental options.

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FourPointsSoho.JPGNew Yorkers are a stylish lot throughout the year, but especially during Fashion Week in September. If you're planning on taking in a few runway shows - or at least watching the never-ending fashion show on the city's streets and sidewalks - here's an offer that can make your New York style dreams come true. The Four Points Fashion offer boasts great September rates at the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village and a fabulous package of fashion goodies to go with it. Rates start at $299 and include a lobby wine reception from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. on the evening of Fashion's Night Out (September 10), a L'Oreal Matrix gift package with L'Oréal Professionnel Series Expert Vitamino Color, Delicate Color Shampoo, and Masque, and a copy of Women's Wear Daily - to keep up on all the latest trends. This charming hotel is conveniently located on Charlton Street in SoHo, just a few Manolo-clad steps away from the city's best restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping, so you're bound to have amazing fashion experience no matter where you go. The offer is good for stays between September 7 and September 19, 2010 and requires a two-night minimum stay. Book your Four Points Fashion adventure today.

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Nacho & PH.jpgSt. Regis Hotels & Resorts, in association with American Express®, the official card of St. Regis Polo, recently launched a new destination website, stregis.com/polo, celebrating its long association with this much-loved sport. The relationship between St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and the sport of polo began in 1904, when John Jacob Astor IV and his family would attend matches on Governors Island, a small island off the coast of Manhattan. Polo players and spectators alike would often stay at Astor's new St. Regis Hotel creating a bond with the sport that has endured for more than a century. Today that bond is stronger than ever, with events throughout the year that exemplify the very best of the polo world.

This year Nacho Figueras,the world's most recognized polo player, was appointed the first ever St. Regis Connoisseur, offering guests access to some of the greatest polo matches and experiences in the world. Figueras kept some esteemed company at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Governors Island this spring as his Black Watch team competed against HRH Prince Henry of Wales and Team Sentebale. On June 25th, The St. Regis New York hosted a gala charity event to raise money for Sentebale, the prince's charity, benefiting the over 400,000 orphans living in Lesotho, Africa. Prince Harry was in attendance for this event where Chef de cuisine Didier Elena from Alain Ducasse's Adour at The St. Regis New York crafted a four-course menu degustation for the evening.

St. Regis sponsors major polo matches around the world including the third annual St. Regis International Cup, which kicked off the UK polo season at Cowdray Park, the home of British Polo on May 22nd. There, VIP guests were treated to world-class polo and signature St. Regis afternoon tea. Earlier this summer, The St. Regis Singapore participated in the Audemars Piguet International Tournament, an annual tradition of the Singapore Polo Club as the official hotel sponsor. In Singapore, Nacho Figueras hosted a special VIP dinner, where he met SPG Moments winners, who attended a weekend of thrilling matches.

Visit stregis.com/polo today to learn about upcoming events in the world of polo, such as the Tortugas Open in Argentina or the Royal Salute Polo Gold Cup in China.

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Cupcake Crazy in New York

Tuesday August 10, 2010

The cupcake craze is still alive — in fact, it's spawning subgenres. Here are some of the fun options for your next visit to New York City.

Mini cupcakes are a major thing now, and Kumquat Cupcakery offers some of the best in class. The bakery sells its one-bite gems at the Brooklyn Flea Market on Sundays.

Some men feel left out of the cupcake thing because of the girly pink frosting and sprinkles — which is where Butch Bakery steps in. A dozen manly flavors, half of which feature alcohol in some fashion, are available for delivery anywhere in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.

Looking for late night cupcakes to enjoy in your room at the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea? Try Dessert Club, ChikaLicious, open till at least midnight every night except Sunday and located just six blocks (three long, three short) from the hotel. (Across the street at ChikaLicious Dessert Bar, you can do a three-course prix fixe dessert tasting for just $14 — it probably won't include a cupcake, though.)

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US Open Offer.jpgTennis, anyone? SPG is offering members a chance to win free luxury suite tickets for the men's semifinals at the US Open in New York this September. Register now and with every two SPG nights of any length stay through August 22, 2010, you will automatically earn one entry in the SPG US Open Suite Sweeps. The more nights you stay, the more entries you'll receive. Ten pairs of tickets to the SPG Luxury Suite are up for grabs, meaning you've got a good chance of being among just 20 people in the spacious booth, snacking on gourmet treats and watching some of the finest athletes on the planet compete at the top of the game. Or, you might check out Moments, SPG's auction site, which is offering two different tennis packages. On Serve with SPG includes two tickets to the suite, as well as food and beverages. The Behind the Scenes Stadium Tour and Luxury Suite package, meanwhile, includes two tickets to the suite for the daytime men's and women's third round matches on September 4 as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility. You could be a witness to sporting history.

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WNewYorkDowntown.jpgOpening this summer, the 217-room, 58-floor W New York - Downtown is at the heart of all the action in Lower Manhattan. That means you're perched near Wall Street's financial nerve center at the New York Stock Exchange, world-class shopping, an international menu of eateries, and much more. You're also just minutes away from the heart of Brooklyn and its vibrant eating, nightlife, and parks, or easily accessible to a ferry that will whisk you to the famous Statue of Liberty. Walk or take easy public transportation to nearly any sight you'd want to take in. Whatever/Whenever® makes all big city dreams come true; just dream them up!

Complete with a WIRED® Business Center, WHEELS, the Acura Car Experience and Whatever/Whenever® at your service, your ultimate urban escape begins here - whether you're visiting for work, play or happily blending the two. Other amenities include two cool cocktails (to sip in The Living Room Bar & Terrace), two-way car service to and from JFK/LGA/EWR airports, complimentary late night in-room dining (1am - 5am), breakfast for two at BLT Bar & Grill each day of your stay, suit press and shoe shine, downtown New York walking tour, W "Symmetry" CD, and a room you'll love, with rates from $399.

To find out who puts the W in Wall Street, book your stay at W New York - Downtown today. Reservations are accepted now for stays on or after August 16-October 11, 2010. If you book and stay by September 7th, you will receive Triple Starpoints®! Offer is available for arrivals on all days of the week. There is a minimum two-night stay required. Want to book using your phone? Call us at 1.866.961.2860 and mention promo code WGO.

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fireworksf.jpgIn New York, the Macy's Fourth of July fireworks bring illuminated beauty to the skyline over the Hudson River on the west side of Manhattan. It is the biggest display of fireworks in the nation, and features a rousing score of Americana music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the New York Pops orchestra. This is just a spirited walk or quick subway ride from The Westin New York at Times Square.

Washington, D.C. is the place to be for the quintessentially American Independence Day celebration as the sparks fly over the Washington Monument, with all the iconic historical sites in the background. Walk from your room at W - Washington D.C. for easy access to the evening event as well as the daylong celebration including a huge parade marching down Constitution Avenue. Classic. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, San Francisco [pictured] takes its Fourth of July fireworks over the Port of San Francisco very seriously, making it an ideal place to celebrate the holidays during a stay at the Westin St. Francis. A short walk or MUNI ride will bring you to the heart of the Independence Day action. A more scenic backdrop is hard to come by, and some dazzling pyrotechnics that defy physics and easy explanation certainly enhance that beauty.

Have we left out your favorite Fourth of July fireworks celebration? Tell us about it in the comments.

[Image via Damien Photography]

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Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur and thelobby.com's expert on everything sweet.

Being a huge Sex and the City fan, you could understand my excitement as I stumbled upon the Magnolia Bakery, home to where Carrie enjoyed those cupcakes and talked about Carrie's crush on Aiden. It is said that the Magnolia Bakery started the cupcake craze in the 1990's which continues until today. There, the cupcakes are baked from scratch and in small batches throughout the day to ensure their freshness. No preservatives are used in their recipes.

My takeaway box, containing two delicious cupcakes, cost just $5.50 USD. I could not go past the original and simple vanilla cakes with their rich butter icing. Speciality cupcakes, such as the red velvet are $3.25 USD. Diagonally opposite the bakery is an outdoor picnic area with tables and chairs where you can sit and enjoy these little gems! Outlets have now opened Uptown on Columbus Avenue and at the Rockefeller Centre on Avenue of the Americas. However, if you are a SATC fan, you simply must visit the original store located at 401 Bleecker Street, between 11th & Perry Streets in the West Village, a leisurely walk from the W New York - Union Square.

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Can you imagine wearing Norman Norell's gold organdy and silk "Evening Ensemble?" Those exaggerated sleeves and gargantuan bow top the flowing, glittering trousers with fantastic elegance, yet the outfit's muted hue gives it a huge dose of sophistication. The gorgeous pioneering ensemble is one of 85 gowns, cocktail dresses, pant suits and other iconic fashions on view at the Brooklyn Museum as part of the new exhibition "American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection." It's a 10-minute subway ride or 40-minute walk from the brand new Sheraton Brooklyn Hotel.

The exhibition, which runs through August 1, celebrates the recent partnership between the Brooklyn Museum's renowned costume collection and the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Founded in 1902, the Brooklyn Museum costume collection includes 23,500 pieces, making it one of the world's most comprehensive collections of American fashion from the late 19th to the mid-20th century. This exhibition presents highlights from a range of important designers, providing a nice overview of fashion history. From a whimsical striped Paul Poiret dress from 1910, to a wild tiger print gown by Gilbert Adrian dating from 1949, to a Hollywood worthy "Butterfly Dress" from 1955 that incorporates 25 yards of aubergine, lavender, and oyster white tulle, each piece is a remarkable, revolutionary work of fashion art. Which one would you wear to your next big event?

A related exhibition "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" is taking place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through August 15.

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Four Points Manhattan SoHo Village Exterior.jpgLocated on Charlton Street in downtown Manhattan, the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village is at the epicenter of the gay pride movement of the sixties and seventies, just steps from landmarks like the Stonewall Inn and Christopher Street. And with the Got Pride? We do! offer, you can enjoy a front row seat to the fun of the NYC Pride 2010 festival, with rates from just $189 a night. Stay in style at this comfortable, uncomplicated hotel, with free bottled water, complimentary internet, a fitness facility, full-service restaurant and lounge, and more. With a two-night stay during Gay Pride weekend, June 24 - June 27, you'll receive a free 2010 Meow t-shirt from renowned drag superstar Sherry Vine. Spend your day watching the parade and rocking out at the outdoor concerts, then head back to the hotel to freshen up before the Dance on the Pier, with DJ music and fireworks until 10:30 p.m. Visit here to book your Pride weekend at the Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village.

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