They say the most successful business minds are adept at equally utilizing their creative right brains and logical left brains to solve complex problems. But when you’re climbing the corporate ladder, it can be tough to keep your right brain “in shape,” when your day job requires so much left brain action.
We think that sometimes there’s no better way to shake things up and get some mind-expanding experiences than a business trip. Need some inspiration? We recommend New York’s Midtown West. Blending a buzzing financial district with the razzle dazzle of Times Square and Broadway, this Manhattan neighborhood has plenty to exercise both your concrete and imaginative brain capabilities.
For Your Left Brain
Stay.
To please your picky left brain, check in at business-geared hotel properties like Jumeirah Essex House, with its slick business center and networking-friendly Art Deco lobby; The Shoreham, which offers 24-hour cappuccino service; or ultra-wired Stay., where everything from snacks (via the interactive room service console) to Skype (via the Skype-enabled smart cordless phones) is just a button-push away. Or, sidestep the corporate vibes at intimate yet business-friendly boutique Chambers or plush, French-styled Sofitel New York.
If you need to entertain clients, finding a perfect deal-making dining spot is a snap in Midtown West. You can “surf” at landmark French seafood restaurant Le Bernardin or seafood-focused California import Michael’s and “turf” at high-design steakhouse Quality Meats. For a more casual (but no less decadent) option, take a breakfast meeting at Norma’s, famous for indulgent dishes like the fruit-filled Waz-Za waffle with a brûlée top. After hours, unwind at go-to post-work watering hole Bar Room at The Modern.
For Your Right Brain
When you’re ready to let your right brain take the lead, it’s time to catch a Broadway and Off Broadway Theater show. Make a night of it: Many of the area’s finest eateries, including Aureole (don’t miss the 14,000-bottle wine selection) and db Bistro Moderne (black truffle foie gras burger, anyone?), offer special pre- and post-theater menus. A stellar Broadway-adjacent hotel choice is the W New York—Times Square, where the neighborhood’s musical energy carries over to the hotel’s swinging lounge and jazzy restaurant, Blue Fin.
Rockefeller Center
Aside from Broadway, Midtown West is loaded with prime “right-brain” spots for soaking up great culture and entertainment. At the Art Deco Rockefeller Center complex, you can catch concerts and stage shows at massive Radio City Music Hall (home to the iconic Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes) or take the NBC Studio Tour at the 30 Rock headquarters. Nearby, tune into the world’s finest musicians in Carnegie Hall or scope the outstanding modern and contemporary collection at The Museum of Modern Art.
When Your Brain is Spent
If you simply want to give your brain a rest, Midtown West is also a good pick for R&R on the luxury tip. The London NYC boasts ultra-spacious, stylish suites, while The Peninsula New York promises ultimate pampering with its fabulous Peninsula Spa by ESPA, Shanghai-inspired rooftop lounge Salon de Ning, and steps-from-the-shops Fifth Avenue location. Speaking of which, you won’t want to miss the crème de la crème fashions at Bergdorf Goodman or the flirty accessories at Henri Bendel (bonus: get coiffed at the Frédéric Fekkai salon on the store’s fourth floor).
A romantic night out in Midtown West might start with the sexy fusion fare at Nobu 57 and move on to the cozy fireside Hudson Library bar. Go ahead and delve into one of the leather-bound volumes along with your classic martini—your right and left hemispheres will be in perfect harmony.
For more information on these as well as many other chic venues in New York City, check out The Purple Passport’s New York Guide.
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