Johnny Jet's Travel Tales

She planned an exciting weekend on 34th Street in Manhattan. Leaving her suburban routine behind, Anna arrived in Manhattan via New York's Penn Station (34th & 8th Avenue). She stopped for a quick shopping fix and a café latte at Macys (34th & 7th Avenue). Continuing east, she passed the Empire State Building (34th Street & 5th Avenue). Built in 1930, construction costs were $40,948,900 (including the land). With 102 floors Anna tried to count all 6500 windows and 73 elevators. She noticed all the tourists lined up to see the spectacular view (www.esbnyc.com). Her next quick stop was to the high-tech version of the New York Public Library (34th Street & Madison Avenue). She caught up on some research and bought a few gently used books to read.

Continuing east on 34th Street, Anna, tired and hungry with a good book to read, checked into one of the five Manhattan East Suite Hotels, the Dumont Plaza, 150 East 34th Street.

A pleasant lobby and a congenial staff, the Dumont Plaza is all that Anna looks for in a New York hotel. She found the newly redecorated suites masculine in color and format, but scaled to make her feel comfortable. She was not surprised to discover that The Manhattan East Suite team directed $12 million on refurbishing this 247-unit property. When the design firm of Di Leonardo International planned the suites (complete with kitchen appliances,) they must have had workaholics in mind. The desk space was large enough for her entire staff to sit and "confer" while she worked out in the gym, complete with new and modern equipment.

She had a great lunch in Sonia's Garden; the indoor/ outdoor dining room is connected to the hotel, through the lobby. The luncheon menu was moderately priced and had a wide range of choices. Anna ordered the asparagus puff pastry appetizer ($5.25) and the poached salmon entree ($5.75). For desert, she selected the chocolate mousse ($8.00) and a cappuccino ($4.00).

When Anna called to make her reservation, she asked the hotel staff to stock her in-room refrigerator and pantry with her favorite champagne and other goodies. So this evening, when she curled up in her ergonomic Herman Miller Aeron lounge chair to review her research and read her book she did not have to dress or call anyone... She just strolled into her kitchen, popped the cork on her perfectly chilled vintage champagne, warmed the appetizers in the microwave, put on her favorite robe, and settled in for a luxurious evening of peace and quiet.

Before pulling back the beautiful spread and down comforter, Anna checked out the Serta mattress, designed specifically for Manhattan East. She had her choice of watching the 27" television or listening to the state of the art CD player - and decided to do both - she caught the 11:00 News and let the music gentle her to sleep.

When she awoke the following morning, Anna, the fastidious traveler, was delighted to find an iron and board in her room and a coin-operated laundry room on the lower level. Although she was New York to play and not work, she did use the in-room fax to send a report to her client and checked her email on her computer through the in-room modem hook-up. When two friends called at the same time, she was glad there was a multi-line telephone in her room.

After breakfast, Anna toured the "neighborhood" - stopping in a few small boutiques, dining with local New Yorkers at Patsy's Pizzeria (1312 Second Avenue, 212 639 1000). Famous for pizza and huge salads, Anna felt delightfully stuffed and ready for a walk through the parks in historical Tudor City (40th Street east of Second Avenue). She picked up the pace by jogging past the United Nations, continuing north along the East River - all the way to Gracie Mansion, home to Mayor Rudolph Gullianni (89th Street and East End Avenue).

Returning to the Dumont Plaza, she stopped at the hotel spa for a massage before dinner. She was meeting her New York friends at the BrewPub for a beer and burger, and a movie at the nearby theatre.

All too quickly, her mini-holiday was going to be over. She was sorry to leave Manhattan, but knew that her weekend on 34th Street was as good a get-away as if she had taken a flight to Europe. Life can be excellent - without using a passport or having to change dollars for a foreign currency.

Dumont Plaza, 150 East 34th Street, New York, New York 10016-4743. Room rates range from $244 for a studio to $352 for a one-bedroom. Toll-free reservations 1 800 ME SUITE.

From New York City - Elinor Garely go4travel@hotmail.com