The Sherry-Netherland Hotel

The Sherry-Netherland hotel was built in 1927 at 781 Fifth Avenue, which intersects with E.59th street, also known as Central Park South. This hotel has always played second fiddle to The Plaza, its glamour seeking cousin across the street and is little known outside native New Yorkers. It is not advertised and is barely mentioned in travel publications. It 50 rooms are individually decorated and can be viewed before booking on the Sherry-Netherland website. The hotel, was granted a 4 and a half star rating by Tripadvisor, which shows that it is not in the same league as the CPS Plaza or Ritz-Carlton, but still is a high quality hotel in an amazing location. The lobby contains panels that were salvaged from the Vanderbilt Mansion that was razed to make room for the Bergdorf Goodman department store. The intimateness of the hotel allows for personalized service that could not be enjoyed in the Waldorf-Astoria or the New York Palace, as their size could not allow.

The Lobby inside the Sherry-Netherland Hotel

Another view of the Sherry-Netherland Lobby

The Harry Cipriani Restaurant is located in the Sherry-Netherland Hotel

Inside Harry Cipriani

The famed Sherry-Netherland Clock

Hotel Raphael in Paris

All these pictures are available at: http://flickr.com/photos/13766781@N05/sets/72157602336247138/

The Hotel Raphael, unlike other expensive hotels in Paris was not built as a palace and then converted to a hotel, but was built as a hotel in 1925. The guest rooms, all of which are shaped different and furnished with antiques each have character which seems to have disappeared with the emergence of the chain hotel. The hotel is located in the posh yet quiet 16^th arrondissement district which is the home to the mansions of the Parisian riche and many financial firms (not a coincidence). It is located the Avenue Kleber, which radiates from the Arc de Triomphe and is located a few blocks away from the Champs-Elysees. Its not the Crillon or the Ritz, but this hotel is reasonable yet having the class and luxury of hotels, twice its price.

View of the Hotel Raphael from the south

Lobby of the Hotel Raphael

Street entrance of the Hotel Raphael

Portrait of the original owner of the Hotel Raphael

One of the many tapestries placed throughout the hotel

Staircase of the Hotel Raphael

Stained glass located on each of the stairways

Double room at the Hotel Raphael

Double room at the Hotel Raphael

The rooftop bar/restaurant that gives great views of Paris, night and day

Hotel Raphael matchbook, availabel in all rooms, bars and restaurants in the hotel.

Hotel Raphael
17 Avenue de Kleber, 16th
Paris, France
http://www.raphael-hotel.com
Matchbooks: yes