Italian Hotel Chain Location on Madison Avenue in NYC

by Margaret Hundley Parker

Some people go to Italy to walk across fine Verona marble floors and bask in the soft lighting of Venetian chandeliers - others take the subway to 38th and Madison in New York City, where the Jolly Hotels Italian hotel chain just opened up its first in America.

Well, just opened is a bit of an exaggeration, since they’ve owned the property since 1991. But the old building, which was designed by architects Murgatroyed and Ogden in 1923, needed a facelift. So after years of renovating, while keeping the charm of 1920s American architecture, they’re all dressed up and ready to host in Italian style.

In honor of their new look as well as a celebration of the ushering in of new General Manager Rosanna Coscia, they recently threw a party. The men there wore dark Italian suits (of course), while the women teetered in high heels and tossed long scarves out of their penne. Here the chefs presented some of the deliciousness that will be created in the Cinque Terre Restaurant (opening in May 2002). If the food at the party was any indication of what’s coming, the restaurant will be a hit. Antipasti, cheeses, smoked fish and oysters on the half shell, and fresh pasta filled two never-ending buffet tables. After the guests enjoyed a few glasses of red wine and the Italian feast, yet another table was covered with dark chocolate, pastries, fruit, meringue, of and yes, more red wine. Ahh, Italia.

Here are the facts: The Jolly Hotel chain is the largest in Italy. The Jolly Hotel Master properties are “four star superior” which means basically, they’re fancy. They’re for the executive traveler as well as the discerning tourist. The Jolly Master Hotel, Madison Towers is walking distance from Times Square, Empire State Building and Grand Central Station. Therefore it’s easy to get to by train or by taxi. They do have parking if you drive, but leave the car elsewhere if possible because driving in Manhattan can be a bit stressful. Although conveniently located, the hotel is far enough away from the hubbub so that you don’t feel overwhelmed in the crowd as soon as you walk out of the door. It’s in a residential neighborhood called Murry Hill, which is busy during the day but relatively quiet at night. There’s a doorman and the hotel feels safe.

It’s very woman-friendly. Many of the top executives, including the general manager, the director of sales, the executive housekeeper, and the reservations manager are all women. There are just over 200 rooms total, so it’s small enough that the hotel staff knows what’s going on in the hotel at all times. There are security and fire safety guards on-site 24 hours a day.

by Margaret Hundley Parker

All rooms are quite impressive, not the closet-sized boxes of so many New York hotels. The basic rooms come with high speed Internet web TV as well as the usual amenities, and a phone with voicemail and modem connection. The Deluxe Rooms are on the top floors, and most have a clear few of the Empire State Building. These rooms are sleek, and the 80 square-foot bathroom with marble bathtubs are very inviting.

If you need an extra treat, there’s an independent spa on the third floor that specializes in shiatsu and Swedish massage. If you’re lucky and you have a corporate account, you get 15% off spa services. All guests get a free daily pass to the nearby New York Sports Club, a full service gym that also offers interesting classes (from basic aerobics to Indian dance).

For the corporate traveler, there are fully equipped meeting rooms as well as a boardroom decked out with a granite center table and workstations with individual Internet connections. The meeting rooms can be closed off or expanded to fit 14 or 200 people.

It’s possible to connect the meeting rooms to the breakfast room, Caffe Buongiorno. This is the place to enjoy a morning cappuccino in a red tulip-shaped chair.

Last but not least, is the Whaler Bar, a glamorous place to end a long day before retiring upstairs to the cozy room. People have been cocktailing here since the 1920s. This place, too, has gone through some renovations, but they kept the old feel. Many times a year they have jazz nights, where you can kick back and listen to live music in front of a working fireplace.

If you need a safe, comfortable and a little bit decadent place to stay in New York City, go Italian style at the Jolly Madison where you can say ciao without irony.

For More Information:
The Jolly Master Hotel, Madison Towers
22 East 38th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 802-0600
Fax: (212) 447-0747
www.jollymadison.com
res@jollymadison.com