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NY,
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Extraordinary - Merit February - 2009 |
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5 Stars
& 4 Stripes Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award: Seven Stars
Award |
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On a cold winter February day I was on the way to
discover for the first time Great Neck, a community on Long Island's famous
'Gold Coast'; a town of milk and honey where the global economic slow down
seems to have less or little impact. Great Neck, originally called 'Madnan's
Neck', was settled in the late 17th century, not long after the Pilgrims landed
on Plymouth Rock. I was on an upper deck business flight with British Airways
from London to land soon at JFK. The flight was relaxing, these flat beds are
priceless, and to my surprise I was able to leave JFK's Terminal Seven within
fifteen minutes. That was a first. |
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Inn At Great
Neck Arrival: Karen Mayr & Barry Kay |
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A long stretch limo arrived, perfectly timed, at the
terminal and a well-dressed, uniformed driver welcomed and chauffeured us
expeditiously through the intense traffic to our destination, The Inn at Great
Neck - A Small Luxury Hotel on Long Island. This 'Inn' is ideally located
within walking distance of fabulous shopping in the heart of Great Neck and
close to priceless Long Island estates that have long been homes of 'the rich
and famous'. Our arrival was timely and check-in efficient and friendly. The
inviting lobby, accented by African Sapelli Mahogany paneling and decorated
with chic period murals recalling scenes from The Great Gatsby, made a fine
first impression. |
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The atmosphere, which is
explained as "Gold Coast Ambiance -
Classic
Art Deco, brings one back to the 1920's, the era of F. Scott Fitzgerald's
The Great Gatsby and The Jazz Age. Other unique touches include stainless
steel seashell molding and custom designed seating. |
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Inn At
Great Neck - Room |
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The helpful bellman guided us to the elevator and in
no time we entered the spacious and nicely decorated suite. With furnishings of
great quality, the comfortable bed was dressed with fine linens, lavish duvet
and plump pillows. The exquisite spacious marble bathroom was furnished with an
oversized vanity, a nice Jacuzzi tub, plush cotton terry robes and towels and
an interesting mirror setting. Later I experienced a masterly executed massage
and got to unwind at the 'Rejuvenation Room' that turned out to be a dry salt
rock sauna. After a sound, deep sleep I decided to order breakfast into my
suite the next morning because I was expected to meet with associates later on
for an elaborate brunch at the Inn. My breakfast was delivered within fifteen
minutes and nicely done. |
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Inn At Great
Neck - Brunch: Barry Kay & Executive Chef Naim Bellan |
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The level of service I experienced during my stay was
caring and above and beyond. - For the historians amongst us, the Great Neck
area is home to the oldest operating tidal gristmill in the US and was recently
restored. On the National Register of Historic Places the Saddle Rock Grist
Mill was in operation as early as 1700. For the sports enthusiast, the newly
constructed Citibank Park (replacing the now demolished Shea Stadium), which is
home to the New York Mets, is close by, and so is the Belmont Race track and
the National Tennis Centre, site of the US Open. As for Great Neck itself, it's
a lovely, historic and very affluent town. The intimate Inn at Great Neck with
its close proximity to Manhattan and not to forget a two-hour ride to visit the
famous Hamptons, makes a fabulous base for visitors from all over the
world. |
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Award-Hand-Out:
Inn At Great Neack - N.Y., USA |
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by
Barry & Rita Kay + Thorsten Buehrmann Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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© 2009 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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