In the past, I’ve been quite relaxed when it comes to travel, hotels and where I stay, but after a slightly dodgy experience a few years ago in Ibiza, I’ve become quite the online researcher. A combination of Kayak, TripAdvisor, Tablet Hotels, Expedia and the local city newspapers / magazines (in this case, Time Out New York and New York magazine) found me taking a punt on the Maritime Hotel. And thank God I did.

I know I tend to write quite effusive, gushing blog posts (what can I say, I’m a very positive person!), but in this case, it’s definitely deserving. The next time you stay in New York, you should stay here, because what made the experience good was all the little things they did. From the great bellboys to the welcome pack in the room to all the complimentary services to the very polite front desk staff, they really tried to make the hotel our ‘home away from home’.

The complimentary wine from their Italian vineyard was a nice touch – and it came with a lovely note.

On the afternoon of New Year’s Eve, we came back to a clean room and a nice little surprise to help soothe the next day’s hangovers.

In any service business (including media), it really is the little things that matter and those tend to be the things that stay with people.

Anyway, I saw lots and lots of interesting things on my trip.

1. Disused storefronts and buildings used as media space.

2. A really great Google Maps / local business partnership – spotted outside the Y3 store on W13th Street.

3. Obama cupcakes from Chelsea Market.

4. An amazing plea for a tip on the bill from Cafeteria in Chelsea – 18%!  The service barely constituted a standard 15% tip… just saying.

5. The incredible elevator (that people were lining up on the coldest day of the year to take) that only goes up and down one floor and the madness in the Apple Store below.

6.  The amazing New York Bomb Squad logo. I didn’t believe this was real when I first saw it, but a quick chat with some NYPD officers verified its authenticity.