New to the Manhattan skyline is the Conrad New York, an impressive and modern hotel situated near the Hudson River and steps away from World Trade Center. Entering the hotel will elicit a few “wows!” – as both my son and daughter yelled and stopped dead in their tracks — as the grand lobby and its stunning and colorful Loopy Doopy artwork extends 15 stories through the hotel’s atrium, changing from blue to green to purple. The wall art and the 100- by 80-foot Loopy Droopy monument were designed by conceptual artist Sol LeWitt. The calming lobby area is quiet and relaxing, with comfortable lounging and pleasant, helpful staff at the ready at all hours.

The hotel is an all-suite hotel, with 436 rooms providing separate sleeping and living areas, perfect for families spreading out, especially in one of the suites with two double beds and a pullout sofa, sleeping up to six. Rooms, like the hotel, are very modern, and bathrooms especially stunning with rainfall showerheads and oversized tubs. Rooms definitely feel like a vacation “home” versus “hotel,” and the hotel’s tucked-away location lends for a quieter destination after spending time sightseeing in busier areas of Manhattan. It’s a gorgeous hotel, and although a bit removed from the bigger tourist destinations, is admittedly one of my favorites in the city.

Each of the Conrad's 436 rooms are suites with separate living and sleeping areas. Families of up to six can comfortably share a suite with two double beds in the bedroom and a double sleeper sofa, beginning with 430-square-feet Deluxe Suites. The same suites are referred to as Superior Suites when on a higher floor, for better natural light, views, and quiet from the street traffic.

Premier and Luxury king suites have more than 700 square feet of space and offer dining space and wet bar. All rooms come with an espresso machine, Wi-Fi access, two flat-screen TV's and complimentary bottles of water. Rooms are contemporary with a neutral color scheme of ivory, tan and brown. Bathrooms are equipped with rainfall showers and separate tubs and aromatherapy bath products.

The hotel is located on a quiet street, keeping street noise to a minimum. A playground along the Hudson River is located in Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, across the street, where kids can play and run freely after a day of sightseeing. The 9/11 Memorial is also located two blocks away, and you'll be able to take in the view of the towering World Trade One, as it wraps up exterior construction.

Be sure to check out the Irish Hunger Memorial, also directly across the street. From the hotel, it looks like a hill with ruins on it, but when you walk to the front entrance, you'll find a tunnel with striped lighting and a story about the Irish famine on the walls explaining the home you'll walk through as you climb the slope of the hill.

If rain interferes with your sightseeing, the hotel is also connected to an 11-screen Regal movie theatre.

The hotel provides activity books and crayons to kids, although finding a staff member who knows that may take a little time.

The Conrad's onsite restaurant is Atrio Wine Bar, which provides breakfast, lunch and dinner at the center of the hotel's stunning lobby. The restaurant serves Italian/Mediterranean fare and provides in-room dining 24 hours a day.

During warm-weather months, from May through early October, the Loopy Doopy Rooftop bar provides fantastic views of the New York Harbor, along with a selection of small dishes.

Within the same block as the hotel are a bagel shop, a Shake Shack and dining at the North End Grill, Blue Smoke, FPB or PJ Clarkes on the Hudson. Across the street, a Le Pain Quotidian provides more breakfast and lunch options.

All about the Extras
A 24-hour fitness center is available, on site.

Getting There
The Conrad is located near Tribeca, SoHo and the Financial District, and is accessible from La Guardia, JFK and Newark International Airports, with cabs averaging around $50. A Super Shuttle is available 24 hours a day from each airport and will provide door-to-door service to and from the hotel for $15 to $19.

To drive, take 9A West to Vesey Street, and the hotel will be on the corner of Vesey and North End. A parking garage is around the corner for self or valet parking.