Between the skyscrapers, subway cars and concrete, it’s easy to forget that Manhattan is, in fact, an island, with the Hudson River on one side and the East River on the other. And often, the best way to get a great view of it all requires a change of perspective.
One way some New York hotels are helping their guests see the city in all its beauty is by offering a surprising amenity: luxury watercraft that show the city from an all-new angle. These vessels, much like their proprietors, are lavish, with exclusive charters, onboard menus catered by top culinary talent and ample pours of champagne. And beyond the undeniably impressive bells and whistles, these over-the-top sails deliver one-of-a-kind vantage points of Lady Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the city skyline.
If you’re ready to set sail on an unforgettable experience of the city, these three hotels are waiting to show you around the high seas.
The Kimberly Hotel
Keep your eyes trained on the Hudson River for the triumphant return of The Kimberly Yacht. The 75-foot boat recently underwent a restoration, but it will soon resume its sunset sails through lower Manhattan. The refreshed boat is painted a sea-worthy white with a striking pop of red emblazoned with the hotel’s name.
The hotel’s two-hour cruise will depart from Pier 59 at Chelsea Piers on Tuesdays through Sundays until October. Passage is reserved exclusively for guests of the Midtown hotel.
Christian Flores, the executive chef of The Kimberly’s rooftop bar, Upstairs, will steer the cruise’s menu. If onboard offerings are anything like Upstairs’ delectable fare (see: sesame tuna tartare, caper garlic aioli crab cakes and spicy chicken satay), guests are in for a treat. The price will include cold and hot small plates, a welcome champagne toast and two additional drinks.
The Mark
The sight of Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Mark’s gleaming, vintage 70-foot Herreshoff sailboat accomplishes an impressive feat — it’s nearly as stunning as the Statue of Liberty view it provides guests. The luxury vessel, expertly crafted with Indian teak decks and custom brass fixtures, was built in 1921 and is one of the last-remaining Herreshoffs. The hotel’s two-hour sunset cruise begins in Tribeca’s North Cove Marina and offers a privileged vantage point of downtown Manhattan’s mosaic of skyscrapers, including One World Trade Center.
The boat can fit up to 25 ticketed guests. For those treks, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the legendary chef of The Mark Restaurant, curates an onboard menu infused with a nautical spirit. Passengers can expect perfectly buttered Maine lobster rolls; oysters served with a smoky trout roe; fresh gulf shrimp paired with a tangy, sweet chili sauce; and chilled watermelon, lusciously combined with Coach Farm chèvre. But if you’d like to keep your cheeses and caviar to yourself, the ship is also available for private charters.
Aman New York
The Four-Star Aman New York, the legendary brand’s first New York outpost, made a splash last summer with the debut of a fleet of motorized yachts in partnership with the distinguished Barton & Gray Mariners Club. Aman’s Adventures on the Water has returned for a second season that runs through October.
Passengers can select from three available vessels: a 36-foot Hinckley Picnic Boat, a 40-to-44-foot Hinckley Talaria and a 48-foot Daychaser. The hotel’s talented culinary team provides provisions that are also customizable, with a unique menu for every voyage. In addition, passengers chart the four-hour cruise course, boasting breathtaking vistas of Manhattan’s waterways, with close-ups of landmarks such as Governor’s Island and the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s an upscale rendition of choose-your-own-adventure.
The New York hotel offers other seasonal experiences throughout the year, too. Adventures on the Road takes cyclists on tours of Central Park from May to December and, come winter, Adventures on the Slopes offers day trips to the Catskills with slopeside butler service and après-skiing at the Windham Mountain Club.
