We stayed at the Hotel Grace, on west 45th street, a stone's throw from Time Square. Every time we emerged from the subway near the hotel we were greeted by near daylight even at midnight, due to the plasma screens in Times Square. Did you know it costs $100,000 a month to keep a square foot of plasma screen going in Times Square? Ok the numbers might be a little off but it's very costly! for more info on Hotel Grace click here

When I arrive in a city, I have to go up something tall to get my bearings. This time we chose the Top of the Rock at the Rockerfeller Centre click here. It gives you a clear view down town of the Empire State building (when it's not snowing!) The picture above is the extremely splendid entrance hall. 

There are architects a plenty in Manhattan, they've got Rem Koolhas for Prada, with it's undulating, skateboarding floor and round the corner they've got Thomas Heatherwick for Londchamp, with it's undulating floor that turns into steps. Diller Scofidio rule at the Lincoln Centre (bottom left shows the loos!) and on the High Line (bottom right) click here for more info

Space is at an absulute premium, an average 2 bed apartment costs around $2,000,000. gulp. So no wonder everything is crammed in, and when they do put things on show, its the best of the best. See Van Gogh's Starry Night at Moma

We still had some time for classic sight seeing, the (living) Statue of Liberty! Central Park from the Time Warner Building via the subway. We met up with an old friend in her Carpet store click here and hunted for new glasses for me!