My First Experience with Hotels in New York

Back in '68, I got my first exposure to the hotels in New York City. One day, my parents packed some bags, and bundled me and my older brother into the car. I had no idea what was up or where we were going, but a little drive was always welcomed. Now, this was back before the interstate highway system was fully up and running, and travel at high speed was not yet the standard way to go.

We drove all day, and ended up in a little inn somewhere in Connecticut. A long way from any hotels in New York, but - in my eyes - even further from home! I had to wonder: where were we going, and would we ever get home again? But, I was too nervous to voice my concerns to my parents.

The next day, we drove a bit more, and stopped to see some sights. I'd never seen Mystic, Connecticut, and the whaling museums they had there; so these things were all totally amazing to me. At that age, I was so tiny; I could walk under the counter to the ticket office. I pointed this out to my Dad and told him I could just walk under, and not have to pay to get in. After all, they'd never see me! But no, that wasn't right. After that night, we would be looking at staying in one of the hotels in New York.

That second night, we stayed in a little inn right on the coast of Connecticut. Now I was really worried about home; we were awfully far from it! Were we ever going to return, or were we moving into one of those hotels in New York permanently? This might sound strange to people today, but back then parents had a tendency to not explain their actions to their kids, especially the very young ones. And, it didn't help that my older brother took delight in teasing me. As far as he was concerned, living in one of the hotels in New York was a great idea.

So, the next day, we arrived in the Big Apple, and checked into one of the nicest of hotels in New York. The main lobby was divided into upper and lower areas. The check in desk had wide, curving staircases on either side, and they took you up to the narrow walkway that ringed the lobby. I'd heard that hotels in New York were tall, and you had to take an elevator to get to the upper floors, but I used the stairs to get up to the walkway every time we came in. you see, the hotel had a big trunk up there, and a bowl of keys down at the check in desk. One of the keys would open the trunk, and whoever found that key would get all the prizes inside! My Mother told me this was a common thing with the hotels in New York; they were always doing promotional things. But, I made the mistake of taking one key at a time and racing up and down the stairs. Hey, when you're five, you don't plan ahead too well. So, the Head Bellhop made me stop.

Still, as hotels in New York went, it was a nice place. They had an indoor pool; so I got my swim in one. I got the push the button on the elevator. Well, whenever my Mother was with me. My brother took delight in beating me to the button every time! So, I decided not to ride with him. My Dad told me that some hotels in New York actually had elevator operators. I had to wonder, why someone to push the button for you? Gee, sure seemed like a silly job; and a real boring one. My Dad joked that such a job had its ups and downs. Me, I didn't get the joke. It was a while before my sense of humor developed. Still, staying in one of the hotels in New York was a lot of fun.