New York - Steve & MichaelDecember 2, 2013
Dear Linda,
It has been so busy ever since we got back, I haven’t had time to do much else but catch up with the TV project. But first and foremost, i wanted to say thank you for the bottle of Tattinger’s waiting for us at the Ritz when we arrived back in New York after our long flight from London. It was the best refreshment I have ever had! And so thoughtful of you as always. There was a beautiful note from the management and a specially printed c that said “Happy Anniversary Steve and Michael” — we got a kick out of that and decided yes, from now to celebrate our anniversary on June 4, to mark this splendid occasion.
The staff at the Ritz was impeccable — they welcomed us by name as soon as we walked in, and couldn’t do enough to make sure we were comfortable. I loved staying at the Ritz Carlton in Boston when I was a kid and have always wanted to stay at the NYC Central Park Ritz and our experience there reminded me so much of the graciousness of the Boston Ritz from so many years ago. Probably one of the loveliest places to stay from the standpoint of comfort and convenience. They just take pains to make you feel at home and special.
Even though their dining room is still closed for renovations, we had an incredible late supper and breakfast in their beautiful cocktail lounge that were perfectly prepared and served. As I was still ‘coming down’ from my addiction to Parisian Cafe au lait, was hesitant to order it here in NYC — but I did anyway and they made it perfectly. What a sweet surprise. Next time, I think we do something like this coming back from a long flight, I will remember to add on an extra day so that we can rest bit more and also enjoy the spa at the hotel as one more way to re-acclimate to the rigors of real life!
Back in Paris: the Lafayette tour guide and driver you arranged for us were incredible — every bit as knowledgeable (brilliant, actually), helpful, friendly and accommodating as the arrangements in Italy and Rome. To me, tour guides and private arrangements of this caliber truly turn these trips into extraordinary experiences — they completely eliminate the hassle of trying to do these things on one’s own, make superb use of time and add an immense element of quality to the experience overall. We always end up becoming good friends with our tour guides. Our guide in Paris was Valerie (cannot recall her last name and she was out of cards) — she was delightful in every way. These guides and cars are worth every centime they charge. Thank you so much for making these arrangements for us.
Our next project that will take us around the globe is a TV project that Michael and I are developing on our own — an eight-part series that travels to California, Mexico, the Caribbean, Virginia, NYC, Boston, Europe, Hong Kong and Shanghai. If you have a few minutes sometime, I would enjoy explaining a bit more about it with you. Until then, I hope you are having a great weekend — what’s left of it. The weather here this weekend is superb, so I need to get back outside and mix up few more margaritas!
Best to you — and thank you again from the bottom of our hearts!
