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 Modeled after
a Tuscan Villa, this splendid boutique hotel offers a waterside destination where
the emphasis is on elegance and European-styled service. The DELAMAR,
(Italian for "From The Sea") is the only hotel in Connecticut to have membership
in the exclusive Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Snuggled beside a cozy
harbor in Greenwich, it features 83 guest rooms including 9 suites. Many rooms have
private balconies overlooking its yacht-filled dock and Long Island Sound.
 Drive past the
entrance to the fabulous L'Escale Restaurant - a sunny yellow building with
a terra cotta tiled roof and wrought-iron balconies, and into the second entrance
for The DELAMAR Greenwich Harbor Hotel. Everything here is sumptuous and
new! The hotel was completely renovated and opened in January 2003.
All this is only 40 minutes from New York City. Convenient to 1-95 and the Greenwich
Train Station, you can come by car, rail or boat.
The train station is one block away and the express train on Metro North takes 40
minutes from the city. Greenwich Ave. with all its boutiques and bistros is an easy
walk. See more info on
Greenwich.
From the moment I arrived,
the staff made me feel welcome. Most joined the hotel before it opened and they
treat guests as if they are staying in a gracious home. At check-in, I was greeted
at the front desk with a glass of sherry. I chose to sip it in the adjacent library
with its huge stone fireplace, beamed ceiling and soft tobacco leather sofa. A wall
of windows overlooking the water is framed by exquisite balloon shades with tassels.
I felt as if I had boarded one of the nearby yachts!
In one corner, daily newspapers
and magazines are rolled on a wooden rack for reading. A delightful professional
coffee maker is tucked away in another corner available 24 hours gratis for guests.
I proceeded to make a frothy decaf cappuccino with the touch of a button. Next to
the library is the opulent marble and limestone lobby.
The two waterside seating
areas are posh and distinctive. Beautiful fabrics and intricate designs adorn everything
from the handsome furnishings to the apricot plaster walls to the Florentine domed
ceiling. Original oil paintings and antiques from the owners' private collections
are showcased throughout the hotel.
Lovely floral arrangements
usually fill the center table but on weekends, the restaurant sets a small continental
breakfast featuring delicious fresh pastries. At night, the mood changes and becomes
a bit magical. Lights dance across the water reflecting from the moon and the harbor
and the yachts docked beside the hotel. Even the custom designed walls in the lobby
take on a candlelit glow. Sounds of guests enjoying drinks and dinners softly resonate
from the neighboring terrace at L'Escale.
If you would like to arrange
a round of golf or a game of tennis, or a day at the beach, or an afternoon cruise,
the concierge can accommodate you. Go for a jog through near-by parks or use the
hotel's well-equipped fitness suite. Shop in-town at all the top stores from
Saks to Baccarat ‚
Greenwich is known as the "East Coast Beverly Hills."
Browse the wonderful art
galleries and charming restaurants all within walking distance. Just down the street
is the hill-topped Bruce Museum with first rate art exhibits and a permanent
science center dedicated to the natural history of Long Island Sound.
For reservations and
more info:
The DELAMAR Greenwich Harbor Hotel
500 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830
phone: (203) 661-9800 Toll free: (866) 335-2627
Website: http://www.thedelamar.com
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LODGING &
AMENITIES
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 Guests are personally
escorted to their rooms and in the European tradition, tipping is not necessary
as a $15 charge per room daily covers valet parking and all hotel gratuities. All
doors to the rooms have three-chimed doorbells - no need to knock. The furnishings
are very attractive and individually selected like the hand-painted armoires with
mini bars that house martini glasses, canapes and Dean & Deluca treats. Most rooms
have lush king-sized beds with Fili D'oro bed linens, Frette towels and terry robes.
All bathrooms have marble
vanities, cast-iron soaking tubs, spa toiletries, large rainfall shower heads and
hand-embroidered shower curtains. Guest rooms offer flat screen TVs, DVD and CD
players plus high speed internet service. The in-room safe fits a lap top perfectly.
While the rates for the
Harbor-View Rooms are higher, they are well worth the difference. You should definitely
request a room with a balcony overlooking the water. You can even have your breakfast
or dinner served al fresco. Room service is catered by the adjacent L'Escale
restaurant. Many of the suites have gas fireplaces with beautiful stone mantels
and French doors opening onto the balconies, two bathrooms and fine imported furniture.
If you really want to splurge,
consider the Presidential Suite with fabulous harbor views and the gracious feel
of a private home. Nicole Kidman used it when she was filming Stepford Wives.
As long as you're treating
yourself, don't forget "Man's Best Friend." A few dog-friendly rooms are available
at the discretion of the management for an additional $25. Fido will be offered
his own bed, "Voss" water, fancy-treats and nightly turn-down service. Dog sitting
and walking can also be arranged. Further fur & feather news: cat and bird lovers
are welcomed too.
Room rates are $315 to
$415. Suites are higher. However, the hotel frequently runs special packages starting
at $219 depending on the season so be sure to check with the management. Since there's
no minimum stay, The DELAMAR Greenwich Harbor is perfect for an overnight
getaway or a week of pampering.
Business Conferences:
The DELAMAR offers an incredible setting for small business meetings. There's
a handsome Corporate Board Room that seats 12 around an immense square table and
flat screen TV.
Weddings: This is a particularly
pretty setting for a small destination wedding. Start with cocktails dockside on
the terrace, dinner catered by L'Escale in the charming ballroom (which can
be redesigned for groups from 15 to 150) and then stay overnight in the elegant
guest rooms of the hotel.
Click here for more info
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DINING
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L'Escale is opened
for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's a very handsome and popular restaurant with
sophisticated decor and an antique-stone fireplace imported from France. The adjacent
bar & cocktail lounge hosts a lively crowd waiting for tables. For drinks or dinner,
I particularly liked the trellis-covered terrace overlooking the dock and harbor.
The Continental menu focuses on seafood but steaks and chops also highlight the
gourmet offerings. Try the succulent bouillabaisse which is a house specialty. On
weekends, reservations are necessary.
You can also sample some of the other fine restaurants in
Greenwich. Quaint little bistros and trattorias line Greenwich Ave.
Or ask to see the restaurant guide book that includes personal recommendations and
comments by the hotel's staff.
Click here for more info
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PACKAGES
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Offerings range from museum
to romance packages. They also offer special weekend and holiday celebration packages.
Click here for more info
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TRANSPORTATION
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CAR: From New York, take 1-95
North to Exit 3 in CT. Right onto Arch St. At 2nd light, make a right onto Steamboat
Rd.
Travel time: Greenwich
is 34 miles from Manhattan. Though it all depends on traffic, expect at least a
45 minute to one hour drive.
TRAIN:
Take the Metro-North train from Grand Central Station to Greenwich on the
New Haven line. Trains run approximately once an hour on Saturdays and every other
hour on Sundays.
Fare: $6.75-
$9.00 one way depending on peak/off peak times.
For the most current information,
call 800-METRO-INFO. In Manhattan use 212-532-4900. AMTRAK trains also stop in Greenwich.
Travel time: About
45 minutes. The DELAMAR is a 1 block walk away on Steamboat Rd.
BOAT: Contact hotel dockmaster Gisle Sarheim at 866-335-2627; there's 600 ft.
dockspace, berths yachts up to 160 ft. It has 9 ft.channels and is the only public
dock in the area.
TAXI:
Greenwich Taxi
is literally on the Greenwich
train station platform as you get off the train from New York. 203-869-6000. They're
open 4:30am to 1:30am and until 2:30am Friday and Saturday.
If you find yourself in
Stamford, taxis should be waiting as well. Advance arrangements can be made by calling
Stamford Yellow Cab at 203-967-3633 or Stamford Taxi at 203-325-2611.
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MAP
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Click here for a map of area surrounding
The DELAMAR
Greenwich Harbor
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WEATHER
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Photos Courtesy of The
DELAMAR
Greenwich Harbor
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