Location is everything.

And in a geotagged world of growing dots and pins, location is clearly the pedestal of more than just real estate. Which is why when faced with the predicament of choice of luxury hotels in New York, the one I opted for this time was the legendary Parker Meridien, located in Midtown.

The midtown location, far from the trending East Village and Lower East Side trending haunts and Meatpacking District’s scintillating nights, is nonetheless close to the heritage of what New York is most known for: Central Park, 5th Avenue, Broadway theaters, and a dip of old fashioned nostalgia. The lobby has high arched ceilings with natural light flooding in, and art by Damien Hirst. The massive mirrors and marble seating give way to a lot of selfie opportunities, as well as the adjacently placed eateries including Knave, Indian Accent, and the legendary brunch spot Norma’s, reviewed previously already.

Knave appears to be a walkway to the street transformed into a long cafe and bar of sorts. With high ceilings and a French church like feel, it is complete with iron chandeliers, paintings on the ceilings, and cathedral style candles and tea lights for a serene ambiance. Art, interiors and architecture are truly my favorite facets of a luxury stay, and were exemplified here.

Peering closer at the details, one notices street signs like 57 Rue, as well as stained glass windows as a facade of the bar backdrop.

With a gallery of intriguing cocktails and coffees, I chose to combine both with an espresso martini, topped with bitter coffee beans. Strong, indulgent and perfectly un-saccharine, it left me salivating for their whiskey Earl grey teas, served in classic china cups. And the best part of Knave is their apperitifs: salted nuts and fried olives, often sumptuous when warm!

The hotel’s amenities include a Gravity Fitness and Spa, but naturally my merman and rooftop addictive interests whisked me to their rooftop pool, touted as one of the best in New York. With floor to glass windows, a cinemascope view of Central Park and the New York skyline, it was an awe-inspiring, breathtaking sweep of architecture and relaxation. The hotel also offers day passes to the gym and pool for a whopping $150.

An additional outdoor deck allows for people watching, tanning, and enables guests and onlookers to be voyeurs of what New York’s elite are up to, perched in tall glass buildings, far from the public green spaces below. I made a short cameo in my Roberto Cavalli leopard print shirt, Marc Jacobs eyewear and staple Topman jeans, perfectly fit for people watching.

I literally spent most of my days in the hotel’s fantastic amenities, from the multiple eating outlets to the pool as a favorite topper, perched high up like a bird ready to set flight. Because as they say, a bird is powered by its own flight and its motivation. And my motivation is my addiction to travel.