Music and travel go together like Hall and Oates, Sonny and Cher, or Simon and Garfunkel.
Music and travel have a profound power that enables individuals to mentally, emotionally, or physically escape to a new destination. Expedia's 2021 customer research reveals that 62% of online travelers cite "music," particularly "festivals," as their primary passion. This musical connection could get even stronger as travellers start to seek out transformational, meaningful experiences from their post-pandemic trips.
When we think of musical destinations, New York City comes top of mind. Here are five hotels to book a stay in for anyone looking to get out and explore this magical city’s musical past.
Music and travel have a profound power that enables individuals to mentally, emotionally, or physically escape to a new destination. Expedia's 2021 customer research reveals that 62% of online travelers cite "music," particularly "festivals," as their primary passion. This musical connection could get even stronger as travellers start to seek out transformational, meaningful experiences from their post-pandemic trips.
When we think of musical destinations, New York City comes top of mind. Here are five hotels to book a stay in for anyone looking to get out and explore this magical city’s musical past.
New York Hilton Midtown: 1335 Sixth Avenue
The New York Hilton Midtown has a bit of a home-field advantage when it comes to musical histories, thanks to its location just two blocks from Radio City Music Hall. However, the hotel itself has plenty of noteworthy musical moments as well. Elvis Presley was a favored longtime guest of the hotel and often held press conferences from the lobby. The Beatles also booked a few rooms in the hotel when they made their famed appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. In later years, John Lennon returned to the hotel and wrote “Imagine” on the Hilton’s stationery.
Gramercy Park Hotel: 2 Lexington Avenue
Since the day the Gramercy Park Hotel opened its doors in 1925, it’s beckoned the rich, famous, and musically talented. The Rolling Stones lived in the hotel after their first American tour, and according to the hotel, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Clash, and Bob Marley were all frequent guests throughout the ’60s. The next few decades would be no different with Debbie Harry and Christ Stein taking up residence in room 501, followed by U2, who became long-term guests in the ’80s.
Gramercy Park Hotel: 2 Lexington Avenue
Since the day the Gramercy Park Hotel opened its doors in 1925, it’s beckoned the rich, famous, and musically talented. The Rolling Stones lived in the hotel after their first American tour, and according to the hotel, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Clash, and Bob Marley were all frequent guests throughout the ’60s. The next few decades would be no different with Debbie Harry and Christ Stein taking up residence in room 501, followed by U2, who became long-term guests in the ’80s.
Waldorf Astoria, New York: 301 Park Avenue.
If the Waldorf Astoria is excellent enough for Frank Sinatra, it’s excellent enough for you. Old Blue Eyes called the hotel home from 1979 to 1988. But he’s far from the only singer to show a little love for the luxury hotel. Rick Ross and T.I. expressed their admiration for the hotel on "Maybach Music III," performing a song that included the lyrics, "Fly to NY, meet me at the Waldorf Astoria/Architecture Victorian/ridin' in the past like you're driving a DeLorean." According to the hotel, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, and Ella Fitzgerald all came around regularly to sing in the Starlight Roof ballroom, too.
If the Waldorf Astoria is excellent enough for Frank Sinatra, it’s excellent enough for you. Old Blue Eyes called the hotel home from 1979 to 1988. But he’s far from the only singer to show a little love for the luxury hotel. Rick Ross and T.I. expressed their admiration for the hotel on "Maybach Music III," performing a song that included the lyrics, "Fly to NY, meet me at the Waldorf Astoria/Architecture Victorian/ridin' in the past like you're driving a DeLorean." According to the hotel, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, and Ella Fitzgerald all came around regularly to sing in the Starlight Roof ballroom, too.
The Mercer is one of the largest hip-hop hotels in the world. In the early 2000s, Jay-Z and Kanye West rented out an entire hotel floor to record their album, “Watch the Throne.” The hotel received a special shoutout from the two rap legends during the song "Otis," where Jay-Z raps, "I'm about to call the paparazzi on myself/uh, live from The Mercer." Following the album’s release, the twosome returned to New York and gave the entire Mercer staff tickets to their show at Madison Square Garden.
Plaza Hotel: 768 Fifth Avenue
The Plaza Hotel has a rich history in entertainment due to its numerous appearances in popular culture. The elegant hotel features everywhere from books like “The Great Gatsby” to "Eloise” and films like “The Way We Were” through “Home Alone 2.” Beyond authors and movie stars, it’s also long been a hotel beloved by the musically inclined. As the hotel notes, in 2015, Saturday Night Live celebrated its 40th anniversary in the Grand Ballroom. Feeling the joy of the night, Prince took to the stage for an unplanned one-song performance. It would be one of his last performances before his death in 2016.
Do you want to infuse your headphones with a touch of NYC? listen to our playlist of must-listen New York greats.
Ref: Expedia
The Plaza Hotel has a rich history in entertainment due to its numerous appearances in popular culture. The elegant hotel features everywhere from books like “The Great Gatsby” to "Eloise” and films like “The Way We Were” through “Home Alone 2.” Beyond authors and movie stars, it’s also long been a hotel beloved by the musically inclined. As the hotel notes, in 2015, Saturday Night Live celebrated its 40th anniversary in the Grand Ballroom. Feeling the joy of the night, Prince took to the stage for an unplanned one-song performance. It would be one of his last performances before his death in 2016.
Do you want to infuse your headphones with a touch of NYC? listen to our playlist of must-listen New York greats.
Ref: Expedia
