Over 45.6 million tourists visited NYC last year, as they do nearly every year. These nearly-fifty-million people that arrive annually in the Big Apple range from the backpacking students looking for a cost-efficient youth hostel to high-end business people and luxury tourists seeking a place to stay that meets their need for pampering and amenities.

The Setai Fifth Avenue, which opened in Manhattan last month, is a fitting new member of the city’s family of luxury hotels. Located in Midtown Manhattan, at 400 Fifth Avenue, the Setai is conveniently situated just two blocks from the Empire State Building, three blocks from Bryant Park and the New York Public Library, and six blocks from the Broadway Theater District.

The hotel features a full-service Auriga spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, the Ai Fiori Italian Mediterranean restaurant, 24-hour room service and the Bar on 5th. Each room provides a city view, an espresso maker, LCD TV, iPod doc, complimentary wireless Internet and designer bath amenities.

This new addition to the Manhattan luxury hotel scene can be viewed at the hotel’s website:
www.setaififthavenue.com

There’s lots to do in New York City – and much of it is free. Here are a few of my favorites:

Walk down the streets of Fifth Avenue or down 57th Street and check out the store windows. Sit outside in the new promenade near Macy’s at 34th Street and “people watch” for a while.
Go down to the Times Square subway station at rush hour and enjoy the musical events, or watch the break dancing at Grand Central.

Relive your childhood at FAO Schwartz, at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street, hugging huge stuffed animals and dancing on giant piano keys. Then cross over to Central Park and walk through the verdant greenery, inhaling the fresh air and admiring the caricature artists. Keep going till you reach the reservoir. Faced with the peaceful scene in front of you, you won’t believe that the bustle and excitement of Manhattan is right around you.

Just sit down, take a deep breath, relax and enjoy.

It’s the first of December here in New York City, and there’s no better month to enjoy all that the city has to offer. While the weather is cold – an average high of 44°F and love of 32°F – you can still bundle up in a warm winter jacket and walk the streets of the city. One of the most celebrated elements of Manhattan during December are the Holiday Window Displays. In an annual tradition, famous department stores, including Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales, and Barneys, create breathtaking scenes in their shop windows for all to see and enjoy. Our recommendations are:

Macy’s: Located on 34th Street, Macy’s puts up scenes from Miracle on 34th Street, as well a second set of windows with a theme that varies each year.

Lord & Taylor: Moving up to 40th and 5th Avenue, the Lord & Taylor windows depict classic holiday themes, including fairytale and wondrous winter scenes.

Saks Fifth Avenue: These are a particularly good choice for children, as the windows usually use animated depictions of a season children’s book. Saks is also located right across from Rockefeller Center, another good December site.

Barneys New York: Head on over to Madison Avenue to check the hip and humorous windows set up at Barneys.

Bergdorf Goodman: As befits this sophisticated seller of high couture, the windows of Bergorf Goodman feature genuine antiques and elegant design.