Escaping to The Carlyle

When you’re getting on in years it’s wonderful. I think it’s the wrong way around to say when you get older move to the country. I think when you get older you move to the city. If you’re a nice broad they’ll look after you.

Elaine Stritch

As spring nears, I often think of the days I spent at The Carlyle. I was fortunate to work for an international luxury company. They believed in keeping with their brand, their meetings should be in luxurious surroundings. Happily, for me, one of those meetings was at The Carlyle. Located in Manhattan on the Upper East Side, only a short walk from Central Park. The moment I stepped from the town car and walked into the bijou lobby, I felt transported to another time. Bobby Short no longer performs in the Cafe Carlyle. Jackie Kennedy cannot be found at her corner table in The Gallery. Still, their aura remains in the whisper of their presence.

Elaine Stritch is one of those celebrities whose spirit still walks the halls. She had the advantage of spending her golden years living at the Carlyle from 2005 to 2013. Although she was well into her eighties, she performed at the hotel’s Cafe Carlyle. One can understand why she was happy spending her senior years in the city.

In the insane reality we live in, is it good to have dreams? Why not? Escapism is as good a diversion as any. I can imagine spending my remaining days wrapped in the luxurious surroundings of the Carlyle. Where every request is immediately fulfilled. As I once did, I imagine taking a short walk to the Central Park Boathouse. Stopping for a drink on a chilly spring afternoon. Or having lunch at Bemelmans surrounded by murals created by Ludwig Bemelmans, the author/illustrator of the Madeline books.

However you chose to while away your time make it as far away from today’s drama as you can get. You deserve some time to regroup.

Peace be with you.