Here’s the message from December’s big winner, Miss Marielle L., after enjoying her prize: a luxurious trip to New York!

February 7^th, I read the email: You’re the Winner!

The prize: a shopping weekend in New York for two in a 4-star hotel and 500 Euros for the shops.  I can’t believe it…it’s something I’ve always dreamed about…

June 13^th: Our grand departure for New York

I chose a hotel in the centre of Manhattan where we could walk to everything: 5^th Avenue just three minutes away, Times Square five minutes. The view from our room on the 22^nd floor is magnificent, we can see the skyline and the famous yellow taxis.

Photo: Marielle in Times Square

We were able to experience all the wonderful museums and monuments (the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the MOMA, the Guggenheim, the Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building, the Statue of liberty, Central Park, Wall Street) and different neighbourhoods (Nolita, Little Italy, Chinatown, SoHo…). Our visit to the Ground Zero site was especially moving.

We also took advantage of the glorious shopping opportunities of 5^th Avenue (Saks, Abercrombie and Fitch, Apple, Hollister…) and Times Square, where the sheer number of stores is amazing.

Photo: How many shopping bags?

In the evening, we checked out the trendy hotspots, including Gramercy where we tasted the famous Cosmopolitan cocktail, the Marriott on Broadway (with a rotating restaurant featuring a 360° view, you need a strong stomach because the elevators are glass and bring you to the 47^th floor at the speed of light)!

One of our favourite spots was the terrace of the Kimberly Hotel that overlooks New York. Enjoying a cocktail with the gothamites and a view of the most beautiful buildings, it’s a wonderful moment…

Photo: On the terrace of the Kimberly Hotel

Emmanuelle and I would like to thank Private Outlet for this wonderful gift that we will never forget.

There’s nothing like a girly weekend shopping trip to New York to relax and forget your cares…

Marielle