Marriott and Blade team up for free helicopter rides when booking luxury NYC suites
Marriott's Luxury Group hotels want travelers to New York City to arrive and depart in sky-high style this summer — and by that, I mean a helicopter ride over the city's breathtaking skyline.
The Luxury Group — consisting of brands like Edition, Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, JW Marriott and the Luxury Collection — is partnering with Blade, a helicopter transport company, to offer eligible hotel guests who book at certain Luxury Group hotels in New York a free round-trip helicopter transfer from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) between now and Sept. 2.
Related: Epic 4-way New York race to JFK
To qualify for the helicopter rides, which can be as short as five minutes (versus over an hour or longer in traffic), guests must book a minimum two-night stay in select suites at one of the following hotels:
- The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown (a new addition to the group)
- The New York Edition
- W New York — Union Square
- JW Marriott Essex House New York
- The St. Regis New York
- The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad
With the flights, guests will also have car transportation from the hotel to the Blade Lounge, where the helicopter departs — either on East 34th Street or West 30th Street. Marriott's Luxury Group is infusing the spirit of the hotels at both lounges by pumping in Edition's signature Le Labo scent, music curated by W Hotels, keepsakes to take home, travel guides highlighting Luxury Collection properties and more.
Also at Blade Lounge West, the Luxury Group will have a bar on-site through the summer serving drinks inspired by the hotel brands, like the St. Regis bloody mary and the W's signature Paloma. The lounge will have an exclusive JW Garden providing fresh garnish for cocktails. The "Drink by Destination" mixology experience will be open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Friday the week of July 1 and Thursday and Friday throughout the summer.
But even if you don't book one of the suites that comes with the free Blade transport, all guests at the participating hotels, no matter the room type, can take advantage of preferred pricing with Blade for staying at a Luxury Group property.
Visit the official Luxury Group x Blade partnership for booking information.
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