Manhattan’s Salisbury Hotel
Takes You to ‘Religious Heights’

By George and Ninette Medovoy, Editors

The Salisbury Hotel in midtown Manhattan has something going for it that's hard to match: it will take you, literally speaking, to religious heights.

The 320-room, 16-story Salisbury Hotel, considered a skyscraper when it opened in 1930, is built above the Calvary Baptist Church.
Located at 123 West 57th Street, the Salisbury is owned by the church, but strictly as a business venture.

The two operations are completely separate, with the church sanctuary and church offices occupying most of the first five floors of the hotel building — on the west side of the historic Neo-Gothic brick-and-stone building. But there's more to this story before you're ready to say "Amen."

When the church choir rehearses in the second floor Regency Room, the sounds travel up to the second-, third- and fourth floors of the hotel.

And, notes long-time general manager William N. Alvarado, who makes his home in the Salisbury, if he happens to like what they're singing, he'll sit down and enjoy the music.

Outside on the street, you'll find the hotel's top-hat doorman standing by the Salisbury's entrance — and next door, the imposing, heavy doors of the church.

(The Salisbury Hotel's great location helps to make it a great pleace to stay while in New York City)

"Most people who come here would have no knowledge that the hotel is owned by a church," says Alvarado, a native New Yorker. "The two don't promote their relationship."

Alvarado's daughter grew up in the Salisbury and, yes, hearing the church choir sing was part of her experience.

Over the years, famous personages attended church services, including Billy Graham and Richard Nixon. Meanwhile, the Salisbury has enjoyed its share of noted residents, including pianist Van Cliburn, who lived in the hotel for 12 years, actor Ed Asner and basketball star Dennis Rodman.

"Famous guests like it because it's quiet and nobody bothers them," says Alvarado. "They want to be in the middle of everything, but be tucked away. Public people want privacy.

"If you stay at the Waldorf, by contrast, you have long lines of cameras surrounding the building."

What we most liked about the Salisbury — named after Salisbury Cathedral in England — was the warm service and the home-style flavor of its rooms.

Originally opened as a residential hotel — with many guests being artists who performed across the street at Carnegie Hall — the hotel has always had extra-large rooms, about 28 percent larger than typical hotel rooms, with walk-in closets and, in the case of most of its standard rooms and suites, pantries equipped with refrigerators, sinks, microwave ovens, and automatic coffee makers.

And, due to the Salisbury's relatively small size, contact between guests and staff is more personal in nature than with a larger, chain-owned hotel.

Of course, you can't beat the prime location in the heart of mid-town, with the Russian Tea Room and Carnegie Hall across the street. Fifth Avenue and Central Park are a two block walk east or north, while it's a short walk to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art, and most Broadway theaters.

On our first outing, we loved sitting in a purple wicker chair at the corner Europa Cafe, ogling the New York crowds over a cup of coffee.

If you want a really wonderful New York dining experience, walk across the street from the hotel to Shelly's New York Wine & Oyster Bar for a regal meal, including desserts like Shelly's "7-Story Walk-Up," a melange of hazel nut with cream filling, chocolate icing and yellow custard.

And while on the subject of food, the Salisbury includes a big complimentary continental breakfast until 11 a.m. in the third-floor Vanguard Room with cereals, toasts, eggs, coffee, rolls and tea.
An additional service is the "International Cafe Room Service," with five nearby restaurants providing meal deliveries to guests, including American, kosher, Chinese, deli, Italian or Japanese menus. Orders are delivered to rooms by hotel employees and charged to hotel accounts.

It all adds up, you'd have to say, to heavenly service.

IF YOU GO:
Reservations and more information, (888) NYC-5757.