By Sarina Trangle
Lonely Planet crowned Queens the top U.S. tourist destination in its annual list, but the travel publishing outlet apparently found the borough’s lodging less than regal.
The travel guide publisher praised the borough’s growing microbrewery scene, global food offerings, art venues, revamped Rockaway shore and boutique hotels in its Best in the U.S. 2015 list.
To pay tribute to Queens’ new title, the publishing company released a chapter on the borough from its New York City guide. The chapter came with a list of more than 100 suggested hotels, four of which were in Queens — Country Inn & Suites in Long Island City, Z Hotel in Long Island City, Ravel in Long Island City and Marco LaGuardia Hotel & Suites in Flushing.
But the guide makers had plenty to say about Queens’ draws.
“Nowhere is the image of New York as the global melting pot truer than Queens,” its Best in the U.S. 2015 list read. “Browse New York’s biggest Chinatown in Flushing, shop for brilliantly colored saris in Jackson Heights and inhale the heady aromas of coffee and hookahs in Astoria. The incomparable array of world cuisines makes Queens a destination for food lovers from all parts of New York City.”
Lonely Planned emphasized arts in western Queens, naming the Queens Museum, the Museum of the Moving Image, the Emerging Artists Festival and Astoria’s arts district. Rockaway’s beaches and dining were also singled out.
Queens’ leaders were quick to herald the list, particularly Borough President Melinda Katz, who has described promoting tourism within the borough as one of her top priorities and has installed road signs welcoming passers-by with the slogan “Queens — The World’s Borough.”
“Queens is hot and on the move and we’re thrilled by the growing attention and interest that the rest of the world has in this borough,” Katz’ spokesman Michael Scholl said in a statement. “Queens is home to dozens of great high-quality hotels that offer stays that are roughly $150-a-night cheaper than the rates you will find at similar properties in Manhattan.”
He added, “We also encourage all tourism guide publishers, travel agents and anyone connected to the tourism industry to think of Queens when recommending places to stay in the New York City area.”
Despite the borough’s hotels getting short shrift by Lonely Planet, many said Queens was cultivating a hospitality scene.
Rob McKay, Queens Tourism Council Director, said hotel booms were beginning to alter the landscape in Long Island City, which tend to draw tourists from Europe and South America; in Flushing, which attract Asian visitors; and near the airports, which host mainly those on layovers and airline staff.
“I’ll take four hotels in Lonely Planet,” McKay said. “I don’t know what their formula is. We have a lot more than four great hotels… but I’m grateful.”
Jim Esposito, president of the Gotham Hotel Group consulting business, said spiraling prices in Manhattan and gentrification across the East River have paved the way for hotel development in Queens and Brooklyn.
In particular, he said Long Island City seems to attract people in the city for business purposes who are looking for a bargain and groups hosting conventions and gatherings catering to certain ethnicities in neighborhoods, where they have carved out enclaves.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4546.
