Mr. and Mrs. Teabody Camp at The Manhatten at Times Square

Gentle Reader, are you at all disconcerted by the whimsicality of Mother Nature? Sub-zero temps one Tuesday, short sleeves a week later? Weather forecasts are dire and mind boggling, and through it all the nay sayers continue to say nay to the idea that climate change has been brought about at least partially by human greed. Mrs. Teabody trusts you will err on the side of caution when venturing forth into Nature and remain vigilant. Tea, of course, can make the swirliest of times a bit more palatable, and Tickle Your Fancy has some doozies. Most recent to join the repertory at TYF is the surprisingly  delicate "Groundhog Grog" a special blend of green tea with the flavor of almond cookies. For a lift, TYF also offers for the first time in loose form, "Across the Universe," not only paying homage to the Beatles with its international combination of flavors but carrying a cinnamon top note that resonates well with those feeling a bit jangled. Come by and sample both. You will love them.

The Teabodys had their travel plans jostled about a bit with Friday's little snowstorm, but Sunday's sunny skies seemed promising and soon enough the pair found themselves chugging away to NYC where they would encamp for two nights at The Manhatten at Times Square. Mrs. Teabody has a fairly long association with this hotel as the "Sheraton across the street from the Sheraton" along 7th Avenue. Booked last minute through Expedia at an absolutely reasonable price, the Teabodys did not expect much and were not disappointed. First of all, the lobby, where hotel guests flock for "free WiFi," looked like some sort of electronics refugee camp with folks in every sort of posture and garb could be found at any hour doing whatever it is they MUST do with their devices. No chair? No problem. Any spot of floor sufficed. Plop. Not an attractive welcoming sight. More like a terminal than a hotel lobby. The security guard posted nearby the elevators never gave passers-by so much as a by-your-leave, and the concierge looked bored to tears. Arriving in room 2012, the Teabodys found the room to be adequate. True, the following 48 hours would reveal that the box spring under the mattress was almost assuredly broken in half in the middle making for a tumbly kind of sleeping; the bathtub never truly drained which meant one had to finish one's shower by rinsing the feet separately after emerging; all electronics serviced by Comcast were unexpectedly thrown off the grid around 4:30 Monday afternoon  meaning no television or WiFi in one's room and meaning that Mrs. Teabody could not participate in a teleconference. So the stay was not joyous. But it was also not awful. Especially for the price.

The stay was not without its positive side. The hotel is located close to a deli, several restaurants, a really fun gallery shop and mass transit.  The Teabodys enjoyed a nice prix fixe dinner at Rosie O'Grady's and a light supper at Heartland Brewery. This was not a foodie trip or a theatre trip. This was for business and aside from the missed teleconference--which was not the hotel's fault--the accommodation was fine. The highlight of the stay was each encounter with MAXINE at the front desk. While all the staff at the front desk were quite friendly and competent, Maxine was truly a standout. Not only did she offer great advice, but she made a gracious gesture Mrs. Teabody will never forget. She made Mr. and Mrs. Teabody each a delightful cup of tea. Suddenly all the hassle and disappointments of travel were thrust into their appropriate level of importance. Maxine knows hospitality.

Not every hotel stay knocks it out of the park. If the Teabodys had been looking forward to a five-star experience with outstanding room service, The Manhatten at Times Square would have been a miss. Given the nature of the trip, it was absolutely adequate and good value for money. And Maxine made it all memorable. Isn't it amazing what a nice cuppa can do? Thanks, Maxine!