Reflect on a classic

Now 400 years old, NYC's still got it, says Hannah Roberts

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Yellow taxis weave in between rows of twinkling lights and concrete blocks. I tower above them, having grappled with my fear of heights to traverse New York's fourth-tallest skyscraper.

Observing the city from One Vanderbilt's observation deck, 1,207ft from the ground, is a knee-wobbling introduction to Manhattan.

In its 400th year, the city is dynamic and vibrant. First established as New Amsterdam in the 1620s by Dutch colonists, the relatively small settlement grew in the 18th century following multiple immigration waves.

NYC's most famous district is Manhattan, an area dotted with historical landmarks that produce feelings of dizzying awe.

Eager to delve in, I'm there on a short break.

In the thick of the action

Jumping on to my hotel bed after a long flight, I turn my eyes to the window and catch a glimpse of the jewel in the crown. Once the tallest building in the city, the Empire State Building, renowned for its distinctive Art Deco facade, is an emblem of New York ambition, a reminder of a time when the city represented luxury, glamour and exuberance.

A highlight of staying at the NH Collection on Madison Avenue is gazing at the remarkable views.