Following decades of tug-of-war for title as the world’s greatest metropolis, New York City and London have finally begun to cross-fertilize and spread their seeds on opposite sides of the pond. While there are no plans to curtail circumcision in Manhattan hospitals, several NYC hotels are embracing the style and culture of their London counterparts. Across the pond in “Blighty” (slang for Britain), foreign hotel groups are commingling British tradition with NYC modernity and finally embracing the novel American concept of “customer service.” Thus far, the NY-LON hotel swap has resulted in a love affair that draws on the best of both worlds; far more successful than previous American-British “bad romances” (Madonna + Guy Ritchie, the Iraq War, Kraft + Cadbury).

In the last two years, British-based St. Giles Hotel Group and Soho House have unpacked their bags in New York’s Midtown and the Meat Packing District, respectively. Hyatt’s new trendy boutique brand, Andaz, has landed on 5th Avenue and Wall Street after its wildly successful freshman debut on London’s Liverpool Street. And the incomparable Mandarin Oriental has brought its haute Asian persuasion to the U.S. and Europe in tandem, teaching industry newcomers the highest standards in service and product.

In this multi-part series, we’ll examine the hotels taking center stage in this NY-LON swap phenomenon and later turn to some very honorable mentions, which have yet to achieve dual citizenship but still rock the hotel scene.

The Court & The Tuscany, St. Giles Hotels, New York
Starting with two modest hotels in London, St. Giles came to New York to fulfill the American dream. Assuming the structure of the former W hotels between Lex and Park Avenue on 39th Street, St. Giles is now in the process of transforming the iconic 1920s apartment complex duo into New York’s most vanguard trendsetter. Anticipating a feat of centennial grandeur, St. Giles will slowly remove the fun and naughty lipstick red/dominatrix black combo from its oversized suites and create distinct upscale identities between the currently analogous Court and Tuscany. In the short term, both properties retain a young, luxe, music in the elevator/fashionista party in the lobby “W” flair, complemented by the most genuine service team in New York City. In a city and industry where competitors constantly brag about their distinctive service (yet fail to deliver), the Court and the Tuscany boast New York’s most amicable staff, keeping it real with sweet sincerity and flawless integrity. The oversized apartment-style rooms and suites lend to a cozy and warm feel - void in most city hotels - while practically mocking New York’s reputation for size constraints. In keeping with the size queen theme, the impressive gym satisfies the full gamut of ‘Muscle Marys’ and ‘Susan Powders’ while lushes and lazies prefer to down the powerful cocktails at the newly opened, Lex Bar. With an unbeatable central address, all important locales are less than a 20- minute walk or a 10-minute taxi ride. At this point, it seems almost unnecessary for the fabulous Court and Tuscany to undergo the knife in the next two years; however, well executed nips, tucks, and a bit of exterior Botox will keep these cougars on top of their game as they approach the big 1-0-0! www.stgilesnewyork.com, 120-130 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016, 1-888-406- 8588.

Soho House, New York
Unlike Members Only jackets that died out in the early 1990s, British members only clubs are more popular than ever in the post-millennium resurgence of the classic caste system. London’s Soho House was originally founded as a members- only sanctuary for starlets, tycoons, D-listers, and novices within film, media and creative industries. Nevertheless, the unwavering need for people to feel wanted combined with financial opportunity for the House have loosened the social guidelines that govern the Soho House at its New York outpost. Nowadays, if enough rooms are available, non-members can also experience the House hype (and tweet about it incessantly).

At the heart of the über-flighty Meat Packing District, everyone’s trying to sneak in to the Soho House the same way the uninvited try to crash the Standard’s former Boom-Boom-Room. However, for the most part, only qualified members who have passed the rigorous application process can patronize the premises, along with their guests. It is they who are privy to the loft style suites, the Cowshed spa and steam rooms on the 3rd floor, the “scenie” 6th floor restaurant/coffeehouse, and the rooftop pool that paparazzi are dying to photograph (but cannot). http://frontpage.jumponmarkslist.com/iso/us/ny/jfk/hotels/soho-house-new-york-city-hotel-manhattan.php, 29-35 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014, (646) 253 6122.