Affinia Dumont: NYC's 1st executive fitness hotel

I was happy to get on the 34th Street bus heading east to the residential Murray Hill neighborhood and the Affinia Dumont Hotel on 34th Street, between Lexington and Third avenues to spend the rest of the afternoon in the Affinia's spa. I was also planning to take advantage of the fitness equipment in my room before I retired for the night. The Affinia name has replaced the Manhattan East Suite nomenclature for the nine-hotel properties owned by the Denihan family. I learned that the name was chosen because it is derived from the word "affinity," which is a natural attraction or feeling of kinship. Patrick Denihan, the executive director and son of the founder Benjamin (Bud) Denihan, told me, "the new name reflects the operating policy of his father to establish a place where guests can feel completely comfortable - the way one could feel when staying with a family friend." He further said, "Bud had a natural affinity for people and was known for tipping his often-worn fedora to anyone he met as an expression of welcome and friendliness." This is now the new Affinia logo - Bud's tippin' hat to honor the founder and to keep alive the traditions of graciousness and hospitality that he set many years ago. In fact, as I approached the entrance of the hotel, I was greeted by a well-dressed doorman who welcomed me to the Affinia Dumont with the tipping of his fedora hat. After checking in I was assigned to a spacious suite with just about every amenity I could possibly ask for and then some. The décor was charming with handsome furnishings in dark woods and earth tone overstuffed upholstered chairs, oversized wall mirrors, generous floor space for in-room workouts, and an assortment of healthy snacks in the mini-bar. In addition to the "Affinia Bed" with a custom-designed mattress and down-filled duvet and a pillow menu with choices of a Swedish Memory, Hypo-Allergenic or Buckwheat, I was also delighted to find a fully equipped kitchenette for just my cup of herbal tea even though I had no intention of cooking on my short stay in NYC. But this hotel could be a blessing for the business traveler who is on an extended working trip to the Big Apple. I was looking forward to taking advantage of the "Spring Training in New York" package offered by the Affinia Dumont even on this minute visit. Imagine getting an evaluation of my fitness or lack of fitness by a fitness concierge. I readily accepted her recommendation to take the Affinia Fat Burner treatment and metabolic testing at the spa. I could take the option of a detoxifying or remineralizing seaweed wrap. The wrap uses selected algae to stimulate the metabolism and diminish fluid retention while toning the skin. Metabolic testing helps to understand the speed at which each body burns calories and how to increase that speed via exercise and diet. The Affinia Warm Stone Massage is the most relaxing and soothing massage therapy I have experienced and recommend it highly. Can you imagine a hotel that offers the convenience of supplying exercise kits to your room for use during your stay? Well, that is exactly what I found at this hostelry. There is a running kit with a heart rate monitor, NYC jogging map, Discman, or MP3 player, stretch band for before and after work-out, and refreshing towel to cool down upon your return; a walking kit with a pedometer to calculate miles walked, NYC walking map, Discman or MP3 player, stretch band and waist pack to carry your water bottle; strength training kit of hand weights of 2 lbs, 5 lbs or 10 lbs, ankle weights mat, exercise ball and resistance bands; and a yoga with the yoga mat, yoga block and stretching straps. You just don't have any excuses to skip working out even away from home. In fact, I was told that you can use the spa and fitness equipment for a few hours without an overnight stay at the hotel. Sounds like a great idea for those working in midtown Manhattan. Affinia Hospitality has nine all-suite hotels in convenient Manhattan locations, including the ultra-luxurious Benjamin Hotel with plans to expand their establishments throughout the United States. This empire is run by four Denihan family offspring: Benjamin (Patrick) Denihan Jr., Donald G. Denihan, Lawrence K. Denihan and Brooke D. Barrett. A nephew, Daniel J. Denihan, and a brother-in-law, John Ferrari, complete the family governing body. © Copyright by Marcia Abramson;E-mail:mascribe@aol.com