18th July 2016

This day was pretty necessary as we were both overheating and sick of being stuck inner city without the joy of a pool (which is what we always think a holiday requires). So we decided to just suck it up and live like ballers and pay for a day pass at one of the ‘hip hotels’ that offers that option. 

We grabbed some food on the go and went to Pret A Manger to get a falafel wrap before braving the hell of the New York Subway system in summer. Sidenote: I also stupidly wore some new sandals and while they are super cute they gave me mad blisters which sucks. 

Anyways we got the right subway to SoHo and then walked the rest of the way to The Dream Downtown which has their pool branded as a whole other thing called The Beach at Dream Downtown.

Day passes are expensive at $60 US each but we figured it was kind of a pamper day and we deserved it – we were warned though that they cannot guarantee that we’d get a beach lounger and we may just have to lie on the concrete but we really wanted it so we took the risk. 

A risk it was as the pool area was heaving and hotel guests get the first priority so we didn’t really have a chance, even though we got there on the opening dot of 11am. (We can be on time, with the right motivation!)

We went on the waiting list but resigned ourselves to the fact we’d be on hard ground for the rest of the day. Hell, at least we had access to water to plunge into.

We set up camp near the water cooler and it wasn’t ideal but there was literally no other space. Despite all this, it was really lovely to be able to go jump in the pool – even though it was tiny and nothing like the Hollywood Roosevelt one. And all the servers were typical New Yorkers who were serving attitude along with the food. 

It was also a party vibe as there were quite a few young pretty types who clearly weren’t at work and basically set up camp all around the poolside with drinks in hand. We mostly sunbathed and then ordered some delicious food and drinks and luckily were away from most of the noisy revellers. 

Later in the day a few people left who had been lying on some cushioned benches so we took the opportunity to jump on them and it was amazing. If we’d been on them all day it would have been such a good experience but the fact that my ass was now sore from being on the ground all day, dampened it slightly. HOWEVER, it was really fun and we needed a break so the whole day was worth it – but we did think it was a crazy expensive day pass for what we got. 

Around 5ish the skies started to look a bit suspicious and then within about 15 minutes the heavens opened up and it started pouring down. There was even thunder. 

We ran into the bar/cafe part of the place and huddled in here with everyone else – at this point we figured there was no point trying to go and sunbathe again even if the rain did stop so we thought we’d get a drink. 

Hopping onto a table we were perusing the list when three other women on the other side of the table were debating what to drink as well. Then one of them turned to us and said ‘Hey we have a bar tab that we have to spend so did you guys want a drink?’ We turned to each other and were like ‘Um yeah sure! We’ll just have what you’re having’. At which point they ordered a bottle of Moët. What a random turn of events. 

We all started chatting and they were from Australia so it was actually really nice to have a debrief with fellow Australiasians about travelling and New York and sharing tips and tricks etc. They had to rush off to a show so they left the bottle with us and we finished it. When we left we were drunk. Or at the very least we were tipsy as f**k. 

Since we were in the Chelsea/West Village/Meatpacking area we thought we’d just wander around and check out the stores and sights. Loved the area and how it felt a bit looser than other areas we’d visited, a little more chill and lawless compared to midtown/ Murray Hill. 

We then ended up at Le Bain and figured since we’d probably never make it out clubbing there, we may as well have a cocktail in the evening. Well. The whole experience was kind of hilarious since we were buzzed but holy moly, from walking into The Standard, up to getting through the doorman and even finding our way to the rooftop it was an obstacle course of attitude and sass. The bouncer/security was a total douche lord who didn’t even open the door for us and was tripping on his own self importance and then we got lost trying to find the toilet only to run into another bouncer who was guarding a door. Basically it was lucky we ran into a young cleaner who was helpful as no one else was 😛

But when we finally got to the rooftop we were in awe – it was really beautiful and we were drunk on the view (and the prior alcohol). So we drank more and then I was really drunk and was afraid I might puke so we had to stop drinking. I really need to build my tolerance but as I’ve mentioned before, they pour heavy drinks here. And we keep going to places where drinks are basically a rent payment (I’m exaggerating but not by much). 

Anyway, I digress. 

It was getting darker so we thought we’d just walk home up the west side and we stopped at a Whole Foods and drunkenly bought some random products and headed home. 

(Like, really random…a nectarine and a tiny shortbread cookie basically…we clearly bought into their product positioning because we needed neither. -Tashy)

On the way home we also decided to get some Shake Shack (that stuff is addictive!) and they screwed up our order so we had to keep waiting but it just made the meal better when it arrived. We were shattered, tired, sore and regretting eating so much Shake Shack by the time we got home. We also made a vow to stop drinking so many cocktails. We’ll see how that goes. 

Ju xx

PS – spot my new Marc Jacobs handbag debut today! Thanks to everyone for my birthday prezzy card! I love it so much. -Tashy x