The Buckingham Hotel-- a class act, just steps from Central Park -- has a summer package that includes a large one-bedroom and fun at Central Park's "Conservatory Water" pond for model boats: remote control sailboat, rowboat rental, and brunch. Read more about the Package, and the Hotel, and Conservatory Water's history. continued below...

NYC End of Summer Package:
"Sail Through Central Park"

Information and photos provided by The Buckingham Hotel

The Buckingham Hotel -- a boutique hotel in Manhattan near Central Park-- is offering a "Sail Through Central Park" weekend package for only $499, represents a 40% savings (double occupancy, taxes not included).

Package includes:

• two nights in a one-bedroom suite - which average 700 square feet

• remote control model sailboat rental at Central Park’s Conservatory Water

• brunch for two at The Central Park Boathouse

• one-hour rowboat ride

"Sail Through Central Park” package continues to August 30th, 2005.

About the Buckingham Hotel The Buckingham Hotel --celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2005-- is located near Central Park, on 57th Street and 6th Avenue. Carnegie Hall is across the street, and the Buckingham has lodged some of the world's top classical musicians.

Also nearby are Lincoln Center, David Letterman's Ed Sullivan Theatre, the Museum of Modern Art, and prestige shopping.

The public spaces of the Buckingham feature music, artwork, and red velvet and dark wood decor. In the Patrons' Lounge, a flat-panel TV screens CNBC by day and Carnegie Hall-themed movies by night. The Buckingham also has a lending library of Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center music and performances.

For more info, visit www.buckinghamhotel.com or call 888-511-1900.

About Conservatory Water in Central Park

Conservatory Water is Central Park's model boat pond. The name reflects some city history dating back to the 19th century. Planners Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux wanted to build a large conservatory in Central Park, ut the City cut the budget; the designers then came up with another idea, inspred by model boat ponds in Paris.

Conservatory Water ended up bigger than earlier ponds, and over time radio-powered sailboats skippered by adults took to the waters. Today visitors can watch a radio-powered racing regatta between members of the Model Yacht Club , or cheer n children with tiny wind-powered crafts, or rent a miniature boat. (Remember the scene in Stuart Little? That was a Conservatory Water regatta.)