A Day in teh Life of John Fitzpatrick: the Hotelier Who Lives and Breathes New York Hospitality
John Fitzpatrick, the renowned hotelier and owner of the Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, has built a legacy rooted in Irish hospitality and an unwavering commitment to customer service. His daily routine offers a glimpse into the life of a man whose passion for his business is as vibrant as the city he calls home.
Morning Rituals: A Blend of Business and Tradition
Table of Contents
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- Morning Rituals: A Blend of Business and Tradition
- Brunch and Business: A saturday Tradition
- Exploring New York: A City That Never Sleeps
- Outdoor Adventures and Evening Escapes
- A Love for Ireland and a Life Devoted to Hospitality
- Key Highlights of John Fitzpatrick’s Saturday Routine
- A Day in the Life of John Fitzpatrick: The Hotelier Who Lives and Breathes New York Hospitality
Fitzpatrick’s day typically begins around 9:30 or 10 a.m., a luxury afforded by his late-night commitments. “In my business, I might not get home until midnight depending on what’s going on,” he shares. saturdays, however, are reserved for his hotels. “I’ll go into both hotels. After 40 years in this business, I can look around and tell within five minutes whether everything is running smoothly or not,” he says.
His connection to his properties is deeply personal. “I couldn’t walk by my hotel and not go in — it’s part of my DNA,” he admits. This dedication stems from his early years, when he purchased a small apartment in the iconic Plaza Hotel, just a short walk from his flagship properties, the Fitzpatrick Manhattan and the Fitzpatrick Grand Central.
Brunch and Business: A saturday Tradition
By 11:30 a.m., Fitzpatrick settles into his Saturday ritual: a full Irish breakfast. “I never have breakfast first thing. I’ll have a cup of coffee with someone and will wait till 11:30 or 12 to have my brunch,” he explains. This meal often doubles as a business meeting with his general manager, Shane Cookman. “We’ll spend an hour talking about what’s going on. My success is down to the team around me,” he acknowledges.
fitzpatrick’s gratitude extends to his Irish clientele. “I always try to keep an eye out for Irish customers because we wouldn’t be where we are without them,” he says.
Exploring New York: A City That Never Sleeps
Afternoons are reserved for exploring the city or hosting visitors. Fitzpatrick’s recommendations are quintessentially New York: “Visit the ‘Top of the Rock’ in the Rockefeller Center, go by the 9-11 memorial, and in the summer, take a boat around the island.” He also encourages guests to venture beyond the tourist hotspots, suggesting visits to the Upper West Side or downtown’s more casual, residential areas.
For Fitzpatrick,weekends are a chance to recharge. “In the summer, I’ll go up to the Hamptons on a Friday night, and in winter, I’ll go out on a Saturday,” he says. “New York never quietens down. I need to get out, and then after 24 hours away, I come back ready to take on another week.”
Outdoor Adventures and Evening Escapes
An avid outdoorsman, Fitzpatrick prefers sailing, cycling, and golfing over museums or galleries. “In the winter, I will go up to Sleepy Hollow where I play golf and host my parents’ annual golf memorial tournament,” he shares. His love for cycling takes him to Montauk and East Hampton, often via the ferry to Shelter island.
evenings are a mix of work and leisure. “If I’m in the city on a Saturday afternoon,I will always go back to the office to do two or three hours of paperwork,” he says. Later, he dines at local favorites like Le Bilboquet and Mr Chow, avoiding tourist traps in favor of spots frequented by locals.
A Love for Ireland and a Life Devoted to Hospitality
Fitzpatrick’s ties to ireland remain strong. “No matter how long you’re away, it seems that your friends in Ireland are always your best friends,” he reflects. On visits home, he enjoys golfing, driving his classic car, and soaking in the beauty of Brittas Bay.
His dedication to his business is unwavering. “People tell me to slow down, but I’m married to my business — it’s my life,” he says. “It took me a long time to get it off the ground,and we’ve gone through some very tough times,including 9-11 and COVID,so my business is my main priority.”
Key Highlights of John Fitzpatrick’s Saturday Routine
| Time | Activity |
|———-|————–|
| 9:30 a.m. | Wake up and head to hotels |
| 11:30 a.m. | Brunch with team members |
| 1:00 p.m. | Explore New York or host visitors |
| 3:00 p.m. | Office work and paperwork |
| 8:00 p.m. | Dinner at local favorites |
| 12:00 a.m. | Wind down and sleep |
For those inspired by Fitzpatrick’s story, explore the Fitzpatrick Hotels or plan your New York adventure with NYC Tourism.
John Fitzpatrick’s life is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the enduring charm of Irish hospitality. His story is not just about running hotels; it’s about creating a home away from home for every guest who walks through his doors.
A Day in the Life of John Fitzpatrick: The Hotelier Who Lives and Breathes New York Hospitality
John Fitzpatrick, the celebrated hotelier and owner of the fitzpatrick Hotel Group, has spent decades perfecting the art of hospitality. His daily routine offers a rare glimpse into the life of a man whose dedication to his craft is as vibrant as the city he calls home. From morning rituals to evening escapes, Fitzpatrick’s story is a testament to passion, tradition, and the enduring charm of Irish hospitality.
Morning Rituals: A Blend of Buisness and Tradition
Editor: John, your mornings seem to start a bit later than most.Can you tell us about your typical morning routine?
John Fitzpatrick: Absolutely. My day usually begins around 9:30 or 10 a.m., which is a luxury I’ve earned after years of late nights in this business.Depending on what’s going on,I might not get home until midnight. Saturdays, however, are reserved for my hotels. I’ll visit both the Fitzpatrick Manhattan and the Fitzpatrick Grand Central. After 40 years in this industry, I can walk in and tell within five minutes if everything is running smoothly.
Editor: That’s quite a connection to your properties. What drives that level of dedication?
John Fitzpatrick: It’s deeply personal.I couldn’t walk by one of my hotels and not go in—it’s part of my DNA. This connection stems from my early years when I purchased a small apartment in the iconic Plaza Hotel, just a short walk from my flagship properties. That’s where my journey truly began.
Brunch and Business: A Saturday Tradition
Editor: Your Saturday brunch ritual sounds like a perfect blend of business and pleasure. Can you share more about that?
John Fitzpatrick: By 11:30 a.m.,I settle into my saturday ritual: a full Irish breakfast. I never have breakfast first thing. Instead, I’ll have a cup of coffee with someone and wait until 11:30 or 12 to have my brunch. This meal often doubles as a business meeting with my general manager, Shane Cookman. We’ll spend an hour talking about what’s going on. My success is down to the team around me.
Editor: You’ve mentioned your gratitude toward Irish clientele. How do they influence your approach to hospitality?
John Fitzpatrick: I always try to keep an eye out for Irish customers because we wouldn’t be where we are without them. Their loyalty and support have been instrumental in building the Fitzpatrick brand.
exploring New York: A City That Never Sleeps
Editor: Afternoons seem to be your time to explore the city or host visitors. What are your favorite New York recommendations?
John Fitzpatrick: I always suggest visiting the ‘Top of the Rock’ in the Rockefeller Center, going by the 9-11 memorial, and in the summer, taking a boat around the island. But I also encourage guests to venture beyond the tourist hotspots. The Upper West Side or downtown’s more casual,residential areas offer a different viewpoint on the city.
Editor: How do you recharge on weekends?
John Fitzpatrick: In the summer, I’ll go up to the Hamptons on a Friday night, and in winter, I’ll go out on a Saturday.New York never quiets down, so I need to get away for a bit. After 24 hours away, I come back ready to take on another week.
Outdoor Adventures and Evening Escapes
Editor: You’re known for your love of the outdoors.How do you incorporate that into your weekends?
John Fitzpatrick: I prefer sailing, cycling, and golfing over museums or galleries. In the winter, I’ll go up to Sleepy Hollow, where I play golf and host my parents’ annual golf memorial tournament. My love for cycling takes me to Montauk and East Hampton, often via the ferry to Shelter Island.
Editor: what does a typical Saturday evening look like for you?
John Fitzpatrick: If I’m in the city on a Saturday afternoon, I’ll always go back to the office to do two or three hours of paperwork. Later, I’ll dine at local favorites like Le Bilboquet and Mr Chow. I avoid tourist traps and prefer spots frequented by locals.
A Love for Ireland and a Life Devoted to Hospitality
Editor: Your ties to Ireland remain strong. How do you stay connected to your roots?
John Fitzpatrick: No matter how long you’re away, it seems that your friends in Ireland are always your best friends. When I visit home, I enjoy golfing, driving my classic car, and soaking in the beauty of brittas Bay.
Editor: Your dedication to your business is unwavering. What keeps you motivated?
John Fitzpatrick: People tell me to slow down, but I’m married to my business—it’s my life. It took me a long time to get it off the ground, and we’ve gone through some very tough times, including 9-11 and COVID. My business is my main priority.
Key Highlights of John Fitzpatrick’s Saturday Routine
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:30 a.m. | Wake up and head to hotels |
| 11:30 a.m. | Brunch with team members |
| 1:00 p.m. | Explore New York or host visitors |
| 3:00 p.m. | Office work and paperwork |
| 8:00 p.m. | Dinner at local favorites |
| 12:00 a.m. | Wind down and sleep |
For those inspired by Fitzpatrick’s story,explore the Fitzpatrick Hotels or plan your New York adventure with NYC Tourism.
John Fitzpatrick’s life is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the enduring charm of Irish hospitality. His story is not just about running hotels; it’s about creating a home away from home for every guest who walks through his doors.
