A penguin in New York! That’s the children’s mascot for the Taj group’s global family travel initiative at the Pierre (www.tajhotels.com/thepierre). One thing it is not, though, is black and white. No, it’s more taxi cab, this baby penguin. The plushie is a nod to the Penguin House across the road in Central Park Zoo, inspiration for a $555++ Pierre the Penguin Package, with personalised penguin chocs, family passes to the zoo, a Penguins of Madagascar DVD to borrow, a milk and cookies turndown with Penguin Says Please to read.
Other sweet surprises include a rocking plush tiger in all Grand Suites with a preschooler guest. More miniature guests get a crib, baby tub, bottle steriliser and warmer, Jungle Care amenities and a diaper genie. There are cooking classes for kids of 4–7 years and 8–12 years—aprons, hats and kitchen tools included. Small persons also get petit bathrobes and slippers. For culturally inclined tots, there is ‘arty party’ babysitting with music, art, dance and drama. The salon offers mini makeovers and girls’ manicures. And the concierge can organise shopping trips to FAO Schwarz and American Girl Place down the street.