NEW York is the world one a plate. A plate heavily laden with waffles and pancakes and steak and excitement.

The 30 square miles of Manhattan could keep a happy traveller amused for months. From the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building to Times Square and the public library central to Ghostbusters, every sight is a movie set and you can live out your own Broadway show in just a few hours of wandering around.

And in the Big Apple everything is Big with a capital B.

Nothing says America like an epic breakfast and top of the list has to be Norma’s.

The unassuming diner within the Parker MEridien hotel might not look like much but the menu is another story. Stacks of donuts topped with waffles topped with ice cream, there’s a lobster omelette, and even foie gras French toast.

Once your appetite is whet and your waistband expanded, you may never need to eat again. But when it does you can’t beat steakhouse extraordinaire American Cut.

Slabs of meat weighing in at around 50oz, fresh oysters, a great fish selection and stunning accompaniments - you wont regret the carrot.

With a wine list as thick as a Yellow Pages you will be spoilt for choice.

But bigger isn’t always better – especially when it comes to finding the perfect place to put your head down.

The Viceroy is a mere 27 floors and 500 odd room is positively tiny by New York standards. It’s black and gold frontage is almost hidden between the West 57th Street skyscrapers.

But inside the hotel is like staying inside Don Draper’s cigar box.

Perfectly appointed wood panelled rooms cocoon you from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Open the windows – which offer perfectly framed views across Central Park – and the buzz of the dust carts and taxi drivers and locals shouting “I’m walking here” will flood in.

But take the elevator (that’s American for lift) to the roof top bar and the city really comes alive. Far more than the average hotel bar, glamorous bankers and uptown ladies sip cocktails and dance to the early hours while soaking up the neverending cityscape.

Whilst most of Manhattan is big and loud, one of the biggest sights is eerily quiet.

The two vast holes filled with the gentle trickling sounds of falling water is a stunning testament to the thousands who lost their lives on 9/11 – each of their names carved into granite.

But New York isn’t just Manhattan.

While many never venture further from there than John F Kennedy airport, it is also a gateway to a whole other world of peace and relaxation.

Take the Jitney (fancy coach) from Bloomingdales or travel east from JFK and in a couple of hours you’ll be in the Hamptons.

The place New Yorkers spend their summer weekends is an ocean-front expanse of unfathomable Barbie-dreamhouses shaped like the Whitehouse. Like a set from Desperate Housewives you’ll feel like you’re on your way to a Weekend at Bernie’s.

When Manhattan seems like a universe away you’ll find peaceful retreats.

Montauk is the most easterly tip of the peninsula – jutting out into the Atlantic ocean.

For the ultimate in relaxation Gurney’s hotel and spa is where New York's finest escape it all.

Each beach-fronted room looks over the unadulterated private beach.

Step out of your suite onto a private terrace, put on your think Egyptian cotton robe, wrap up in a cosy blanket or huddle up to a fire and soak in the long evenings with the views.

If miles upon miles of pure white sand and crashing waves isn’t enough to slow down your heartrate after the race of the city, the luxuriously appointed spa, pool, timetable of yoga and pilates classes and professional standard gym will be just the ticket.

In the evenings diamond-gowned glamour-pusses climb the driftwood steps to fill the award-winning seafood restaurant Scarpetta. The fish is straight out of the sea and with a more refined Italian style of dining, more digestible portions than you often find in New York.

With new direct flights to JFK from Gatwick, thanks to British Airways – it’s a golden opportunity to start spreading the news about what the second half of New York, New York has to offer.

If you can't find it there, you wont find it anywhere.

Factfile 

British Airways now fly from Gatwick to New York, daily.

Flights depart Gatwick at 4.40pm arriving into New York’s JFK airport at 7.30pm. Return flights departs JFK at 8pm and land back at Gatwick at 10.10am the next day (all times are local).

Prices start from £390 return in World Traveller, £893 in World Traveller Plus and £1,574 in Club World, including all taxes and charges.

Visit www.ba.com.

The Viceroy hotel, is two blocks from Central Park and two minutes from Carnegie Hall. Rooms cost from $190 a night, excluding taxes and fees.

Gurneys Montauk offers 42 designer ocean view rooms from $300 (£207) a night.

Visit www.gurneysmontauk.com Ellis Island tours by Viator cost from £12.60/ http://www.viator.com/tours/New-York-City/Statue-of-Liberty-Express-Cruise/d687-3763GATEWAY Norma's diner is based within the Parker Meridien hotel, 119 West 56th Street.

Visit www.parkermeridien.com/eat/normas/ American Cut steakhouse has branches in Tribecca and Midtown.

Visit www.americancutsteakhouse.com