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Luxury Hotels
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The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park South
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The Benjamin
125 E. 50th St.
212-320-8002
thebenjamin.com
Fussy travelers will love the personal attention the Benjamin pays to its
guests — think eleven pillow types to choose from, including
buckwheat-filled, water-filled, and satin. The lobby is impressive, with
enormous columns rising from a parquet-and-marble floor rooms are decorated in warm earth tones with cozy fabrics. Master chef Larry
Forgione's An American Place has moved in, and the 209-room hotel also has a
health club and holistic spa. Summer rates start at $420.
The Carlyle Hotel
35 E. 76th St.
212-744-1600
thecarlyle.com
With quintessential New York cabaret acts — Bobby Short, Eartha Kitt — 180
classy rooms (most with park views), 400 staff members, and an atmosphere
reminiscent of a time when only the wealthy traveled, it's no wonder the
Carlyle reels in presidents, royals, and old money. The restaurant's buffet
brunch is popular with well-heeled locals, and Bemelmans Bar, with its
charming murals, was just renovated. There's a modest fitness room. Summer
rates from $345.
Four Seasons New York
57 E. 57th St.
212-758-5700
fourseasons.com
As with all Four Seasons hotels, this one has spacious rooms (many with park
views), luxe linens, and top-notch service. The hotel's restaurant bar,
Fifty Seven Fifty Seven, is famous for its after-work scene, often dotted
with Hollywood moguls; their breakfast is one of Manhattan's best. There's also
a fully equipped gym that will loan you workout clothes if you need them,
and a full-service spa. Summer rates from $495.
The Lowell Hotel
28 E. 63rd St.
212-838-1400
The Lowell has been around since the twenties, and it epitomizes "old New
York" luxury, though you might not be able to tell from the lobby, which is
tiny. The rooms are outfitted with large desks, plush sofas, rich floral
fabrics, and engulfing down comforters. There's a decent gym, and you won't
have to travel far for a decent meal: The new chef at the Pembroke Room will
customize the menu to your preferences, and the Post House has a great
reputation for steak. Many of the suites have terraces and fireplaces.
Summer rates from $425.
The Mark
25 E. 77th St.
212-744-4300
themarkhotel.com
Travelers who lean toward traditional will appreciate the Mark's
neoclassical Italian style and old-world service. All 120 rooms and 57
suites are decked out with high-thread-count linens, overstuffed chairs, and
marble bathrooms. Neighbors adore the tiny Mark's Bar — and we bet your
clubby in-laws will, too. The hotel's restaurant, the Mark, is known for its
extensive afternoon tea. You can arrange in-room spa services, and the hotel
has a small fitness center called "the wellness suite." Summer rates start
from $299.
The New York Palace
455 Madison Ave., near 50th St.
212-888-7000
newyorkpalace.com
The Palace lives up to its name, with high ceilings, sweeping staircases, and
plush furniture scattered throughout the 895-room hotel. Guests will feel
spoiled — especially if they spring for a meal at Le Cirque 2000. In the
adjoining Villard House, built in 1880, the hotel offers a 7,000-square-foot
gym and a newly renovated two-story bar that features loungy velvet chairs
and a light tasting menu. Summer rates start at $450.
The Peninsula
700 Fifth Ave., at 55th St.
800-262-9467
peninsula.com
This midtown luxury hotel was renovated in 1998 to the tune of $45 million.
The 239 rooms are as well-appointed as you'd expect from this top-end chain,
and an outdoor roof bar offers spectacular views of the city. The lobby and
adjoining sitting areas are opulent and plush, and there are plenty of
dining and drinking options, including Adrienne Restaurant, serving up fine
French fare, a smaller bistro, and two bars. But the biggest draw is the
35,000-square-foot health club, which has classes, spa treatments, and even
a pool. Summer rates start at $550.
The Plaza
Fifth Ave. at Central Park So.
212-759-3000
plazahotel.com
The Plaza is probably New York's best-known hotel, and, after Ivana Trump's
famous remodeling, it lives up to its reputation for opulence. There are
marble lobbies, gilded ceilings, and more than 1,500 crystal chandeliers.
That said, it's been a while since the 805 rooms were freshened up and the
fitness center isn't impressive, but if you're looking for classic New York,
the hotel's Palm Restaurant and Oak Room Bar — once an exclusive men's club
— are where you'll find it. Summer rates are $269.
The Regency
540 Park Ave., at 61st St.
212-759-4100
loewshotels.com
All 351 rooms at this midtown favorite were revamped as part of a $35 million
face-lift in 1999, the hotel's first major overhaul since the days when
Audrey and Princess Grace stayed here. The money seems well spent — on lots
of silk, leather, velvet, and mahogany. The nightclub, Feinstein's, draws
big names from Rosemary Clooney to Vikki Carr, and the restaurant, 540 Park
Avenue, is a power-breakfast favorite. There's also a fitness center with
sauna. Summer rates from $225.
The Regent Wall Street
55 Wall St.
212-845-8600
regenthotels.com
The
Regent Wall Street, a landmarked former customs house, is one of the financial district's only luxury hotels. The 144
rooms are large — and the bathrooms are bigger than many studio apartments.
The rooms are outfitted in a grand Renaissance style, with rich fabrics and
hand-blown Italian glass fixtures. There's a spa, health club, and
restaurant, 55 Wall, on-site. The hotel is a stone's throw from ground zero
but is easily accessible by subway or taxi. Summer rates from $245.
Rihga Royal Hotel
151 W. 54th St.
212-307-5000
rihgaroyalny.com
This luxury midtowner is a favorite among business travelers and a
comfortable place to house out-of-town guests. The rooms — all of which are
suites — offer up at least 580 square feet of space, with living areas
separated from the bedrooms by French doors. The hotel has an extensive
fitness center; a New American restaurant, Halcyon; and a bar-lounge just off
the tiny lobby. Summer rates from $300.
Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park
2 West St.
917-790-2417
ritzcarlton.com
Manhattan's shiny new Ritz-Carlton promises the top-notch hotel chain's
traditional emphasis on service, but is more modern and less formal than
many of its counterparts in other cities. The swank rooms are Art Deco in
style, and many have cool views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
The restaurant is too new to be reviewed, but the rooftop bar is sure to be
a hit this summer. The hotel also has a fitness center and spa. Summer rates
start from $375.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park South
50 Central Park So., at Sixth Ave.
212-308-9100
ritzcarlton.com
Opening this spring in the former St. Moritz hotel, this Ritz-Carlton will
offer top-of-the-line services and amenities, from bath butlers (who needs
to draw her own bath?) to in-room telescopes, Frette linens, and Frédéric
Fekkai beauty products. The number of rooms have been cut from St. Moritz's,
700 to just 277, so there will be plenty of space to spread out and enjoy
the park views. Summer rates from $425.
The St. Regis
2 E. 55th St.
212-753-4500
starwood.com
This grand hotel was updated recently, but it remains Gilded Age all the way.
Opulence is an understatement. Even better than the rooms' high ceilings,
silk wall coverings, and high-thread-count Egyptian-cotton sheets is the
butler that greets you upon your arrival. The portable phone and bedside
control for lights and television aren't bad, either. The hotel has a small
but nice fitness room, and the restaurant, Lespinasse, is undeniably one of
the city's best. Summer rates from $425.
The Stanhope
995 Fifth Ave., at 81st St.
212-774-1234
hyatt.com
Located across the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Stanhope
is arguably the best the Upper East Side has to offer. Service is formal but
friendly, and the decor feels the same. There is no real lobby to speak of
— just a couple of chairs next to the front desk — and the workout room is
modest, but the rooms are well-appointed with lots of marble. There's a
pricey American restaurant with a Mediterranean flair, and a small, dark bar
inside that's almost always packed, but the highlight is the outdoor Terrace
at Melrose, one of the city's best people-watching opportunities. Summer
rates from $279.
The Waldorf Astoria
301 Park Ave., at 49th St.
212-355-3000
hilton.com
No matter which of this mammoth institution's 1,345 rooms you stay in,
there's a good chance a king, queen, Hollywood celeb, or other bold-faced
name has been there before you. The Waldorf, which recently underwent a $300
million renovation, is one of New York's most famous Art Deco landmarks, and
it's also home to a legendary bar, the mahogany-and-leather-filled Bull and
Bear. Rooms range from your average five-star accommodation to outrageous
suites, and guests have access to the on-site OnePlus health club. Summer
rates from $199.
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Plus:
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Boutique Hotels
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Neighborhood Hotels
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Big & Bustling Hotels
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Budget Hotels |
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