Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Classicism, luxury, and refinement characterise the Plaza - one of the must of the American megapolis. No doubt that even the most demanding clients find the environment, the amenities, and the equipment to be all they dream of - everything in a sumptuous decor in "French Renaissance" style.
At the corner of 5th Avenue and 58th Street, at the southeast corner of Central Park. At the intersection of Midtown East, Midtown West, and the Upper West Side. The hotel is 16 miles from La Guardia airport, 17 miles from JFK, and 16 miles from Newark. Two blocks from metros B and Q, and three blocks from the metros N, R, 4, 5, and 6.
The standard rooms are very big, 485 ft², with classic decor in green tones. They all have television (with video, 42 channels, Playstation), a big safe, a minibus, individual air conditioning (a bit noisy), a dressing room, a double telephone line, and a computer with a flat screen monitor and high speed Internet access ($ 19 a day.) The bathrooms, on the other hand, are a bit deceptive, in relation to the rooms. They are quite pretty but a bit bare. You will find a bathtub, a hairdryer, and many products.
With its French Renaissance palace decor, the Plaza is one of the most beautiful hotels in New York. Built in 1907, it occupies a magnificent square building whose beautiful green roof with small towers overlook the southwest corner of Central Park. Its ground floor with its high ceilings hosts the lobby, boutiques, and restaurants. The decor is sumptuous, in the purest French Renaissance style: mosaic flooring, veined marble walls, frescoes, gold accents, huge glass chandeliers, superb turn of the century elevators. The facility does not only offer its guests a beautiful environment, but there is also a range of facilities and amenities that confirms its status as a 5-star New York hotel. The 10,760 ft² spa is impressive, with a jacuzzi of mosaic tiles, a beautiful sauna, massage rooms, a beauty salon for men and a mixed beauty salon. Finally, the fitness room next door is super-equipped, decorated on one whole wall with a reproduction of a view of Central Park.
The Plaza has a bar, three restaurants, all famous in New York for their atmospheres and the quality of their food. Directly located in front of the entrance, the Palm Court welcomes its guests for breakfast, lunch, and tea time (as well as brunch on Sundays), in a magnificent environment mixing marble columns and palm trees. To the right of the main entrance, accessible from 5th Avenue, the Oyster bar offers the atmosphere of a high class English pub, with a great menu of seafood. It is opened for lunch, dinner and at the end of the evening. Finally, set back, the "Oak Room" is one of the most beautiful rooms of the hotel. It has a 33 ft high ceiling, entirely covered in oak, and here, you can enjoy delicious meats in warm decor for lunch and dinner, with piano music in the background. Note a small point - all kitchen staff and pastry chefs are from France.
The hotel is classified in the New York historical monument register (1969), and the national historical monuments register (1986.). The rooms are renovated every 5 years. The access to the spa is free. The access to the fitness centre is reserved exclusively for the guests of the hotel. The Plaza is part of the "Leading Hotels of the World" group. 98% of the rooms are equipped with computers.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, stretching
gym, aerobics, step, bums and tums
Unless you are specifically looking for the hottest, trendiest hotel in town, there is very little to reproach The Sherry Netherland, a throwback to the Golden Age of travel. It boasts enormous rooms and suites for this part of Manhattan which are extremely well appointed and decorated, a superb and professional staff and of course a high class dining experience in the form of Harry Cipriani. Everything at this luxury property is done with the utmost care and attention and whether you are in the city as a tourist or on business, The Sherry Netherland will meet and exceed needs and expectations. A unique hotel with the perfect location - you'd be a fool not to consider it!
It is difficult not to get excited about hotels such as the Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park as it encapsulates everything one would dream about New York before having visited. With a commanding position right on the city's most famous green space, its services and amenities are amongst the finest in Manhattan: generously proportioned and excellently appointed guest rooms, fine décor and furnishings throughout, a spa very much in the tradition of the hotel and a restaurant which is not, proving that despite the hotel's classic appearance, it can still keep up with modernity and the demands of its guests and neighbours. This is a hotel where quality has a price but if you're going to buy it anywhere, then consider this property before you do.
The Pierre has always been a landmark hotel in New York City?and we are glad to report that after its latest $100 million renovation following its takeover by Taj Hotels, it is still very much one of the hotels by which others must judge themselves. It is true to say that it may not have some of the facilities of some of the other top hotels (no spa, smaller rooms), but when it comes to service, style and sophistication, not to mention history, it is untouchable. With a location that would make most hotels weep with envy, fabulously appointed rooms with an Asian touch and a new, top quality restaurant, The Pierre is back on top of its game and ready to welcome once again all types of traveller, no matter their motive for visiting the city. All this comes, of course, at a price, but if you had to choose a place to spend your hard earned cash, this has got to be near the summit of your shortlist.
We had high expectations before staying at Chambers and those were translated into fond memories by the time we left. Aside from the fact that it doesn't have on-site fitness or wellness facilities, this is the perfect city hotel. The rooms are spacious and uber-stylish, its Midtown location is difficult to beat and it boasts two food outlets from celebrity chef David Chang. It also has an impressive art collection which is displayed both in the property's public spaces and in the guestrooms and which comprises over 500 pieces. All the above married with some unique touches, friendly service and an inspired décor make Chambers one of our favourite Midtown bolt holes for both couples and families on leisure.
Although one of the biggest hotels we visited in New York, Le Parker Meridien, to a certain extent, has the look and feel of a boutique hotel a quarter of its size. It is blessed with energetic public spaces, fresh, contemporary design, great places to eat and the finest fitness facilities you'll come across in any hotel in the city. Its location isn't bad either, at the heart of everything in Midtown Manhattan, minutes from Central Park. An attractive option for couples, families and friends alike, whether in The Big Apple for business or pleasure, we very much liked this property and would strongly recommend it to all.
Dated, impersonal (in every sense) and a slave to mass tourism, The Salisbury is a ghastly hotel which probably only survives thanks to its proximity to Central Park. It appears as though not much has changed for several decades at this property which is in serious need of an upgrade. It is void of character, pretty grim and full of package holiday clients looking for the cheapest possible deal. The members of staff, some of whom seem more interested in their mobile phones than the guests, have a laissez-faire attitude and would quite obviously be somewhere else. With no amenities, wifi you have to pay for and poor quality accommodation, we see no reason, aside from price and location (and even then you can find something better, in the same area, for a similar price), to come and stay at The Salisbury.
Let's not mince our words; The Peninsula is quite simply one of the finest hotels in New York, even more so now it is the other side of a renovation. From the very first moment you enter the hotel you'll have no doubt about the quality of experience that awaits you. There is very little to pick holes at here where excellence comes as standard: the large rooms are finely furnished, the restaurants of the highest caliber, the spa one of the most beautiful and complete in the city and the service faultless. Like all top class hotels this all comes at a certain price, however if there was ever one hotel which could justify the cost it would be this one.
The intention of the Four Season's Chinese-born American architect, Ieoh Ming Pei, was to create a hotel "in the grand tradition of a former time when going to a hotel was an occasion." Thanks to his ingenuity and vision those days live on in our time. A Four Seasons, wherever it may be in the world, is synonymous with quality and timeless sophistication and this spectacular New York example is no exception. It is a hotel of superlatives: the tallest New York hotel, the largest standard rooms in the city, the most expensive hotel suite in the world. Whether you are travelling as a family, couple or friends, on business or pleasure, and want to be guaranteed a flawless stay, you need look no further.
Let's not mince our words; The Peninsula is quite simply one of the finest hotels in New York, even more so now it is the other side of a renovation. From the very first moment you enter the hotel you'll have no doubt about the quality of experience that awaits you. There is very little to pick holes at here where excellence comes as standard: the large rooms are finely furnished, the restaurants of the highest caliber, the spa one of the most beautiful and complete in the city and the service faultless. Like all top class hotels this all comes at a certain price, however if there was ever one hotel which could justify the cost it would be this one.
Q. What do you get when you take $150 million and put them into the hands of one of the world's greatest architect/designers? A. The Mark. Be under no illusions, what Jacques Grange and co have conceived in the leafy surroundings of the Upper Eastside is now the yardstick against which all other hotels will now have to measure themselves. After over two years under renovation with some of the most sought after names in the creative fields working on the project, The Mark has transformed itself from a decent hotel to a hotel of superlatives. Everything is top draw from the design to the staff, from the food to the wellness centre. This all, of course, comes with the price tag that its quality demands, however rest assured that no other hotel can come close to what The Mark has to offer.
We're going to stick our necks out here and say that of all the hotels we have stayed at in this city, the Setai probably takes top spot. Of course there are many different types of hotel in the city and not everyone is looking for what the Setai has to offer, but as on overall experience, it can't, in our opinion, be bettered. The rooms are not only some of the biggest in the city, but they are likely to be the best appointed in terms of amenities too. The stunning, contemporary spa is as luxurious as it is spacious and in its restaurant the hotel has one of most memorable dining experiences to be had. But what impressed us most, and where the hotel rises above it competitors, is the consistent attention to detail and impeccable service the likes of which we've never seen. Although new (November 2010 opening), this is right up there with the old masters and the best thing is that it can only get better!
We were quite simply blown away by this hotel. Rare are the occasions where there is nothing to fault, but staying here was one of those - it just couldn't put a foot wrong. Generously proportioned, impressively appointed rooms are complemented by a relaxed yet top class Italian restaurant, while the spa is a sight to behold. You'll have a tough job finding a property where the service is paralleled and don't even get us started on the views! A magnificent, modern and memorable hotel, we recommend the Trump Soho to all kinds of traveller, newcomers or old hands, couples or families. A huge thumbs up.
Although no longer associated with its Parisian namesake, the Plaza Athénée New York continues to offer one of the most refined hotel experiences in the city. Its style may not be as subtle as some of its competitors and thus some many find it a little overwhelming, but there is no getting away from the fact the hotel is a class act from top to bottom. It boasts capacious, well-appointed and recently renovated rooms (January 2010), a fine wellness centre, a celebrated restaurant and bar and an impeccable service from a smart, professional staff. If you're after that classic European opulence the other side of the Atlantic then the well-located Plaza Athénée is one to consider.
Take a step back in time (through a passage lined with suede and leather, of course) to the golden age of travel and the magnificent new Art Deco hotel The Chatwal. Opened recently in August of 2011, it has quickly become one of the places to stay in New York and to be honest, it isn't difficult to see why: a dream location in the heart of Manhattan, superbly appointed, world ?class accommodations, a luxury spa and a fine restaurant. Marrying both old world glamour and modern day luxury, this 'baby grand' hotel will appeal to those looking for good old fashioned service in a romantic setting with everything that makes this a great city within reach.
The Pierre has always been a landmark hotel in New York City?and we are glad to report that after its latest $100 million renovation following its takeover by Taj Hotels, it is still very much one of the hotels by which others must judge themselves. It is true to say that it may not have some of the facilities of some of the other top hotels (no spa, smaller rooms), but when it comes to service, style and sophistication, not to mention history, it is untouchable. With a location that would make most hotels weep with envy, fabulously appointed rooms with an Asian touch and a new, top quality restaurant, The Pierre is back on top of its game and ready to welcome once again all types of traveller, no matter their motive for visiting the city. All this comes, of course, at a price, but if you had to choose a place to spend your hard earned cash, this has got to be near the summit of your shortlist.
You may be coming to the United States to see New York, but the St. Regis is a destination in itself. The most sumptuous hotel we have visited to date in the city, its beautiful Beaux-Arts interiors are a sight to behold. It's (rightly) famed for its unrivalled service and King Cole Bar (more in 'Food and Drink') as well as its beautiful, spacious and well appointed rooms, however it does lack some of the high tier amenities of its rivals, such as a swimming pool, and the views are not quite as good. That said it can boast an Alain Ducasse restaurant and original antique décor. It's true to say that some may find the hotel's opulence a little overbearing, but let's not lose sight of the fact that this is nonetheless a true masterpiece. Even if you don't have the means to stay here, come and take a look around as the property has some unique features. Couples, friends or business travellers will all find their calling at the St. Regis.