New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [264]
Fodor’s Choice | The St. Regis.
$$$$ | World-class from head to toe, the St. Regis comes as close to flawless as any hotel in New York. Even without the hive of activity in its unparalleled public spaces, this 5th Avenue Beaux-Arts landmark would rank near the top of any best-of list. You can dine in two dining rooms—including an Alain Ducasse restaurant, Adour—as well as the legendary King Cole Bar, a dimly lighted institution with famously playful Maxfield Parrish murals. In the rooms, easy-to-use bedside consoles (developed by an in-house R&D team) control lighting, audio, and climate; the huge flat-screen TVs rise via remote control from the foot of your bed. Each floor is serviced by its own butler, a touch no other hotel here can match. Rooms have high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, silk wall coverings, and Louis XVI antiques—though even at these prices, you’re not guaranteed a stellar view or a separate tub in the more basic rooms. Still, if you require the best, the St. Regis delivers. Three “designer suites” outfitted in style by Bottega Veneta, Dior, and Tiffany have recently been renovated. Pros: rooms combine true luxury with helpful technology; easy-access butler service; superb in-house dining; prestigious location. Cons: expensive; too serious for families seeking fun. TripAdvisor: “delicious room service,” “lovely afternoon tea,” “turndown service.” | 2 E. 55th St., at 5th Ave., Midtown East | 10022 | 212/753–4500 or 877/787–3447 | www.stregis.com | 164 rooms, 65 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, DVD, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, gym, laundry service, parking (paid) | AE, D, DC, MC, V | Subway: E, M to 5th Ave.
Sherry-Netherland.
$$$ | With an iconic sidewalk clock on the southeast corner of Central Park and a captivating finial spire atop its slender form, the Sherry is a stately part of the New York landscape. So it may come as a surprise to learn that it’s essentially a tall, luxurious apartment building. The 50 guest rooms on offer come decorated in the fashion of their individual owners, but the standards are kept very high throughout. With a marble-lined lobby, crystal chandeliers, and wall friezes from the Vanderbilt mansion, its historic glamour is undeniable. The luxurious suites—reached via elevator operated by a white-gloved attendant—have separate living and dining areas. Many have decorative fireplaces, antiques, and glorious marble baths. You can use the private hotel entrance to have a complimentary breakfast at Harry Cipriani’s. (You might even stay for lunch for some of the best people-watching in town.) Pros: gorgeous lobby; commanding, impeccable location; Cipriani access. Cons: small check-in area; rooms vary in taste and decor; nonsuites are on the small side; interior rooms lack views. TripAdvisor: “elegant and personal,” “amazing views,” “gorgeous rooms.” | 781 5th Ave., at E. 59th St., Midtown East | 10022 | 212/355–2800 or 800/247–4377 | www.sherrynetherland.com | 30 rooms, 20 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, laundry service, parking (paid) | AE, D, DC, MC, V | CP | Subway: N, R, Q to 5th Ave.
Waldorf=Astoria.
$$$ | The lobby of this landmark 1931 Art Deco masterpiece, full of murals, mosaics, and elaborate plaster ornamentation, features a grand piano once owned by Cole Porter and still played daily. Standard rooms top out at a cozy 250 square feet, with marble bathrooms and wood headboards to balance the extensive floral patterns. Downstairs, the Bull and Bear Bar is a 1940s throwback complete with miniature soda bottles and no-nonsense barkeeps. The pricier and more luxurious Waldorf Towers (the 28th floor and above) has a separate entrance and management. The Waldorf is famous for its former residents; besides Porter, these have included Herbert Hoover and Nikola Tesla. Presidents usually stay here thanks to the security of the drive-in entrance. The new Guerlain spa