New York is a white-knuckle ride of a city, a gutsy place with no shortage of high-end hotels to choose from and enough top suites to fill a telephone directory. Some offer fleets of Bentleys for guest use, others come with personal shoppers from Dior, art collections by Robert De Niro – and one even has a concierge who will remember the temperature of your bath water. But our team has done the hard work for you and picked out the suites that are, in our humble opinion, most worth checking into the next time you’re in town.
Secret modernist palace
SUITE 5000 – MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Even regular Mandarin fans might not know about this suite, which is so top secret it doesn’t appear on the website or any of the hotel’s marketing material. Bookings come only via word of mouth, (Brad Pitt and Beyoncé are among those who got wind of it), and the suite is considered by staff to be better than the Presidential one. It certainly looks more striking, eschewing the brand’s signature black lacquer and Asian-style gilt for something more modern and New York. Guests are greeted by a huge modern artwork of frosted Fruit Loop packets, while metallic wallpapers, minimal furniture and the hi-tech media center make it feel slick and modern. There are wraparound views across the Hudson and Central Park, but despite glamorous touches – there is a Swarovski chandelier above the master bath – it somehow remains beautifully homely and its two entrances add to the sense of privacy.
Special amenities
The Dior Cabine, in which stylists from the Dior flagship in the city will provide clothes, personalized styling and shopping for Suite 5000 guests. Plus there’s a curated record collection featuring a wide range from 1930s jazz to rare 1970s hip hop. Extra touches on request – one family requested Minnie Mouse themed decoration in the suite for their child.
Size 3,300 sq ft
Related
Number of rooms Eight (including three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, living room, kitchen)
Nightly Rate From $32,000
Contact +1 212 805 8800, mandarinoriental.com/newyork
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All-American traditionalism
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE – PARK HYATT
The two presidential suites were designed for the use of the city’s most distinguished guests, including heads of state and royalty. The floor-to-ceiling windows have south-facing views from the living area and there is a partial Central Park view from the bedroom. The open living area includes Yabu Pushelberg-designed custom furnishings, a dining table for six and a kitchen island with amenity closet, just off the butler’s pantry.
Special Amenities
Optional adjoining room, wine cooler that can be stocked with any requested wines, partnership with Carnegie Hall so can provide special VIP access and tickets. Plus Le Labo products, access to house car and a butler service.
Size 2,239 sq ft
Number of rooms Four (bedroom, one and a half bathrooms, open-plan living room, kitchen)
Nightly rate $30,000
Contact Ernie Arias, director of sales and marketing, ernie.arias@hyatt.com, +1 646 774 1301, parkhyattnewyork.com
The hotel is a partner with the Central Park Conservancy and can organize personalized tours in their SUVs with the official historian Sara Cedar Miller
An avant-garde home-away-from-home
PREMIER THREE-BEDROOM SUITE – THE MARK
This Upper East Side classic has recently undergone a full refurbishment at the hands of Jacques Grange, the French interior designer whose clients have included Yves Saint Laurent. Although the common areas are flamboyant and sceney (Anna Wintour prepared for the Met Ball at the hotel earlier this year), the suite is understated and calm and a real home-away-from-home, with its own family-friendly kitchen designed by architect Piero Lissoni. The suite also comes with an art collection curated by the acclaimed Leila Heller Gallery. And what’s that scent? That’s the hotel signature fragrance designed by master perfumer Frederic Malle.
Special amenities
An iButler, high-class service for your pet, bespoke stroller for your baby, private services at the hotel’s Frédéric Fekkai salon. Concierge Isabel Hogan can get you tickets for anything and will even remember the temperature of your bath water.
Size 2,122 sq ft
Number of rooms Nine (three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, living room, foyer, eat-in kitchen)
Nightly rate From $10,000
Contact Olivier Lordonnis, general manager, olivier.lordonnis@themarkhotel.com, themarkhotel.com
Gilded Age bon viveur
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE – THE ST. REGIS NEW YORK
This lavish suite brings to mind the grand apartments of the Gilded Age. It overlooks Fifth Avenue and Central Park through floor-to- ceiling windows and has a full kitchen, separate living and dining rooms, a wood-paneled library and a bathroom of Italian marble. Decor is an mix of classic and contemporary with art and treasures from around the world. The master suite includes a dressing room and private sitting area with an eye-catching purple sofa.
Special Amenities 24-hour English-style butler services, use of day and night eet of Bentleys, complimentary breakfast in the King Cole Bar, bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne upon arrival, Pratesi bed linens, airport transfers.
Size 3,430 sq ft
Number of rooms 11 (three bedrooms, four bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining room, library)
Nightly rate From $35,000
Contact Hermann Elger, general manager, hermann.elger@stregis.com, +1 212 752 4500, stregis.com
Art lover’s Mecca
PENTHOUSE – THE QUIN
This boutique hotel houses a permanent art collection, including works from Irish painter Patrick Graham and graffiti artist Nick Walker. In the three-story Quin penthouse, there is also a rotating selection of artwork curated by DK Johnston. Yet one of the most stunning features is 1,300 sq ft of outdoor space on a terrace with seating for up to 30, including an outdoor dining table for 14. The first floor is an open-plan living area with a full kitchen, while the top two floors comprise the private spaces. Our favorite feature is the glass-enclosed marble wet room that comes with a rain shower and deep-soak tub.
Special Amenities Curated gift crate from Kerber’s Farm, hand deliveries from Bergdorf Goodman, and Frette robes. There is also the option to rent the entire 17th floor to create a private enclave for up to 20 people, and use of Jung Lee events services – it can organize special touches such as a Caipirinha bar or whiskey tasting station.
Size 3,400 sq ft
Number of rooms Five (two bedrooms, two bathrooms, open-plan living area)
Nightly rate From $15,000
Contact Sales department, sales@thequinhotel.com, +1 646 589 6536, quinpenthouse.com
Showstopping glamour
THE FITZGERALD SUITE – THE PLAZA
A departure from the Beaux Arts decor of the rest of the hotel, Catherine Martin, costume and production designer, and co-producer of the Baz Luhrmann-directed film of The Great Gatsby, has designed the Art Deco suite dedicated to F. Scott Fitzgerald. Darkly seductive and glamorous, the domed chandeliers, smoked-glass mirrors and muted gray color scheme provide the backdrop, but the beauty is in Martin’s attention to detail and thoughtful touches, such as the embroidered monograms on towels and linen inspired by Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Another unique and stylish touch is a reading corner with a curated book collection, which includes, of course, Fitzgerald’s complete works.
Special Amenities
Bottle of champagne upon arrival, custom Ti any & Co playing cards, a selection of vintage board games, 3D TV to watch The Great Gatsby, and a gramophone-shaped speaker with iPod dock.
Size 700 sq ft
Number of rooms Three (bedroom, living room, bathroom)
Nightly rate From $2,295
Contact In-house reservations, plazareservation@fairmont.com, +1 212 546 5219, theplazany.com
Countryside hideaway in the city
MEADOW SUITE – CROSBY STREET HOTEL
Situated on the second floor of this flamboyant but tastefully designed hotel is the Meadow Suite, an oasis in the heart of Soho. The hotel is notoriously secretive about its guest list but Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Carey Mulligan and Alexa Chung have all been spotted there recently. The urban location (you’re just above the action on Lafayette Street) is best enjoyed from bed, with its striking green oral print headboard. The botanical theme extends out to the little balcony planted with meadow flowers inside old-fashioned sinks. There is also an artfully-worn coffee table and fabric wall coverings that combine the luxury of traditional textures with a more playful aesthetic.
Special amenities
24-hour access to Bloomingdale’s (useful for resupplying a guest with her favorite silk pajamas) and an ‘anything is possible’ attitude from concierge Todd Hunt. Guests staying over the festive season have had presents bought and laid out under the Christmas tree. Another needed a pig’s head to celebrate a farming business deal. One was found and brought to the room on a plate in less than 30 minutes.
Size 700 sq ft
Number of rooms Three (bedroom, living room, bathroom)
Nightly Rate From $2,900
Contact Kathrin Apitz, general manager, kathrunapitz@firmdale.com, rmdalehotels.com
Minimalist zen hideaway
TRIBECA PENTHOUSE – THE GREENWICH HOTEL
This suite sits atop this celebrity-hideaway hotel, owned by Robert De Niro and favored by the likes of Bradley Cooper, James Packer, Ben Stiller and the Olsen Twins. The pièce de résistance of the suite is its 4,000 sq ft terrace, which is the largest outdoor space in Manhattan available to paying guests, and comes with a hot tub and wisteria-clad pergolas. Indoors, Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt and architect Tatsuro Miki have created a unique space that channels the ancient Japanese art of Wabi with natural and reclaimed materials (a 19th-century walnut table as a headboard, doors made from ancient tokonoma wood), a muted color palette and soothing touches, such as open replaces.
Special amenities
Staff are used to the demands of tech- and media-types, from heli transfers to finding replica pieces from the suite (it’s filled with unique art, some by De Niro) for guests to take home.
Size 6,800 sq ft
Number of rooms Eight (three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, living room, kitchen)
Nightly Rate From $15,000
Contact +1 212 941 8900, thegreenwichhotel.com
Opulent city haven
THE BACCARAT SUITE – BACCARAT HOTELS & RESIDENCES
While the hotel opened earlier in 2015, the Baccarat Suite was only finished in July. However, proving that good things come to those who wait, it is the height of opulence in an already grand hotel. Parisian designers Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier spared no expense on the decor, mixing classic French style with New York glamour and a soothing champagne color palette. Finishing touches include Baccarat chandeliers and an in-suite Baccarat bar, filled with specially-selected fine wine chosen by the hotel’s expert sommelier. A separate staff entrance adds to the feeling of absolute privacy.
Special Amenities
Ruinart champagne upon arrival, Baccarat gift, on-call car, custom-made Mascioni linens and cashmere throws, a private art collection curated by Frédéric Chabre, La Mer beauty products, complimentary hair blowouts from 5pm-7pm daily and private airport transfers.
Size 1,740 sq ft
Number of rooms Six (bedroom, two bathrooms, living room, foyer, butler’s pantry)
Nightly rate From $18,000 Contact +1 844 294 1764, baccarathotels.com
The on-call car for this suite is a beautiful vintage 1970s Citroën DS
Sky-high retreat
THE LONDON PENTHOUSE – THE LONDON NYC
The highest suite in Manhattan, the David Collins-designed penthouse occupies the top two floors of the hotel. The 53rd floor is dedicated to 1,200 sq ft of open-plan living space including a 14ft-long leather and velvet wraparound couch, marble replace, wet bar, dining table for eight and huge Austrian crystal chandelier. It has views of Central Park, the Hudson River and a bird’s eye view of Manhattan. The master and guest bedrooms occupy the 54th floor, and the master features a king-size four-poster bed wrapped in gold croc leather.
Special Amenities Evening at The Chef’s Table for an eight course tasting menu, bottle of vintage champagne and canapés upon arrival, Fili D’Oro Italian linens, personal concierge and access to private car and driver.
Size 2,500 sq ft
Number of rooms Seven (two bedrooms, three bathrooms, full service chef’s kitchen, open-plan living and dining rooms)
Nightly rate From $1,999
Contact Erica Bukowski, sales executive, ebukowski@thelondon.com, +1 212 468 8706, thelondonnyc.com
