After months of closures — a number of them permanent — some NYC hotels are reopening and welcoming guests. At the properties, you will discover noticeable changes, like new health and safety practices and different arrival and departure protocols, alongside tweaks in the bars and restaurants and plenty of room service. But you still will find attentive service and luxurious destinations.
Whether you have plans to visit the city for holiday shopping, a dose of art and culture or a weekend staycation, here are eight luxe lodgings that should be on your list. (Hotels are open unless otherwise noted below.)
The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
For 90 years, this icon on the edge of Central Park has been synonymous with glamorous New York. Its hand-painted murals, grand staircases, checkered marble floors and opulent air have made it a favorite among the fashionable set, including Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Hubert de Givenchy, Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Yves Saint Laurent.
The Pierre has evolved with the times, but personalized service has been a mainstay. Although the onsite restaurants are closed, you still will be able to enjoy one of the city’s best room service experiences, with Indian, French and American options, but only during breakfast hours.
Baccarat Hotel New York
New York City’s crystal jewel box opened its doors again. Step inside to see the Baccarat artistry in the lobby lounge and throughout the property, and the encased crystal pieces displayed outside of each guest room. For more art, head across the street to the Museum of Modern Art, and then return to your sparkling room for a drink from crystal stemware.
Spa de La Mer is taking appointments for facials and massages from the public, while the gym and marble-lined pool are reserved for hotel guests. While The Bar and Grand Salon remain closed, there’s contactless room service breakfast delivery — with crystal plates and flutes, of course — and the concierge will assist with reservations or deliveries for later meals.
Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
Opening: November 19
In the heart of Tribeca, the chic hotel is an ideal spot for business and family travel. Both groups will appreciate the Health and Wellness Floor, whose oversized windows overlook downtown. It features and a 75-foot indoor lap pool that will be a respite after a long day.
You don’t have to wait for the hotel reopening to partake in several amenities. The Five-Star spa offers select services from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. For more self-care, reserve a mindful movement experience with the yoga and meditation instructor or an intuitive healing session with a wellness ambassador. And savor a succulent steak at CUT by Wolfgang Puck outdoors or via takeout Tuesday through Saturday.
The Mark
If you are an art and design aficionado, this is your place. French designer Jacques Grange injected dramatic elements, like black-and-white striped floors in the lobby and other spaces. After checking in and scoping out the property, explore the many nearby museums and galleries, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Neue Galerie (which will reopen soon), Jewish Museum, Acquavella and Gagosian gallery.
The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges is open, but we’re tempted by The Mark Hot Dog Stand. Jean-Georges Vongerichten took the classic New York dish and elevated it with organic chicken and grass-fed beef hot dogs and kimchi relish. You can’t miss the seasonal stand parked outside the hotel — it’s adorned in those trademark black-and-white stripes.
Lotte New York Palace
The Madison Avenue landmark strikes the balance between Old World sophistication and modern-day style. You can pick up market-style options and takeout cocktails at Pomme Palais, but for other meals, the hotel encourages supporting nearby restaurants — Nobu Fifty Seven, LAVO and Hillstone are all available for alfresco dining and takeout. Note that the spa and the fitness center are closed.
If you come to New York often, check out the Palace’s Frequent Stay Program. Your dedicated room stays unoccupied between visits, and you even could leave luggage and belongings in there without worry.
Park Hyatt New York
Opening: November 15
This Midtown gem is taking reservations for stays just in time for the holidays. Shop all day at nearby Fifth Avenue boutiques and return to the property to regroup in the deep-soaking marble tub or the rainfall shower. Make time to take in the city vistas from the room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.
You may not have the full array of hotel dining options at your fingertips, but just steps away Loi Estiatorio serves Greek gastronomy and Petrossian Boutique and Café measures out tins of indulgent caviar. Or venture out on a five-minute stroll to Four-Star Marea for upscale seafood under a patio canopy of striking autumnal blooms.
The Dominick
Opening: December 1
This independent SoHo hotel affords expansive views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, exceptional service and is within a mile of the High Line, Union Square and Hudson Square.
This winter, The Dominick will unveil Vestry, a new restaurant helmed by respected Australian chef Shaun Hergatt. It will specialize in seasonally focused seafood and vegetable dishes. Takeout options and contactless room service will be available as well, and the other hotel eateries will offer indoor and outdoor dining, too.
The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel
Opens: November 2
The Upper East Side hotel will be up and running just in time to celebrate its 90th anniversary. It also will debut new guest rooms. The Carlyle’s original aesthetic melded Dorothy Draper’s art deco design and Mark Hampton’s American style. But a three-year renovation from Tony Chi, Alexandra Champalimaud and Thierry Despont updated the spaces with a more contemporary feel. Enjoy a treatment at Sisley Paris Spa and afterward walk to a nearby restaurant for an alfresco dinner under the heaters. Wind down the night back in your suite — most come with a piano for your playing pleasure.
