What: The 23-story Peninsula New York is housed in a 1905 landmark building in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The hotel’s Beaux-Arts design is noticeable as soon as you walk in the front doorway—the lobby features ornate woodwork and molding, and a grand crystal chandelier suspended from the trompe l’oeil ceiling above the dramatic marble staircase. The Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel includes 185 luxurious guest rooms and 54 suites—each decorated in classic, contemporary furnishings. Sleep comes easy here thanks to the cozy king-sized beds’ fluffy duvet covers and custom-made Frette linens. And the luxurious marble bathrooms—spacious by any city standards but especially in New York—are outfitted with separate showers and deep soaking tubs with flat-screen plasma TVs embedded in the walls.
Where: The Peninsula New York is located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, in one of New York’s most prominent neighborhoods. You’re just blocks from many of the city’s best attractions, including Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockefeller Center and Broadway. And if shopping is in your plans, you can’t beat the address—Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels are just steps from the front door.
When: Originally opened in 1905 as The Gotham, the neoclassical building had been host to numerous companies and hotels before being acquired by The Peninsula Hotel group in 1988. Ten years later, the hotel underwent a $45 million renovation. The Peninsula New York got another fresh look when all of the guest rooms and suites were refurbished between 2008 and 2010.
And there’s never a bad time to visit, but to stay in the hotel’s best room, book the 3,300-square-foot Peninsula Suite, which was recently overhauled by New York-based designer Bill Rooney. The six-room, 19th-floor suite overlooks Fifth Avenue and includes fine furnishings and artwork, polished marble floors, impeccable plaster details, a grand piano and state-of-the-art technology, including an 80-inch flat-screen TV in the living room with unlimited HD movies-on-demand, a Blu-ray 3D player, and Wii and PlayStation consoles.
Why: One of the main reasons to stay at The Peninsula New York is the deluxe amenities. Rooms come outfitted with a fully stocked desk, which is easy and convenient if you are in town on business. But if you’re leaving the office behind and are here to unwind, the Five-Star hotel has plenty of options. During the warmer months, head to the 22nd floor’s pool and sun deck—complete with comfy chaise lounges, coffee, tea and fresh fruit—and chill out while you gaze out onto Fifth Avenue. Or relax with a cocktail or glass of vino at the trendy Eastern-inspired Salon de Ning rooftop bar—accessible only via its own private elevator—where you’ll also have impressive views of the New York City skyline. Of course, for the ultimate indulgence, take in a few treatments at the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Peninsula Spa by ESPA New York. The stunning space was designed by Alexandra Champalimaud and exudes an earthy, Asian feel. Its location on the top three floors of the hotel is secluded, meaning you can pamper yourself with any of the therapeutic treatments, from facials and massages to body wraps and scrubs, in total privacy.
Photos Courtesy of The Peninsula New York and VFM Leonardo Inc
