When the first iteration of The Surrey opened in 1926, it became a preferred spot for popular actors like Ethel Merman and Claudette Colbert. And while the iconic Upper East Side property enjoyed its time in the spotlight, it was forced to close in 2020. But it’s getting an exciting encore. Corinthia Hotels stepped in for a head-to-toe makeover of the Manhattan hotel that wrapped up in October, marking the Malta-founded brand’s North America debut.
Corinthia, known for its portfolio of luxurious boutique hotels, has successfully pulled off this high-wire transformation, even if, from the exterior, things appear to have stayed put. Inside, however, the Martin Brudnizki-designed, 100-room hotel emanates a fresh energy befitting the city while still showing respect to The Surrey’s stellar past.
Forbes Travel Guide recently got a firsthand look at the updated address. Here’s our take on the “new” star in town everyone wants to meet.
A local legend
The Surrey re-joins an esteemed group of Upper East Side legends. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel and Four-Star The Mark sit less than a block away. The Surrey’s building boasts an impressive history as a landmark, a quintessentially uptown Manhattan hangout during the silver screen’s golden age, as luminaries such as Bette Davis and John F. Kennedy either lived or stayed at the swanky, discreet residential hotel.
The 16-story building’s white-marbled Beaux-Arts facade on tree-lined East 76th Street offers a peek into the storied past. But once the jacketed doorman welcomes you inside, it becomes clear that The Surrey is not some nostalgic detour. Brudnizki’s design vision called for a light, bright hotel with elegant gestures that nod to an art deco past without being confined there.
The Design
What sets The Surrey apart are the details that lend a personalized touch. This rings especially true with the art lining the walls. The collection, ranging from photographs to oil paintings, is a tribute to New York City. Each piece, such as Robert Mapplethorpe’s black-and-white photograph, Iris, or Ethan Cook’s large canvas color blocks, has a story to tell. The eye-catching images in the Casa Tua lounge, from owner Miky Grendene’s own collection, make you feel as if you are a guest in a well-appointed Manhattan pied-à-terre.
In the guest rooms, Brudnizki takes a soft approach to art deco, with each accommodation inspired by a color. Rich terracotta, a springtime green and an elegant light blue are subtly woven throughout the space with silk walls, corresponding color cabinet inlays and Murano chandeliers. The soon-to-be-revealed signature suites pay tribute to The Surrey’s backyard, Central Park. Four Central Park bridges inspire the units: the Bethesda, Pine Bank, Greywacke and Bow (which is honored in the Surrey Suite). Crown moldings that reflect the unique architectural style of each bridge and mosaic tiles done with the structures’ illustrations on them sweep guests into a romantic New York City reverie.
Casa Tua’s Manhattan debut
Perhaps the most emblematic example of The Surrey’s bold new energy is its partnership with Casa Tua. This restaurant and private club originated in Miami and has since expanded to Aspen, Paris and now New York City, migrating along with its jet-setting clientele.
In its Manhattan outpost, Casa Tua puts its stamp on the hotel’s lounge, restaurant and a private space accessible only to members designed by the brand’s resident architect, Michele Bönan. The former oozes clubby-cool comfort by way of sleek, Italian cowhide lounge chairs, stacks of meticulously arranged coffee table books and a rotating collection of art rivaling any gallery. The lounge begs for a long afternoon savoring a steaming cappuccino followed by an inevitable martini.
Casa Tua restaurant serves Italian fare all day in a setting that is as relaxed as it is refined, thanks to thoughtful touches like the owner’s family photographs that decorate the menu, the brown velvet banquettes with white piping, shelves lined with books and objets d’art and an open kitchen. The menu reflects the congenial atmosphere with dishes designed to be passed around a table, such as whole branzino and spaghetti alla nerano, a rich, creamy pasta with fried zucchini and cracked black pepper.
The Surrey Spa featuring Sisley Paris
If you seek a tranquil escape from frantic Madison Avenue and Central Park, The Surrey’s spa is your sanctuary. In partnering with the luxury wellness brand Sisley Paris, the hotel adds an air of French sophistication to 76th Street. After sampling the spa’s menu of treatments — we already have our eye on the Black Rose Replumping Facial, a Surrey exclusive — enjoy amenities such as the sauna, the sinus-clearing eucalyptus steam room and the experiential shower’s three multi-sensory settings. We also recommend the Atlantic Storm, a blend of hot and cold water therapies paired with alternating eucalyptus and warm coconut scent infusions.
One of the spa’s unique facilities is the Himalayan salt room, which is private and available to book for 30-minute sessions. The room is lit by the warm, pink glow of a wall made entirely of Himalayan salt blocks, which can help heal lung and skin ailments. Bask in the chamber from a heated, ergonomic chair as the fine salt mist is sprayed into the air. A spacious gym (by Manhattan standards) and adjoining patio for yoga and meditation classes complete the urban sanctuary effect.
