In a city filled with architectural icons, the New York Palace Hotel is one of just a handful of hotels that is quintessentially New York. Since the early ’80’s it has stood grandly in Midtown, living in sync with its neighbour St Patrick’s Cathedral. But, now after a $140 million refurbishment, the Palace has gone from a much loved New York Grand Dame to ‘It’ girl.
At the height of the Gilded Age, railway magnate and financier Henry Villard commissioned McKim, Mead & White to design 6 neo-Italianate brownstone terraces on 451 Madison Avenue. The buildings incorporated the work of prominent Beaux-Arts artists like Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Maitland Armstrong. These mansions were of a time when the A-listers were the Astors and Vanderbilts, not Beyonce and JayZ.
Throughout the 20th century, the mansions changed hands until Harry B Hemsley and his infamous wife Leona constructed the 55-story New York Palace Hotel behind the mansions. Everyone from Michael Jackson, Orlando Bloom, Whitney Houston and Derek Jeter has called the New York Palace home.
The recently completed renovation was centred on The Towers – the hotel within a hotel. Always known for its unparalleled luxury the Towers have now surpassed their previous Bonfire of the Vanities opulence to become one of the most elegant hotels in the world.
The crown in the jewel must be the two triplex suites, offering incomparable views and an all-new standard of opulence. Each 5,000 square foot suite sits 53 stories above the chicest Manhattan precinct and dares you to not break the 10th commandment.
The Martin Katz designed Jewel Suite lives up to its name with rich gemstone-toned upholstery and glittering’ floating ‘ jewel boxes housing some of Mr Katz’s distinctive jewellery designs. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the suite is bathed in light during the day and makes the glittering New York skyline seem even closer at night. Even the wall coverings twinkle.
The third floor opens to a surprisingly intimate private outdoor terrace and brings some of those other architectural masterpieces, the Empire State and Chrysler buildings up close and personal.
Staying in the Jewel Suite offers guests a list of once-in-a-lifetime experiences with access to Mr Katz for custom jewellery design consultations and creations. And if you double the package rate, Mr Katz will create a stunning engagement ring in time for you to pop the question over a customized 6-course degustation for two in The Gallery at Villard Michel Richard.
The Champagne Suite is supposedly inspired by the colours of champagne with soft creams, smoky reds and Chardonnay tones. Next to the Grand Parlour sits an Aladdin like wine cave designed for exclusive tastings supervised by master sommeliers. Once again the oversized terrace is the perfect spot to sample a fine vintage either in or out of the jacuzzi.
The New York Palace renovations added not only new lobbies and specialty suites but six new restaurants and bars. Rarities is an exclusive club with a yearly membership that was designed for scotch connoisseurs.
The New York Palace was perhaps the lesser-known of Manhattan’s quintessential hotels. The Carlyle, St. Regis, the Plaza and the Waldorf Astoria were always the ones showcased on both the small and big screen. Now, as the home of Serena Van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl, the Palace is having its moment in the spotlight.
The Palace has always had a different allure with its grand but discreet courtyard. The Towers now offer a different kind of grandeur that seamlessly melds old and new and a level of service that’s unsurpassed. www.newyorkpalace.com
