9 Classic New York City Hotels Where the Lore Is the Draw
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New York’s hotel scene is ever-changing, with luxury properties constantly opening in historic structures or freshly built towers. And yet, while these new stays are filled with enviable amenities and award-winning restaurants, they can’t quite compare to the classics when it comes to pure atmosphere.
Perhaps no city in America has as rich a hospitality legacy as New York, and Midtown Manhattan is particularly jam-packed with lodging landmarks that have been going strong for decades—or even a century. Each comes with its own unique story and cast of characters, from The Plaza, which served as a backdrop for many a movie, to The Pierre, which has played home to several celebrities over the years. If you’re looking for a hotel with character, these nine are filled with it.
The Peninsula New York
Midtown
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The Peninsula, which occupies a neo-Italian Renaissance building from 1905, has one of Manhattan’s grandest hotel façades, with ornate columns and imposing sculptures of Roman goddesses. To match, the hotel recently debuted an interior design overhaul that draws inspiration from the Roaring ’20s; guest rooms are lighter and brighter, with white-on-white jacquard textiles and artful molded headboards. Enjoy skyline views from the 23rd-floor Pen Top rooftop bar, or book a traditional afternoon tea on the lobby’s mezzanine level. As a guest, you’ll also be part of The Peninsula Academy, which offers unique experiences like private art gallery tours and meet and greets with Broadway cast members.
Lotte New York Palace
Midtown
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A tale of old-meets-new, this Midtown hotel on East 50th and Madison mixes the 1880s-built, Renaissance Revival–style Villard Houses with contemporary design. The hotel was developed by Harry Helmsley and, in its first decade, it became associated with his wife, Leona, known in the tabloids as “The Queen of Mean,” who famously left $12 million to her Maltese in her will. That history still looms large over the place, and each Saturday morning, the concierge can set you up with a tour of the hotel’s Gilded Age halls.
The St. Regis New York
Midtown
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Developed by John Jacob Astor IV, this grand Beaux-Arts hotel may have recently turned 120, but it hasn’t lost any of its charm over the years. Maxfield Parrish’s nursery rhyme–inspired mural still watches over the King Cole Bar, where bartender Fernand Petiot perfected the Red Snapper (aka the Bloody Mary) in 1934, and guest rooms and suites include opulent touches like Waterford crystal chandeliers, beveled mirrors and crown molding. The St. Regis brand is known for its signature champagne sabering ritual, and you can join a class here to try it on your own bottle.
JW Marriott Essex House New York
Midtown
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A red neon sign spelling out “ESSEX HOUSE” has been standing atop this Art Deco tower since 1932, and it’s become an iconic sight for those looking downtown from Central Park. Inside, 1930s-era details abound, from the ornate brass elevator doors to the fluted black marble columns, though guest rooms skew more contemporary and simple—with pillow-top mattresses that make it extra difficult to get out of bed in the morning. This is one of the best places in the city to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade, and the on-site restaurant, Bourbon Steak New York, is a great idea anytime of year.
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
Midtown
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Located on the south side of Central Park, The Ritz-Carlton occupies the former Hotel St. Moritz, which opened in 1930. A recent renovation shook the dust off the guest rooms and suites, which now feel fresh, bright and airy, with a palette of warm woods, beiges and the occasional flush of blush pink. Guests who choose the hotel-within-a-hotel Club experience get access to a private lounge with daily culinary presentations; a selection of wine, beer and cocktails; and Friday evening champagne and caviar service. Take advantage of the park-side location by ordering a picnic basket lunch and going for a stroll.
The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
Midtown
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Few hotels in the world are more steeped in lore than this French Renaissance–inspired landmark, which opened on the southeastern corner of Central Park in 1907. The Plaza has featured in several movies, and will always be synonymous with the precocious Eloise of children’s-literature fame. Guest rooms are still sumptuous, but the main attractions these days are the public spaces, like the stained glass–domed Palm Court, the city’s most iconic destination for afternoon tea, and The Champagne Bar, where caviar and bubbly flow beneath grand chandeliers.
Omni Berkshire Place
Midtown
Opened in 1926, this stately neoclassical hotel is located near Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, and entertainment is in its blood: A Broadway legend lived on-site for years, and a famous musical was composed in one of its suites. Families should consider the over-the-top FAO Schwarz Experience Suite, which includes perks such as a stuffed animal for each kid, a candy basket and a family breakfast to start the day. Guests also have access to the 17th-floor St. Patrick’s Terrace, which overlooks the cathedral and has a garden that provides herbs to the bartenders at the hotel’s Berk’s Bar.
The Algonquin Hotel Times Square, Autograph Collection
Midtown
This Theater District–adjacent hotel will forever be associated with the Algonquin Round Table, a group of actors, critics and writers, such as Dorothy Parker, who would meet here daily for lunch in the 1920s. Open since 1902, it’s now a member of the Autograph Collection, and its 181 guest rooms and suites are cozy and classic. For decades, The Algonquin has housed a resident feline (most recently a ginger fellow named Hamlet VIII) and employed a “chief cat officer” to watch after him. Broadway fans shouldn’t miss The Blue Bar, which is decorated with drawings by famed caricaturist Al Hirschfeld.
The Pierre NY, A Taj Hotel
Upper East Side
Opened in 1930 by a Corsican busboy turned hotelier, this neo-Georgian landmark occupies prime real estate on the southeastern corner of Central Park, and over the decades, it has counted actresses, business magnates and fashion designers among its glamorous residents. Rooms and suites feature elegant design touches like tufted leather headboards and Turkish marble bathrooms, while public spaces include the impossibly grand Rotunda, with its fresco-covered ceiling and trompe l’oeil murals. The reimagined Two E Bar & Lounge is a dimly lit hideaway for excellent cocktails (like the 101-Day Aged Manhattan) and performances by jazz and soul musicians.
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Lead photo courtesy of JW Marriott Essex House New York.
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