There’s an Upper East Side feel to the Loews Regency New York, which makes it perfect for spending special occasions in the city, like Christmas. Guests swan into the lobby with grand high ceilings, walls framed with black and white photos of old New York and luxe furnishings. It all evokes the sense that you’ve slipped back into a different era. Here, you’ll have the five-star experience in a charming older hotel, which has been hosting guests since it opened in 1963.
If you’re staying over the holidays, you can enjoy free champagne or hot cocoa in the festively decorated lobby every Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 6pm in December. There’s also holiday-inspired cocktails and menu specials, plus the opportunity to glam up for a festive party at the Julien Farel Restore Salon & Spa.
The smallest rooms are the 250-square-foot Superior King, while the larger suites are on the higher floors and go up to an enormous 1,400 square feet. All of the 379 rooms are pet-friendly, and some have terraces and balconies. The most unique feature is the television screen in the bathroom mirror, which allows you to watch local TV from the comfort of your bathtub. Each room is stacked with dozens of books, and Nespresso machines come in the more luxurious rooms, but no matter where you’re staying, don’t be afraid to request one from the front desk.
The lobby-level Regency Bar & Grill is the hotel’s main restaurant, with white tablecloths and servers wearing button-down shirts under jackets. You can get breakfast, lunch, and dinner here with no gaps in service from 7am to 10pm, and there's a hearty brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays.
This is a classic five-star hotel, and it’s matched by what can only really be described as proper, stonking, high-end service. No matter your request, large or small, you’ll be greeted with efficiency. It’s luxurious, but it’s worth the price.
Time Out tip: nip across the road to Sant Ambroeus Coffee Bar for unusual, creative desserts. We recommend the principessa.
Address: 540 Park Ave, New York, NY
Price: Superior King rooms from approximately $459 per night.
Closest transport: Lexington Av/63 St subway, four minute walk.