The Fifth Avenue Hotel, a luxurious midtown escape with oodles of exuberant charm, will never go out of style. That’s not because of some sort of dull, timeless quality of the space. In fact, the opposite is true. This joyful, opulent hotel is redolent in maximalist splendor, pairing bright colors with eye-catching design and quirky decor to create a one-of-a-kind interior. Some hotels in New York make you feel like you’re in a movie, this unique destination makes you feel like you’re writing your own.
We first entered the hotel through the 28th Street lobby—full of antique mirrors, cabinets of curiosities and colorful crystals—and were then led to our Mansion suite to meet our dedicated butler. (Yes, you read that correctly! Guests receive their own butler during a stay.) He greeted us with refreshing welcome drinks and gave us a walkthrough of the room—showing us how to use an iPad to change the lighting, window shades, temperature and more while running down all of the necessary contact information for hotel services. (If your room needs a tutorial, you know you're in the right place.)
The whimsical suite was designed, like the rest of the hotel, by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio with a refreshing explosion of color. Bold greens, yellows and pinks infuse the space alongside eclectic furnishings—from Pagoda-style lamps to large wardrobes inspired by traditional Chinese cabinets. The design was meant to evoke a stay at a gilded age mansion owned by a well-traveled globe trotter and manages to achieve that through its cheerful romanticism given a contemporary twist. The 153 guestrooms and suites are lively little sanctuaries that feel a world away from the midtown traffic below.
What really sets a stay at The Fifth Avenue Hotel apart from the many luxury hotels in the area, however, are the excellent food-and-beverage options. The hotel’s signature restaurant Café Carmellini, from James Beard Award-winning Chef Andrew Carmellini, is an elevated fusion of French and Italian cooking presented in a space that feels classically New York. Our dinner there, surrounded by giant trees, private balconies and neoclassical architecture, was a highlight of our stay. It’s a modern restaurant that feels very Old New York. Meanwhile, the cozy Portrait Bar is one of NYC’s best new bars—carrying through the world traveling theme with meticulously created cocktails each inspired by a far-flung locale. Luckily, during a stay here you'll only have to travel as far as upstairs after a nightcap.
Neighborhood
The Fifth Avenue Hotel is located in the heart of NYC’s red-hot NoMad district, full of exciting new restaurant and hotel openings and just a few blocks north of Madison Square Park.
Nearby
Eataly NYC Flatiron An Italian culinary destination was a fantastic, seasonally updated rooftop bar.
Poster House A small, fascinating museum specializing in graphic design and poster art.
Empire State Building A global icon for a reason with an observatory that’s recently undergone an impressive refresh.
Time Out Tip
The Fifth Avenue Hotel is spread out across two buildings: The Mansion, a historic landmark designed by McKim, Mead & White, and a new, 24-story glass tower designed by Perkins Eastman and PBDW Architects. They have different vibes, so be aware where you’ll be staying when booking your room.