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Review
This is a boutique hotel in every sense of the phrase; every detail has been poured over, from the silky, pleated walls in the corridor to the hidden Portrait Bar, just for hotel guests.
It’s full of surprises; you could round a corner to find a floral, velvet sofa and a well-stocked bookcase as a reading nook, or discover a colorful parlor filled with palms and garden furniture, available for private hire. It’s a bit like a cabinet of curiosities, but on a much larger scale—here’s my brand-new review of The Fifth Avenue Hotel.
First up, because it’s absolutely gorgeous. Its home is found within a 19th-century mansion and Swedish-born star designer Martin Brudnizki created the design scheme, which is inspired by owner Alex Ohebshalom’s travels as well as romanticized figures of French history, like the poet Baudelaire. The vibe is all richly toned colors, exquisite materials, and romantic details, so you’ll want to get your camera out. It also genuinely feels five-star—there are special touches like tablets in rooms that control all elements of lighting, heat, sound, and television, as well as a 24/7 butler service.
There’s a mixture of rooms (queens, kings, and corners), suites (studio, one-bedroom, terrace), and signature suites such as the penthouse, which are beautifully designed, offering features such as smart TVs, designer bath products, and even luxury car service. You don’t need to book the most premium room to get a fantastic experience, though, as even the smaller rooms have Dyson hair dryers, morning papers, and plush beds. I was lucky enough to stay in a studio suite, which benefited from a corner sofa, writing desk, and dressing table, providing more than enough space for two people over a few days.
Some hotels wow with a portfolio of restaurants to suit every occasion, but The Fifth Avenue Hotel keeps things classic with a hero offering from award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini.
Café Carmellini blends European cooking with a New York attitude, serving dishes such as crab and Meyer lemon mille-feuille alongside red shrimp with market greens and oysters. Alternatively, there’s the cozy, hotel-guests-only Portrait Bar, with self-service water and coffee during the day, a small bar menu, and sophisticated cocktails by night.
The service is befitting of a luxury, five-star establishment—just as you’d hope. The staff is enthusiastic and warm, yet polite and professional. The most impressive service to mention has to be the butler service, which includes a welcome drink on arrival as well as a nightly martini hour with a shaken or stirred drink brought to your room.
There’s a colorful, fully equipped gym in case you feel like working out while staying, and an agreement with fitness partners including Life Time Fitness, Humming Puppy Yoga, SoulCycle, and Barry’s Bootcamp, giving guests access to classes.
The Fifth Avenue Hotel sits in NoMad, so you’re smack dab in the heart of the action. Close by is the Empire State Building, Madison Square Park, and stores like Buck Mason and Minotti’s showroom for interior finds. You’ve got Eataly on your doorstep and the New York Public Library is walkable. You might prefer heading down to the West or East Village, or up to Central Park, all of which are easy to get to on the subway.
It’s glamorous, it’s beautiful, it’s luxurious—if you can snag a room here, you probably won’t want to leave. The staff is excellent and the location is ideal. No notes from us.
DETAILS
Address: 1 West 28th Street, New York, NY 10001
Price per night: starting from $720 per night
Closest transport: 34th Street - Herald Square
Book now: via Booking.com
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