Reimagined Gilded Age architecture, a rare $3,000 glass of cognac, and a magician for the millionaires — all wrapped in a modern five-star Manhattan experience.
The Lotte New York Palace (pronounced ‘Loh-tay’) is an iconic five-star hotel nestled in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Just steps from Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall, you might recognize it from popular shows like Gossip Girl, and a host of others.
Commissioned by railroad tycoon Henry Villard, in an effort to immortalize his success through stone and mortar, it was originally constructed in the 1880s as part of the Villard Houses. The transformation of this historic structure into the luxurious hotel we know today began in 1974. Reimagined to preserve one of New York City’s historic landmarks, it stands in present day as a stunning tribute to the Gilded Age. You’ll notice original fixtures and motifs artfully preserved throughout the space. Arched ceilings, the grand marble staircase and original Tiffany stained-glass windows are just some of the jaw droppers.
The Rooms
With a staggering 909 rooms spread across 55 floors, the sheer size of the hotel might make you wonder about privacy. Even on a fully booked weekend, it’s remarkable how secluded you can feel. For an elevated experience, consider staying in The Towers, what feels like a ‘hotel within a hotel’ that occupies the top 14 floors. The Towers offer extra spacious rooms, a private reception area, and niche butler services, like shoeshines.
Upon entering, you’ll notice that the rooms are significantly more spacious than your average Manhattan hotel room. Thanks to its prime location, nearly every room boasts a memorable view, whether it’s of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral or the Art Deco skyline. Granite bathrooms are filled with plush towels of every shape and size, heated floors, and a fully stocked line of Molton Brown products.
And if you’re looking to splurge, the Suites here are among the largest in the city, ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 square feet. These suites consist of glamorous living rooms, panoramic skylines, and curated art pieces. Noteworthy mentions include the Jewel Suite, with its floating display cases showing jewlery creations valued at $1.5 million, and a Penthouse suite with its own elevator to get between its three floors.
The Dining
A visit isn’t complete without stepping foot in The Gold Room, a space that embodies the height of luxury. Originally the music room of the Villard mansion, it has been meticulously preserved to retain its Renaissance-style architecture. Prepare to let out a little gasp as you enter the richly decorated dining area, where the original gilded walls, gold leaf ceilings and intricate archways from 1882 remain perfectly intact. You’ll find a range of shared plates from buttered Connecticut Lobster rolls to Korean-style wings with kimchi aioli. And if a glass of wine is more up your alley, the night cap list is worth a mention.
The courtyard, once the Madison Avenue entrance where the Villard family arrived in their horse drawn carriages, now serves as a charming outdoor space. Here, you can mingle at The Summer Bar, a recent addition that seamlessly fits into NYC’s post-work culture. The iron gated enclave sports cocktails and crudités, where locals and visitors can unwind with a kiwi-infused martini or Caviar Russe. Summer flavors are front and center, and the courtyard effortlessly feels like an extension of the neighborhood’s social fabric.
The Extras
Despite its grandeur, the hotel itself is chock-full of clandestine secrets. Explore some of the common areas, and you might stumble upon the library adorned with original crests from Random House Publishing or much of the famed artwork. Rarities is a moody and opulent invite-only bar that transports you to a Gatsby-era living room of sorts. Here, you can imbibe on rare and pre-prohibition spirits, some going for $1,000 per glass.
Or head to Trouble’s Trust, an underground cocktail bar tucked beneath the grand staircase, named after the late hotelier Leona Helmsley’s dog, Trouble. Infamously, Trouble inherited a $12 million trust fund once Leona passed in 2007, and you’ll find the pup’s face featured in the bar’s playful wallpaper. If you’re visiting on a Friday or Saturday night, don’t miss Steve Cohen’s Chamber Magic show held in the hotel’s Madison Room – an intimate experience that will leave you thinking about his witty charisma and trippy illusions for months to come. Known as the “Millionaire’s Magician,” tickets range from $175-$350, and it’s worth the treat. If you’re still eager to explore the city afterward, the hotel’s car service is equipped with a driver that can drop you off anywhere in a swanky Maybach, if you so choose.
If you’re looking for a luxury stay in Manhattan, the Lotte New York Palace offers a rare moment to experience what feels like a bygone era – we think it’s worth the splurge!
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Lotte New York Palace
455 Madison Ave, New York, NY
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