Parisian Elegance In NYC: Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York – Review

Amid the flashes of red brick and wrought iron in Tribeca, you’ll find the stately façade of Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York – and behind it lies a Parisian-inspired haven. Martha Davies checks into this gorgeous hotel. 

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Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York – Review

Positioning itself as a Parisian pied-à-terre in the heart of Tribeca, Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York might feel like coming home if your home happens to resemble a satin-and-velvet-clad palace. Everything here is utterly lavish, from the pink headboard on the sprawling bed to the matching curtains framing a view of distant skyscrapers. I was particularly delighted to discover that the Art Deco-inspired wardrobe in my room was complete with a pull-out drawer containing a mini bar and Nespresso machine, while the enormous mirror opposite my bed was in fact also a TV. These rooms are breathtaking, and they’ll have you wishing that Fouquet’s really was home.

If only. There is a whole host of luxurious facilities at Fouquet’s, from an effortlessly cool DOGPOUND gym (the LA branch of which is frequented by celebrities including Sofia Richie, Hailey Bieber and Hugh Jackman) to a screening room lined with plush velvet armchairs and chaise longues. The Spa Diane Barrière is particularly divine, boasting a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool and an extensive list of personalised treatments from Paris-based skincare brand Biologique Recherche. (It’s worth nothing, however, that the bathrooms in every room and suite here are divine in their own right, with huge showers, marble vanities and gleaming gold fixtures. If you don’t make it to the spa – though I’d recommend trying to fit it in – you won’t exactly be hard done by.)

The hotel’s Parisian touches are a homage to the French heritage of the Barrière brand; Brasserie Fouquet on the Champs-Élysées is particularly historic, and its culinary traditions (overseen by Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire) are continued at Brasserie Fouquet New York. Expect classic starters like beef tartare, escargot and French onion soup, while main courses include lobster fricassée, dover sole meunière and ribeye steak – or you can opt for a cheeseburger, if you’d rather indulge in some quintessentially American fare during your time in the Big Apple.

In the mornings, if you manage to extract yourself from the warmth of your colossal bed, you can take a seat at Par Ici café, the hotel’s more casual dining spot. My reward for doing so was a particularly elegant stack of pancakes topped with fresh berries, whipped ricotta and lime maple syrup. There’s plenty more on the menu, though, whether you’re looking to grab a quick pastry or enjoy a rather indulgent smoked salmon platter (essentially a more sophisticated alternative to the lox bagel, a New York staple).

Dotted with palm trees, the cafe’s polished marble interiors mirror the hotel’s newly-opened rooftop terrace – which is particularly glorious under blue skies – but both provide quite the contrast to the Titsou Bar, where you’ll likely want to end up after a day exploring the city. Furnished in the manner of a 1920s Parisian speakeasy, the bar is cloaked in plum-coloured drapes and scattered with velvet armchairs. When the New York buzz becomes a little too loud, escape here – and then simply retreat to your palatial room. (The only problem is, you’ll never want to leave again).

THE FINAL WORD

Ostensibly the embodiment of quiet luxury, Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York feels like a French-tinted incarnation of Sex and the City glamour (or Gossip Girl glitz, for the Gen Z crowd) – though you can expect understated flair rather than excessive opulence. With its plush textures and pastel tones calling to mind a Parisian palace, it’s certainly the most sumptuous home-away-from-home I’ve encountered. 

BOOK IT

Rooms at Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York start at $1,100 per night. hotelsbarriere.com