Midtown Magic At The Peninsula New York – Review

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Step inside a glittering city landmark

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Looking for somewhere to stay in the very heart of the Big Apple? The Peninsula New York is certainly worthy of its prime location on Fifth Avenue, says Martha Davies.

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Hotel Review: The Peninsula New York

A truly special hotel is more than the sum of its parts. It has stellar service, sure, and palatial beds, and picture-perfect views, not to mention superb food, of course. But amongst all of this, there’s something more – something you can’t quite pin down. At The Peninsula New York, it isn’t just about luxury; underneath the gleaming façade, there’s something greater and yet infinitely more subtle, something quietly but unfalteringly magical.

It all starts in the lobby, which beckons you, chandeliers and all, into what’s surely one of the finest buildings in the Big Apple – a designated city landmark dating back to 1905, when it began life as the magnificent Gotham Hotel. The building’s story unfolds over many chapters (in the early 1960s, the basement contained one of New York’s first and most elegant nightclubs), but it now transmits that breathtaking Peninsula charm.

Such charm extends, unquestionably, to the staff, who will cater to your every whim. (Don’t be startled if you enter the lift to find a smiling bellman delivering a holographic tangle of birthday balloons, or dropping off a crowd of Cartier shopping bags.) Descending the lobby steps into the beating heart of the city might be thrilling, but slipping back into the heavenly world of The Peninsula is, you’ll find, just as exciting.

Predictably, the rooms are gorgeous: think understated and yet meticulously thought-out luxury. The carpets are plush, the beds unadorned save for sumptuous sheets and pillows, and, floating above them, headboards are crafted to look like feathers. The bathrooms are enormous, with mirrored walls, rain showers and televisions set into the wall opposite cavernous bathtubs (plus toiletries crafted specifically for The Peninsula New York – each of the brand’s locations boasts a signature fragrance, and packaging is 99.9% free of single-use petroleum plastics, too). After a recent refurbishment, both the bedrooms and bathrooms are kitted out with touch-screen tablets which control the lighting and temperature, as well as granting access to the hotel’s 24-hour digital concierge.

The idea is that each room evokes the elegance of a private Manhattan apartment – but with five-star hotel services available at a touch of a button. It is, however, difficult to imagine many NYC apartments being quite as sumptuous as this; or, indeed, boasting a more enviable location. Part of the magic of The Peninsula New York is that it stands directly on Fifth Avenue, commanding views that reach all the way to Central Park. (The brand chooses its locations incredibly carefully; it’s said that decades were spent looking for a suitable spot for The Peninsula London, which finally opened last year).

So, open the door to your room at The Peninsula New York and you’ll find yourself suspended above the city’s most famous street. Yet the buzz and clamour unfolds as if from within a dream; everything is marvelously peaceful. Of course, it helps that you can also retreat to the hotel’s indoor pool, or to the sleek fitness centre, if you’re in particular need of relaxation. Or book into the spa, which offers an array of massages, facials and wellness programmes which you can even undertake from the comfort of a private spa suite, if you wish. Plus, there’s the Vu Hair salon, if you’re after some more pampering.

Naturally, the other pastime available is dining, and there are plenty of options to choose from. For breakfast, lunch and a particularly lauded brunch, head to Clement Restaurant (which serves up elegant American cuisine) before savouring a drink at the Gotham Lounge or the sultry Bar at Clement. And no matter how packed your New York itinerary might be, make sure to dedicate an hour (or an entire evening) to Pen Top, the hotel’s newly-renovated rooftop bar. It’s a splendid spot for a drink on a balmy summer evening, and in the winter, it’s decked out with private, heated igloos and twinkling lights. A magnificent hotel always needs a jewel in its crown, after all.