For sheer luxury and elegance, you’ll struggle to find a more pertinent hotel than Baccarat Hotel in New York. This is Parisian chic married with New York modernity. Only the absolute best will do for their hotel guests, whether it’s the caviar they serve down to the luxuriously soft toilet paper in your pristine marbled bathroom. However, it is all about discreet refinement, too, with their street-level lifts transporting you directly to your rooms without the need to pass through reception, should you require that extra level of privacy.
Hotel
You could not be in a more convenient mid-town location than this hotel, being right opposite MoMA, NYC’s modern art museum. It’s a short stroll to the likes of the shopping mecca at Fifth Avenue or the theatre hub of Broadway.
Designed by Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier, this is an undeniably shimmery affair from the moment you step into the hotel. There is a seductive light installation by their lifts on the street level that immediately transports you to the world of Baccarat. The dim, mood lighting on the first-floor reception serves to highlight the spectacular nature of the crystal artefacts surrounding the space, in particular, your attention will be diverted above to their masterpiece chandeliers.
When you step into the Grand Salon, where you can enjoy dinner and afternoon tea, it is akin to stepping into the most impressive museum of fine arts in the city. Dazzling crystals adorn every corner of the room which is supported by pleated Jouffre silk-covered walls, sumptuous seating in rich velvet and parquet floors bedecked with splendid mosaics.
Room
This is all about Pied-à-Terre living. There is a floor to ceiling window for you to enjoy the delights of 53rd street. There is an inviting four-post, king-sized bed with Mascioni jacquard linens and a cashmere throw. There is also a bespoke designer sofa that you’ll wish you could transport back to your living room, and befitting the discreet nature of the hotel, the flatscreen TV is hidden away behind a smoked mirror.
I wouldn’t normally say the mini bar is the highlight of any room, but when you have a red lacquer box filled with Baccarat crystal stemware, it makes opening their bottle of Grey Goose vodka or Remy Martin VSOP a must-do activity.
The bathroom is bedecked with stylish white marble and the amenity kits are from Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris whilst the sumptuously soft Italian robes and towels must have a thread count in the thousands.
Food and drink
Whilst the menu isn’t overly elaborate, what they do offer they execute to the very highest standards using the finest of ingredients. You wouldn’t expect anything less from their two Michelin-starred culinary director Gabriel Kreuther. Think penne pasta but topped with black truffles and foie gras or a lobster roll as a starter with added caviar.
Their afternoon tea offering is hugely popular, naturally served on Baccarat crystal plates and flutes. They’ve recently added a gluten-free and a vegan afternoon tea, so with four options available (they also have a speciality children’s Petit Prince tea), they are the undisputed king of afternoon teas in New York City. However, don’t expect a formal restaurant service with crisp white linen, as the atmosphere in the Grand Salon has more of a refined lounge vibe.
There is a wonderful selection of Champagne with the likes of Louis Roederer, ‘Collection 242’ Brut, but I should also highlight their plush cocktail selection. The highlight, no doubt, is The Last Emperor with Nolots reserve gin, Chartreuse circa 1921-1926, cherry wood aged maraschino liqueur, lime juice and gold cherry priced at $1,780.
Spa
Being the first dedicated spa in the United States to offer La Mer skincare products and with only four treatment rooms, this is one experience you need to book ahead even before you secure the hotel room. If you want to look at least ten years younger, then make sure you book up for, The La Mer miracle broth facial. They do have the more conventional deep tissue and aromatherapy massages and you can choose your masseur (and whether you want a male or female masseur) with their easy-to-book online system.
To do
For those Michelin-starred loving diners, make sure you book up for the chef’s table at The Modern which is right opposite the hotel. There is also the three Michelin-starred, Le Bernardin nearby. And do check out MoMA with its vast array of modern art installations, and The Modern is situated inside the museum.
In a nutshell
For those with a refined palate yet looking for a discreet experience, Baccarat Hotel is just the place to stay in the Big Apple. Their attention to every minutia of guest experience means you are assured of a faultless, first-class experience.
Factbox
Baccarat Hotel offers rooms from $925 per night.
Address: 28 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Phone: +1 212-790-8800
Email: NYReservations@baccarathotels.com
Website: baccarathotels.com
