After a weekend in New York, you might wish to seek solace in the streets shadowed by Central Park’s luscious green trees and parkland. This was exactly where I found myself on a Monday afternoon, checking into this luxurious hotel.
The Surrey is New York’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel, owned and operated by Denihan Hospitality Group. Its location gives guests direct access to top fashion houses, restaurants, world-class art institutions and iconic landmarks, while its discreet service allows for calm personal space. I felt it was one of the best ways to experience the upper echelons of New York society.
Built in 1926 as a residence hotel, the original Surrey was home to many of New York’s most famous celebrities – including JFK, Bette Davis, Claudette Colbert who all appreciated and recognized the allure of exceptional, discreet service. When the hotel was renovated, The Surrey joined forces with acclaimed interior designer Lauren Rottet of Rottet Studio. His responsibility was the development of this luxury address, modernising yet maintaining the hotel’s sense of history created by generations of highly influential guests.
Walking through the cast iron doors, guests are welcomed by marbled floors and impressive artwork, against a subtle French grey palette. Rottet chose Chuck Close’s 2007 portrait of model and icon, Kate Moss, to provide a focal point at the end of the lobby hallway drawing guests towards it and thereby encouraging exploration of other areas of the hotel. Close, an American painter and photographer, achieved fame and recognition as a photorealist through his massive-scale portraits.
The Surrey has collaborated with art historian extraordinaire Natasha Schlesinger – founder of the award winning ArtMuse. At the time of New York Fashion Week in September last year, The Surrey Art Exhibition and Collection sought to explore the similitude between art and fashion as the two industries collide in a new dynamic era. In the last 100 years fashion has adopted the language of art and The Surrey’s exhibition, ‘Fashioning Art’ is a real draw to the hotel.
The beautifully designed old-fashioned lift took me to the most magnificent L-shaped suite with a glorious white-marbled bathroom and a kitchenette in the alcove, it was a heavenly space. The bed was extremely comfortable with soft, feather pillows and beautiful high thread count sheets, making my evening plans seem far less desirable.
Discovering this haven for the first time really does make you want to clear your plans, particularly when you find out that internationally renowned chef Daniel Boulud has a restaurant in the hotel as well as his magnificent Bar Pleiades.
The Surrey is a truly magical place where privacy is of the upmost importance and the surroundings are exquisite. This residential haven in the luxurious Upper East Side is a place where guests can experience the best of New York whilst being anonymous when they get tired of the pounding and relentless city.
Address: 20 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021, USA
Phone: +1 212-288-3700
For more information, please visit thesurrey.com
